7 reasons why supplements are important for everyone

Leestijd: 5 minuten

More and more frequently, we are warned in the media about taking supplements, and for good reason. If you don't know what you're taking and regularly consume excessively high dosages or incorrect combinations, supplements can do more harm than good for your health.

For example, a high dose of vitamin B6 can cause damage to your nervous system, which is one of the reasons why at Charlotte Labee Supplements, we opt for an active form of B6. With adaptogenic herbs, the advice is to take a month-long break after 3 months. And some supplements do not mix well with medication. These are just three reasons why we advise against experimenting with supplements on your own.

However, this does not mean that nutrients are not essential. They are, in fact, essential for everyone. There is simply no one-size-fits-all approach.

For millions of years, nature has given us everything we need to survive and thrive. In that era, supplements were not necessary to achieve optimal health.

But unfortunately, we no longer live in the world of yesteryear; so much has changed! From the way we produce food to how we deal with stress.

That is why we see in practice that many people benefit from supplementation. Due to our current lifestyle, a nutrient deficiency can unknowingly develop, the consequences of which you only notice later or attribute to other causes.

Below you can read 7 reasons why supplements are important for everyone.

1. Processed food provides fewer nutrients

Of all the food we buy in the supermarket, 90 percent is factory-processed to produce it as cheaply, quickly, and massively as possible. This processing is harmful to the natural nutrients in products, and chemical substances are added that are harmful to us. These chemical nutrients are harder to digest, which costs more energy. And all this while we are getting fewer nutrients! This rapidly promotes nutrient deficiency.

2. Agricultural methods impoverish the soil

In agriculture too, the goal is to make as much money as possible, and thus to produce as cheaply, quickly, and abundantly as possible. Agricultural methods are optimized to achieve this goal, but this also brings unwanted consequences. For instance, much agricultural land is depleted, which means that crops contain fewer nutrients.

A Swiss study compared the difference in nutrients between certain fruits and vegetables between 1985 and 2002. What was found: in less than twenty years, broccoli contained 55 percent less magnesium, spinach 76 percent less calcium, and apples 60 percent less vitamin C! Even a healthy diet doesn't tell the whole story.

3. Food is produced less locally

Due to mass production, our food comes from increasingly further away, which also means it is much less fresh by the time it reaches your plate. Every day that passes after harvest, fruits and vegetables lose some of their nutritional value. Local food, fresh from the farm, therefore contains significantly more nutrients.

4. We spend less time in the sun

Early humans were always outside and therefore received an optimal amount of daylight. Nowadays, many of us work indoors, and in winter, we leave home in the dark and return home in the dark. When we do go outside, we bundle up or apply sunscreen. All of this means we barely absorb any vitamin D, even though sunlight is its main source. It is therefore wise to eat plenty of vitamin D-rich foods or to supplement this nutrient.

5. Free radicals in our living environment are increasing

Free radicals are harmful substances in our environment. You find them everywhere. For example, in processed food, (cigarette) smoke, cosmetics, air pollution, and heavy metals. If the amount of free radicals in your body cells becomes too high, it can be harmful. Your body must remove these radicals and uses many nutrients for this that you also need for other important bone and body processes. So, you need extra of these nutrients to avoid developing deficiencies.

6. Low-grade inflammation consumes many nutrients

Many people nowadays suffer from chronic or low-grade inflammation. These are not dangerous inflammations, but your immune system perceives them as such and is therefore constantly working. This can lead to persistent fatigue. Your immune system uses extra energy and nutrients to ineffectively combat the inflammation. This can also lead to a nutrient deficiency in the body, which can be supplemented with supplements.

7. Poor digestion leads to reduced absorption

Eating healthily does not guarantee that your body will absorb all nutrients well. Our digestion is responsible for this, and it doesn't function optimally for everyone. Normally, the enteric nervous system in your intestines releases enzymes that help digest food. Stress disrupts this function, causing your body to absorb nutrients less effectively. In that case, you need extra nutrients to get enough, but it is also advisable to address the cause of your digestive complaints!

How do you know which supplements are right for you?

It's clear that supplements are a valuable addition for almost everyone, but as mentioned, there's no one-size-fits-all. That's why we're happy to help you make the right choices among the many available supplements.

The free* supplement advice starts with an intake form so that our therapists can gain insight into your lifestyle, any complaints, possible medication use, and more. Based on this, you will receive tailor-made advice to help you further find the right balance in your nutrients.

The cost for this personalized supplement advice is €15.95, but you will receive this back in the form of a voucher, which you can use for the right supplements for you!