For optimal health and wellness, one must also incorporate the foundations of wellness – sleep, nutritious eating pattern, regular movement, regular detoxification. Supplements are designed to augment this process. Supplements are intended to be used for a period of time to support your body’s own healing mechanisms. They are not intended to be used forever. They are also not a quick fix and are not a replacement for a lifestyle that creates wellness.
Here are some supplements we recommend and why.
Probiotics
Probiotics are “good” bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of microbes in the gut. The ideal probiotic will contain BILLIONS of bacteria of diverse strains (this means there will be a list of several names on the label.) Consider changing your formulation every couple of months to ensure diversity. Also include fermented foods in your diet!
Vitamin D
Vitamin D actually functions like a hormone in the body and is essential to a variety of functions in the body. Many people are deficient in this “vitamin”. Supplementation, especially in winter, will help get levels to normal. When taking this vitamin as a supplement, take it with a meal containing fat, as this will help it be absorbed better!
And it is important to get sunlight exposure regularly to keep this vitamin in optimal ranges. Our skin makes vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight for brief periods of time. Try exposing a large area of your body to the sun for about half the time it takes for YOU to burn on most days.
Elderberry
This botanical supports the immune system. We encourage its use during the cold & flu season to keep you well. It comes in several formulations – lozenges, syrup, fizzie, etc.
Zinc
One sign you are zinc deficient is that you have white horizontal lines/patches on your finger nails. Add Zinc to your diet and consider supplementation.