“If I eat well, do I need to take supplements?”
The short answer is yes!
This is a very common question in our clinic. Clients sometimes believe that if they eat a good diet, they do not need to take any supplements at all.
This idea is often held by people who don’t understand the value of supplements. It’s also occasionally a belief held by people who have been sold “snake oil” quick fixes or view supplements as unregulated and dangerous. If they’ve tried to take over-the-counter supplements without good results, this is a fair assumption to make!
Understanding the Root Cause of Illness
The reason that supplements often don’t “work” when taken over-the-counter is the supplements don’t treat the real root cause of the problem.
For example, ten different people can suffer from anxiety for ten different reasons. Maybe one has leaky gut, another has insomnia, another has chronic pain, etc. Just taking an “anxiety supplement” means these people won’t fix the actual problem and feel relief. You have to ask “What is causing the anxiety?”
Additionally, quality definitely matters when it comes to supplements! The American supplement market is not as regulated as, say, Europe’s. Over-the-counter supplements from Wal-Mart are not going to meet the same standards as a physician’s. In fact many vitamins and supplements are found in septic tanks and not utilized in the body because of their poor quality. Purchase supplements wisely because it can literally be a waste.
Why You May Need Supplements
Even if you eat a great diet, you may still need physician-grade supplements. Here are a few reasons why:
Stressful and Toxic World: We live in a world with extreme stress. There are chemicals everywhere – in the foods we eat, the products we use, the air we breathe. Many supplements are designed to buffer against this toxicity.
Aging: As you grow older, certain biological functions diminish over time (digestion, brain health, hormone balance, etc). Supplements can help make up these differences in natural functioning.
Poor Nutrition: If you eat a great diet now – congratulations! But if you spent the first 40 or 50 years of your life relying on processed foods and living a sedentary lifestyle, a few months of great eating may not make up the difference. You may have sustained metabolic damage such as hormonal imbalances, unstable blood sugar, chronic inflammation, etc. Supplements can “supercharge” your current nutrition plan.
Food Isn’t As Nutrient Dense: Due to farming techniques, genetic modifications, pesticides and other factors, food is not as nutrient dense as it once was. A good multivitamin can help support your eating!
Physician-Grade Supplements
Physician-grade supplements are very high quality and targeted in their approach. You want to be sure that your supplements are addressing the root cause of your health concerns. This way, you know that your money is being well spent!
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Dr. Sauer
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