What is supplementation, and what makes it different from medication?
One of the root philosophies of chiropractic is that the body can heal itself – and wants to! The less intrusive and invasive the treatment, the better. So before trying extreme measures, chiropractors always try to suggest natural means of healing. Adjustments are a huge part of the healing process, but oftentimes natural supplementation will also be used.
High-quality supplements are designed to add nutrients to your diet, which can consist of selected combinations of vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, probiotics, and botanicals. They are often concentrated products of common ingredients, such as turmeric (great for reducing inflammation!). Supplements help to fill nutritional gaps, prevent deficiencies, and target certain health needs. Anyone can take supplements, and they’re important for everybody: pregnant women, adults, kids, athletes – everyone!
Most people think that they can purchase supplements off the shelf at places like CVS or Costco, and while there may be specific nutrients that have similar quality, we’re trying to look for products that are:
- sourced from safe places of origin (organic if possible),
- processed in a way that doesn’t damage the molecular structure, and
- packaged in a way that allows maximum absorption and assimilation.
The Nitty Gritty Details
A classic example of the difference is Vitamin C – the supplements you find in stores deliver vitamin C through synthetic ascorbic acid, which is inexpensive and typically lab-created with fermented corn. On the other hand, whole food, high-quality vitamin C contains the full spectrum of complex nutrients to deliver to your body.
A metaphor that Dr. Martin likes to use is thinking about your body as a brick building. The bricks are the healthy foods you eat and the cement between the bricks are the supplements – helpful in binding together the foods through facilitating absorption and filling in nutritional gaps. Micronutrients, enzymes, and other synergistic molecules tie it all together, helping your body utilize the nutrients in the food!
Additionally, because soil quality is so poor (i.e., over-farmed and sprayed with herbicides and pesticides), food quality is poor. You’re not getting all the nutrients you’re hoping to get when eating your vegetables! This makes high-quality supplementation essential.
The Takeaway
So remember: supplements do not replace a healthy diet and lifestyle, but with a doctor’s recommendations, they can boost your health and wellness without prescription medications!
At Precision Chiropractic, we partner with Standard Process, Biotics Research, and others for high-quality, reliable supplements. We can recommend specific supplements and supplement packages, or you can browse and order supplements for yourself via the online storefront Fullscript.
If you don’t already take supplements, give them a try! Stay tuned for more blog posts in our Natural Healthcare series.
Thanks for Reading!
Thank you for choosing Dr. Martin as your trusted chiropractor for pain and wellness in the Durham area. We appreciate you for making the commitment to your health! Stay tuned for the next blog post.
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