Stressed!? What Your Body May Be Craving:

When you’re feeling extra stressed, your body is working overtime to keep up.

That means a higher demand for nutrients, like:

✨Magnesium

We need magnesium for sleep, relaxation, and muscle recovery. But the more stressed you are, the more magnesium you burn through 🔄making you feel even more stressed.

✨B Vitamins

We need B vitamins for energy, brain function, and the production of stress hormones. Some studies show that supplementing with B vitamins can actually help people feel less stressed.

✨Vitamin C

Your adrenal glands release vitamin C along with stress hormones—and stress increases your demand for it. Since humans can’t make vitamin C, we have to consume it.

Here are some ways to nourish your body when stressed:

✔ Eat nutrient-dense foods

✔ Consider high-quality supplements for extra support

✔ Try adaptogenic herbs, like ashwagandha or rhodiola, to support your stress response

Nutrients are just one piece of the stress puzzle—and no, a handful of supplements won’t make stress disappear.

But they may help your body respond better.

Needing supplement guidance? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cantrell to discuss the best options for YOU!

“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

Supplements for Seasonal Support ❄️

3 Supplements to Consider for ❄️Seasonal Immune Support

But first to be clear:

“Seasonal support” supplements are meant to strengthen immune function over weeks or months—not to be confused with “temporary support” products, which are best taken when you’re already feeling unwell.

Here they are!

1️⃣ Reishi

Reishi is a medicinal mushroom, traditionally used as an adaptogen to support stress resilience. It is rich in beta-glucans, which modulate immune function over time. Powdered reishi can be mixed into coffee or brewed as tea.

2️⃣ Probiotics

Since 70%-80% of the body’s immune cells reside in the gut, a healthy gut microbiome is essential for supporting immune defenses. Probiotics can be consumed as supplements or in fermented foods.

3️⃣ Vitamin D

Especially during darker months, consuming enough vitamin D is essential for immune function. Studies show that low vitamin D levels increase the risk and severity of infections. Vitamin D can be taken as pills. If you don’t know your vitamin D level, ask to get it checked!

📌Save this post for later!

References:

-Chen SN, Nan FH, Liu MW, Yang MF, Chang YC, Chen S. Evaluation of Immune Modulation by β-1,3; 1,6 D-Glucan Derived from Ganoderma lucidum in Healthy Adult Volunteers, A Randomized Controlled Trial. Foods. 2023;12(3):659. [link]

-Wimalawansa SJ. Infections and Autoimmunity-The Immune System and Vitamin D: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2023;15(17):3842. Published 2023 Sep 2. [link]

-Yuan C, He Y, Xie K, Feng L, Gao S, Cai L. Review of microbiota gut brain axis and innate immunity in inflammatory and infective diseases. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023;13:1282431. [link]

40% of Female Teens Deficient in This Nutrient

💃 If you’re a nonpregnant woman or teen, listen up.

A study just published in JAMA found 40% of US females between the ages of 12 and 21 were deficient in iron 🩸

Why should you care?

Because screening for iron deficiency is not routine for this age group!

Guidelines in the US recommend screening for iron-deficient anemia every 5-10 years, but this recent study found that only 6% of the participants actually had anemia, compared with the 40% with iron deficiency.

⚠️ That means iron deficiency can exist WITHOUT anemia and can easily be missed by routine screenings.

What can we do?

The best way to test for iron deficiency is with a blood test for ferritin 🩸It’s a simple thing, but your provider needs to be proactive to order it and know how to interpret it.

In functional medicine, we aim for optimal levels on blood tests, which are not always the same as what’s considered “normal.” If ferritin levels are low, this can usually be corrected through dietary changes and supplementation.

Do you know what the most common symptom of iron deficiency is? Drop your guess in the comments and I’ll let you know.

↗️ Share to your stories to spread the word!

Reference

Weyand AC, Chaitoff A, Freed GL, Sholzberg M, Choi SW, McGann PT. Prevalence of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in US Females Aged 12-21 Years, 2003-2020. JAMA. 2023;329(24):2191–2193. [link]