Do you need to take supplements?

Maybe, maybe not.

Supplements can help support the body when nutrient intake or absorption is low or when there is an increased need.

Unfortunately, our soil is not what it used to be, food choices have become confusing & we are exposed to external stressors & toxins daily - affecting the way we absorb, use & require nutrients.

Due to farming practices & large produce volumes, the nutrients once naturally in our soil have become depleted affecting the content in our food. We then need to receive these foods fresh enough for them to have retained the nutrients that were present at harvest.

Pesticides used in non-organic food production have the potential to alter nutrient quality further & can also have an affect on our health when ingested - impairing intestinal barrier function & the microbiome.

Other environmental toxins like mould, conventional cosmetics, cleaning products, cookware & the use of plastics to name a few - may also contribute to the need for extra support. Not to mention stress (cortisol).

Many food ingredient lists are now long & full of words you might not recognise. Marketing green washing can also make a product appear healthy, using some great buzzwords like “organic” or “gluten free” & while these terms are certainly important, it doesn’t mean the product has a great ingredient list. The average diet is no longer balanced & providing the body with what it needs but instead highly inflammatory contributing to a multitude of health issues.

Self prescribing with supermarket supplements may not only come with many fillers or excipients, but they may not be quite what you need. You might try Zinc, but actually need Iron or both, but don’t take them together. Maybe you’ve chosen right, but the dose is too low, or high, or it’s not the right form. Eg, You can find Magnesium in forms like glycinate or threonate & they each have their own indications 🤯

So, do you need a supplement? Well, it depends.

I of course recommend seeing a qualified practitioner, such as a Clinical Nutritionist 🙋🏽‍♀️ or Naturopath, who can assess YOUR needs & prescribe the best quality supplements in the right form, combination & dose - but only if you need it.