ARE SUPPLEMENTS WORTH IT?

Are Supplements Worth It?

That’s a question I get from clients, family, and friends all the time. The answer is: "well, it depends."

First, we need to understand why one would use supplements. One such important reason is a deficiency in micronutrients. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey obtained biochemical assessments of the US population and they found the majority of the population to be deficient in vitamins B6, B12, A, D, E, and folate and deficient in minerals iron, iodine, and magnesium. Adults are also not meeting their recommended levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

These deficiencies can be due to many factors such as:

1. Lack of nutrients in the soil thus results in a lack of nutrients in the food we eat.

2. Malabsorption of foods.

3. Improper eating habits and diet.

Why do these deficiencies matter?

Low micronutrients within the body are related to chronic disease states like the followings:

• Low magnesium, for example, is associated with hypertension, migraines, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, elevated C-reactive protein, osteoporosis, and even asthma.

• Low iodine intake not only affects your thyroid but also the fetus during pregnancy.

• Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids also contain DHA and EPA which are important for mental health, and cognition, and are involved in cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, and endocrine systems and more.

• Vitamin B3 (niacin) and Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) both protect against radiation exposure which causes DNA damage and are vastly important in the function of the cells in your body.

• Vitamin C helps reduce fatigue, improve mood, and improve levels of physical activity.

When supplements might not be a good idea?

Due to the growth of the supplement industry, consumers may be subject to attractive marketing of new ingredients and cheaper prices which may not lead to the best quality. A licensed health care practitioner trained in the use of dietary supplements should be consulted in the treatment of any medical condition before utilizing this form of therapy because there are things to know before taking a supplement like the standards of manufacturers and verifying the quality by third parting testing and supply chain verification in order to establish the quality, reliability, and purity of a product.

To find out what micronutrients you are low in, make an appointment with a Naturopathic doctor today!