Supplement Success

The thing that I get asked about most often is recommendations for health boosting supplements. Now THAT is a loaded question…but let's break it down shall we?

Let me start by sharing a few insights to help you answer that question for yourself. I am (and will always be) a big believer in an individualistic approach to health. Do I think there are things no one should do if they want to live a long healthy life? Yes. Is what works for me going to be the best thing for you? Probably not. My number one recommendation will always be to become more in tune with yourself. Learn to listen to your body, it is a messenger. Illness, pain, fatigue, anxiety, allergies, injury, skin problems, digestive issues, migraines and more are ALL ways your body is trying to alert you. They are merely symptoms of something that is out of balance within your body. There is no one way to do this, however it DOES require you to take initiative. It is a choice to prioritize your well-being, and that absolutely begins with understanding your mental and physical health and being able to recognize when your body is trying to alert you. There are many grounding practices that can assist in this process and can be used daily as a way to "check in" with yourself. (Read my last article for a few of my favorites, and stay tuned for my upcoming Spring Must Haves article for more! https://sarahbeherns.com/blogs/the-sbthrive-tribe-blog/3-ways-to-boost-your-health-today )

And then my other PSA of equal importance, FOOD FIRST! Most of your dietary needs must come from the food you consume, because supplements are just that…an addition to your other wellness practices and good health habits. You cannot out-supplement a poor diet, OR sedentary lifestyle, inadequate sleep, and lack of nature exposure. You can however, compliment these things and support your body naturally through supplementation, but without the fundamentals listed above, your health will most certainly not improve long term.

Now all that said, here are a few FAQs I receive, with my honest and professional opinion and science backed information. Use them merely as a guideline when deciding what will best support you!

"What's the best multivitamin?"

TV commercials, internet ads, your doctor, your personal trainer, and maybe others have always suggested the idea that taking a multivitamin can be beneficial to your overall health…and I'm here to debunk it.

A very important nugget of information I learned long ago was how WILDLY unregulated the supplement industry itself is. This 40 BILLION dollar a year industry is a money making machine with almost no standards set by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), allowing many pills and powders to be sold and consumed with little oversight. These supplements line the shelves, available to the public, many untested for safety and efficacy (outside if internal studies).

Not to mention (going back to an individualized health approach), the idea of combining a multitude of vitamins and minerals in one capsule seems a bit absurd. If you are not deficient in any of these micronutrients you're quite possibly wasting your money, with very little probable health benefits. On top of the commonly unnecessary nutritional value, many supplements contain artificial ingredients that act as emulsifiers, shelf stabilizers, or simply to make the product more appealing (taste, texture, or color), that are classified as "generally safe to consume" (GSC)….government agency code for "it hasn't negatively affected / killed too many yet".

So you're thinking….

"Then how do I know what to take?"

Much of the population falls short in many vital nutrients due to the mineral deficient soil fruits and vegetables are grown in, the use of pesticides and herbicides on crops, and the bioengineered (processed junk) foods we consume. Depending on what area of the country (or world) you live in, the year round climate and sources of fresh food also greatly impact whether or not we are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals.

Our body is designed to run like a well oiled machine if it has what is necessary to do so. Discovering what nutrients you are missing the mark on is the best way to determine what supplements are needed for optimal health. A blood test (hair strand tests also) can be done to pinpoint which nutrients you may consider adding to improve your overall mental and physical well-being. (Remember food first, supplement second! Try finding foods that contain these nutrients naturally and add them to your diet.)

However, with our modern lifestyle there are a few nutrients most people are deficient in and can safely supplement. Read this article on a few of my suggestions: https://sarahbeherns.com/blogs/the-sbthrive-tribe-blog/pills-worth-poppin?_pos=1&_sid=fd51cde61&_ss=r

And this one on the MVP of supplements that nearly everyone needs more of! https://sarahbeherns.com/blogs/the-sbthrive-tribe-blog/magnificent-mg?_pos=1&_sid=451e9694b&_ss=r

So you've decided you want to add something in…

"Which brands are clean (non toxic), safe, and effective?"

For as many brands that are sub-par when it comes to the quality of the ingredients they use, there are so many out there doing it right. It can be tricky to navigate, but here's a few rules I follow when choosing a supplement brand.

• Check the label. Is there a bunch of "extra" ingredients or is the nutrient in its purest form? Rule of thumb for label reading, if you can't pronounce it, you probably shouldn't ingest it.

• Check the dosage. If you chose to do a test to see what micronutrients you are deficient in, make sure the supplement you choose is high enough dosage. The RDA (recommended daily allowance) is different from person to person also, so do your research on which vitamins and minerals could potentially be harmful if taken in excess.

• Check their credentials. Be nosey, I implore you. Look into who created the brand and why, read the reviews, and don't hesitate to reach out to them directly for more information. I also love using https://www.ewg.org/ to get a better look at each brand or product, and feel more confident in my decision when shopping.

One brand I can personally get behind and recommend is Bulletproof! I use many of their supplements including the collagen protein and greens powders. They are clinically tested and backed by some of the top leaders in the health, fitness, and wellness industries. Read more about their company and products in this article (and use the discount code on your next order! https://sarahbeherns.com/blogs/the-sbthrive-tribe-blog/becoming-bulletproof?_pos=1&_sid=8edcf7d1d&_ss=r

As you are well aware by now, I LOVE researching, finding truth, and sharing with the intent to help others better their lives…but as much as I can do to support you, it comes down to YOU being your own advocate, researcher, and trial (and sometimes error) subject. Wishing you all the best in your health and in life!