Before we begin, a word on supplements…

****In the chart below, we included a column listing the most bioavailable forms of each nutrient isolated in supplements. We did this because we want you to get the most bang for your buck when you buy supplements. However, it’s highly recommended that you focus on food first. Here’s why:

  1. Supplements do not work in a poor environment. We need to use food to lower intestinal inflammation and repair digestive and absorptive structures and processes. If you’re struggling with bloating, indigestion, heartburn, infrequent bowel movements (less than one per day), loose or hard-to-pass stools, undigested food in stools, flatulence, food intolerances, etc. are all signs of less than optimal digestive tract function. So even though these symptoms may be commonplace in today’s society, it does not mean that they are normal or healthy.
  2. You cannot out-supplement a poor diet. It’s like trying to stop a boat from sinking: supplementing without improving the diet and intestinal environment is like trying to shovel water out of a sinking boat, instead of fixing the hole in the bottom. The problem will still exist despite your efforts.

I don't recommend taking loads of supplements. I only recommend supplementing with Vitamin D, Vitamin B Complex, Adaptogens, and Omega-3s.

In 2015, America spent $36.7 billion on supplements. Why eat a balanced diet when you can supplement, right? Well, no. Supplementing instead of eating nutritionally dense foods leaves out vital phytochemicals and phytonutrients that you can't get in a pill. At this time, there isn't enough regulation of supplements to know what's in a pill, powder, or oil. There are thousands of phytochemicals in one stalk of broccoli that could be missed if you're taking a supplement. You don't need phytochemicals to survive daily like you do vitamins and minerals, but you do need them to keep your immune system operating.

When your immunity is robbed of phytonutrients, your body is less effective at staving off inflammation. And so, taking supplements (even those that purportedly reduce inflammation) may be counterproductive for decreasing chronic inflammation. In addition, because of inadequate quality control and regulation of some of these supplements. At best you may be getting a pill that has a smaller or ineffective amount of what the label says, or in some cases, not at all, and they're taking the role of a placebo. At worst, you could be consuming toxic heavy metals, pesticides, or even prescription drugs. Supplement manufacturers can legally promote and sell supplements without having to prove their safety or effectiveness.

FDA manufacturing quality rules don't apply to herbs or vitamins. Because of insufficient budget, the FDA at this time only spot tests about 1% of dietary supplements, and only ingredients developed after 1994 must be tested for safety before they are shelved.

Why do we supplement? Should I be supplementing?

🏁 START HERE 🏁

Below is your roadmap to help take you from symptomatic to well-nourished and energetic. It’s important to take inventory before we take action first, so we’re not just throwing darts in the dark. Bringing awareness to diet and symptoms helps provide greater accuracy with the changes we need to make moving forward to get you feeling GREAT!

Click to open each step below for further guidance and helpful templates.

You can keep track of your progress by changing the Status option to “In progress” for the step you’re currently working through and to “Done” once you’re finished with that step.