What No One Tells You About Supplements

Health and Wellness

Have you ever felt a bit overwhelmed by supplements and aren’t sure which ones to take? What no one tells you about supplements is that they should be specific to your individual needs! There are A LOT of opinions and options around this topic, but until you’ve been to a doctor, you don’t know what you really need.

The truth is, unless you know exactly what your body needs, you are flying blind my friend! You may end up taking a supplement someone randomly told you about, one a friend uses for weight loss, another one your co-worker uses for energy, and so on. But are these supplements exactly what you need? Probably not.

Some supplements may cause interactions with medications you already take. They may also be providing your body with things you don’t really need because you already have good levels of that particular vitamin or nutrient. Yes you can have too much of a good thing!

The flip side to that, is that you could still be missing something crucial that your specific health condition needs. If you are just taking recommendations from multiple people without getting information about YOUR body, then you are doing yourself a BIG disservice.

That being said, once you find out what you need, recommendations can be fine. Just do your own additional research! After all, this is about YOUR health and wellness, and you want to make sure you’re making informed decisions.

Consult your doctor

So where do you begin? The best place for anyone to begin when it comes to figuring out what supplements you need is to not only get your yearly physical, but most importantly get your lab/bloodwork done. This is a simple procedure your doctor’s office will do to check the levels for specific health markers.

Typical bloodwork may include checking cholesterol levels, vitamin levels, thyroid function, as well as information to help diagnose infections, diseases or other conditions. It is something that should be done at least once a year to monitor any changes or concerns you may have.

The most important thing is to have open dialogue with your doctor. You can ask what specifically they test for with regular bloodwork. If you have any specific concerns be sure to ask. Honesty is the best policy. It’s so important to be your own health advocate.

Also, if there’s a particular thing you’d like them to test for they can. Just be aware that sometimes additional items or labs may be charged different through your insurance provider, so make sure you’re clear on that. Everyone’s plans are different.

Naturopath or Functional Medicine

Personally, I recommend that you find a good natural doctor. This could be a Naturopath or Functional Medicine doctor. The main reason for this is that often times many regular doctors only focus on your symptoms and try to treat what is already going on. That could include prescribing pills. Often times they are needed, but sometimes a more holistic approach can help instead.

Functional Medicine doctors try and find the source of the issue instead of just treating the symptoms. They focus on a more holistic approach which considers the full picture of your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Naturopaths are healthcare providers who use natural therapies to support and stimulate healing. They have a holistic and more non-toxic approach to promote health and wellness. Other therapies can include acupuncture, chiropractic, counseling etc.

Many more natural doctors are covered by insurance than there used to be. I think this is just because they are becoming more and more popular. A lot of people, including myself, are becoming more interested in preventative measures and more holistic remedies.

This is exactly what holistic nutrition and living is all about. Not accepting an “all or nothing” approach, but diving into the “why” something is happening or changing with our health. Really focusing on what our bodies are trying to tell us.

It’s no longer just some hippy way of thinking, but it’s becoming more mainstream. Knowing you have the power to take charge of your health for the better is pretty empowering. It also just makes a lot of sense. Now don’t get me wrong, there is always a time and place for your regular family doctor. Just be open to alternative options.

Quality ingredients

Many of the conventional supplements out in the market today are actually made from synthetic ingredients. If you are following any type of health and wellness program, or just aim to live a healthy lifestyle, then you know just how important having good ingredients is.

If you’re like me, you are the type of person who checks out the ingredient list to make sure there are things you can understand, free of synthetic ingredients, fillers etc when possible. But not everyone knows to do this, and that’s ok.

We are all doing the best we can with what we have. As we learn what may be better, we can do better. We just have to be resourceful.

Often times the availability of quality supplements depends on where we live and the community we are a part of. Whether we live in the city or in a rural area. We all have different backgrounds and economic status.

Unfortunately quality supplements are not always widely available in our local stores. Even the “health stores” of the world carry synthetic supplements. So unless you’re checking, you may not know you’re using them. The good thing is there are many better options online that can be sent straight to your door.

I personally take advantage of a monthly wellness box through Young Living. You can check it out HERE. It’s super convenient and I know I’m getting quality supplements. I can also change it up each month with a custom order to get exactly what I need. The goal is to make healthier ingredients and quality products available for everyone! We, as a world, still have work to do.

What to look for in a good supplement

Supplements can come in many forms. There can be gelcaps, tablets, gummies, liquids, powders and more. They often differ based on age, lifestyle, health condition etc. While they all have many benefits to support our health and wellness, they should be used to “supplement” an already healthy diet.

It’s nearly impossible to have a perfect diet. We all fall short of getting all of the vitamins and nutrients that are recommended for a healthy body and mind. This is exactly why supplements should be specific to our own individual needs. They help us fill in the gaps.

Once you have a list of the supplements you may need, here are a few things to look for:

*Organic if possible– this just ensures you are getting a more natural product from plants etc that haven’t been treated with toxic chemicals.

*Ingredients as close to the source as possible– if there are sources like fish, fruits, vegetables, and herbs etc in the ingredient list, you are probably on the right path.

*Watch out for “natural”– any company can claim “natural” on their label as long as it contains at least 10% that comes from a natural ingredient. Not great! Instead look for 100% plant-based.

Supplements

A great way to support your health and wellness journey is by regularly taking supplements. Again, they should be used to “supplement” an already healthy diet. To fill in the gaps we may still need.

There are many options available, and you need to do your own research. After trying many over the years, I have found a few that have truly improved my overall health. Not to mention the fact that they have quality, beyond organic ingredients I know I can trust.

As someone myself who deals with chronic pain issues, aiming for supplements for fighting inflammation, joint support, immune support and overall health has been my focus. If you have similar issues, one or all of these listed below could help you.

