How Do I Choose The Right Supplement For Me?

When it comes to supplements, it can be hard to know what’s best for you. There’s so many different options out there, from multivitamins to specific herbal blends, from tinctures to capsules. The good news is that we’re here to clear up the noise so you can find exactly what’s right for you (and every product at Standard Dose has been carefully vetted so you can count on supplements that really and truly work). Here are some of our top tips to consider:

Start with a balanced diet
Supplements can help with so much, but the number one way to make sure your body is nourished is by filling your diet with whole foods that will fuel your body. From-nutrient rich fruits and vegetables to plant fiber from foods like leafy greens, berries, and broccoli, how you eat can make sure you have a balanced diet as a base. Not to mention whole foods help support a diverse microbiome and your gut health can impact everything from stress to inflammation. 

Focus on the root, not the symptom
Many people choose to explore supplementation due to a specific symptom. Maybe you’re having a hard time sleeping or feel like your immune system has been completely run down. Your first thought might be to grab something for sleep or a quick fix for immunity and, although this can help, it’s best to think about what may be causing these symptoms and how you can address them holistically. Maybe your sleep struggles and weakened immune system are the byproducts of stress, or maybe your diet is lacking vital nutrients like B12. 

Dr. Shari Auth, a Board Certified Chinese Herbalist and the founder of WTHN, stresses the importance of zeroing in on the root, but if your symptoms are impacting your daily life, a two- pronged approach may be best. “For example, if you struggle with a poor immune system and you currently have a cold,” she says, “treat the cold first, and when you feel better use supplements to boost your immunity daily.” 

Talk with your doctor 
Taking the time to chat with your primary care provider can be a great way to uncover potential deficiencies and think about where to start. Maybe you follow a vegetarian diet and could benefit from a supplement with B12, or maybe you stay away from dairy and need to increase your calcium intake. Your doctor can be one of the best places to start.

Discover the ingredients for your needs
Once you have an idea of your goals with supplementation, take some time to discover ingredients that fit your needs. Our Ingredient Directory can help you do just that, with details on a wide range of plant-based ingredients like ashwagandha, valerian root, and more, as well as products recommended by our team of educators.

Experiment 
Finding what’s right for you can take a bit of trial and error as everybody is different. Once you’ve chosen your new supplement, stick with it for at least a month and track the changes you notice. It takes time for your body to adjust and for you to see results. Use our free Supplement Tracker to take note of the patterns you recognize, and evaluate the results you’ve seen at the end of the month. 

Looking for one-on-one recommendations? Our team of educators is here to help! Just email us at contact@standarddose.com for assistance.