So Many Pills…Which Ones Should I Take?
We are all too familiar with the food pyramid that is designed to provide us with insight and how to create and consume a healthy balanced diet depicting what and how much we should eat of each category. Now, take the food pyramid and replace it with the SUPPLEMENT PYRAMID.
The supplement pyramid is built to be an educational tool for you to meet your own personal nutritional needs. There is no one-size-fits-all supplemental plan. Just like the food pyramid, the most important supplements lie within the foundation range and then build through the personalization and optimization levels with each becoming less important to your health.
The bottom level is the Foundation Level which is made up of all the nutrients essential to life. The supplements within this level support cellular energy production, growth, repair and regeneration which means that everyone needs the same foundational supplements. The Foundation level supplements include:
- Multivitamin
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- CoQ10
- Probiotics
- Curcumin
The middle level is the personalization level which is dedicated to you and your nutritional needs. Supplemental intake here is based on family medical history and laboratory testing. A history of heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s…etc. and blood work provides insight into specific supplements that will help you.
The final level is the optimization level that work to help you live a longer and healthier life. They are not necessary, but may help with joint mobility if you are an avid runner.
Smith, Michael MD Life Extension April 2014
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