Supplements: A Hard Pill to Swallow?

Hey you guys, Vanessa here. Most of you have probably seen that this week's topic is about supplements. I'll be talking about some of the therapeutic supplements that I see most often on client intake forms...but of course there are more supplements out there than we probably have EatWell lessons, and we can't possibly cover them all. From past survey responses about Eatwell, we know a lot of you value the no-nonsense, common-sense approach we take to nutrition. So in that spirit, I wanted to add some basic supplement advice in a blog post.

Most important: if you are taking a pill, any kind of pill, to manage a condition: tell your healthcare provider what you are taking and how much/how often. In other words, if you're taking anything medicinally, disclose it as a real medicine. Some supplements can interact with or even counteract other medications you might be taking. Be safe!

Almost as important: if it sounds too good to be true, it is. If a supplement promises to torch belly fat, grow your hair and nails, make you fall asleep, make you stay asleep, give you all-day energy, walk your dog, and wash your dishes, theeeennnnn I gently suggest you think twice. In fact, if a supplement has ANYTHING to do with weight loss, fat cells, inches, or curves, then I suggest you not only think twice but to also walk away immediately. There is no quality research that supports any OTC supplement with regard to causing weight loss in humans. Most of these types of supplements contain caffeine and diuretics so that you temporarily lose water weight - that's it. These types of supplements contain substances that run the gamut from actually physically harmful to not approved for sale in the U.S. to only having the power to shrink your wallet - not your waistline.

There is nothing wrong with wishing for a healthful or more natural way to prevent or manage a chronic condition - we've all been there, and it's ultimately your choice! Just please do so with an extra dose of caution as well as common sense.