Are Supplements Necessary for good health?
My sister told me that on Oprah's show last week about “going green”, they were also promoting certain multivitamins. I get asked about the topic of supplements a lot, so I'll try to shed some light it…
Flushing cash down the toilet?
A lot of people have asked me about this issue, and to be honest, it's a tough one. Sure, there are many stories of people who have had various health problems completely disappear after taking supplements, but if you're blessed with good health, you might be like me and don't feel any different whether you're taking them or not. Of course that leads you to wonder if you're just flushing money down the toilet every month. All I can do is tell you what we take and why, and you can decide from there.
Can supplements prevent disease?
I'll start by telling you that my father-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago, and that was when I really began looking into various supplements. Knowing that early-onset Alzheimer's is hereditary, I wanted to find out if Kent could take certain vitamins that could possibly prevent him from getting it down the road. What a confusing and time-consuming job that was, trying to wade through the unbelievably huge amount of information out there on that topic.
As many brands as stars in the sky!
And it's not just the information about what might be helpful in your situation that you have to figure out. Even worse than researching if we should take supplements and which ones, was when I had to decide which brand of supplements to take. Unless you've looked into this yourself, you probably have no idea the number of different brands there are. It was overwhelming to say the least. I did hours and hours of research, and will try to explain what conclusions I came to.
It's the undebated truth, eating well really is better than any supplement
One of the main goals of this site is to help people try to eat better – if we all did that, then just as you've heard many times, we really wouldn't need supplements. If you're eating a good well-balanced traditional diet, they wouldn't be necessary, as getting nutrients the natural way is always better, IF you're eating food from farmers who know how to keep their soil nutrient-dense. So because I just never know if we're getting “enough” of what we need, even though we eat fairly well, we do still take supplements as an “insurance policy”.
Cod liver oil:
See what supplements I take now in this newer post: Why I Love Our Doctor Even Though We *Strongly* Disagree (& which Supplements I Take). One of the most important is cod liver oil: read more about it cod liver oil here.
The probiotic that we take:
Read this newer post: Are we just throwing money down the drain? Are your probiotics really doing anything?
They are necessary if you have constipation, any digestive issues, frequent illnesses, anxiety, or any immune system problems at all.
Major health improvements possible
For some, supplements provide a very real and obvious improvement in their health. My friend, Nancy, had dramatic benefits from taking her supplements, and there are many stories like hers.
Will we ever know?
The whole problem, though, is who really knows? You can do all sorts of research like I did to find out which supplements you feel are best, but we may never know if they really can prevent disease. Of course that's what all the companies say, but when they profit from getting you to buy their products, I'm skeptical.
Is it worth it to you?
My point is that we could be flushing money down the toilet with any supplement we take, but I've always said that I'm willing to spend the money on the chance that it could prevent Kent from getting Alzheimer's, or prevent any of us from getting whatever could have been in our future.
How to figure it all out
There are so many different reasons people take supplements, that there is no way I can do ALL your work and research for you. Here's my advice for how to figure out for yourself which supplement to take (if any), and what brand:
- Get online and search like crazy whatever your question or issue is – be sure to read both “sides” – the “conventional” advice and the “natural” advice, then you can use your own judgment to find what is best for you.
- As you're reading, first be sure to find out if there isn't a way to get whatever it is that you're thinking about taking through your diet, in the more natural way.
- If you have found a company for the supplement you've decided to take, read about them, what kind of research do they do on their products? (This company is VERY picky, so I trust anything they carry!)
- Ask people you trust for their input, what do they take and why?
- Use common sense! If a company is promising “instant results” or something else that sounds far out, don't fall for it! Or if there's an up-front cost or some other fishy way to get your money, stay away from that company, too.
- Lastly, decide if you can afford it, and if the cost is worth the “insurance” to you or not.
- If you're still unsure, email me, and I'll ask my supplement expert friend who worked in the vitamin aisle of a health food store for years! ([email protected])
All-in-one?
My friend, Jen, asked why we don't just take a vitamin that has everything we need already together in the same supplement? That would be nice, to not have to take as many pills, but the simple answer is that there just isn't one, not that I've found anyway. Even if there was one that I'm not aware of, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have the potency that these all have separately. Besides, each person's needs are going to be different.
What's the bottom line?
