Seven mistakes people make when choosing and taking food supplements
The vast array of supplements available on-line and in health stores makes choosing and using a more complex decision than ever before. Here’s some simple advice to avoid wasting time and money and, of course, not achieving the level of well-being you wish.
Mistake One: Choosing the wrong supplement
It may sound obvious but when choosing food supplements, you need to be clear in your own mind why you are taking them. What do you think you need the supplement for? What are you trying to achieve? There could be a whole host of reasons:
And there are many more. Decide on the reason. Do the research – on-line, from books, ask friends, see a nutritionist, phone Xynergy for advice. Then choose the supplement you feel fits the goal.
Mistake two: Great expectations
Most natural products tend to have a gentle or subtle effect. They can take a couple of weeks before you start to feel the benefits. Many people lose patience and give up. With a good, wholefood supplement, it should be worth the wait but, generally – and we are all different - they are not quick fixes.
Mistake three: Not taking them
At Xynergy, we find a certain proportion of customers order supplements and then leave them in the kitchen cupboard, unopened.
Mistake four: Taking them sporadically
Food supplements – like conventional food – work best then they are taken according to a regular schedule. Missing a day here and there may not be a problem but taking food supplements now and then will not help restore energy, well-being etc. Herbal remedies, on the other hand and, for example, flower remedies, are more often than not to be taken as and when needed.
Mistake five: Taking them at the wrong time
Follow the advice on the bottle or website. Super supplements like Wheatgrass and even Spirulina will increase your get-up-and-go. Take them just before bedtime and you may not sleep well. Taken on an empty stomach is often best, particularly first thing in the morning to let your body be re-energised naturally (and certainly before you supplement the supplements with caffeine).
Mistake six: Taking the wrong amount
Again obvious but… superfoods, particularly the micro-algaes and grasses are often best taken in small amounts to begin with, building up to the maintenance or higher dosage levels. This allows your body to acclimatise gently. Some enzymes and antioxidants recommend a high dosage for a couple of weeks, reducing to the maintenance dose. But take too little of the supplement and the benefits may be minimal, take too much too soon and you could feel uncomfortable, slightly nauseas, even a bit ‘hyper’. Again, with herbal remedies, stick to the recommended dosage.
Mistake seven: Taking Synthetic Supplements
Your body is designed to run on real food. That’s why wholefood supplements provide real nutrients your body recognises. Gram for gram, synthetic supplements, although not necessarily devoid of nutrients do not deliver the same level of nourishment. Synthetic may be much cheaper but they are the equivalent of junk food.
Finally…
Food supplements are not like medicines (whereas herbal remedies are). There are generally no serious side-effects to food supplements; evidence to the contrary is largely spurious. At Xynergy, we would be delighted to help and guide you so you choose the best supplements for you. You can phone or email either directly or via the website. And, of course, you can contact us after you have started taking the supplement if you need any further advice or reassurance.
Telephone: (UK) 0345 6 58 58 58 (Overseas) +44 (0)1730 813642
e-mail: naturally@xynergy.co.uk
www.xynergy.co.uk
