Everyone loves them–doctors, wellness gurus, the people on TikTok trying to sell you anything they can. Supplements are an amazing way to receive vitamins and minerals we are deficient in without having to go to extreme lengths. We can find them at almost every major retailer, Walmart, Target, CVS, etc. Trying to find the best options for yourself can be overwhelming, but never impossible.
Whenever we are introducing a new product into our bodies, it is always important to consult with our doctors first. Receiving a blood draw and panel allows us to pinpoint exactly what we are deficient in to ensure we are only supplementing what we need to be. Our doctors are able to recommend specific brands that will work the best for us. This avoids overspending on different products to hopefully find one that we will actually see benefits from.
Professional advice from our doctor should always be the first step when starting our supplement journey. Some of the creators on social media platforms may be trained in this area or have certain knowledge that can benefit us, but our main advice should stem directly from a medical professional we can trust. Using influencers or creators should be the second source of research rather than relying on them to fully guide us to our health goals.
Not keeping all of our trust and faith into influencers or creators also keeps us away from the unnecessary recommendations or advice they may have. Some of these individuals may have sponsorships with certain companies where they have to promote something specific, rather than actually focusing on each individual’s health. Promotions such as these are beneficial, but only if the vitamin or mineral they are boosting is what is necessary for you. It is easy to fall into what is trending or popular online and be led to purchasing supplements we may not actually need. The danger with this is if we are ingesting too much of a supplement, or it is reacting with other medications or supplements, our health can worsen rather than benefit.
Supplements are not just a “wellness hack” or a trend to hop onto, they are medical products that should be taken with supervision and professional recommendation. In order to receive the wonderful benefits they can have, we need to ensure we are researching and consulting with medical professionals. A product that is designed to benefit us, should never be the reason we are feeling sicker.
