Dr. Fix PSA:

Your “Cleanse” supplement you paid $60 for may just be a cheap laxative. Your bougie probiotic is probably poor quality for the price. And your pretty colored drink mix is not going to help you lose weight.

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I’ve seen more and more patients coming through my doors lately on trendy supplements. I don’t think I need to name names here—this crap is all over the internet. Their bottles are made of lovely ceramic and beautifully designed to catch your eye. The capsules are clear with nicely colored gel inside or pretty little balls of who knows what but it’s sure to cure all your woes. It’s marketing at its finest, and it’s absolutely a waste of your money.

So as a naturopathic doctor who uses supplements often, but strategically, what do I actually look for? I will the 3 things I look for and you can apply this logic the next time you are persuaded by the next new product to jump on the market!

1. What is the dosage? How much of what they are selling are you *actually* getting in the product.

I call this therapeutic dosing. I need to know exactly what is in each capsule. I look for each ingredient to be listed out with total milligrams so I can feel confident that the product will be effective. Often times, companies will put in such a small dose, for 99% of people, it will do absolutely nothing. I avoid proprietary blends, because this is how companies get around having to tell you how much of each ingredient is in their product. If they are not open about telling you the exact amounts in each product – stay away!!

2. Are there unnecessary fillers, additives, or colorings?

The less extra ingredients the better. Supplements are filled with unnecessary ingredients that are usually not optimal for your health. Often times companies do this for looks, to cut costs and to add flavoring. Unless you’re taking beet powder, there’s no reason your supplement needs to be pink.

3. What is the Value?

After checking boxes 1 and 2 determining the best value from reputable companies is the third and final step. There are a variety of great supplement companies that are focused on quality. Knowing which one to go with can be overwhelming. If you aren’t sure which companies are reputable, I recommend working with a Naturopathic Doctor or at least purchasing through Fullscript, an online supplement dispensary of professional grade supplements. 

Disclaimer: this website offers health, wellness, and nutritional information for educational purposes only. Information provided is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Always speak with your physician before trying any new treatment.