Do I need to take supplements?

Given the poor quality of our food, environmental toxins and the stresses of modern life, most of us need to supplement essential minerals, enzymes and vitamins for our bodies to function properly. 

To complicate matters further, we don’t sleep enough, exercise enough, have too much stress and too much blue light. It’s no wonder our bodies become inflamed further increasing our nutritional needs. Obesity and type two diabetes are on the rise and often the result of a diet of primarily processed foods full of preservatives and lacking in nutrients.

With a continual onslaught of advertisements touting us to “take this one thing” or to “stop eating tomatoes” and the like, it can be very confusing when trying to decide what supplements you should take. How are we to know what supplements we need? Should you listen to Dr. Google? Dr. Oz?, Marie Osmond, or how about Oprah?

We have every intention to take excellent care of our bodies, eat right, exercise, drink enough water. But then there is life getting in the way of our perfect plans. 

Most people have experienced constipation while traveling. Although trying to eat well, certain things....ahem, just don’t work like they do when at home. Who wants to venture out into the Grand Canyon, get on a Snorkel boat in Hawaii or walk into a conference with a constipated belly? A laxative seems risky in a situation like this don’t you think? 

Did you know that taking or increasing magnesium will solve the "poop du jour “problem for most people? Did you know that Magnesium is an essential mineral? For some people, magnesium is used to treat migraines, leg cramps, can relieve anxiety, help you sleep and is good for your heart just to name a few. Magnesium is just one example of an essential mineral or supplement.

Supplements are not drugs and they do not work like drugs. They work with your body by supporting biochemical reactions. However, they can have the benefits of some drugs without the side effects. Conversely, some drugs or medications interfere with normal bodily function and result and unintended and adverse side effects.

Surprisingly, most medical schools include less than eight hours of nutritional study.

Fortunately, there are doctors who have completed additional fellowship training with The American Academy for Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine with a focus on Functional and Integrative Medicine and the Metabolic Medical Institute that includes the most advanced training in the area of the gut brain connection, microbiome health and nutritional needs.

Doctors who are “in-the-know” are those doctors with additional fellowship training. These physicians can offer testing not available in a hospital or “mainstream” medical setting. Truly comprehensive testing will not only look at routine labs but also evaluate inflammatory markers, lipoproteins, genetic markers, hormones, nutrient levels, methylation and more. 

In the hands of an experienced Functional and/or Integrative Medical doctor it is not uncommon to see the reversal of Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases by way of targeted nutrition, supplement and lifestyle changes. Proper nutrition that includes healthy fats, the right foods, exercise and the right supplements can even restore memory problems.

So, before you skip the tomatoes or place an order for “this one thing”, find out what your body truly needs by way of comprehensive testing. 

Get on that boat, head in to the Grand Canyon or that big meeting with confidence my friend! 

Love and Lunges, 

Suzette Campbell