Is there talc in your supplements?
The truth about supplements. The health consequences of common ingredients, and why taking the wrong supplements results in very expensive pee!
Do I need to take supplements?
Did you see my post on Instagram last week - “Do I need to take supplements?” It’s the single most common question I get asked; not just by clients but also friends and family. The supplement industry is booming. Mainly due to an increased awareness of health and fitness. Of course this increase in awareness is fantastic! However, knowing what supplements you should be taking, or if you need them at all, can be very confusing. Therefore my answer to “Do I need to take supplements?” is….. maybe! Taking supplements you don’t need is a waste of money. What you don’t absorb will just be eliminated, leading to very expensive pee!
Tailored supplementation for specific health concerns
Tailored supplementation may be beneficial for supporting specific health concerns, special dietary requirements, and nutrient deficiencies. However, most people eating a healthy, balanced diet don’t need to take supplements. Focusing on eating a nutrient-dense diet should always be the priority before considering taking supplements. Working with a nutrition professional can help you decide if and which supplements are right for you to achieve the best results and improve your health.
Quality matters
Once you’ve established if you would benefit from taking supplements, another important factor to think about when selecting supplements is, quality. Supplements from supermarkets or other high street stores often contain bulking agents, additives, colourings and artificial sweeteners. These added chemicals can actually have negative effects on our health, including weight gain and disrupting our gut bacteria. These supplements also often contain cheap fillers and bulking agents, which makes it difficult for us to absorb the active vitamins or minerals. So what you may see on the label probably isn’t what your body is actually absorbing.
When choosing supplements, it’s important to check the labels carefully. Avoid ingredients such as titanium oxide (a known carcinogen), magnesium stearate (an additive), and talcum powder (a bulking agent). (Yes, they really do use talc!) These are all common in popular high-street supplement brands.
These Multivitamins from a well-known high-street brand contain both magnesium stearate and talc.
Is the dose right for you?
Most high-street supplements only contain the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). To achieve health benefits you may require a higher, more therapeutic dose of certain nutrients, specific to your individual biology and health concerns. Nutrition professionals have access to professional supplements that have high-quality ingredients and are better absorbed. They can also help you establish the specific doses that would benefit your unique health concerns.
Any questions?
If you have any more questions about supplements, you want to discuss the supplements you are currently taking, or if taking any could benefit you, please drop me a message at lisa@lisagardner.co.uk or book a FREE phone call through my website.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Lisa