Our patients regularly ask us about information and recommendations for nutritional supplements. While recommendations can vary greatly based on a person’s health status and individual needs, there are some recommendations we make to most patients regarding supplements for optimal health.

1. Multivitamin

A good quality multivitamin is one of the most important supplements for optimal health. According to the CDC, the vast majority of Americans are not able to meet their nutrient needs by diet alone. A 2013 CDC study showed that only 13.1% of the US population met sufficient fruit intake and only 8.9% met sufficient vegetable intake. Other studies have demonstrated that the produce we eat today contains lower levels of essential vitamins and minerals than the produce we consumed decades ago, likely due to soil depletion. Another CDC report estimated that 90 million Americans are deficient in vitamin D, 30 million in vitamin B12, 18 million in vitamin B6, and 16 million in vitamin C. A study of adults over age 50 showed that less than 50% of them had adequate levels of vitamin E, folic acid, and magnesium from diet alone. Supporting a nutritious diet with a high quality multivitamin helps to ensure that we are giving our bodies what they need to function optimally.

2. Fish Oil

Fish oil supplements provide the body with essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for regulating inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial to our health for countless reasons, and they can only be obtained through diet and supplementation. Adequate omega-3 levels are necessary for proper cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, and musculoskeletal health. They have been shown to regulate blood pressure, maintain healthy body weight, regulate immune function, support a positive mood, and promote muscle and joint health. A 2006 study by Maroon and Bost found that fish oil supplementation was as effective as most over the counter medications in reducing neck and low back pain. Typically individuals need to supplement with 500-900mg of omega-3 fatty acids to meet optimal levels. Additionally it’s recommended that individuals consume 3 servings of oily fish (like salmon, anchovies, sardines, and mackerel) per week.

3. Magnesium

Magnesium is another one of the most important supplements for optimal health because it is required for more than 600 enzyme reactions in the body. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 75% of American adults don’t meet the FDA’s Recommended Daily Intake. Individuals who are most at risk of magnesium deficiency include those who consume diets high in processed foods, have blood sugar abnormalities or diabetes, drink large amounts of alcohol, take diuretics or proton pump inhibitors, have gastrointestinal conditions, have been on long-term antibiotics, or suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Low magnesium levels can lead to issues with vitamin D metabolism, weakening of the bones, heartbeat irregularities and irregular blood pressure, blood sugar issues, irritability and anxiety, muscle cramps and twitches, and fatigue.

4. Vitamin D

It is estimated that 88% of the population receives less than optimal levels of vitamin D. Although the body naturally produces vitamin D through sun exposure, the sun is often not strong enough to meet the body’s needs. There are many factors that limit the body’s ability to convert sunlight to vitamin D, including limited sun exposure during winter months, older age, darker skin pigmentation, and use of sunscreen and clothes that shade the skin from the sun. Vitamin D is necessary for maintaining proper bone integrity, proper neuromuscular function, normal inflammatory response, muscle strength, proper calcium absorption, healthy immune response, and normal blood pressure. Studies have shown that adequate vitamin D levels are linked to decreased stress fractures, decreased injuries in athletes, and decreased rates of upper respiratory tract infections. Supplementing with vitamin D has also been shown to improve headache and migraine symptoms.

5. Probiotics

Probiotics are important for maintaining gut health, which makes them important supplements for optimal health because we digest and absorb nutrients through the gut. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help the gut function properly. The gut also contains bad bacteria and pathogens that can decrease gut function and cause illness and disease. Maintaining a good balance between the “good” and the “bad” bacteria in the gut is important for overall health. Bacterial imbalances in the gut can lead to nutrient deficiencies even if we are are consuming a balanced diet and supplementing with vitamins and other nutrients. Research shows that supplementation with probiotics supports healthy immune function, inflammation regulation, proper brain health, and weight management. It also helps to counteract some of the harmful side effects of taking common medications, like NSAIDs and antibiotics.

Because nutritional supplements are not regulated, quality can be an issue with certain brands. Stamford Spine partners with Thorne® to offer our patients high quality supplements at a discounted rate. It is important to keep in mind that supplements should be taken at specific doses that vary from individual to individual. In addition, certain supplements can interact with medications. Please speak to your chiropractor or another healthcare provider for more information before starting a new supplement. Please contact our office with any questions.

References

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  • Moore LV, Thompson FE. Adults meeting fruit and vegetable Intake recommendations – United States, 2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2015 Jul 10;64(26):709-713.
  • Haeusler S, Parry-Strong A, Krebs JD. The prevalence of low vitamin B12 status in people with type 2 diabetes receiving metformin therapy in New Zealand – a clinical audit. N Z Med J 2014;127(1404):8-16.
  • Sebastian RS, Cleveland LE, Goldman JD, Moshfegh AJ. Older adults who use vitamin/mineral supplements differ from nonusers in nutrient intake adequacy and dietary attitudes. J Am Diet Assoc 2007;107(8):1322-1332.
  • Long SJ, Benton D. Effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on stress, mild psychiatric symptoms, and mood in nonclinical samples: a meta-analysis. Psychosom Med 2013 Feb;75(2):144-153.
  • Maroon, J. C., & Bost, J. W. (2006). ω-3 Fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory: an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for discogenic pain. Surgical neurology, 65(4), 326-331.
  • World Health Organization. Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water: Public health significance. Geneva: World Health Organization Press; 2009.
  • Grober U. Magnesium and drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2019;20(9):2094.
  • Magnesium fact sheet for health professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/#h6. [Accessed Oct. 31, 2019]
  • Uwitonze A, Razzaque M. The role of magnesium in vitamin D activation and function. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2018;118(3):181-189.
  • Jahnen-Dechent W, Ketteler M. Magnesium basics. Clin Kidney J 2012;5(Suppl):i3-i14.
  • Bendik I, Friedel A, Roos F, et al. Vitamin D: a critical and essential micronutrient for human health. Front Physiol 2014;5:248. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00248
  • National Institutes of Health – Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin D – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/ [accessed May 20, 2018]
  • Larson-Meyer D, Willis K. Vitamin D and athletes.Curr Sports Med Rep 2010;9(4):220-226.
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  • Halliday T, Peterson N, Thomas J, et al. Vitamin D status relative to diet, lifestyle, injury, and illness in college athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011;43(2):335-343.
  • Backx E, Tieland M, Maase K, et al. The impact of 1-year vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status in athletes: a dose-response study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2016;70(9):1009-1014.
  • Close GRussell JCobley J, et al. Assessment of vitamin D concentration in non-supplemented professional athletes and healthy adults during the winter months in the UK: implications for skeletal muscle function. J Sports Sci 2013;31(4):344-353.
  • Barker T, Schneider E, Dixon B, et al. Supplemental vitamin D enhances the recovery in peak isometric force shortly after intense exercise. Nutr Metab2013;10:69.
  • Ruohola JLaaksi IYlikomi T, et al. Association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and bone stress fractures in Finnish young men. J Bone Miner Res 2006;21(9):1483-1488.
  • Lappe JCullen DHaynatzki G, et al. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation decreases incidence of stress fractures in female Navy recruits.J Bone Miner Res 2008;23(5):741-749.
  • Maroon J, Mathyssek C, Bost J, et al. Vitamin D profile in National Football League players. Am J Sports Med 2015;43(5):1241-1245.
  • He C, Handzlik M, Fraser W, et al. Influence of vitamin D status on respiratory infection incidence and immune function during four months of winter training in endurance sport athletes. Exerc Immunol Rev2013;19:86-101.

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