13 Reminders Before You Start Taking Supplements
Let’s be real, a big part of wellness is all about supplements, right? Well, at least according to consumerism.
Here’s the thing, if you want to actually create a supplement regime that will help your own body function to its maximum potential, then the best thing you can do is go get your blood tested to see what you’re deficient in. Because, the truth is, what I use might not actually be relevant for you if you don’t have those same deficiencies or needs.
So, if you take anything from this post, then I hope you remember to get your micronutrient levels checked FIRST, before you go crazy with buying everything from my affiliate links. Although I do appreciate the support, of course.
Okay, so today I’m going to share a round up of 13 tips to remember I’ve linked as much as humanly possible to make sure that you get the best quality products. Because trust me when I say that not all supplements are created equally.
Learn more about what true wellness is (hint, it doesn’t require supplements) in this post HERE.
Or, learn how to create a morning routine to support your supplement routine in this post HERE.
Check out some of my top supplement picks HERE.
What To Know Before You Start Taking Supplements
Although supplements are all the rage, and often sold as perfectly safe and natural, there are still some key reminders to think about before you start taking all the things.
Plus, like anything you consume, there are side effects to supplements. Just because something is natural, doesn’t mean it’s safe for your body. And it also doesn’t mean it can’t be incredibly potent.
I mean, c’mon, Ayahuasca is natural and it’s the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.
Get Micronutrient Levels Tested First
I think I’ve drilled this home enough, right? Please, go to the doctor…or even a wellness center…to get your micronutrient levels tested. The test can be a few hundred dollars, but I promise you it’s worth it.
Otherwise, you’ll be wasting a few hundred dollars on supplements that you don’t need, or that make you feel worse instead of better.
Quality Matters
Not all supplements are created equally. I had to throw that line in here again to make sure you remember that. The quality of the supplements you choose matters.
Please know that all the brands I’m recommending have been referred to me by doctors. Because I don’t want to just buy the next trendy thing on social media.
This is why I use these digestive enzymes, rather than the ones I can buy from CVS. It’s also why I use these prenatals, rather than the cheapest ones on the market.
Quantity Is Important
I think it’s a very American thing to have the mentality of: if one is good, then three is better. Can anyone else relate?
The truth is, there are recommended amounts for a reason. And yes, too much of a good thing can also turn toxic. Trust me, I OD’ed on zinc once and ended up in the freaking hospital. Not my proudest moment.
Consistency Is Key
Most supplements are natural vitamins and minerals, or made from food products. This means that unlike a pharmaceutical pill that might give you immediate relief the very first time you take it- you need to take supplements consistently in order to notice the effects.
A caveat here is if you’re taking supplements via injection or IV, because the dose is higher. Which means you might feel the impact immediately.
Timing Makes A Difference
You might feel completely different if you take the same exact supplement in the morning, as opposed to during the day, or at night.
Like anything you consume, there will be side effects. And sometimes the side effects are energizing, while otherwise they’re more calming. Ask a professional about the best time of day to take your supplements in order to actually get the best results.
Magnesium is a perfect example of this. I personally like to take magnesium before bed, because I find it really calming. While I know other people who like that calming effect during the day, because otherwise they’re quite high strung.
Some Supplements Need To Be Taken With Food
Everyone’s body is different, so I might be fine taking something without food, but that same quantity supplement might make you super nauseous if taken on an empty stomach.
Most supplements indicate if they should be taken with food or not. So make sure to follow those recommendations. However, if you notice that you’re getting a queasy stomach after taking your supplements, that might be a sign to eat something beforehand.
For example, my wife and I are both taking prenatals. I feel fine taking them without food, whereas she gets nauseous. Although these prenatals are super high quality, she needs to eat a little something first.
Supplements Are Processed By The Liver
Supplements are supposed to make us feel better right? While they can certainly help with a variety of physical and mental health issues, it’s also important to remember that supplements are processed by the liver, too.
