If only I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked the question, Do I really need to take any supplements if I’m eating real food?
It’s a great question, and one I’ve wondered many times myself, which is why I wanted to pick the brain of an expert.
Dr. Michelle Durkin is a naturopathic doctor and owner of the Quinte Naturopathic Centre in Belleville. She also happens to be the resident expert for the Eat Real Food Academy. I know, handy right?
If you want to end your confusion about supplements and supplement quality, this video is a must see. At the end she reveals the three supplements she recommends to her patients — whether or not they eat a real food diet.
Now we want to hear from you. Do you take any supplements, and if so, which ones? If not, why not?
Like this post? Would you like weekly real food inspiration delivered right to your inbox?
Anne says
October 1, 2015 at 6:38 amUsually I take a Vitamin D tablet, a calcium & magnesium supplement and just recently got into taking wild salmon and fish oil. This is based partly on my experience of working with a GP. I had not realized the brand of supplement was so important (of course they company charging the least could up their price and people would buy it thinking price may dictate quality). How can I determine a quality product to take?
Michelle Durkin says
October 4, 2015 at 5:00 pmHi Anne,
In general, I recommend buying most supplements at a reputable health food store or from your Naturopathic Doctor. I recommend avoiding supplements at big box stores. With your supplements in particular, the salmon and fish oil needs to be from a company that is diligent on making sure their raw ingredients do not contain heavy metals. With a calcium/magnesium/vitamin D supplement ensure the calcium is not in the carbonate form and the magnesium is not in the oxide form. Otherwise it’s like trying to absorb your minerals by eating a rock!
Rosanne says
October 1, 2015 at 7:50 amAwesome info and program. What about post menopausal “supplements”? I take all 3 supplements that you recommend + Primrose Oil + glucosomene, as recommended by my traditional Chinese medicine doctor. We’ve been working together for over a decade and I don’t make a move without her input (also a doctor of acupuncture – also most helpful for any or all problems).
Thanks for helping us to live an optimal life.
Michelle Durkin says
October 4, 2015 at 5:03 pmThanks Rosanne for your comment! It is really important to see a professional so they can optimize the supplements that are best for you and your medical conditions or family predispositions.
Betty Pierce says
October 1, 2015 at 6:17 pmhi there…I take supplements that you had mentioned in your video plus Selenium and Zinc…. I have read articles that these minerals are lacking in our soil and foods? Along with the Omega 3….I have been taking halibut oil and vitamin e capsules …what are
your thoughts on these?
thanks Betty
Michelle Durkin says
October 4, 2015 at 5:09 pmHi Betty!
You are correct about the lack of minerals in our soil and selenium and zinc are some of the most common. Zinc is of particular importance to our immune system, skin, and reproductive function while selenium is necessary for thyroid hormone conversion. If none of these things are your concern and you are more interested in repleting any possible missing minerals a good multi-mineral supplement may be enough for you. Halibut oil is a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin D. Out of all 4 fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) Vitamin D is likely the most important.
theresa taylor says
October 15, 2015 at 1:07 pmHi Michelle,
I take a vitamin and mineral supplement,a plant sourced calcium and vitamin D in the fall , winter and spring since I spend time outdoors in the summer.I eat mainly a plant based diet with fish a couple of times a week.I do not have any gut problems (or health problems) and feel that the natural yogurt I eat daily will keep me supplied with good bacteria. Is this sufficient?
Because I eat a whole food diet I never thought I needed fish oil supplements.
I do enjoy your weekly updates.
Thanks.
Theresa
Michelle Durkin says
October 17, 2015 at 11:51 amHi Theresa!
The amount of good bacteria in natural yogurt (there are only 3 ingredients, milk, cream, and bacterial culture) could be enough if you haven’t been on antibiotics within the last couple of years, you don’t drink chlorinated water, you are not on steroid or NSAID drugs, and you don’t have any ongoing negative stress. I would try to also add other fermented foods into your diet besides yogurt if possible. A few examples are sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi.
theresa taylor says
October 22, 2015 at 6:39 pmThanks, Michelle.
I will re introduce kefir into my diet and the occasional sauerkraut. My granddaughter makes it for the good bacteria. I have not taken antibiotics for a long time.
Thanks to you and Carolyn for your on going support and knowledge.
Theresa
Michelle Durkin says
October 23, 2015 at 8:36 amThanks Theresa. We love knowing our content is helping people 🙂
Vicki Howie says
February 28, 2016 at 8:42 amHi Michelle and Carolyn,
Great episode! One question I have is how are the vitamins/minerals that are in grains/breads/cereals – ie B vitamins/folic acid replaced in the eat real food plate? I thought you might say if you are eating the ERFA plate that a B or multi-vitamin would be needed to replace what you would normally get in grains? Thank you!
Michelle Durkin says
March 7, 2016 at 11:50 amGreat question Vicki! The only reason that vitamins have to be “replaced” in foods like grains, breads, and cereals is that they have been stripped out of the food by bleaching and other processing techniques. In all real food you already have the nutrients present and don’t need to add anything back in. There is however a growing concern about the lack of minerals present in our soils and that our foods are being grown in nutrient deficient soil. This does build a case for everyone taking a good quality multi-vitamin.