By Schuyler Corrigan

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June 29, 2022

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When you open that cupboard in your kitchen that stores your daily supplements, how many do you see? How long has it been since you went through those bottles and asked yourself, “Why did I start taking this, and do I still need it?”

 

When you come in for an appointment with your naturopathic doctor, they will almost always ask that you bring your current supplements with you. Naturopathic doctors often incorporate supplements into their personalized health recommendations for you, closely tailoring them for your individual needs to reach your goals, and changing them often. They will want to assess what you are currently taking and determine if they are still necessary, and also educate you on quality brands and ingredients. When you look through that bag of supplements, you may have forgotten why you started taking something, or not be quite sure if it’s helping. That’s where your ND can be a guide for you. 

How and When to Update your Supplements

1. Go through your current supplements and make a list. Write down when you started each supplement, and determine how long you have been taking this consistently. 
2. For each supplement, ask yourself, “Why did I start taking this?” and “How have I noticed this supplement to be helpful for that?”
3. If you can’t remember why you started something, or have not noticed any difference in your health after 3+ months of taking a supplement, consider discontinuing it. 
4. If you have been taking something for more than three months, and do find it to be helpful, put it aside to discuss with your ND or nutritionist. 
5. Your body is always changing, and your supplements should change as your health changes. This is why updating and fine-tuning your supplements is helpful. You may still benefit from taking something, but at a slightly different dose or frequency as your health is changing. 

 

Read More: Reminder – Adjust your Vitamin D

Quality Is Important

Supplements can be very helpful in certain situations where you may have a deficiency, poor absorption of a food or nutrient, or to uplevel your wellness routine to help you meet some health goals. Strategically using supplements is something that’s worth consulting with your nutritionist, ND, or functional medicine doctor to educate you on how to choose an appropriate brand, and how to recognize quality ingredients. 

 

The supplement industry is not regulated by the FDA, which has its pros and cons. One significant con is the quality of some supplements can be very questionable and include filler or poorly sourced ingredients. Generally, the cheaper the supplement, the more poor the quality. Always look for third-party verifications, and check out a brand’s website to educate yourself on how and where they source their ingredients. If they do not mention this on their website or brand materials, assume they don’t want you to know, and they are not confident to advertise about their quality. 

 

Read More: 7 Simple Supplement Buying Tips from Dr. Hollon

If you have questions about if supplements may be helpful for you, or how to choose appropriate ones for your health needs, consider making an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors to discuss what will be best for you.