I’ve been in holistic health care for many years and I see a trend starting to happen that I want to address here. Many people shy away from conventional medicine and the band aid approach because they realize that it is not addressing the root cause, just to band aid their symptoms again using herbs instead of drugs. Same approach, different product. While you may have less side effects from using herbs instead of pharmaceutical drugs, “you can’t supplement your way out of poor nutrition and lifestyle habits.” There is no quick fix approach. While supplements are amazing, they are not the “end all, be all”. You cannot rely on a supplement to “fix” your problems. You have to address the basics and put in the work, love.
Supplement: something that completes or enhances something else when added to it
Our bodies are designed to utilize real whole foods. The commensal bacteria flora in our gut need the variety of real foods to grow and be abundant. Bacterial flora is responsible for many things in our body (vitamin synthesis, immune support, helps keep inflammation at bay, etc.) and it relies on real, whole food to feed it.
Sure, a great multivitamin helps fill in the nutrient gap that may be missing in our food, but it will never replace the power of actually nourishing our bodies with real food.
And what about the emotional/mental side of things? I’ve had clients nourishing their bodies and feeling amazing until they’ve encountered major stress in their lives and started feeling sick again while still eating all the healthy things. Stress and trauma affect the body. It depletes minerals. It causes your body to be in a state of fight or flight mode instead of safety. Guess what happens when your body doesn’t feel safe? It holds onto things it shouldn’t, energy that is supposed to go to certain parts of the body (like digestion) goes elsewhere, therefore making your digestive system weak.
True health is achieved when you are addressing ALL parts of your body. Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.
You want a balanced healthy life? Put the work in all areas, not just food. When you do that, you are able to “eat whatever you want on a night out” and feel fine the next day because you were getting in that quality relationship time that your body was needing. It’s not just about the food, it’s about everything.
Learn to listen to your body. It will tell you what it needs. Over time, you will become confident and trust it.
You cannot supplement your way out of poor nutrition and lifestyle habits
Looking for guidance on your health journey? Check out The Foundation, our self paced course breaking down the noise of nutrition, sharing weekly recipes and much much more. Or book a consult with me to discuss your current health needs and see how I can support you.