If you can only afford to take one supplement, high quality cod liver oil and probiotics are definitely what I'd recommend. Beyond that, the bottom line is this: take whatever supplements you have researched and are willing and able to spend the money on, but more importantly, try to move closer and closer every day to a whole foods, traditional diet from farmers who grow sustainable, and move away from fast-food, processed food, and packaged foods.
RELATED POSTS:
- Do you take supplements as an “insurance policy”?
- Healthy milk
- Cod liver oil: answers to common questions
- How to make recipes healthier/info on healthy no-flavor coconut oil
- Eating healthy, without sacrifices
- Kelly's yummy popcorn/info on healthy virgin coconut oil
- Tips on getting exercise into your life
- Where is the truth on health and nutrition?
- Have you heard of Weston A. Price?
DON'T FORGET to get your free printable by clicking here: Top 25 Simple Ways to BOOST Your Health with Apple Cider Vinegar!
Inger-Lisa Brown says
I just came across your post. Last year, I sat in on a seminar provided by Dr. Richard Brouse. He mentioned why we need cod liver oil and such. I asked my team leader recently what the Shaklee replacement for cod liver oil is and it’s OmegaGuard. Also, I’ve learned through another page that someone had Alzheimer’s and a reversal was seen with Shaklee’s Vivix. I hope this is helpful.
KitchenKop says
I’ll still stick with the Green Pasture brand. Omega Guard is just a fish oil. I doubt it has the same benefits of the fermented CLO.
Kelly
Kerstin says
Good morning!
Just ran across this article, and a short time ago I read the book “Naked Calories” which as interesting, and am currently trying the Calton Nutrition vitamins (a powder, twice a day) to see how it works…didn’t know how it compares to Shaklee, but definitely not quite as expensive, for those who need something less expensive to use. Just thought I would mention it.
Marta says
I know this is an older post, but does anyone know if Weston Price Foundation recommends taking a multivitamin?
My worry is that if the multivitimin contains vitamin A and the person also takes FCLO, that maybe too much of vitamin A and misbalance with vitamin D.
KitchenKop says
No, they don’t. But not because of the vitamin A necessarily. More because there are other ways to get the most important nutrients, especially by getting enough pastured animal fats, organ meats, wild seafood, etc.
David says
I’m surprised no one is talking about Standard Process whole food supplements. They are only available through health care practitioners but once you locate them you can get whatever you want. These are by far the highest quality whole food supplement that I have come across and they are not that expensive. Check out their website standardprocess.com
RadiantLux says
Jimmy Moore did a podcast with a doctor who greatly improved her husband’s alzheimers by adding coconut oil to his diet. Some researchers are calling these kind of brain diseases “diabetes type 3”.
My parents sold Shaklee when I was a preteen. I read the newsletter from the Orthomolecular Journal. Linus Pauling coined the term orthomolecular. It is about using high doses of vitamins to combat illness. There are studies which showed incredible imrprovement of schizophrenia with niacin. The paradigm is still allopathic, but it is much safer using vitamins instead of drugs. My family doctor has a vitamin D protocol for everyday use and for illness.
Maketta says
Very good article and nice blog! I have been taking a vitamin and mineral liquid nutrition program for 4 years now too. I always have eaten healthy as my parents taught me the importance of a healty diet which always included lots of fruit and vegetables.
KitchenKop says
Hi Ronda,
I hesitate to tell you specifically because it’s so NOT scientific, it’s just a mismatch of different Shaklee supplements, based on things we’ve read through the years that “might” help prevent Alzheimers. The more I learn, the more I wonder how much those isolated nutrients can help anyway, and while we keep buying them (and possibly waste $), even more we keep trying to eat better all the time and cram as many nutrients into our diet as we can.
If you still want to know, email me.
Kelly
Ronda says
sorry it you have answered this before, but what is in hubby’s alzheimer’s cocktail?
Tina says
Hi Kelly,
I want to order shaklee vitamins for my 1 and 3 year old boys. Can I still get them at member cost with $3 shipping? I realize this is an older blog entry so I’m not sure if it’s still possible.
Thank you!
Tina
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Hi Lynn,
Well, you’ve given me a lot to chew on, but as is always the case with this topic, it’s a bit overwhelming trying to figure out what to do with the information.
We could spend thousands more dollars a year getting even better supplements, or we could just continue trying to eat better foods grown in better soil more and more, and hope that “filling in” with Shaklee (& Perfect Food that we also take) isn’t harmful to us and that it is at least a better choice (quality of ingredients/better absorption, etc.) than what could be purchased at the corner grocery for much less money.
