This month kicked off National Nutrition Month calling attention to the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits, making it the perfect time to review the basics and available supplementation to meet your dietary needs. Dr. Petersen is a leading expert in dietary supplementation and usage to treat conditions such as sleep disorders, digestive issues, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and even hormonal imbalances.
1.There is so much information out there when it comes to nutrition and supplementation. It’s very confusing. How do we even begin to filter through that information to find the best source of diet and supplementation?There a variety of different types of dietary supplements which include vitamins, minerals, herbals, biotanicals, extracts, enzymes and even hormones.
Ideally, the best nutrition-based strategy for promoting optimal health and reducing the risk of chronic disease is to wisely choose a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods. That’s easier said than done. As we all know, there is an extreme lack of vitamins and minerals in the average American’s diet due to the fact that the nutritional value in food has been dramatically reduced over time, thus making supplementation an essential part of today’s diet.
The use of dietary supplements in general, and nutrient supplements in particular, is prevalent and growing in the United States, with about one third of adults using a multivitamin and mineral supplement regularly. However, consumers may not be well informed about the safety and efficacy of supplements and some may have difficulty interpreting product labels so the expertise is needed to help educate consumers on the safe and appropriate selection and use of nutrient supplements to optimize health.
2.What are some of the things we need to consider before getting started on supplements?
When considering supplements, quality is by far the most important factor. At Holtorf Medical Group, our Medical Director, Dr. Kent Holtorf, formulated our entire supplement line, HoltraCeuticals. He spent over ten years developing, testing and utilizing hundreds of natural and pharmaceutical therapies in our centers. Through this process he has found the best natural ingredients and has formulated supplements that deliver results for our patients.
Many of our products are developed for specific health concerns for patients suffering from an array of conditions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, hormone dysfunction, heart disease, digestive disorders, bone/joint issues, mood, depression, weight management – all formulated with our patients’ needs in mind. Also, a lot of our patients have trouble tolerating over-the-counter supplements which may contain fillers that can cause problems for those that have certain digestive sensitivities.
When you're ready to shop for supplements, other recommendations would be to:•Join ConsumerLab.com to find out which brands of supplements have been tested.
•Read the labels. Ingredients for the supplements should be from organic sources whenever possible.
•Know which dietary supplements should be taken on an empty stomach.
•Dietary supplements should be tested for toxic substances and any kind of contamination such as lead or mercury.
•Look for hypoallergenic products if you have sensitivity problems. Avoid wheat, yeast and corn.
•Look for an expiration date and make sure the product is fresh. If there is no expiration date on the label, buy something else.
Unless you have consulted with a health care provider, please follow the dosage instructions on the labels. Also remember, vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements aren't all created equally. Dietary supplements are regulated, but not as closely as medication, and there are no standards that require that ingredients listed on the label match what is actually inside the capsules or tablets. It's also important to remember that label claims made for the effects of dietary supplements are not approved by the FDA.
3.Do you recommend any particular supplements that nearly everyone could benefit from and should include in their daily regimen?
If you're simply searching for some extra vitamin supplements to ensure your nutrient intake is adequate, then start with a simple program like:
•Multi-vitamin
•Calcium and vitamin D
•B-complex
•Omega-3 fatty acids
Along with these standard ones, a lot of our patients struggle with sleep issues and digestive problems so we generally add in:
•Sleep Tight
•Digestive Enzymes; and
•Bone Restore to help increase bone health and strength.
4. Should men and women take different types of supplements?
There are differences in some of the vitamin deficiencies among men and women and similarities as well. Women will want to ensure they are getting enough Vitamin D, iron and calcium in their diet. If not and they most certainly will want to add these supplements to their daily regimen. For men, we also recommend adding calcium and Vitamin D supplementation once they reach a certain age to help prevent bone fractures due to osteoporosis.
5.Let’s talk a little bit about the different types of conditions that you treat with supplementation at your Center.
Supplementation is an integral part of our treatment protocol at Holtorf Medical Group and necessary for our patients to reach their optimal outcomes. We use supplements, in conjunction with medications, hormones and other therapies to treat conditions such as adrenal fatigue, anti-aging, bone health, digestive disorders, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, heart disease prevention, libido, migraines, menopause, PMS, and thyroid disorders.
6. What makes your practice different from other treatment facilities?
The most important thing we do is spend additional time with, listen to, and become better acquainted with the patient and their history so we can better diagnose and treat them. The most critical way we accomplish this is by having them fill-out an in-depth health history questionnaire before they ever visit the center. This gives us a clear picture of their symptoms and treatment history, current issues and provides other information about their health that may play a critical part in their illness and future wellness. The other thing we do differently from most other treatment approaches is in-depth testing to determine deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals. From there, we begin to outline a treatment plan, which includes supplementation that is very specific to each patient.
Also, please remember - before you start a supplement regimen; be sure to talk to your doctor and pharmacist to make sure the supplements you chose are safe for you. To learn more about safely getting started with supplements, and what you should expect from them, read Getting Started With Supplements. Keep in mind that just because a product is natural that doesn't ensure that it's safe.
If you want more information on supplementation that Dr. Petersen talked about today, please visit their website at
www.holtorfmed.com, click on “HoltraCeuticals” or if you’re ready to make an appt. with Dr. Petersen, you can call (801)821-5384 to talk to a patient representative.
