5 Things to Know Before Supplementing

The world of nutritional supplements can feel vast, even bewildering, with the sheer number of choices available. We understand, and that is why we are here: to help you move from a hesitant browser to a self-assured selector. Whether you want to enhance your nutrient intake or boost your energy levels, the path from curiosity to confidence is paved by knowledge, so welcome to your beginner’s guide to nutritional supplements.

SUPPLEMENTS ARE LIKE NUTRITIONAL INSURANCE

A balanced diet is the cornerstone of daily wellness. Supplements can play a pivotal role in optimizing your nutrition by supplementing other healthy lifestyle choices you make, like taking a daily multivitamin to help cover nutritional gaps left behind by your diet. Supplements should be thought of as an addition to your wellness arsenal, not a replacement for foundational healthy habits, or a silver bullet. Taking nutritional supplements is a proactive way to support your dietary needs and health goals.

Here are 5 things to keep in mind while considering nutritional supplements for your daily routine:

1. ASSESS YOUR NEEDS

Supplements offer targeted health benefits based on your unique needs, so the first step of effective supplementation is self-awareness. With such a wide range of products, it is easy to get caught up in the chatter of fads and overlook the most important question of all: what is right for you – your body, your nutritional needs, and your health goals?  

• Are you looking to address nutrient deficiencies? 
• Are you hoping to optimize your daily nutrient intake?  
• Are you looking for targeted health benefits, like more energy or more restorative sleep?  

The answers to those questions can indicate the type of supplement you’re seeking.  

2. EVERY BODY IS DIFFERENT

Supplementation is one-size-fits you. What your body might need to function at its best, could look different from what someone else needs. Multiple factors can influence what your supplement regimen looks like: 

• Nutrient Deficiencies
  • Diet, absorption issues, or increased nutrient needs can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Fatigue, poor concentration, and weakness can all be signs that you are not getting enough of the essential nutrients your body relies on.  
• Prescription Medications  
  • Supplements can interact with certain medications. While not incredibly common, it does happen. Conversely, certain prescriptions can predispose you to nutrient deficiencies, in which case, adding a vitamin supplement could be advantageous.  

A trusted healthcare provider can help you determine which path is right for you. It is always a good idea to consult with them before integrating new nutritional supplements into your daily routine.

3. QUALITY IS EVERYTHING

Nutritional supplements are not created equal, not by a long shot. Here are some key indicators of a quality supplement: 

• Whole-Food Ingredients  
  • Many vitamin supplements are formulated using synthetic or lab-derived vitamin isolates, which can be unnecessarily potent and harsh on your stomach. Vitamins sourced directly from whole foods, like the vitamin C in Pure Radiance C®, or fermented with whole foods, like our multivitamins, more closely resemble the vitamins and minerals found in nature. This means your body can more easily recognize the nutrient and put it to use supporting your most vital systems.  
• Nutrient Co-Factors  
  • Co-factors are secondary nutrients that help primary nutrients do their job. For example, vitamin K2 is a nutrient co-factor for vitamin D3, which is why you will often see them paired together, like in D3+K2 Complex™. Vitamin D3 is vital to many processes in the body, including bone health. Without K2 present, D3 is not able to do its job shepherding calcium into our bones. All these nutrients rely on one another to be effective, so when supplementing them, make sure your product of choice contains each one. 
• Certification Badges 
  • Certifications are a great touchstone to validate the quality of a supplement. Here are a few popular certifications that are well regulated within the supplement industry:  
    • USDA Certified Organic – Organic claims are regulated by the US Department of Agriculture. When a supplement is USDA Certified Organic, it means it contains at least 95% organic ingredients. Organic ingredients are grown without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers using practices that maintain biodiversity and soil quality.  
    • Certified B Corp – Businesses that are certified B Corps are third-party verified to operate in a way that surpasses the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility and impact. 
    • NSP Certified Good Manufacturing Practices (NSF GMPc) – NSF is a consumer-safety watchdog that provides third-party certifications to manufacturing companies who meet and surpass GMP guidelines, which ensure products are produced according to verified quality standards, focusing on safety, purity, and effectiveness.  

We’re proud to say Pure Synergy® supplements deliver on these certifications and then some. 

4. BE MINDFUL OF POTENCY

• Herbal Supplements – Efficacy depends on the potency of the herbal ingredients. Therefore, formulas that use extracts of their key herbal ingredients are typically more effective than herbal ingredients that have been flash-dried and powdered. The marker of an exceptionally potent herbal extract? Standardization. Standardized extracts include a quantified amount of the beneficial compounds of each herb on the label, like with Stress Remedy® and Radiant Mood®. That way you know every serving delivers a consistent and efficacious amount of each key herbal compound. 
• Vitamin Supplements – Potency benefits depend on the needs of your body, and the nutrient itself.  
  • For example, if you’re deficient in a certain nutrient, getting over 100% of its recommended daily value (DV) ensures your body has the amount it needs to function at its best, every day.  
  • Results vary when the DV hits the mid- to high-hundreds or even thousands. 
    • In certain instances, like with vitamin C, your body can only absorb a certain amount, and then it just excretes the excess. So, if your vitamin C supplement promises an extremely high DV, that does not mean it is more efficacious than lower potency options. 
    • Other vitamins can build up in your body when taken in excess. Consistently taking amounts well above the recommended DV of these types of nutrients can lead to toxicity. Examples include: 
      • Vitamin A (in the form of retinol or retinyl palmitate) 
      • Vitamin B6 
      • Vitamin D 
      • Vitamin E 

Speak to a trusted healthcare provider to determine whether these nutrients are a good fit for your supplement routine.

5. CONSISTENCY IS KEY

Taking supplements is a small health habit with huge benefits – if you stay consistent. It is never advised to “megadose” in hopes of getting immediate results. As discussed, it can actually be dangerous depending on the product. Supplements, like many other health habits, are most effective when done regularly. Integrating them into your daily routine, like brushing your teeth, is the most effective way to get the health benefits you desire.

LIVE A VIBRANT LIFE ON YOUR TERMS

Supplements are a fantastic tool to optimize your daily well-being. Whether you’re interested in enhanced nutrition or targeted health goals like sleep, stress, or energy support, you now have the foundational knowledge you need to make the right decisions for your body. Now, go explore! You’re ready to put your new-found knowledge to the test. If you ever need additional resources, our blog is rich with insights to help guide your journey.