However, the only other thing we take, the cod liver oil caps, I have no doubts about at all – those I know are beneficial, because more and more I DO see differences in my family from taking them, and the evidence related to the omega 3’s is strong.
As always, thanks for sharing your wisdom with us! I appreciate that I can always come to you with the latest issue on my mind and you always respond. 🙂
Kelly
Lynn says
Hi Kelly,
Well, it
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Hi Lynn,
I looked around that site some – and agree that getting what our bodies need from the food we eat is always superior. But in your opinion, are you saying you don’t think Shaklee supplements are beneficial, and that they would fall more under the “synthetic” umbrella that Dr. Yanich warns about? I’ve always read that Shaklee was top of the line as far as proper absorption, so I’d be curious what your thoughts are.
Thanks,
Kelly
Lynn says
I selling Shaklee in the early 1970s after discovering ‘nutrition’ – Basic H was their flagship product. Since that time I’ve swallowed a fortune in rocks (calcium, magnesium etc.) not to mention algae and yeast. (Adelle Davis had a drink recipe in “Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit” that could be used on ‘Fear Factor’)
Recently I discovered the brilliant work of Dr. Paul Yanich, MD concerning “fractionated” supplementation. I was drawn initially to his work because he speaks of a natural fermentation process in his products that he calls “synbiotic foodgrown” plus his use of pure essential oil of cinnamon and rosemary as nutritive preservatives. I also took a 3-day seminar with him in 2006. Here’s a link to an interview with him: https://www.quantafoods.com/interview_with_dr.htm
Check out a couple other titles from the menu there for further information.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Julie,
GREAT information! If anyone wants those books, check out my “book suggestions” post. If you buy it through there I get a few cents, and I appreciate any little bit!
Thanks,
Kelly
Julie says
HI kelly,
In reading more in “Nourishing Traditions” (the book that keeps on giving!) and also in “Eat fat lose Fat” by the same authors, I have been impressed by what Sally and Mary have to say about “Super Foods”. The ones I am starting to take, along with cod liver oil, are: Nutritional Yeast(Frontier brand is the recommended brand), Acerola in powder form (for vitamin c) Swedish Bitters to help with digestion due to increase in fats in the diet (this is a great product) These are old fashioned, unassuming supplements! I mix the nutritional yeast in water (1.5 Tablespoons in a small amount of water) and down the hatch. I don’t mind the flavor at all. The acerola powder is a very good way to get a good maintenance dose of vitamin c in a very absorbable way. Swedish bitters–I take one teaspoon in the morning. It is bitter, but not bad at all. It has a very regulating affect on digestion, nothing harsh or cramping. It is a bile stimulator. Nutritional Yeast is a good way to get all the b vitamins in. You can read up on these products, except for swedish bitters, at http://www.radiantlifecatalog
Julie says
Thank you,Kelly for the cod liver oil information. I jumped over to part 1 of cod liver oil and read up. I will continue to take my cod liver oil and rest easy about it.
Kelly says
Hi Julie,
That’s a great question – if you can jump over to the cod liver oil post (part 1 in the series), I just added more information on that topic toward the end of the post. Here’s the link:
https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2007/12/cod-liver-oil-part-1-answers-to-common.html
Thanks, Kelly
Julie says
Kelly, I would like to only have to take cod liver oil. My question is this, can I take cod liver oil year round? I sure hear conflicting opinions on this out there. I live in NH, a state not known for it’s sunshine, however in the summer we do get sunny days, interspersed with overcast days.
Nicole says
Don’t know how often Natalie checks this but we recently bought the Shaklee’s chewable kids vitamins and the kids like them. They taste kinda like a bottle cap candy to me. 😉 Don’t forget if you (or your kids won’t take them)don’t like the products you can get a refund.
Kelly says
Hi Natalie,
Yes, it’s a chewable called, Vita-Lea. 2 of my kids take it without complaint, and our daughter only will take it rarely. She takes her cod liver oil great, though!
Kelly
Natalie says
Does Shaklee make a childrens’ multi-vitamin? If yes, what is it called?
Natalie says
Here is an easy test to see how quickly your vitamin/supplement dissolves once swallowed.
Put the vitamin in a small cup of vinegar. The vinegar is going to mimic your stomach acids. The ideal is that the vitamin would be totally dissolved within one hour. Now if the vitamin or supplement you are taking is of a time-release variety, this test would not be applicable.
I do this test each time I try a new brand of vitamins and so far all have passed.