Nutrition nuggets: supplements

Sheila Hautbois, PA-C, is a physician assistant with a master’s degree in public health who is also a certified health education specialist and a certified lifestyle educator. As a lifestyle medicine specialist, Sheila provides personalized health coaching and patient education with the goal of preventing, treating and reversing chronic disease.

Sheila is part of the Inova 360° Concierge Medicine team, offering a high-level, personal service approach to healthcare with a focus on better total health. 

Stephanie Roberts, MPH, RDN, CHC, is a registered dietitian. She leverages her public health background to support clients with culturally relevant and evidence-based nutrition education. Stephanie’s goal is to support each of her client’s individualized journeys by creating obtainable goals and celebrating success along the way.

Stephanie is part of the Inova Well team, where she takes a whole-human approach to wellness.

Fact or fiction? Most people need dietary supplements to combat nutrient deficiencies and treat or lower the risk of certain diseases.

Fiction. Seeing store shelves lined with supplements, advertisements on social media and recommendations from family or friends may make it seem like supplements are necessary for good health.  However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), dietary supplements are meant to supplement or add to one’s diet.

Common supplements include:

• Vitamins (such as multivitamins or individual vitamins like vitamin C)
• Minerals (such as iron or calcium)
• Herbs (such as ginseng or echinacea)
• Botanical compounds (such as caffeine or quercetin)
• Amino acids (such as BCAAs – branched chain amino acids)
• Live microbials (such as prebiotics or probiotics)

Many Americans can achieve optimal health through a balanced diet without supplements.However, supplements might be beneficial if you have specific nutritional deficiencies or health conditions. It is vital to discuss the use of any supplement with your healthcare provider, as they can interfere with your current medications or cause an imbalance of other nutrients in your body. Additionally, some are not intended for long term use. Taking unnecessary supplements can not only waste your money but can also cause overdosing or toxicity, which could lead to a variety of undesirable issues including headaches, digestive problems, organ damage and more.

It’s important to note that, unlike prescription medications, the FDA does not approve dietary supplements or their claims before they are sold and does not test them for safety. If your healthcare provider recommends a supplement, make sure the product you choose is free from contaminants.

The FDA has established Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) that companies should follow to ensure supplement safety. Look for the GMP logo on the packaging. Additionally, some manufacturers work with independent organizations to conduct quality testing, ensuring the product is made correctly, contains only the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants. Be sure to check for third-party testing labels such as:

• NSF International
• U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)
• Informed-Sport/Informed-Choice
• ConsumerLab.com

Bottom line: Your healthcare team is available to discuss your specific needs and answer any questions you may have about supplements or other nutrition-related topics. To schedule an appointment with lifestyle medicine specialist PA Sheila Hautbois for personalized guidance and support in optimizing your lifestyle, please contact your Inova 360° Concierge Medicine physician. To schedule a session with Inova Well registered dietitian Stephanie Roberts to discuss personalized nutrient goals and meal planning, call 571-472-1440.