Learn to address wellness in terms of body systems. Think beyond the disease-symptom model, and instead focus on systems that govern the function of your entire body.
TIPS FOR TAKING SUPPLEMENTS
Use quality products. Use supplements with optimal levels of nutrients by buying from reputable sources.
Dose diligence. All products provide dose recommendations. Max benefit comes from the comes from the consistent use of a variety of specific and complementary supplements. When first starting a program, some individuals may choose to start with a lower dose and work up from there. The basic recommendations may be adequate or even excessive for a healthy person who has implemented a healthy diet, lifestyle, and a regular supplementation program. However, someone with longstanding health issues may require an extensive regime that may include consumption beyond label recommendations.
Start slowly. Over the course of the first week, start with a few supplements at lower doses and then add from there. This will support awareness of how individual supplements make you feel. Gradually add others and increase doses of each supplement. Synergy between supplements coupled with using the proper therapeutic dose is generally required to achieve optimal benefit. Most supplements can be taken at the same time.
Time is right. Most people do better taking supplements with food while digestive processes are in action. Use on an empty stomach (except at bedtime) can trigger nausea. Just a few bites of food can be enough. Avoid taking with tea, coffee, or soda as these can interfere with absorption. Dinner and bedtime are also excellent times of day as the body’s repair mode and hormone secretions are at their highest capacity while sleeping. Most products recommend dividing doses , say two or three times during the day. Spreading consumption over the course of the day maximizes absorption.
Make it a habit. Consider targeting two set times per day to establish routine or ritual for basic daily nutrition habits. This is what most people can handle and remember. Add additional times for other supplemental needs.
Be practical. Keep your supplements in locations that provide easy access. Most do not require refrigeration , so keeping them out on kitchen or bathroom counters creates visibility and supports routine use. Many people find it useful to purchase some kind of container that allows a weeks worth of supplements to be pre-counted and organized for daily use. This way, consumption can be accomplished quickly for supplements easily placed in a pocket or small container to consume later.
Stay the course. Most people experience an increased sense of well-being a supplementation program. Some individuals are an exception and feel worse before starting to feel better. A few common causes of discomfort are the elimination of microbes or dealing with chronic illness or disease. If a new symptom occurs that can be defined as a side effect to a particular supplement, consider first if it was taken with food. If an exacerbation of symptoms occurs, reduce the dose of supplements until symptoms ease and then gradually increase the dose again over time.
Make supplements part of your lifestyle. Supplements to support general health can be continued indefinitely and are an excellent component of a healthy lifestyle. Supplements that support immune function, reduce inflammation, and provide antimicrobial properties should be continued at the higher doses recommended until symptoms subside, when doses may be reduced or supplements discontinued completely. Rotate different supplements over time as needed. Consider intermittent programs to maintain health results.
Take them along. When you travel, take your supplements with you. Get a container that’s marked a.m./p.m. most allow for a weeks worth of doses. Plastic bags can hold capsules for single use or to contain individual products. Use a permanent marker to label them and identify the product contained.
Store them right. Keep supplements out of windowsills or away from other sources of bright light. Store in a dark or opaque bottles away from microwaves and other electromagnetic sources.
Dealing with adverse affects. Adverse affects associated with taking natural supplements are uncommon, but possible. Fortunately, most are mild and transient, and you should be able to work around them.
