If you missed the first post in this series, click here to go ahead and read Part 1 first.
I think that the name "supplements" actually says it all when it comes to their actual usefulness. They are exactly what they say that they are-- a great way to supplement our diet. Not to make up for a bad diet, or for the fact that we don't feel like eating green veggies or consuming good sources of calcium! But instead, a way to help us out when we are struggling to get sufficient amounts of a particular nutrient, or dealing with a challenging illness, or simply wanting to support our bodies in a greater way.
One issue that came up in the comments that I want to address is that of supplements not being absorbed and used by our body, but basically just running through us and coming out in our waste. The fact is, that is often true. There are many cheap supplements out there that are simply not well digested and absorbed (for example, most of the ones sold in regular grocery stores and pharmacies, and especially most multi-vitamins).
The most important factor (in my opinion) in a supplement is whether it is a high quality supplement, preferable coming from a whole food source, as opposed to synthetically created or separated vitamins and minerals. Most nutrients work in our bodies synergistically with the other foods that God wisely combined them with in their natural forms. Basically, this means that Vitamin C or calcium or whatever it is that you're taking will work better when it comes as a whole package, rather than a singled out nutrient.
As well, the particular form of a nutrient matters, too. Vitamin D3 is a more usable form than D2, but most cheaper supplements contain D2. Iron can come from many different sources (eg. ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, etc.), with varying levels of absorbability and usefulness for our bodies, and there are many other nutrients that are similar.
This is why my first preference is to get my nutrients from whole foods, rather than relying on a supplement. Nutrients are generally most absorbable in their naturally occurring state. However, as I've stated, there are reasons why I feel supplements are useful tools (lack of nutrients in today's soil and food, particular seasons when we are needing more of something particular, etc.), and therefore it is worth knowing how to find high quality ones.
Another aspect that will affect how well a supplement works is whether your body can digest it or not. For many, pills are difficult to digest (and often, difficult to swallow- personally, I get nauseas from pills and really struggle with horse pills), and liquids can be an easier form of getting it down and making sure that more of it actually gets in you.
There is debate between liquid and pill form supplements, with the claim that liquid supplements are almost entirely absorbed, whereas pills are barely absorbed at all. The info out there is a bit difficult to decipher, and there are a lot of exaggerations being made, in my opinion. But personally, I do prefer liquids and find them especially effective, however, there are also some good supplements out there in pill form, though they are generally not the cheapo ones you find on the drugstore shelves.
When I am choosing a supplement, I usually select only liquid, high-quality ones that may cost more, but are more valuable than buying a larger amount of cheaper ones. For instance, when I need iron, I suppose I could buy several bottles of the pills for the cost of one bottle of the liquid I prefer, but the fact is that my body just doesn't do well with the pills-- I feel sick to my stomach, I get constipated (I know, too much information, but it's true), and I just don't absorb it or feel much of a difference. On the other hand, one small bottle of Floradix Liquid Iron (my personal favorite) and my body handles it well, none of the ill side effects, and I start to feel it's positive effects within mere days.
In my next (and final) post on this subject, I will discuss some of the supplements that our family uses, some tips for finding good supplements and let you know some of the particular brands that I like as well!
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Ohhhh the cost! I feel like I’m always picking and choosing in order to save money and then I end up being inconsistent and ineffective with my supplements. I will enjoy getting some good information from your posts!
Thanks!
I sometimes take Floravit (like Floradix but a few different ingredients) when I feel I need to (like during and after pregnancy). I find it works well. I was VERY anemic during my first pregnancy and took it and my bloodwork showed it working very soon.
I’d be interested to hear what you and your family do, especially as you sound in a similar position as us with regards to beliefs about supplements vs. costs.
I too really like the Floradix Liquid Iron. Do you take this all the time? I usually just take it for a few months after I have a baby. With my last birth I hemorraged quite badly and so really needed it. My doctor wrote down what I should take and I told him I would take the Floradix. He was sceptical… what exactly is it, etc. I just told him that it would work, and not to worry. And it did. My iron levels came up very quickly. I’m looking forward to your next post on this subject.
Oops! Obviously I don’t know how to use XHTML properly. I apologize for the strange italics.
Alison, I am not opposed to muscle testing at all. My husband and I, as well as our children, have all had it done for determining food sensitivities and the appropriate homeopathic supplements to use while on particular cleanses.
We also know of naturopaths who prescribe ridiculous amounts of supplements. Fortunately, we have found one who, although she usually prescribes more than we would like to buy, is willing to work with us when we tell her we just can’t afford to buy them all and ask her what she would consider to be the most important of the bunch.