This is vital to understand, because many supplements are touted as being “detoxifying,” when in fact it’s just adding to the workload of your liver.
This means that more isn’t always better, especially if you’re also taking medications! Be mindful of your liver in all that you consume, including your supplements.
Learn more about why I stopped drinking alcohol HERE.
Too Many At One Time Can Make You Feel Sick
Look, I know there’s the urge to just take all of your supplements at once simply so that you remember, right? Yeah, I get it.
However, taking too many at once can not only make your stomach hurt, but it can overwhelm your body into actually feeling worse. Plus, it’s a pretty a heavy load for your liver to break down all at once.
Try to space them out, instead.
Supplements Can Be in Capsules, Powder, Tea, or Liquid Form
Don’t forget that supplements aren’t only capsules! This tip is for all my readers out there who get the ick from taking pills.
Also, hot tip: powder, tea, and liquid versions of supplements are easy to break down. So, if you’re in an era of needing to take a lot of supplements, try to swap out some of them for a more digestible version in order to best support your body.
I love taking Zinc in liquid form. And when I still needed to take a methylated B vitamin I also took that in liquid form.
Don’t forget liquid form also means vitamin and mineral injections and IVs, too!
Powdered supplements would be something like this Green Dream blend for smoothies, or this mushroom protein blend in a shake.
The tea supplements I take are usually custom herbal blends from my acupuncturist. Learn more about how to prepare for your first acupuncture appointment HERE.
Whole Foods Are Better Than Supplements
Above all else, if you can get the micronutrients that you’re lacking from food, then do that instead of taking pills and powders. The quality and bioavailability is often better in real food, rather than something that’s been dried and packaged and preserved.
I take beef organ supplements, because I can’t stomach those kinds of foods myself. I take colostrum, because I don’t have access to colostrum otherwise.
Sometimes when I travel to tropical places that don’t have much in the way of leafy greens, then I use this Green Dream blend so that I’m still getting some kind of greens into me.
It’s all situational on where you’re located, what’s available, what your diet is like, and what your food preferences are.
Your Nutrient Needs Will Change Overtime
A few months ago my dad had his bloodwork done and found out he was super deficient in B vitamin, so the doctor sent him home with weekly injections. The next time he went for a follow up, his levels were through the roof, so they cut down on the quantity and dosage. This was all within two months.
Needless to say, it’s important to remember that if you’re deficient in something and then you start supplementing it, you will obviously not be deficient anymore. In fact, you might over-correct.
Look out for changes in energy, mood, stomach irritations, digestion problems, bowel changes, or skin irregularities to know if you’re imbalanced. Then…go get your bloodwork done again to get concrete answers.
Supplements Are Not FDA Regulated
Isn’t it kind of wild that supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA? Especially considering that many of them are food products.
It’s important to remember this, because this is where marketing can really get you. You might trust a brand because they have super strong messaging, great aesthetic, and every influencer under the sun is shouting their praises.
But, their quality might totally suck.
To put it plainly.
I like to ask my doctor or acupuncturist their thoughts on something before I take it, or ask them for a specific recommendation to ensure I get the best possible quality. This is why I landed on Heart and Soil supplements for my beef organ support. And it’s also how I found Armra for digestion and skin health.
One Pill Isn’t Going To Change Your Life
The pharmaceutical industry gets a bad rep for pushing the agenda that this one pill will change your life. But guess what? The supplement industry is going down the same path.
I know how it feels to be chronically ill and desperate to be better. That state makes you vulnerable to manipulation (ie: marketing), which is why it’s so important to remember that there is no quick fix solution to health.
Reclaiming your health takes time, trial and error, consistency and patience. As tempting as it can be to give your power away to some brand promising to heal you with one powder, or one capsule….I promise you it’s not as simple as that.
I’d go as far to say that the supplement brands making those claims are the ones to stay away from the most.
Let me know which tip helped you the most in your supplement journey in the comments below!
xx,
K