We’ve all seen it. The social media posts and online forums claiming, “Just take these five supplements and all your problems will vanish.” It’s tempting, especially when you’re feeling exhausted, bloated, anxious, or stuck with your health issues. And while supplements absolutely can be powerful tools, they’re not magic bullets and they’re certainly not one-size-fits-all.
In clinic, I often meet people who walk in with a whole bag of supplements. They’ve been trying their best to piece things together from advice online, recommendations from friends, or what’s trending on wellness pages. But more often than not, they’re unsure if anything is helping. Sometimes they’re doubling up on ingredients, using poor-quality formulas, or taking things that don’t suit their body at all. It’s no wonder they’re confused, or even feeling worse.
The truth is, your body has very specific needs. Just because a supplement worked wonders for someone else doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you. Your nutrient requirements are influenced by so many factors: your diet, stress levels, sleep quality, gut health, absorption, medications, and underlying conditions. Without understanding this bigger picture, you may end up taking something that doesn’t address the root cause of your symptoms, interferes with your medications or other nutrients, or simply masks a deeper imbalance that needs proper support.
It’s also important to know that more isn’t always better. In fact, overdoing supplements can be harmful. For instance, taking high doses of certain nutrients can throw other systems out of balance, like how too much zinc can lower your copper levels, or taking iron “just in case” can irritate your gut if you don’t need it. Even something as essential as selenium, when taken in excess, can lead to toxicity. Supplements are therapeutic tools. Like medicine, they need to be used with purpose and sometimes, less is more.
Then there’s the issue of quality. Not all supplements are created equally. Many over-the-counter brands use cheap, poorly absorbed forms of nutrients, or contain unnecessary fillers and artificial additives. Others might look impressive based on the label, but the dosages are too low to be effective or they lack the cofactors that help with absorption. This is why, when I recommend supplements, I always use practitioner-quality brands that are carefully formulated and matched to what your body needs.
So where does that leave you?
The best place to start is by working with a qualified practitioner who can help you understand your unique biochemistry, health history, and goals. From there, we look at the foundations of nutrition, digestion, sleep, movement, and your stress response, because these make the biggest difference in how your body functions day to day. Supplements can be layered in to support the process, but only when they’re needed, and only in doses that are appropriate for you.
It’s also important to reassess regularly. What your body needs in one phase of life may shift in another. We’re not meant to stay on the same protocol forever, and taking things “just in case” often creates more confusion than clarity.
The bottom line? Supplements can be incredibly helpful, but only when used intentionally, with a clear purpose. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your current supplement routine, or unsure where to start, I’d love to support you. You’re welcome to book a free 15-minute introductory call with me here to chat about your health goals and how I might be able to help you.
In good health, Lee x