I often get asked, why do we need to supplement? What supplements do I need to take? Is it all really necessary? These are some of my favorite questions to be asked because depending on the individual, there are many directions this conversation can go. I get it, supplementation is huge and can be very overwhelming. The world of health is a booming industry and we are now seeing pills and powders everywhere! Supplements may take up entire walls in your local grocery store and are constantly advertised on TV commercials, social media accounts and more, and with such an overwhelming presence, we tend to be bombarded with decisions. 

So, I am going to try and break it down for you based on the most common questions I receive about supplements, and what I value as important for an answer.  

If I eat healthy already, why do I need to supplement?

I have two responses to this question. First off, there are many vitamin and mineral deficiencies North Americans are challenged with. For example, magnesium, which is a key mineral in many body processes, including muscle relaxation and helping our body create energy, is deficient in most North Americans. Some research suggests up to 60% or more of North Americans are not reaching their adequate requirements of magnesium through diet alone. This may be due to a few reasons. Over the years our soils have been stripped of rich vitamins and minerals due to conventional growing methods. With each new growing year, our growing soils become more depleted leaving the food they grow less rich in minerals and vitamins necessary for our well-being. Another reason for vitamin and mineral deficiencies can be due to lacking a diet rich with fruits and vegetables. Daily vegetable and fruit intake is recommended to be at 7-10 serving, this can defiantly be a challenge to many if not most North Americans; myself included somedays! And magnesium is only one of the minerals we may be lacking; there are many more deficiencies we supplement for in Canada, such as iron, B vitamins, Calcium and essential fatty acids; just to name a few. The lack of these essential vitamins and minerals in many Canadians diets is not new news. Many shelved foods are ‘fortified’ with vitamins and minerals already in order to attempt to make up for this. Pastas, breads, and alternative dairy products are just a few items that have already had vitamins added to them in Canada. So even if you didn’t think you were supplementing, if you eat grain products in Canada, chances are you have been for some time now. 

Why Chose to Supplement?

Why buy bone broth/collagen/protein? Should I not just make my own food?

YES! I will always answer yes to this question. Please everyone, cook wholesome foods and feed it to your family, friends and loved ones. However, with that being said, I recognize that we live in an incredibly busy society, and that not everyone has the time or energy to always make this happen. Personally speaking, I love to cook for myself and I do it every day, BUT there are not enough hours in a week with my busy schedule to make a bone broth from scratch or get to my local butcher for that top-quality cut of meat. I use the convivences of collagen powders, bone broths and proteins powders daily to ensure I am getting my adequate daily gut repair, as well as immune, tissue and muscle support. Life can get incredibly hectic and having a balanced diet to keep you sailing smooth is extremely important. When it gets too hectic, it is nice to have an easy back up such as a bone broth powder that can help assure you are meeting your daily nutrition requirements. Hippocrates said it best, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine by thy food”. Taking the time to cook nutritious and wholesome food will always be the best practice towards greater health. However, when time is tight, and a schedule is hectic, take a shortcut and make yourself a smoothie with a protein powder. If you are training hard at the gym or even just noticing your joints are giving you more trouble than usual, put a scoop of collagen in your morning coffee. These are just a couple of ways the convenience of some products may compliment your daily routine. 

Why not?

This is my question to you: why not? There is so much research coming out every single day showing the benefits various supplements have to offer. Now, I am not saying believe everything you hear or read, but I am telling you that we are becoming more advanced with our understanding of human physiology and biology and what we can do to help complement our growth and development. Just think of how advanced medicine has become over the last 10+ years. Nutraceutical research and advancement is evolving quickly as well. We have learned that herbs such as Ashwagahnda and Maca help our bodies manage stress better, that magnesium helps relieve muscle cramping and aids us into a deeper sleep, and that collagen powder not only helps build collagen tissue all over the body, but that it also contributes to the elasticity in our skin which gives us that ‘bounce back’ youthful look! The list goes on and on, so I ask you, why not? 

Now to sum it all up!

You do not need to be taking every supplement on the market. Over the years I have always had a rule of no more than 2-3 supplements at a time. This way it does not get to be overwhelming for the individual taking them, you will better remember to take whatever it is you are taking, and it will also not break the bank this way! If you find you are deficient in a vitamin or mineral, are lacking energy, or are experiencing trouble sleeping, talk to your health care provider to get an idea of what may be suitable to your needs. There is a lot of information available and it can get overwhelming at times, and your health care provider will be able to point you in the right direction. Eating well and exercising should always be your #1 prescription, and if you want to take your health up another notch, there may be something in your local health food store that will help aid and support you in reaching your heath goals. 

Take care everyone! Be happy, be healthy! 

Dr Amy Wilson, Nd