My Supplement Routine and Common Deficiencies

My Supplement Routine and Common Deficiencies

According to Statista.com, the 2019 revenue from vitamin and nutritional supplement production reached nearly 31 billion dollars in the United States.  So many Americans are interested in taking a magic pill to make it all better and why can’t you blame them?  I am here to say that it takes work. Supplements are meant to be exactly what they are called, a supplement or addition to our healthy diet.  My motto is always, “Food First” and then ask the question, “which areas need support through supplementation?” 

I usually cycle through supplements so that I’m not taking a handful with breakfast each morning.  Different supplements serve different purposes at different times.  I always determine how, with what and when do I need to take the supplements and plan accordingly for consistency.  The constants in my supplementation are Vitamin D3 + K2, Omega-3s and Magnesium.  I take Vitamin D because I live in the Pacific Northwest where the sunshine is limited at times.  I also know that I am a bit deficient in this nutrient. 

The fact is that there are certain supplements that are a must for many individuals because of the climate they live in or access to clean sources of food or rich soil.   Vitamin D is a great example.  Vitamin D comes from the sun and many people live in areas that have limited sun through most of the year.  Most Americans are also deficient in magnesium, which assists in detoxification, decreasing inflammation, decreased anxiety, muscle relaxation and sleep.  Omega-3s assist in calming the inflammation in our bodies, support mental health and brain health with many more benefits. 

Investing in good quality supplements is a must!  Many supplements sold in the grocery stores contain added fillers that either contain allergens or toxins.  It is important to consult with a nutritionist or practitioner to determine which brand and dosage is right for you.  Taking too much of one nutrient can result in unwanted side effects or end up being a waste of money because it creates very expensive urine.  It is also useful to have blood serum levels checked for specific nutrients to determine areas of deficiency.  With this knowledge, one can incorporate specific foods into the diet and supplement as needed. 

If you would like to find out which supplements can be added to an individualized nutrition plan, reach out to me via my website to book your appointment.  Having a functional medicine general practitioner on your team is also a great place to start.  Do your research and let me know if you have any questions, need direction, or would like assistance on your journey toward health.