Supplements. Do We Need Them?

A question I am often asked, as well as one that I ask is: Do you take supplements and if so, what do you take?

I love hearing what others use, recommend and why. You can learn from everyone! Of course in a perfect world we would not need to have those conversations or need to supplement our diets. We would be eating enough unprocessed foods like fresh fruits and veggies to meet our micronutrient needs.

And what is a micronutrient anyway? They are the vitamins, minerals and phyto, or plant, nutrients that our bodies need to function, feel and perform at our best.

There are many factors involved in our micronutrient needs. Our diet (obviously) plays a part, as well as our activity level, gender, age, and even medications. Our bodies are pretty amazing and will give us signs and symptoms if we have a deficiency, or toxicity, but sometimes it may not always be noticeable. We could confuse symptoms for something else or ignore them altogether. For example muscle cramps can be caused from a deficiency in calcium, potassium or magnesium. But you could also be dehydrated or sore from a workout! Fatigue is another common symptom, yet we can attribute that to so many things including stress, poor sleep, poor nutrition, overtraining etc.

And then there are electrolytes, like magnesium, sodium and potassium. They help our muscles contract and relax, balance our bodies fluids and play a role in our nerve signaling. Imbalances in electrolytes can lead to hyponatremia, a fancy word for water toxicity, muscle cramps, brain fog, and even irregular heartbeat.

So how do you determine if you need supplements and which supplements are best for your body? Start by evaluating your nutrition and lifestyle. You could also have diagnostic tests done to determine what supplements are best for you, and if you decide to supplement, do your research!

Remember just because something says natural or organic it doesn’t mean it is pure. The supplement industry is not regulated, a pretty label, great marketing or Amazon prime delivery does not guarantee that a product is safe. Be sure to choose a company with clinical trials, lab tests available and a reputation for safety and quality.

I was lucky enough to be raised in a Shaklee home. I have been using Shaklee products since I was a child, and I still use them. I know they work, I trust the company, they have years of clinical studies backing up their products and they have standards of manufacturing that are beyond organic. I have survived and thrived for 40+ years using them!

What supplements do I take?

• Vita lea, multivitamin with iron

• B-Complex

• Vitamin D. 2500 iu

• Nutriferon, immune support

• Magnesium, 350 mg

• Vivix, resveratrol & polyphenol blend with 6 patents

• Collagen-9

• Trace minerals Power Pak and Trace Mineral drops

• Plant based protein

If you are looking for some direction or recommendations to help you feel your best, email me, for a free consultation.