Increasing your energy step 3: Proper Supplementation

I'm not a farmer, but I do think that I have a basic knowledge of how soil works. I remember from my 7th grade science class that farmers have to rotate the crops from field to field in order to keep proper nutrients in the ground so the crops will be at their best. Do you remember learning that, and why am I mentioning this?  Well, I want to pose a question to you.   Do you think that eating a salad today would have the same nutritional value that a salad in 1930 would have?  The answer is no, and our 7th grade science class helps us with the answer.  Fields need time to rest in order to become fertile again after giving up its nutrients to the crops that were previously planted.  Now, bring that knowledge to today, where there are 300 million people living in the United states, and not a lot of land for rotating the crop; how does the ground have time to replenish its nutrients?  

      I know that the last paragraph may seem out of context, but here is why we touched on that.  The foods that we eat do not have the same nutritional value that they once had.  Just making sure that you have your 3 servings of fruits and vegetables doesn't mean that you are getting the nutrition that supposedly goes with said fruits and vegetables.  Finding a high quality supplement, preferably a high quality one with both vitamins and minerals are vital to us staying at our optimum.  BUYER BEWARE!!!! Not all multi-vitamin/multi-minerals are created equal.  You need to do a little research into the quality of the vitamins before you consume them.  Basically put, you get what you pay for and supplements are no exception.  The Waffle House T-bone steak is probably not going to be as good as Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  Generally, if you are buying a supplement "On Sale" they probably are not going to help you any and you are really just waisting your time taking them.  

Here are some suggestions for finding the right supplementation for you:

1.  How much do they cost? 

     I'm not telling you to buy the most expensive one on the market, but the "buy 2 for 10$"at the gas station will probably not be as good as on from your doctor's office, or GNC.

2.  What is the expiration date?  

     Believe it or not, but supplements do have a shelf life, and the closer it is to the expiration date, the less effective they are.  Would you buy milk that expires the day you bought it?

3.  What is the brand name?  

     We all know that brand names, for the most part, mean absolutely nothing, but doing a little research on the company can give you insight to the standards in which they make their vitamins.

4.  Ask your doctor, or myself if you don't have one, what is best for you:  

     If you don't feel like putting in the leg work, just ask someone who has done it.

5.  Consult your doctor anyway!

     We are not cookie cut to be the same.  Our bodies have different needs, and your doctor will be able to tell you which supplements are right for your body!

Supplementation is a broad topic, and there is so much out there that it can be overwhelming, so here is my solution:  Get a good quality multi-vitamin/multi-mineral, then ask your doctor, or come see me at my office, and have them come up with a nutritional plan for your specific needs so that your body isn't deficient in any capacity and you will be able to reach an optimal state of wellness.

     As always, if you ever have any questions, please leave a comment and I will address it promptly.  If you would like to speak with me, then check out my website at http://www.eastwestspineandrehab.com

In Good Health,

Dr. Ara