Overwhelmed by all the Free Supplement Suggestions Online?

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of instagram posts, facebook posts, blog articles, etc. that list supplements for every health problem on planet earth and you don't know what information to follow?

Have you ever felt confused by what might work for your specific issue given there are so many supplement options for your current condition?

Trust me, you are NOT alone!

Although google is everyone's friend, it is not your friend when it comes to selecting products that are specific to you and your health concern. It feels like every supplement is required, that bucketloads of money should be spent, that you have to suddenly become an expert on supplements and natural health products that no one has ever even heard of!

So, what do you do?! Buy them all? Try them all? Select one or two within your budget? Ignore all advice and hope for the best? Spend hours researching what might work  for you?

Well, I'm here to give you THREE helpful tips in choosing supplements/natural health products.

1. Stay within your budget. I mean that. Pick a budget and stick with it. Too often you think if you just try just one more it might make all the difference. It might but it might not. Unless you have a very sound understanding of your health issue at a biological level and you understand exactly how that supplement works in relation to your body's needs, ability to absorb that product, etc. you are probably wasting valuable money. Supplements are expensive and there is a reason that online health professionals give 'free advice.' They often have their own supplement line which you willingly invest in and that makes them money. They don't need to see you to make money! They only need you to see their posts and make you feel like, "if I just invest in that my problem will improve!" It is not a great approach to healthcare and gives you a false sense of confidence since this information is coming from a natural health care professional. I am not saying that you can't or shouldn't research things for yourself, that you cannot think for yourself or that you should not become more knowledgeable about the natural health options out there. I'm just saying that you should pick a budget, stick with it, and if you don't see the improvements you desire it's most likely time to invest in an appointment with someone who is trained to choose things that work for YOU and your specific body type. Your needs are unique to you and they are trained to help identify which ones will work for you!
2. Remember your time is valuable. If you spend 3 hours researching supplements for yourself or a loved one, that is 3 hours that might be better spent investing in a health professional who can choose specific natural health products that will work best for you. Now, I know many people tell me they love researching health stuff, but I will say that there is a reason people pay big bucks to study natural medicine - to help get you the best results! I have had clients who had needed to research natural health products because their doctor knew very little and they were getting poor results. They didn't want to invest in seeing a natural health practitioner and thought that they could get the results that their doctor wasn't getting them. They saw improvements but eventually, they ended up investing in an appointment because, in spite of their knowledge of natural health products, they weren't getting the results they needed. Canadians really have a hard time spending money on our health due to the idea of 'free health care,' but that attitude results in many of us waiting years to get results, investing a ton of time, money and energy doing it all on our own. Invest in a good health professional. There is a time and place for money that is wisely spent.
3. Choose natural health products that are safe, gentle and non-toxic. This may seem obvious but truly - there is a reason that some of those old school remedies are around still. Start with herbal teas! Teas are incredible, easy to make, quite inexpensive and they can be used to open drainage pathways which are foundational to good health and usually beneficial for every health condition. Teas are wonderful for pain, inflammation, organ function, drainage and detoxification, hormone balance and more! Another wonderful and safe option is to use homeopathic blends for issues like constipation, colic, colds/flus, seasonal allergies, hemorrhoids. Homeopathic medicines are gentle, safe for all ages, won't interfere with medicines or supplements. (A few companies that carry homeopathic blends include: Orange Naturals, Dr. Reckeweg, Boiron, homeocan). Another wonderful and safe option would be to use Bach Flower Remedies. Useful for many emotional complaints such as anxiety, fear, overwhelm and more to name just a few issues. Lastly, I would always recommend ingesting minerals in their most natural forms such as in a pinch of high quality sea salt (I like Redmond's Sea Salt) in a bit of water or a fulvic/humic acid supplement. Again, it's safe, easy to absorb and non-toxic. Herbs can be toxic and cause reactions so caution must be exercised when self prescribing which is why herbal teas, homeopathics and Bach flower remedies are a wonderful place to start. They are often inexpensive and effective. And when you feel that the results you are achieving have hit a wall - it is probably time to invest in a good health professional who can tailor supplements to your needs.

I hope that these few suggestions give you a good place to start on your health journey! You can find an online supplement directory to purchase Bach Flower Remedies, Homeopathics and more here.

To book an appointment with me to help tailor supplements and other natural health products to your specific needs click here.

In Health,

Rachel