Should You Be Taking Supplements?

9 May 2023

Should I be taking supplements?” In clinical practice, I get asked this question a lot. Most of the time, I say no. Not because I don’t like supplements, but because I don’t think it should be the first place to start when trying to improve your health.

I suggest improving your diet; remove poor-quality processed foods, sugar, farmed fish and dairy. Add more good quality sources of protein and fats from meats and fish, and think of going keto, for example.

Many people “self-medicate” with supplements; the problem is you have no way of knowing if you’re deficient in anything, and if you are, why are you deficient in the first place?

(SEE MY BLOG: Are Supplements Worth Buying?)

On the occasions I recommend a supplement, it is because I think it will benefit you based on what you may have told me in your medical case history or what I have observed throughout treatments.

It is tempting to suggest supplements, but if we, as practitioners, do this, we’re still not addressing the root causes.

High street stores will recommend at least two to three different supplements without even considering you as a whole and giving any thought about your medical history. This is why the UK supplement industry is estimated to achieve a total of £457 million in value sales in 2021; they’re there to sell, but please don’t take medical advice from them!

What Supplements Do I Recommend?

Occasionally, I will recommend the below vitamins or minerals regardless of how well you think you are eating. These supplements are (in no order).

Magnesium– presents in different forms: Glycinate, Threonine, Citrate and Oxide, and is responsible for around 200 different processes in the body. Magnesium is one of the few supplements that you will notice a real difference from taking, especially if you have tight muscles, frequently get muscle cramps, suffer from constipation or have trouble with sleep.

I recommend Magnesium Glycinate or Threonine for muscular issues because it absorbs into the muscles better than Citrate. However, for those with constipation, I recommend Magnesium Citrate.

Fish Oils– Fats found in fish oils are anti-inflammatory, required for hormone synthesis and used in joint health, eye health, skin health and liver function. And as mum used to say, it’s “brain food” backed by science for essential brain function.

Vitamin B12- this converts carbohydrates into useable glucose to maintain energy levels. It prevents memory loss and lowers neurodegenerative disease and cognitive function. Great news for Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Parkinson’s groups. B12 Sublingual Hydroxocobalamin is also recommended in cases of suspected mercury toxicity.

Vitamin D3 + K2– People living in the UK don’t get enough sunlight exposure to maintain levels of Vitamin D all year round. Vitamin D can help fight fatigue and maintain bone and teeth density as it absorbs and utilises calcium, muscle strength and function, improving skin and eye health. A deficiency has been associated with increased autoimmune conditions and protection against some cancers, heart disease and T2D. Vitamin D has been shown to inhibit some inflammatory responses.

K2 is effective in blood clotting. The Framingham Heart Study has shown a decrease in hip fractures with people taking K2. It is also good for decreasing OA in the hand and knee. (Note K2 may not be suitable for those on blood thinners).

Should You Buy These Supplements?

Just because these are my most suggested supplements, this doesn’t mean you should go out now and buy them. If you’re not feeling your best, speak to your GP so they can go into your medical history and work out what they think is really going on.

Can I suggest a better alternative?

Yes, I can! I am delighted to recommend a company I trust and use for my Vitamins, minerals, probiotics and supplements, and I am an official distributor of, Cytoplan.

What makes them so special?

Cytoplan Ltd. is a British owned and independent charitable foundation. They are not constrained by the typical commercial pressures for profit or conflicting issues of parental ownership that afflict many companies in the marketplace.

They provide a unique range of supplements comprising Food State™ and Wholefood vitamins and minerals.

o Thousands of health professionals are using their products in the UK – and around the world

o Leaders in food-based supplementation

o Founded and run by health practitioners

All Cytoplan products are manufactured in GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facilities.

How Can I Order from Cytoplan?

Call me and discuss your needs. I can help with a personalised plan.

Need More Help?

Call me now on 07594 072500 or email

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