“Am I taking the right supplements?” With more information out there about gut health, nutrition, and supplements than ever, it’s just as easy for each nutrition-related Google search to hit a gold mine as it is to yield misinformation. Ultimately, the only person who can give you accurate personalized information about supplements is a physician who is familiar with your unique circumstances. That said, there are some important fundamental things to know about supplements and nutrition that can help direct your search for the right regimen. Today, we’re going over what supplements do (and don’t do), all the while giving you the resources needed to reach an effective supplement plan. Let’s get started.

Your gut microbiome is the collection of all the bacteria that live within your gut. Contrary to what many people believe, not all bacteria are threats to our health. In fact, our gut microbiota are critical to many of our body’s processes, and when these bacteria are healthy, they have a huge positive impact on our overall health. Each person’s microbiome consists of billions of these good bacteria, and much like a fingerprint, every individual’s microbiome is unique to them. With that said, why are microbiota – and gut microbiota in particular – so impactful to our overall health? What exactly do they do? Let’s take a closer look.

One of the most common misconceptions about supplements is that they are the same thing as vitamins. In reality, supplements is an umbrella term for any pill, gummy, powder, or tincture containing at least one dietary ingredient. Vitamins can be included in supplements, but they are not one and the same: vitamins, or micronutrients, are compounds that our bodies need in relatively small doses in order to survive.

The role of any supplement, which may or may not include vitamins depending on someone’s dietary and biological needs, is to fill in any nutritional gaps that may exist for someone, ensuring that they are receiving sufficient amounts of all the nutrients they need to survive. For example, someone who is anemic may be prescribed an iron supplement by a physician, while someone who lives in a cold, rainy climate and spends a lot of time indoors may be prescribed vitamin D supplements.

If supplements are there to fill in the nutritional gaps in our diets, is there anything they can’t do? Ultimately, the biggest limitation of supplements is that they cannot replace the benefits of a well-balanced diet; they are only there to enhance them. If you are looking to maximize your nutrition, the foundation of that is to consistently eat a diet that’s rich in plant-based, whole foods. Avoid highly processed foods, like deli meats and french fries, and items that are high in refined sugar, like soda and candy. Instead, opt for whole grains, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and lean meats (or plant-based protein sources). A great general rule of thumb is to aim for a variety of natural colors on your plate with every meal.

How can you find the right supplement regimen for not only your dietary habits, but for your unique biological needs? Here’s the thing: your body has all of the answers to any questions you may have about supplements. The missing piece is a skilled physician who can determine what these answers are. The best way to do this is to run blood tests to determine where the gaps are. By comparing your test results to other crucial factors, like your diet, exercise levels, genetic tendencies, and even lifestyle habits like sleep and stress factors, your physician can help you come up with a supplement regimen that maximizes your health now and sets you up for success in the future.

Are you taking the right supplements? The only person who can answer that is a physician who is familiar with your unique biological needs. At Robinson MD, our concierge approach to care is designed to do just that. To set up your initial consultation with us and find out your ideal supplement plan, just click here.