5 Things You Should Know About Vitamins and Supplements

5 Things You Should Know About Vitamins and Supplements

You’ve probably had the experience: You mention a problem you’re having to a friend, family member, or neighbor, and they respond with, “Oh you should start taking vitamin D (or B or iron or any other of about a million available vitamins or supplements)! My brother’s friend had the same problem and it cured him!”

It’s true that vitamins and supplements can be used to improve your health, but blindly taking them can pose some problems. At Integrative MedicaDr. Jake Schmutz and Dr. Joshua Hersh can help you understand which vitamins and supplements are likely to work best for you and why, as well as what the most effective method of delivery might be. 

Here are five things we think you should know about vitamins and supplements. 

1. More than just pills

You might imagine a huge pill when you think about vitamins, or perhaps you think of those chalky, chewable children’s vitamins? The fact is vitamins and supplements come in many different forms, such as pills, chewable tables, gel capsules, or even liquids. Vitamin D, for example, may be offered in liquid form but vitamin C can be easily purchased as pills, chewable tablets, or dissolvable powders. 

Supplements, too, come in different delivery methods, but also include a variety of types. For example, vitamins are supplements, and so are minerals, herbs, and enzymes. 

We offer IV therapy, which is a way of delivering supplements directly into your bloodstream. IV therapy is a good way for some people to receive supplements to reach optimal health and function conveniently. 

2. Some vitamins are low quality

Not all vitamins are created equally. In fact, some vitamins contain ingredients that are potentially harmful to your health, like artificial colors, preservatives, or unnecessary fillers. Reading the labels can help, but we recommend asking an expert for advice. 

Our physicians can help you understand which supplements are right for you, and guide you toward high-quality brands. We may also suggest IV therapy if it seems like a good fit for your situation and health goals. 

3. You’re special

All humans require certain nutrients to live, but we are each unique in our specific needs. It’s likely that you could benefit from supplements, but both what you take and how much of it you need is different from what your partner, sister, or neighbor should take. 

Your age, gender, hormonal state, and your diet all play a huge role in what supplements you may need. So, that advice we mentioned at the beginning of this post may be even less useful than you thought!

Our physicians take your medical history, goals, and bloodwork into consideration before making recommendations regarding supplements. 

4. You still need to eat well

A nutritionally sound diet is one of the most important aspects of good health, and no amount of supplements can change that. We can offer lifestyle and nutrition guidance to help you understand what a good diet looks like for you. We may still suggest supplements, but the foundation of your good health is largely your diet. 

5. Things change

As you age, your nutritional needs change, and the supplements that are most likely to benefit you likely will, as well. One example is that after menopause, many women require additional calcium and vitamin D to office increased risk of osteoporosis. 

Get started today! 

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of vitamins and supplements, schedule an appointment at Integrative Medica in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’re happy to discuss your situation in the context of your life and health goals. 

You Might Also Enjoy...

What Causes Vertigo?

What Causes Vertigo?

Maintaining your balance is important to most everything you do, so conditions like vertigo can be hard to manage if you don’t know what causes them. Read on to find out more about what can bring on this condition.
5 Reasons Ozone Therapy May Be Right for You

5 Reasons Ozone Therapy May Be Right for You

Oxygen is vital to life. Without it, cells die off. Yes, poor oxygenation is problematic, but now there are ways to improve oxygen intake at a cellular level, improving the body’s function in almost every way. Read on to find out more.
Signs You’re Not At a Healthy Weight

Signs You’re Not At a Healthy Weight

It can be tricky to know what’s a healthy weight in this day and age since so many people are struggling with obesity. We review signs that it might be time to lose weight.
Understanding Hypothyroidism

Understanding Hypothyroidism

Your thyroid may be a small gland, but it plays a big role in keeping your body regulated and functioning at its best. That’s why hypothyroidism can create such wide-ranging symptoms. Learn more about this condition and how to treat it here.
Going Hiking This Summer? Here’s How to Avoid Lyme Disease

Going Hiking This Summer? Here’s How to Avoid Lyme Disease

If your summers are usually full of outdoor activities like hiking, your chances of getting bug bites – including ones from ticks – are high. Ticks carry Lyme disease, so it’s important to know what you can do to prevent bites from these insects.