Supplements. Are they necessary?

Our need to supplement depends on many factors.  If everyone ate a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, organic dairy products and cold-water fish every day, there may not be a need to supplement your diet with vitamins and     minerals.  If everyone got plenty of exercise outside with regular exposure to sunlight, there may not be a need to supplement our diet.  Unfortunately, this just isn't the case with most of us.  Our busy lives sometimes prevent us from getting us the exercise we need outside and eating the diet we wish we could, often leaving us depleted of vital nutrients.

For those whose dietary needs are not being met, supplementation can be of great support to maintain optimal health.  If your health is compromised or your vitality is depleted by stress or illness, then you may also be able to benefit from specific supplements.

The human body is hardwired with innate mechanisms to repair itself and return to homeostasis if fed a variety of nutrients to keep the engine running.  Giving the body the nutrition it needs to carry out these functions can have a significant impact on delaying the aging process and achieving a longer, healthier and happier life.

Choosing the correct supplement can be confusing. Products that are third-party tested are superior to those that aren't.  When taking a supplement, you want to be assured that what it says on the label is, in fact, what is in the supplement.  Be sure the company is adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure compliance with industry quality standards and required testing.  Finally, review the ingredients.  With a small amount of education, you can spot which are quality and which are not.  Avoid unnecessary fillers, binders preservatives and additives. Most company websites will help you determine if they have gone out of their way to produce a quality product and if you don't see it, don't be afraid to ask the company for proof of quality.  Quality and absorption are key to making sure you get your money's worth to optimize your health!