Pills I’m Poppin’

Second to weight loss and diet, I’m most frequently asked about what supplements are best. I do take a few, have tried a thousand and have strong opinions. A new study shows that many supplements are a waste of $$, and I pretty much agree. After years of experimenting, education and training I know full well that there is not ANY type of magic bullet suitable for all persons. Yes, there are supplements that can be extremely supportive for some conditions, but just popping a once-a-day off-brand multi from the drugstore will do little except drain your wallet.
I’ve always believed in whole food nutrition to get what your body needs for health and to support an organic lifestyle. I think you can eat your way to health, with the occasion supplement for targeted issues, if you have them. I prefer to eat than to pop pills, and mostly, I can get what I need. However, there are a few specialty supplements that do seem to help me. Here’s what I take: Vitamin D, fish oil, a magnesium powder drink at night, and on occasion, digestive enzymes. If I feel mentally, physically or emotionally drained, I’ll supplement with licorice root extract to aid my adrenal glands. That’s it. If I get sick, I reach for a homeopathic treatment or herbs to help me through it, and I pack in some green powder from a whole foods company I trust. If you do want to supplement your diet with a supplement, I suggest spending a few extra bucks for a supplement in either powder or capsule form, made from whole foods. Ask a person at the place you buy supplements what whole food supplements they have. If they don’t know, don’t buy. For goodness sake, stop wasting your money on a generic multi full of isolated vitamins and minerals. It’s a waste. That’s not a natural way to deliver or absorb nutrients into your body. Eat an orange, try some fresh plain yogurt, load up on veggies and exercise. Keeping your immune system, digestive organs, heart and lungs healthy with nutrient-rich foods and plenty of movement is the best way to preventive health.