Unlocking Your Body's Signals: A Guide to Supplements and Energy
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Chapter 1: Understanding Supplements
Are dietary supplements beneficial, and how can we ascertain our actual requirements for them? In this guide, I’ll share a fascinating DIY energy body hack that eliminates the need for doctor's visits.
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Many individuals consume unnecessary supplements, a realization I came to through my own experiences. I once took Vitamin C, D, Omega-3, Zinc, Multivitamins, and Calcium, among others. However, for several years now, I have abstained from all supplements, including fortified foods and shakes.
Years ago, I met a woman who had conquered cancer and imparted invaluable wisdom about discerning the needs of our bodies. Initially, we experimented with supplements, and later, I applied the same technique to various foods. The results were astonishing—almost magical!
This enjoyable technique will change the way you approach supplements, ensuring you never again worry about taking unneeded pills. In this narrative, I will elucidate what supplements are, the method to evaluate your need for them, and highlight three key nutrients to monitor.
Section 1.1: What Are Supplements?
Dietary supplements come in various forms, including tablets, capsules, powders, or liquids, and are intended to enhance one's diet. A five-year study by the NIH revealed that dietary supplement usage is slightly more common in the United States than previously thought, factoring in both occasional and regular use. Most consumers typically opt for multivitamins or a blend of various products, primarily aiming to promote overall wellness or address vitamin deficiencies.
Supplement users tend to adopt a range of healthy habits, indicating that their supplement intake is part of a broader commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
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Section 1.2: Scientific Insights
According to Johanna Dwyer, RD, a senior research scientist at the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, many people are unaware that exceeding the recommended levels of vitamins and minerals often provides no additional benefits and could even pose risks. If you choose to take supplements, it’s advisable to stay within the daily value limits.
For deeper insights, I recommend Dr. Mehmet Yildiz's review on 17 unique and nutritional molecules that may enhance health and discuss controversial cognitive-enhancing supplements.
Chapter 2: Key Nutrients to Monitor
Three specific nutrients warrant attention: vitamin D, calcium, and folic acid. Dwyer warns that adults surpassing the 4,000 international units (IUs) daily safe limit for vitamin D may face serious cardiac issues. Folic acid, commonly added to enriched grains, has significantly reduced birth defects but can also lead to other health complications. It's easy to consume over 1,000 mcg of folic acid daily, potentially masking vitamin B12 deficiency in older adults, which can result in lasting nerve damage.
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Chapter 3: A DIY Energy Body Hack
The cancer survivor who taught me this technique underwent various alternative therapies that heightened her awareness of her body’s needs. She educated me on the interplay of energy and the body, highlighting our ability to listen to our own signals.
The Simple DIY Method:
- Gather a friend for this exercise. Keep the purpose secret to avoid influencing results.
- Place the supplement, like an Omega-3 capsule, in your non-dominant hand. Alternatively, let your friend select different capsules for testing.
- Close your hand around the capsule.
- Pinch your thumb and index finger of the opposite hand together firmly.
- Your friend's task is to attempt to separate your fingers.
Interpreting Results:
- If your fingers separate easily, your body needs the supplement.
- If you maintain a strong grip, you likely do not need it.
You can apply this method to various foods as well. The key is to maintain pure intent, as this is a form of communication with your body regarding optimal health.
Chapter 4: Conclusion
Many of us incorporate unnecessary substances into our bodies without questioning their value. Supplements can clutter our systems just as unnecessary apps can slow down a phone. If you choose to use supplements, adhere to daily limits and utilize the DIY method described here to assess your actual needs. It may seem simple or unusual, but you’ll find it surprisingly effective.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with this method!
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