GREEN BAY — It’s not hard to walk down the pharmacy aisle or catch a social post about a supplement claiming to be the miracle cure to your ailments. While supplements can be beneficial, they aren’t the cure-all. Emplify Health by Bellin encourages community members to think of supplements as an addition to their health, not a replacement.
“Supplements are meant to supplement for – not substitute – a healthy lifestyle,” says Lee Hyrkas, Registered Dietician and Performance Nutrition Specialist with Emplify Health by Bellin. “They are supporting tools designed to fill in the gaps in what your diet, exercise or medication can’t cover. But with the grandiose promises that some supplements give, it’s easy to think that popping a pill or gummy will replace doing the real work to stay healthy.”
Not every supplement works for everyone, and taking unneeded vitamins can range from wasteful to harmful. Take vitamins A, D, E and K, for example. A multivitamin with these nutrients might help people who don't get enough from their diet. But too much can hurt them. Some supplements can even mess with prescription medications, reducing their effectiveness or causing unwanted side effects.
Unlike prescription medications that face strict FDA regulation, supplements operate in a regulatory gray area. This means quality, potency and purity can vary from brand to brand, making it tough to know exactly what you are putting in your body. This is where research and having conversations with your provider is essential.
“Not every supplement or vitamin is bad for you,” added Hyrkas. “The key is to know what gaps you need to fill. Having open conversations with your care team can identify where you could use some additional help, what ingredients might impact your current medications or types of supplements that may not be a good fit for you.” Hyrkas also adds that consulting with your care team can help them monitor your progress with supplements to make sure you are moving forward in your goals.
The bottom line with supplement intake is to know that prioritizing healthy eating and regular exercise is key. Supplements can’t replace the work you need to do in your healthcare journey, but they can be an added tool to help you through it.
If you are interested in taking supplements and want to learn more about them, contact your primary care provider or dietician. Find an Emplify Health by Bellin provider or dietician by visiting bellin.org.