supplementsafety

“Is This a Good Supplement?”

“Is this a good supplement?”


If I could have a dollar for every time I’ve heard that one…💸


Seriously, so many people come to me with a bag of supplements they’ve accumulated because their best friend, aunt, or favorite podcast host recommended them. 🙃


Most are a waste of money.


This post isn’t to sell you supplements or to recommend anything specific. (We reserve that service for our clients.)


What this post IS for is to educate you on supplement quality and what to look for on labels.


1️⃣Look for third-party certifications.

Check for labels like NSF Certified or USP Verified, which ensure the product has been tested for purity and potency. These certifications mean what’s on the label is actually in the bottle—something you cannot always count on with all supplements!


2️⃣ Choose bioavailable forms.

Every vitamin and mineral has specific forms listed on the label. The better forms are easier for your body to absorb and use.

✨For vitamin B12, look for methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin).

✨For folate, look for methylfolate (rather than the synthetic folic acid).

✨Chelated minerals (like magnesium glycinate) are typically better absorbed than mineral salts.


3️⃣ Avoid fillers, dyes, and additives.

The shorter the list of “other ingredients” the better.


But most important?


Just because a supplement helped your friend or neighbor does not mean it will help you.


Your nutrient needs are unique to you.


👉🏽 We can help you figure out what your body truly needs and create a tailored plan that delivers the most benefits with the fewest pills.


Schedule an initial visit with Dr. Cantrell to get started with your personalized healthcare protocol! 🔗


#elementnatmed #supplements #naturalmedicine #functionalmedicine #plantbasedsupplements #customhealthcare #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine

🗞️ Probiotics Safety: Latest Update

Update on Probiotic Safety 👇

Most people assume that if something is “natural” then it’s safe.

I recommend a lot of natural products and supplements to my clients—but only with specific intention and caution because here’s the thing:

Even natural products can be dangerous if:

X Taken by the wrong person

X Taken for the wrong reason

X Mixed with medications that interact

X Contaminated with potential toxins

To give you an example, The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) just released an update on probiotic safety, saying:

✅ Probiotics should be used with extra caution in newborns, pregnancy, short-bowel syndrome, and people who are immunocompromised.

✅ Probiotic supplements should be tested for purity, potency, and potential contaminants.

I believe that if a natural product has the potential to do good (as in—to actually improve a person’s health) then it also has the potential to do harm. We can’t have one without the other!

One thing I do to keep my clients safe is to recommend products that meet the highest quality standards, such as using the most effective ingredients and third-party testing for purity.

Let’s respect natural products for the powerful therapeutics they are.

Reference

Merenstein D, Pot B, Leyer G, et al. Emerging issues in probiotic safety: 2023 perspectives. Gut Microbes. 2023;15(1):2185034. [link]