Before consuming any nutritional supplement, it is important to ask your healthcare provider for any contraindications. Preferably a chiropractor who knows nutrition or an acupuncturist. Otherwise, you might be walking out of the consultation with some drugs.

First, let's look at the definition of supplement: Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole. (freedictionary.com) 
Do I need it? If you have a balanced and complete diet, then there is nothing needed to complete it.
But for 99.99999% of us who even though try to eat as well as we can, basic supplementation is probably necessary. Sure, there are numerous ways to quantify which supplements are needed but who has the extra few hundred bucks laying around to get all these tests done.


The 3 basic supplements that I  take daily are:
3 g of Omega 3 oil (Fish oil)
Multivitamin without Iron
Vitamind D3 4000 IU

Do the brands matter? Yes! Read my nutrition blog.

Now, I will list some supplements that I recommend to my patients based on their symptoms. 

Venous Problems (varicose veins, insufficiency): Pycnogenol, Fish Oil, Garlic
Joint Pain: Glucosamine Sulfate, MSM, Chondrotin Sulfate, Tumeric, Fish Oil, Bromelain, Papain, Asthaxanthin, Ginger
Inflammation: Tumeric, Fish Oil, Coconut Oil, Asthaxanthin, Ginger
Neuropathy: B6, B12, 
High Triglyceride: Fish Oil
Diabetes: Chromium Picolinate
Night Vision: Asthaxanthin
Infection: Coconut Oil, Ginger, probiotics
Cold: Ginger,Vitamin C, Airborne, Honey
Muscle Spasm: Calcium/Magnesium
Gastrointestinal disconfort: Probiotics, ginger, aloe vera

Remember, these are suggestions, you can contact us with any questions. Good luck and remember, eat lot's of fruits and veggies. Avoid consumption of dairy, wheat, barley, rye, and soy, due to high allergy possibilities.
  

One of the most interesting subjects about lifestyle is nutrition. In my opinion, it is the most important and influential aspect of  our health that we can control. Genetics is passed down from our family generations but nutrition is even able to change that.

I am often asked what I think of vitamin supplements. My first reply is always that they are there to supplement the deficits in your diet. However, I've yet to meet a person who covers all their bases with foods alone. Even if they did try, (believe me, it's not easy), the problem is that the quality of food products is not adequate. The lands are over farmed, crops that produced once a year, now produce 3 to 4 times per year. The earth is depleted of minerals, which are important components of the crops. Also, unfortunately, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are produce that were developed in a lab, even though they combat the bugs and weather that used to destroy crops, they diminish the quality of our foods.(Think of GMOs as siblings having children). Pesticides are saving the crops at the expense of our health. So bottom line, the quality of our produce is not good enough to complete our needs! 

Is organic better? Absolutely!  If you have the choice to feed your family a little pesticide or a lot, which one will you choose? Should I still supplement even if I consume organic fruits. I think yeah. Organic lands can still be over farmed, it is expensive, and you still have to eat it to get the benefits. 

In my clinic, I make supplement recommendations based on lifestyle, symptoms, and health history. There are many supplements that are proven to reduce inflammation, pain, arthritis, blood pressure, depression, migraines, muscle spasm, erectile dysfunction, and other ailments without virtually any side effects. There also many that increase athletic performance, mental clarity, vision, and many other benefits.

Which ones should I buy? Are supplements regulated for quality control? No. Why not? Since most supplements can be found in nature, the pharmaceutical companies cannot put a patent on it, so there is no money to be made having quality control on supplements. So, how do I know of a good one? Can't I just pick it up at my local grocery store or the supercenter (you know which one I'm talking about), or even better the wholesale center? Well, yes but do you know what the company that produces the supplement is like? Many times, supplements produced by great companies cost just as much as the ones that are distributed in the local market. Remember, there have been reports of a supplement not having any of the ingredients they claim to have in the first place. So the cheap, is really expensive, since your getting nothing in the end. Please choose your supplements wisely and live a better life! For a nutritional consultation you can contact my office!