A Nutritional Therapist's Guide to Supplements
In the quest for better health, many of us turn to supplements to bridge nutritional gaps. However, not all supplements are created equal. Below are my tips to help you navigate the complex world of supplements, offering guidance to help you make informed choices.
Ingredients Matter
Like with packaged food, reading the full, back-of-pack ingredients list is key! Keep an eye out for inactive additives like fillers, binders, and flow agents. These sneaky additions can sometimes hinder your body's absorption of vital nutrients. Look for brands with minimal, high-quality ingredients to ensure you're getting the most value for money without any unnecessary extras. One thing to look out for is a capsule vs. a tablet. Usually, a capsule is see-through and contains only the active ingredients. A pressed, white tablet will contain substances to thicken, bind and allow the tablet to flow easily through the machines.
Make Friends With Your Local Independent Health Food Shop
One of the best ways to ensure your supplements are of the highest quality is to find a local, independent health food shop. These are usually run by qualified nutritional professionals who are knowledgable and passionate, working hard to ensure they are only stocking the best products. Shout out to Therapy Organics in Wilmslow and Beanfreaks in Cardiff. If you don’t have access, many of these smaller shops also have an online option. Alternatively, there are bigger chains like Planet Organic where you can shop online
Source Transparency
Look for brands which champion transparency, traceability, and ethical sourcing practices. Check for certifications such as organic, and IFOS, assuring that the ingredients are sourced from high-quality and sustainable sources. Look out for brands like Bare Biology which have tons of information on their sourcing practices and publish their test results.
Some of my most trusted brands include:
Viridan
Pure Encapulations
Wild Nutrition
TerraNova
Cytoplan
Invivo
Bioavailability Matters
Bioavailability, simply put, is your body's ability to absorb and utilise nutrients effectively. Different supplement forms offer varying levels of bioavailability. For instance, liquid and liposomal formulations may be more readily absorbed than conventional capsules or tablets. Take into account your body's needs and any potential gut health issues, as compromised digestion can impact nutrient absorption.
Identifying Your Personal Needs
Investing in functional testing and partnering with a nutritional therapist can provide tailored insights into your unique nutritional requirements. This approach can save you time and money by ensuring you're addressing specific deficiencies or imbalances. You then have the data to fine-tune your supplement routine and achieve your health goals.
If you are not yet ready to take the plunge, below are some foundational supplements which almost all of us would benefit from:
A good multivitamin (to help plug the gaps in diet and nutrient-depleted soil)
Magnesium (often not included in a multi as it is a bulky mineral but essential for so many processes in the body)
Omega 3 (essential for brain health and inflammation, Vegan options from seaweed also available)
If you are ready to invest in an expert review of your current supplements, get in touch for a FREE 30-minute phone call with me. If you are already confident with your supplement routine, you can use MOLLY10 for 10% off at www.therapyorganics.co.uk.