Note: I am not a doctor or claim to be one. These tips are my opinions alone. I’ll be sharing all the helpful things I’ve learned along the way and how they worked for me. Hopefully you will find some useful takeaways and be inspired to start your own wellness journey. Remember to be your own health advocate and do your research. Let’s dive in!

Multivitamin

A great place for anyone to start is by taking a regular multivitamin. Those usually cover all the basics. You can always get your blood drawn at the doctor and they can also let you know if you have any significant vitamin deficiencies.

I personally recommend the Master Formula from Young Living. The addition of essential oils in all of their supplements makes them have a higher bioavailability. This basically means that they are formulated to be more effective. They help the body absorb more of the proper nutrients without having to take a higher dose. You can find out more info about it HERE.

Another brand we have used is the Alive Ultra Potency Multivitamins by Nature’s Way. What I love about these is that the ingredient list is full of sources like fruits, vegetables, etc. A great option at a more affordable price. Especially if you’re just getting started. You can find them HERE on Amazon.

Ningxia Red

Another supplement that can make a big impact on your energy and overall health would be Ningxia Red. This is a whole food (not just juice) supplement drink made by Young Living. The key is drinking the recommended 2oz every single day. Consistency over time is key. I really notice a difference if I stop taking it.

As a Member and Brand Partner for Young Living, I was really excited to try this since so many swear by it. This is one of the first things I tried and now it’s a staple in our home. They sell it in to-go size pouches or in wine size bottles. I personally love the pouches because I can have them with me while I run errands, go on hikes, or on roadtrips.

Ningxia Red is full of the antioxidant rich Wolfberry purée or Goji berry purée, which you may be more familiar with. It also has blueberry, plum, cherry, aronia, and pomegranate juices, grape seed extract, Yuzu, Tangerine, Lemon and Orange essential oils, stevia and pure vanilla extract for flavor.

Ningxia benefits:

• Supports a healthy immune system
• Provides energy support
• HUGE source of antioxidants
• Supports brain and joint health
• Supports healthy hormone levels
• Supports healthy blood sugar levels
• Can help curb sugar cravings
• Whole-food, nutrient dense supplement full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and polyphenols.

I love drinking it with Bubly sparking water (grapefruit or strawberry) in a glass with ice and one squirt of the YL Grapefruit Vitality drops. So good! A great healthy swap for soda or your favorite flavored drink.

You can also drink it straight or add to a smoothie. A lot of people like to replace their afternoon coffee with Ningxia and notice a big difference with energy levels. It provides a natural boost without all the caffeine.

Try Ningxia for 30 days and see how it makes you feel! Want more info? Check out all you need to know about Ningxia Red and purchase
HERE.

Probiotics

Another great place to start is to add a probiotic into your routine. Probiotics are the “good bacteria” that our gut needs for overall health. Often even if we are eating yogurt or other probiotic sources each day, we are still lacking in the amount that our bodies need. I love the Life 9 probiotic by Young Living. You can find it HERE.

If you need help finding what supplement is best for you just ask! I’m always available to help. Send me and email or a quick message on Instagram HERE. Also be sure to ask me how to get 24% off your Ningxia Red and Life 9.

Ningxia Greens

There are a lot of greens supplements on the market. I love the Ningxia greens by Young Living! To re-emphasize, it’s because of the addition of essential oils that makes it more absorbent. That makes it different than the others you can find.

A green supplement like this can be a convenient way to make sure you’re getting all that healthy goodness from nature. You can easily add a scoop to a smoothie or juice to get the additional benefits. I don’t think any of these types of green supplements taste great just mixed with water, so I don’t recommend doing that. You can find it HERE.

Benefits:

• 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables in every scoop
• powerful dose of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other important phytonutrients
• contains 60+ nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, herbs, algae, and mushrooms
• supports a healthy immune system, digestive health, and energy levels
• features the Multigreens essential oil blend, including Melissa oil- a health powerhouse
• contains no artificial colors, flavors, fillers, sweeteners, or added sugars

Sulfurzyme

One supplement that is great to add to your list is Sulfurzyme. This one is made to support healthy hair, skin, nails, and joints. I’m pretty sure we can all benefit from that. It also helps support normal metabolic function, assists your immune system, supports healthy circulation, and supports recovery time of joints after exercise.

It contains MSM which can help treat arthritis symptoms. As a supplement, it’s common to find it paired with other joint supporting ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin. Controlling inflammation and providing sulfur are conventional methods to support the joints.

Additionally, MSM boosts keratin production for healthy hair, skin and nails. Boosting keratin can help fight wrinkles, stretch marks, sunburn, and helps skin heal faster.

It also helps to ease menstrual cycle pain, treat IBD, and improves the immune system by reducing swelling and smoothing inflammation. Included antioxidants also tackle free radicals that damage your immune system. It’s available in both capsules and powder for easy use. I personally LOVE using the powder! You can find it HERE.

Connect with me

Follow me on Instagram (@motivate.educate.repeat) HERE to stay up to date on my latest healthy recipes. Going forward I will be sharing more essential oils tips, DIY’s, healthy recipes, nutrition, and ways to keep a healthy mindset.

Remember holistic living will look different for everyone, and it isn’t an all or nothing approach. There is always room for balance in life. The key is starting with a few new healthy habits for at least 30 days. Once you’re getting good with those, add in a few more. Check out my post HERE for more info on living a more holistic lifestyle.

Take it one step at a time. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Ask for help! I’m always available to set up a meeting or just have a quick chat on Instagram to help you get started. Before you know it, you will be living a healthy lifestyle that is much more sustainable than anything else you may have tried before.