Stefanie Copple, Registered Dietitian
I believe there are some supplements that everyone should include in their daily routine, while others have more personalized requirements.
Three supplements I believe all Canadians benefit from are:
- Multivitamin with Minerals
- Vitamin D
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Other supplements, and the dosage of the above three, are dependent on your own dietary habits as well as your family and personal health history. For example, if you have high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, you will want to take a “therapeutic” dose (larger amount) of omega 3 fatty acids than that recommended for optimal health in an individual that does not have this issue. Additionally, the recommended dose also changes if you are on a lipid lowering medication or blood thinner already.
Similarly, when vitamin D levels are clinically deficient, as determined through a blood test by your physician, repletion will never occur with a meagre 1,000 IU per day dose, which happens to be the recommended amount for optimal health.
Other supplements I often recommend include digestive enzymes, clinical strength probiotics in various strains depending on the specific symptoms, and individual vitamin and mineral combinations. To allow me the ability to provide individual supplement recommendations, it is necessary to complete a detailed health history with my client; note their current medication and supplement routine, and complete an assessment of their usual dietary pattern. It is also important to take into account their age and activity level when determining individual needs, as these also alter the recommended amounts of certain micronutrients.
As you can see, there is a lot that goes into a proper supplement plan for customized recommendations. Without an informed decision, it is easy for people to take things they really don’t need and conversely, lack the supplements they require.
Breakthrough Junction offers nutrition and life coaching services through the expert team of Stefanie Copple a Registered Dietitian and Gaynor Levisky a Certified Life Coach.