The supplement industry is a multi-billion dollar machine, but not all that glitters is gold. Many popular supplements lining store shelves are either ineffective, poorly absorbed, or outright harmful when taken without proper balance. Here’s a deep dive into some of the most common offenders you might want to reconsider before spending your hard-earned money.
As a health coach (learn more here) I ensure that my clients don’t waste unnecessary money on supplements that don’t work or aren’t getting the results that they desire.
1. Synthetic Multivitamins
Multivitamins seem like an easy way to cover your bases, but many mass-market versions use cheap, synthetic forms of vitamins that your body may struggle to absorb. For instance, folic acid is often used instead of the more bioavailable methylfolate, and cyanocobalamin is a low-grade form of B12 compared to methylcobalamin. Additionally, these formulas often lack essential co-factors that help the body actually use the nutrients, making them more of a false sense of security than a health booster. Do a quick Google search to see if the multi-vitamins that you’re taking are synthetic or actually derived from nature.
2. Calcium Carbonate
Often found in inexpensive calcium supplements, calcium carbonate is essentially chalk. It’s poorly absorbed and can contribute to calcification in arteries if not properly balanced with other nutrients like magnesium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2. Without those co-factors, excess calcium can do more harm than good, especially in people who already get enough through their diet. Calcium supplements can also be high in heavy metals!
Recommended Reading: Warning: Avoid Calcium Supplements As They Lead To Excess Plaque Production, Causing Issues Like Arthritis, E.D, & Heart Problems: Check Your Labels For This Important Addition
3. Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium is a crucial mineral, but not all forms are created equal. Magnesium oxide, one of the cheapest and most common forms, has an absorption rate of around 4%. That means your body isn’t getting much benefit, and you’re mostly just making expensive urine. Far better options include magnesium glycinate (great for relaxation), malate (for energy), or threonate (for brain health).
Watch this video to learn about the Top 2 Magnesium Supplements I Use:
Click here to visit Qualia Magnesium.
Use the discount code: healthywildandfree
Click here to visit Bioptimizers Magnesium.
Discount code: healthywildfree
4. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid Only)
Ascorbic acid is the isolated outer ring of the full vitamin C complex. While it can have benefits, it doesn’t provide the full spectrum of bioflavonoids and enzymes that occur naturally in whole food sources. Taking it in isolation may be less effective than whole food-based or liposomal vitamin C, which is far better absorbed and utilized by the body.
I personally recommend Radiate 21, which contains lime, lemon, orange and camu camu. All great sources of vitamin C. Another great formula is Essential C from Paleovalley as whole food sources of vitamin C supplementation.
5. Iron Supplements (Ferrous Sulfate)
Ferrous sulfate is a common iron supplement prescribed for anemia, but it’s notorious for causing constipation, nausea, and oxidative stress. Worse, supplementing iron without knowing your levels can be dangerous, especially for men and postmenopausal women. Better alternatives include heme iron (from animal sources) or iron-rich foods like liver, as well as co-factors like vitamin C to boost absorption.
6. B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Cyanocobalamin is the cheapest and least effective form of B12. It’s poorly absorbed by people with low stomach acid or MTHFR mutations, and it contains a cyanide molecule that the body has to detox. Methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin are the preferred, bioactive forms that your body can use more efficiently.
I personally recommend ‘Organ Complex‘ from Paleovalley. Organ meats provide the MOST Bioavailable form of B-vitamins that you can possibly consume and the formula is 15% off now at this link.
7. Collagen Without Vitamin C
Collagen has exploded in popularity, but many people don’t realize that vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis. Taking collagen without also ensuring adequate vitamin C may mean you’re not getting the skin, joint, or hair benefits you’re after. To maximize your results, pair your collagen with a good source of whole food or liposomal vitamin C.
I recommend Radiate 21 as a whole food source of vitamin C and also because it contains Sangre De Grado (Dragon’s Blood) which helps collagen building blocks.
8. Zinc Without Copper
Zinc is great for immunity and wound healing, but long-term use without balancing it with copper can lead to deficiencies and imbalances. These minerals work together in the body, and supplementing zinc alone can suppress copper absorption, which can negatively impact cardiovascular and neurological health.
9. Turmeric Powder Capsules
Turmeric’s main active ingredient, curcumin, is poorly absorbed on its own. Many turmeric capsules contain the raw powder with no enhancers, which means you’re likely getting minimal benefit. To make it effective, it needs to be combined with black pepper extract (piperine) or delivered in liposomal form to significantly increase bioavailability.
In this case I highly recommend Omica Organics Turmeric. They have the highest quality turmeric with the best curcumin numbers. Curucmin is the active anti-inflammatory compounds in turmeric. They also have the lowest tested heavy metal turmeric that I have found. Click here to visit Omica Organics, and use the discount code: healthywildfree to get 10% off your order.
10. Green Tea Extract (High-Dose EGCG)
Green tea is generally healthy, but high-dose extracts of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) can be toxic to the liver, especially in supplement form. It’s not the same as drinking a cup of green tea. These concentrated extracts can overwhelm the body, especially if taken on an empty stomach or in combination with other stimulants.
Recommended Supplement:
Radiate 21 is a botanical that includes 21 ingredients from Ayurvedic, Amazonian and Chinese medicine all in one single formula. No fillers, no crap, just pure ingredients that are good for gut health, mitigating stress and strengthening the oxygen transportation systems of the body. You can learn more at Radiate21.com.
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