Are You Taking Too Many Supplements?

I see you.

A question for you. I want to know if you relate to the story I’m about to share. Recently, a lovely client of mine shared her secret with me. Sheepishly during our zoom consult she showed me her supplement cupboard……and it was a lot. She actually had more products than I do and I have a herbal and supplement dispensary. This highlighted a common scenario I see in clinic - an overwhelming collection of pills and powders that often represents desperation rather than strategic health support. And I get it. You have a problem, you google it and then every tom dick and harry target you with alluring ads showcasing their wonder supplement that will absolutely definitely solve every health problem you have. Its actually quite creepy isn’t it.

The Supplement Overwhelm

Don’t beat yourself up about this. It is completely understandable how this happens. When you're feeling unwell and desperate for answers, it's natural to do all the research and doctor google things, gathering recommendations from various sources about supplements that will help. Each supplement seems to promise you the world, and before you know it, you're taking a dozen different products daily.

Now, unpopular opinion BUT most of the products you order online are a bit……..well……. let’s just say they are often not something I would waste my money on. It’s confusing I know. It took me a Health Science degree and years of clinical practice to be able to understand the why.

Quality Matters

Not all supplements are created equal. Here in Australia, supplements are regulated as pharmaceutical products, requiring rigorous third-party testing and quality control. Compare this to countries like the USA, where supplements are regulated as food products with far less scrutiny. This difference in regulation significantly impacts product quality and efficacy.

Practitioner-only brands offer more appropriate dosages and therapeutic combinations of nutrients and herbs compared to over-the-counter options. The supplements you find in supermarkets, pharmacies, or online often contain inferior forms of herbs, nutrients and potentially harmful fillers. They also don’t want legal action taken against them nor do they want their products taken off the shelf so they make them very watered down. Any company selling directly to you without a qualified practitioner tend to be this way and a lot of companies want your money. Plain and simple. They throw their ethics out the door to make more coin, capitalising on your health worries. They employ digital marketing agencies to target you based of what you are searching. Very ick.

More is not better

Don’t get me wrong, if you come to see me for an initial consultation, after 90 minutes together I will have some idea of what herbs or supplements I might like to give you. BUT I do not want to give you ALL the things and to be honest, this approach doesn’t work. I make very little money with what I prescribe and I have set my business up this way because I hate the idea of loading clients up with products they don’t need. I have your best interest at heart. I will never ever change this as my business model.

Excessive supplementation will often tell me that you might have deeper issues that aren't being addressed. Things like:

- Unaddressed lifestyle factors (sleep, stress, exercise)

- Inappropriate dietary choices

- Underlying gut issues

- Food intolerances

- Lack of proper testing to guide treatment

-Wanting a quick fix without having to change anything

A Better Approach

Here is a little insider tea into how I roll as a naturopath. Instead of being an accomplice and helping you to accumulate all the herbs and supplements, this approach tends to work much better. Be warned though, it means you are actively working towards getting results and not just getting a quick fix.

1. Comprehensive Testing

- Get thorough blood work interpreted through an 'optimal' rather than 'average' lens. You are better than average. We don’t want you only taking action after you have fallen off the health cliff.

- Consider functional testing like Organic Acids Test (OAT) or Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. A Complete Microbiome Mapping test will tell me a lot about your gut health, a DUTCH test will help me with your hormones. All of these things help me to come up with a treatment plan that gets you to your health goals quicker.

- Work with a practitioner who understands that not all nutrients can be accurately assessed through blood tests alone. Being a naturopath is not easy. We don’t just rely on the latest health book you can pick up at Big W to work out whats going on with you. We analyse, research and have the skillset to connect the dots and see what’s actually going on with you.

2. Address Root Causes

The root cause is everything. What has actually caused these symptoms you are experiencing? How is everything connected? Things we might look at:

- Focusing on gut health first - many nutrient deficiencies persist due to poor absorption

- Identify and address food intolerances

- Evaluate and optimise lifestyle factors

- Consider hormone balance

-Stress and nervous system dysfunction

3. Quality Over Quantity

Work with someone who knows what they are doing. You don’t have to see someone weekly but at least get a treatment plan that gets you closer to your health goals……and a degree qualified practitioner can give you supplements and herbs that actually work. Don’t waste your time and money on store bought or off the shelf supplements. My top tips for supplements:

- Choose practitioner-grade supplements

- Focus on well-formulated combinations rather than single nutrients

- Ensure supplements are free from harmful excipients

- Use supplements as part of a comprehensive health plan and not a bandaid

- Make sure you have regular monitoring and adjustment as needed

- Never take something for years on end. Have a clear timeline for supplement use

To finish up

I want to point out that to me, supplements are kind of like the software for the human body and diet is like the hardware. We want to make sure the hardware is in good shape and working well before we add in too much software. We also don’t need all the software, we only need the software that our human body needs.

This is a big part of why I love using personalised nutrition like Metabolic Balance and focusing on lifestyle practices like yoga and meditation, exercise and reiki. It all helps us to be our best selves because while certain supplements can be crucial for optimal health (magnesium being a prime example), supplementation should be strategic, not scattered. The goal isn't to take the most supplements, but to take the right ones for your specific needs, guided by proper testing and professional oversight.

Remember, supplements are meant to supplement - not replace - a healthy diet and lifestyle. If you're currently taking multiple supplements, consider working with a qualified practitioner to evaluate whether your current regime is truly serving your health goals.

Being well should not require an overwhelming supplement routine. With proper testing, addressing root causes, and strategic supplementation, you can achieve better results with fewer pills. Trust me, I see it work better every single day.

If you have any questions for me or would like to learn more about how you can work with me, I recommend you book in for a FREE 15minute discovery call. I can’t give you too much advise over the phone but these calls do allow us to have a chat about what’s going on for you and if seeing a naturopath is right for you.