Dear Wellness Enthusiast,
I’ve been trying to figure out if I should or shouldn’t be taking any vitamins for as long as I can remember. Years ago, I never gave it a thought. I would wake up and take my multivitamin because my father is a doctor and that’s just what we did.
When I got pregnant for the first time, my doctor said I have to take folic acid and calcium. So I did. Then another doctor suggested evening primrose oil, so I added that in. After a few years I found myself having to stagger my supplement intake throughout the day because I just couldn’t swallow them all at breakfast.
Then I became a health coach and started to reevaluate everything I put in my body-including all vitamins and supplements. And the truth is, you are much better off getting your vitamins and minerals through food. But, to get a perfect dose, is very difficult.
The type of vitamins you could take varies. Lots of people take probiotics, enzymes and multi vitamins every day. Many also take Vitamin D if they have been tested low on it. Many, if not most women, take a calcium/magnesium supplement. If you don’t eat animal products you need a B12 supplement. There are pills with mushrooms for immunity. There are also pills with chlorella. Many people feel omegas (3,6,9) are important. Others swear by CQ10 (Coenzyme Q10). The list really can go on and on.
I have since cut down my supplement intake to probiotics only. Probiotics are the friendly gut bacteria that support a healthy immune system, metabolism and brain function.
But as I was researching what to advise you on supplements, I realized that I can’t. I can’t tell you what’s right for you and what isn’t. Just like with food, it is a very personal and bio-individual matter. Everyone has to find their own blueprint.
But I did come across something from the amazing Hippocrates Health Institute. They do a great deal of holistic healing work there. According to them, you should not be taking your supplements, whatever they are, every day for weeks, months and years at a time. Because over time you become immune to them. It is good to take a break from your supplements for about a week every other month. These intermittent breaks will work towards retaining the value of your supplements and your body’s ability to incorporate and utilize them optimally.
What are your thoughts on all this?
Be well!
Dana