Should I be taking supplements?” In clinical practice I get asked this question a lot. Most of the time I say no. Not because I don’t like supplements, but because I don’t think it should be the first place to start when trying to improve your health.
I would suggest improving your diet; remove poor quality processed foods, sugar, farmed fish and dairy. Add in nutrient dense foods such as green vegetables and good quality sources of protein and fats from nuts, seeds, quinoa, chickpeas and avocados for example.
Many people “self-medicate” with supplements, the problem with this is, you have no way of knowing if you’re deficient in anything and if you are, why are you deficient in the first place?
(SEE OUR BLOG: Are Supplements Worth Buying?)
On the occasions I do recommend a supplement it is because I think it will benefit you based on what you may have told me in your medical case history or what I have observed throughout treatments.
It is tempting to suggest supplements; but if we as practitioners do this then we’re still not addressing the root causes.
High street stores will recommend at least two to three different supplements without even considering you as a whole and giving any thought about your medical history. Which is why the UK supplement industry is estimated to achieve a total worth of £457 million in value sales by 2021, they’re there to sell, but please don’t take medical advice from them!
What Supplements Do I Recommend?
On occasions I will recommend the below vitamins or minerals regardless of how well you think you are eating. These supplements are (in no order);
Magnesium– presents in different forms: Glycinate, Threonate, Citrate and Oxide, and is responsible for around 200 different processes in the body. In general Magnesium is one of the few supplements that you will notice a real difference from taking especially if you have tight muscles, frequently get muscle cramps, suffer from constipation or have trouble with sleep.
I recommend Magnesium Glycinate or Threonate for muscular issues because it absorbs into the muscles better than Citrate. However, for those with constipation I recommend Magnesium Citrate.
Fish Oils– Fats found in fish oils are anti-inflammatory, required for hormone synthesis and used in joint health, eye health,skin health and liver function. and as mum used to say its "brain food" backed by science for essential brain function.
Vitamin B12- this is converts carbohyrates into useable glucose to maintain energy levels. It prevents memory loss and lowers neurodegenerative disease and cognitive funtion. Great news for Alzheimers, Dementia and Parkinsons groups. B12 Sublingual Hydroxocobalamin is also recommended in cases of suspected mercury toxicity.
Vitamin D3 + K2– People living in the UK don’t get enough sunlight exposure to maintain levels of Vitamin D all year round. Vitamin D can help fight fatigue, maintain bone and teeth density as it absorbs and utilises calcium, muscle strength and function and improve skin and eye health. a deficiency has been associated with increased autoimmune conditions and protection against some cancers, heart disease and T2D. Vitamin D has been shown to inhibit some inflammatory responses.
K2 is effective in blood clotting. The Framingham Heart Study has shown a decrease in hip fractures with people taking K2. It is also good for the decrease of OA in the hand and knee. (note K2 may not be suitable for those on blood thinners).
Should You Buy These Supplement?
Just because these are my most commonly suggested supplements, this doesn’t mean you should go out now and buy them. If you’re not feeling your best speak to your GP so they can go into your medical history and work out what they think is really going on.
Can I suggest a better alternative?
Yes, I can! I am delighted to recommend a company I trust and use for my Vitamins, minerals, probiotics and supplements and am an official distributor for, Cytoplan.
What makes them so special?
Cytoplan Ltd. is British owned and an independent charitable foundation. They are not constrained by the typical commercial pressures for profit, or conflicting issues of parental ownership that afflict many companies in the marketplace.
They provide a genuinely unique range of supplements comprising Food State™ and Wholefood vitamins and minerals.
o Thousands of health professionals are using their products in the UK - and around the world
o Leaders in food-based supplementation
o Founded and run by health practitioners
All Cytoplan products are manufactured in GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facilities.
How Can I Order from Cytoplan?
Go to: http://www.cytoplan.co.uk
Better yet give us a call and discuss your needs we could help with a personalised plan.
Need More Help?
Call us now on 07594 072500 or email marcus@better-bodies.co.uk
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