Supplemental Insurance

At every health venue I go to, whether stores or websites, supplements are everywhere.  They are a huge part of the health industry, and I have mixed feelings about it.  First of all, we are designed to get our nutrition from our food.  Unfortunately, we don't all get the right nutrition for our body's needs (either by choice or we don't have the opportunity to).  Second of all, how are we to know what is a moneymaker, and what is legit?  I don't feel adequate to talk about this topic, so here is what Sarah Glunz, MS, CNS, LDN, had to say when I asked her about supplements:
Supplements are just that - a way to supplement what we can't get from our diet. So the question becomes how do we know if we are getting what we need from our diet?  One way to find out is through medical testing - a doctor can test levels of vitamins such as B12 and D.  Another way is through symptoms or signs of a deficiency. For example, if someone has low bone density, they may supplement calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin D. If someone has high cholesterol then they may consider a fish oil supplement.  We can also argue that a simple multi-vitamin can help prevent some health conditions before they become an issue.
Sarah recommends this website if you want to read further into this topic.  I will share just a few thoughts and hope to get some input from you as well.
This topic came to mind because I am dealing with a picky toddler and I want to make sure he is getting all he needs.  My next post will deal more with this topic.  For now, with colds floating around our house, I will go take my supplements to help insure that my body can fight the germs.