So much conflicting opinions surrounding Nutritional Supplementation in the health world and media:

• Take a Fish oil! Dr Oz says take 1,000mg but which one? What about mercury? 
• Take Vitamin C! But how much? Isn’t an orange a day fine?
• Take 1,000 mg of Calcium! But wait- I saw a news report that says too much calcium causes calcium deposits in breasts and arteries… And what about Viactiv?
• If you eat healthy, you don’t need vitamins.

Besides the fact that most people are not eating optimal foods (ie: high quality nutritious foods ‘24/7’)

• The FOOD today just isn’t the same as it was 50 years ago – more than 60% of what Americans eat is processed (and often with ingredients the body just can’t metabolize). Is it the speed we are planting & picking, GMO seed, pesticides or overused soil?
• We are dealing with “SUPERBUGS”, viruses and loads of vaccines taxing our immune system (much of which is in our gut)
• 7/10 people have FOOD INTOLERANCES to foods they regularly eat which causes gut disorders and deficits in absorption
• The world is exposed to a multitude of toxicities (in water, medications, skin care, and environment) and these include STRESS and lack of SLEEP. All of which deplete even the most nutritious and conscientious diet

Here’s a question we ask all our clients:

What are YOUR expectations about your quality of your life now and in 5-15 years?  Just because you are not ‘sick’ doesn’t mean you are healthy.

In a 2009 Time article Donald R. Davis, a former research associate with the Biochemical Institute at the University of Texas, Austin revealed the average vegetable found in today’s supermarket is anywhere from 5% to 40% lower in minerals (including magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc) than those harvested just 50 years ago.

And yet one thing remains constant: DD, Hostess and Frito Lay  still about ZERO nutritional value (and perhaps adding to the ‘toxin’ load depleting the good nutrients).

So… the answer is Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements can be a super way to ‘put on your vitamin seatbelt’ to fill a nutritional gap … UNLESS…. You are not paying careful attention to the ingredients when you are bargaining your health with the Buy one/Get one bottle of 300 pills.  Instead of a bargain, we are cheating (and potentially sabotaging) our health.

• READ YOUR LABELS!!

  • Look at the nutrition facts to ensure your supplement has the actual listed nutrient you want (example: Many times we have clients show us their “Fish oil” but it has no quantified amount of DHA or EPA on the back label just “1200mg fish oil***”) Also look at the Ingredients for added ingredients- if you don’t know what they are; look them up.

• Do your RESEARCH

  • for a company that is not using chemical fillers and tests for both efficacy and trusted lack of toxins (such as mercury in fish oils)

• Buy products that are BIOAVAILABLE:

  • Look at the TYPE of vitamin you are taking for one that your body can actually absorb(examples: MethylCobalamine for B12- not Cobalamine, D3 – not D2, Calcium Malate – not carbonate, etc)
  • Viactiv Calcium chews are super popular (and often recommended by traditional practitioners. However, have you read the label? They taste like candy… Well, ‘cuz they are… loaded with transfats, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and feature a type of calcium poorly absorbed into bone tissue (not to mention the drastic increase in tooth decay). Quite honestly a handful of almonds are going to give you the same amount of calcium as 1 cup of milk (plus they have protein).

Supplements can be a great seatbelt. Don’t let them sabotage your health by buying on sale (unless you know it’s a good product).