Running head: QUALITY SUPPLEMENTS 1

Choosing Quality Supplements

Shontinique Kay

P.U.G.
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Choosing Quality Supplements

Title Slide: Choosing Quality Supplements

Introduction:

Welcome Everyone,

My name is Shontinique and I am going to cover a few basics regarding quality

supplementation.

This topic really caught me by surprise in a negative way because I never considered

putting the word “quality” before some of my daily vitamins until I was prompted to take a look

and I saw talc in the “other ingredients” list. I know not to put talc on my body, so why would I

want to put it in my body.

I have a few supplements I like to keep on hand, some people have a ton.

I think many people, especially Americans, remember how popular the Flintstone

vitamins were and how parents routinely flocked to the shelves and made sure their children

received the best start they could offer.

I will go over key elements to consider and expand upon when choosing supplements.

Slide 2: Key Points

The elements of today’s conversation include:

Defining supplementation

When to supplement

Common components

Supplementation as a spectrum

Associated Risks

Research methods you can use personally

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Doing the best you can

Slide 3: Supplementation

In the most straightforward sense, supplementation means to “add” something extra or

supply something.

For this topic’s purpose, nutrition supplements are defined as “concentrated sources of

nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect that supplement the normal

diet,” (Piccardi, Manissier, 2009).

Keep in mind, the “normal diet” can be interpreted as what is normal for individuals

and/or the cultural food and diet norms in which they exist. Therefore, pushing the point- What

does your normal diet or lifestyle lack that may require you to supplement?
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Slide 4: When Supplementation Often Occurs

• Location- meaning where you are geographically located may lack certain dietary

resources

• Lifestyle- Vegans, vegetarians, and meat-heavy diets may constitute a need for

supplements to fulfil any deficiencies

• Age Bracket- Our bodies are constantly changing. As we age our bodies require more

assistance to maintain its healthy structure. At every developmental stage, our bodies

require something different

• Pregnancy- This is a mother deciding to dedicate her body to the growth of another,

which requires extra assistance to acquire essential nutrients as her body diverts a lot of

its resources and energy to the fetus. It is a lot of work.

• Accessibility- Meaning a lack of access to nutritional resources. This could be grocery

stores, access to fresh produce, and socioeconomic stressors.

• Allergies or Sensitivities- If you are not able to get nutrients due to an allergy or

sensitivity to certain essential ingredients.

• Higher Activity Levels- People who are busy or very athletic may require extra help to

replenish everything they may burn.

Slide 5: Nutritional Supplementation Follows a Spectrum

Real Food, Whole-food supplements, Natural supplements, and Synthetic supplements

Real Food- Especially whole food ingredients. No supplementation can replace the need

for real food fuel. Unless of course, there is a new super meal replacement regimen that can also

completely replicate satiation, while providing total nutrition that accounts for individual dietary

needs, and leave no negative side effects- ultimate nutritional biohacking at its finest.
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Whole-food Supplementation- Supplements that are comprised of concentrated amounts

of whole food ingredients.

Natural- Supplements that have natural ingredients listed. However, regulation on natural

supplements are nearly nonexistent. The FDA has yet to engage in defining the term “natural,” so

it has been used loosely by some vendors (FDA, 2018). This applies not only to ingredients, but

the way in which the ingredients were acquired as well (Mayo Clinic, 2017). Does the product

claim “100% natural?” Does it list its natural sources in the ingredients?

Synthetic- These are supplements that created artificially in a lab, manufacturing setting,

or industrial process. It is common to see no natural ingredients labeled, just chemical

compounds and possible byproducts of production processes.

Slide 6: Common Components of Supplements

Listed here are just a few common components of daily multivitamins.

Calcium is important for healthy bones, blood clotting, and muscle health.

Potassium is an important electrolyte and mineral that helps muscle function that controls

heartbeat and breathing.

Iron is in hemoglobin and carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.

Magnesium helps to regulate muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood

pressure.

Sodium helps maintain cell water balance and assists brain and muscle function

Zinc in very small amounts helps strengthen the immune system. During pregnancy

through childhood, zinc helps the body develop and grow.

Fatty Acids provide energy for the body’s organs and help to build cell membranes.

Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid, especially important for brain growth and development.
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Slide 7: Risks

• Existing Health Conditions

• Chemicals or vitamins and minerals that interact poorly with certain health conditions or

medication

• Whole Foods that interact poorly with current prescriptions

• Abuse and Misuse

• Poor Manufacturing practices (Myers, 2013).

Anything strong enough to have a positive effect is also strong enough to produce a risk.

Slide 8: Quality Research

• Non-partisan research reports- look for research conducted by independent organizations.

This means not by competitors, not by the vendor, but an entity free from any conflict of

interest.

• Consult with your medical care provider(s)- when in doubt leave it out and speak with

your doctor first.

• Look for adherence to government regulations and approval outlines- or lack of

regulation

• Learn how the supplement must be used and consumed for safety and effectiveness

• Read the ingredients and nutrition labels- read them for everything you intend to

consume. If you are shopping online, look for a picture of the nutrition and ingredients

labels. If you do not see these, that may be cause for concern or a huge red flag.

Slide 9: Do what is best for you

• What is your current status? What sort of lifestyle are you living? How is your health

now?
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• Consult with professionals on recommended supplementation tactics, if they are required.

• Consume water and a balanced diet to the best of your ability.

• Engage in regular moderate physical activity for 30-60 minutes daily.

• Supplementation currently cannot replace food, but if possible, aim for whole natural

ingredients or what is recommended or prescribed by your doctor.

• Follow-up on your health with trained and accredited healthcare entities.

Slide 10: Conclusion

Overall, I think people that purchase supplements are already on a positive path for

themselves.

Regardless of what anyone has already purchased or consumed, I think they had the best

intentions at heart.

However, I implore you to remember that you are worth quality, safety, and optimal

health regardless of your culture, ethnicity, or background.

Take, adapt, expand, and modify these basics and do the best for you. Do right by your

family. Do right by those for which you care, and it is always good to seek out assistance when

you want or need it.

Thank you for being my audience!

Slide 11: References

Here are my references for your use.

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References

Food and Drug Administration. (2018, October 22). Use of the Term Natural on Food Labeling.

Retrieved from Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-

nutrition/use-term-natural-food-labeling

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017, November 8). Herbal supplements: What to know before you buy.

Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-

healthy-eating/in-depth/herbal-supplements/art-20046714

Myers, C. (2013, January 7). How To Tell If A Vitamin Is Natural Or Synthetic. Retrieved from

Green America: https://www.greenamerica.org/blog/how-tell-if-vitamin-natural-or-

synthetic