“What supplements should I take?”
The question about which supplement(s) to take can be a very complicated and confusing question. All the different information you may find online can be especially overwhelming when you are trying to figure out what the ‘best supplements’ are to take. The issue with taking advice from Google is that it doesn’t take into consideration all of the unique things about YOU — your full health history, family history, current medications that may interact, lifestyle, health goals— the list goes on! Knowing what supplements to take are as individualized as you are and requires a proper assessment, whether it be functional testing, laboratory testing, bloodwork, or physical exams.
What works for one person does not necessarily work for another person, even if they have the same health condition. Sometimes, supplements are not the only solution to the issues in your health you may be experiencing; there could be other treatments that are applicable to be added in your plan.
Important things to know and consider about your supplement:
Why you are taking them
Safety, caution, contraindications
Side effects
The mechanism of action
Interactions with other medications
When / how to take them
When to STOP taking them
If you are looking for answers to your health, supplementing is not the solution — it can be part of it, but there is so much more that we can do to put your body and wellness back into balance. Getting the proper assessments and formulating an individualized treatment plan is part of a naturopathic doctor’s approach to functional medicine.
