When beginning to coach new clients, one of the universal complaints I hear is “I’m just so TIRED all the time.” No matter the age, race, sex, occupation or even fitness level, this is a problem that almost everyone faces.
The main reason we are society of exhausted humans might surprise you: we are malnourished. “But wait!,” you say… U.S. News & World Report just said that the obesity rate in this country just topped 40% and we are currently facing a growing obesity epidemic. That is true: most of us are both obese and malnourished at the same time. The biggest problem is the nature of what we consume.
Most Americans eat a diet full of extremely processed foods, we frequently eat fast food, and our diet often lacks of fruits and vegetables… and, when we do eat healthy food, it is from over-farmed, minerally-depleted soil that is producing food with significantly LESS vitamins and minerals than just 10 years ago. According to Scientific American, “Modern intensive agricultural methods have stripped increasing amounts of nutrients from the soil in which the food we east grows.”
A ground-breaking study on the topic by Donald Davis at the University of Texas (Austin) showed that there were “reliable declines” in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C over the past half century. Davis’ team concluded that farmers’ efforts to breed more crops that produce a higher yield impacted the crop’s ability to uptake and manufacture nutrients to keep pace with their rapid growth. A Kushi Institute analysis of nutrient data from 1975 to 1997 showed the average calcium levels in 12 fresh vegetables dropped by 27%, while iron decreased 37% and vitamin C levels dropped 30%. Another study concluded that you would have to eat 8 oranges today to get the same amount of Vitamin A as our grandparents would have gotten from just one, decades ago. This is why we are tired and often hungry even after we eat a meal… we aren’t getting the nutrients our bodies need.
Just changing your diet to more whole foods is not enough. Experts agree that if you are aiming to get all of your nutrients from food these days, you will always come up short.
Given this research, though, what do we do?
The first thing: throw away those over-the-counter drug store vitamins. About 77% of the U.S. population takes a multivitamin, according to the Council of Responsible Nutrition. Americans spend over $30 billion on supplements every year. It’s shocking to think how much of that money is being wasted on supplements that are simply being flushed right out of your body. Basically, 3/4 of us are paying for fancy yellow pee. Disgusting, right? Here are some things you need to know to choose a safe and high quality product that will meet your needs.
What is a “supplement?”
A supplement is any product that is taken orally that contains any dietary ingredient like, but not limited to, vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, herbs, antioxidants, probiotics or other nutrients. They can be available in many forms, but usually pills/capsules, powders, liquids or gummies. Supplements are an easy and efficient way to up-level your wellness and improve your energy, overall health, including your mental health. They are designed to fill in the gaps left by imperfect nutrition.
Supplements are more than just vitamins and minerals, they also include things like protein shakes, hydration support and healthy energy drinks. Supplements fill the gap for BOTH macro and micro nutrients. Macro nutrients are protein, carbohydrates and fats–these are what fuel your body and are counted in calories. Micro nutrients are all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly.
The truth is that there is no way to fit a complete spectrum of nutrients in one single pill. There is a way to formulate supplements that contain science-backed, efficacious doses of targeted ingredients, so it is important that you do your homework and find a company that has integrity.
HOW DO YOU TELL?
Look for a high quality, pharmaceutical-grade product. Your supplement needs to be bio-available.
Due to the popularity of vitamins, minerals, and other supplements, many companies offer a variety of supplement products, many of which are often advertised as ways to boost various aspects of health or support weight loss.
While most products may be perfectly safe, many are not third-party tested for safety or accuracy. As a result, you could end up spending a lot of money on an ineffective or low quality product.
Finally, it’s important the ingredients used in these products are of high quality and do not include artificial colors, flavors, and additives.
Keep in mind, that I am neither a doctor nor health care professional. I am simply a wellness aficionado that wants to share my personal experience and personal research. I have my favorite supplements, but there are a number of good ones on the market. If you are concerned about getting adequate vitamins and minerals, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations regarding the type of supplement you may need, as well as the appropriate dose.
Some manufacturers will use very small amounts of expensive nutrients so they can list them on the label. Average consumers don’t notice the meaningless amounts of these nutrients—they only see what’s on the package.
In the end, you get what you pay for with supplements. You can buy the generic multivitamins at a big box store, or you can spend a little extra to get supplements made with quality ingredients, no artificial fillers and meaningful doses of bioavailable nutrients.
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