I am asked every day ‘what supplements should I be taking?’  I am always blown away by this question.  Mostly because those who ask me are typically eating the same foods day in and day out–and not necessarily bad, but definitely not close to the best diet out there.  But I get the draw to supplements:  let me take a pill that will solve my problem of having to think.  I don’t want to think about adding variety to my menu. I don’t want to think about eating lots of fruits and vegetables.  I don’t want to think of another type of starchy carb to eat so I will just eat oatmeal everyday, 3 times a day. 

Supplements solve problems.  Need your omegas?  Have a fish oil cap.  Brittle bones?  Try some calcium.  Knees hurt?  How about some glucosamine.  Whether it works or not, pills are simple.  Who wants to try and cook fish for some healthy omegas, resistance train for bone health or take care of their extremeties via icing, wrapping and proper foot wear.  For crying out loud, that’s work!

I think we should have supplements for everything:  Divorce?  Take a St. John’s Lawyer at least once a day to ensure a good settlement.  Unexpected pregancy in marriage?  Have 1000 mg of Emergen-C and quickly get some Calm yourself tea (decaffinated of course!).  Need to drop dime on a scandalous coworker?  Take 2 Milk Whistle (blowers) per day and avoid them in the lunch room. 

If only we could solve a million issues with suppies and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg, I would invest in a supplement company.  But they really don’t solve all those issues and most of the time they make a whole new set of issues for you instead.  I am not saying that multi vitamins and fish oil caps are a waste of time.  On the contrary, they are fabulous additions to your daily regimen.  All I am saying is before you want to invest $30 in the latest vitamin trend, clean up your own diet first.  It’s much more effective (and cheaper) in the long run.