Not All Supplements Are Created Equal

Wendy Francis, NBC-HWC – Board-Certified Health Coach and Functional Nutritionist

I get asked this all the time… “What brand of supplements do you recommend?”

And the truth is, I don’t usually start with a brand.

I start with this question instead… Do you even need that supplement?

We Are Over-Supplementing

As a health coach, one of the biggest trends I see right now is people taking too many supplements without truly understanding why.

Cabinets full of pills. Powders. Gummies. Drinks.

All with the hope of “feeling better.”

But here is the reality… more is not always better.

In fact, over-supplementing can sometimes create imbalances, stress your liver, or even interfere with how your body naturally regulates itself.

Food First… Always

I always encourage my clients to get as many nutrients as possible from real food.

Whole foods come with a full package of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and cofactors that your body recognizes and uses efficiently.

That said… we live in the real world.

Soil depletion, busy lifestyles, stress, and convenience foods all make it harder to get everything we need from diet alone.

And that is where smart supplementation can absolutely play a role.

Why I Don’t Recommend Most Drugstore Supplements

This might surprise you, but many supplements found in typical drugstores are not the quality your body deserves.

Some may contain:

• Low-quality or poorly absorbed forms of nutrients
• Fillers, binders, and artificial ingredients
• Inconsistent dosing
• Little to no real testing for purity or potency

Remember, supplements are not regulated the same way medications are.

Which means the responsibility falls on you to choose wisely.

What to Look for in a Quality Supplement

If you are going to invest in supplements, here are the key things I recommend looking for:

• Third-party testing – Verified by independent labs like NSF, USP, or similar organizations
• Bioavailable forms – For example, methylated B vitamins, glycinate forms of minerals, etc.
• Transparent labeling – No proprietary blends hiding actual ingredient amounts
• Minimal fillers – Fewer unnecessary additives and artificial ingredients
• Manufactured in GMP-certified facilities – Ensures quality and consistency
• Clear sourcing – Brands that openly share where their ingredients come from

These are the standards I personally look for before recommending anything to a client.

A Smarter Approach

Instead of asking, “What supplements should I take?” try asking:

“What does my body actually need right now?”

That answer can come from how you feel, your habits, your lifestyle, and in some cases, lab work.

Supplements should support your foundation, not replace it.

Coming Next…

In my next blog post, I am going to break down something I get asked even more often…

Which supplements are most people actually deficient in?

And more importantly… which ones are actually worth considering.

Because if you are going to supplement, let’s make sure it is intentional, effective, and truly beneficial.

Disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any supplement regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

Sources

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)
NSF International
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health