The supplement industry is a $152 billion dollar industry, which means a lot of people are taking a lot of supplements.

Do I think supplements have a place in a healthy lifestyle?

Yes…IF you use high-quality ones, and use them strategically (which most people don’t).

See, it’s harder than ever (not impossible, but hard) to get all the nutrients you need, in the quantities you need them, in most of today’s world. If you eat mainly processed foods, it’s highly likely you’re nutrient deficient.

If you eat a lot of whole foods, your nutrient levels are probably better, but there’s also probably room for improvement.

The thing is, the amount of food you’d have to consume to even have a shot at getting those nutrients is SO much, most people don’t have the time and/or money to buy and eat SO much food for themselves, much less for their whole family.

I’m not saying you’re gonna drop dead if you don’t have adequate levels of all possible nutrients.

What I am saying is that getting those levels can be pricey and time consuming, which is why so many people turn to supplements to make up the difference.

Yet turning to supplements comes with its own challenges.

There are SO freaking many to choose from, both in brands and in options. It can make your head spin!

It may also prompt you to spend thousands per month on supplements you may or may not need; or resort to low-grade supplements with inflammatory fillers and ingredients of such low quality that they’re not even absorbed, so you just pee most, if not all, of it out.

Recently I hosted a live workshop about identifying which supplements you should take, because getting clear on this can save you a lot of time, a lot of money, and a lot of frustration and overwhelm.

If you’re considering whether to take a specific supplement, ask yourself why you think you need it.

Is it because someone said you “should” take it?

Is it because it’s there?

Is it because your preacher’s wife is taking it?

Very often people take supplements because they’re there, and because they sound neat.

But neither of those reasons are strategic.

You may also secretly be hoping they’ll lead to a dramatic health transformation without you having to change your unhealthy diet and/or habits.

Look, quality supplements may help with a lot of things, like regulating cortisol levels so you stop feeling “wired but tired,” but here’s the thing:

You cannot out-supplement a bad diet, any more than you can out-train a bad diet.

If you’re eating and drinking crap, get your diet on point first. Drink plenty of water, and get plenty of sleep.

Once you’ve got the real food, water, and sleep lined up, THAT’S when strategic supplementation can most benefit you. (No, you don’t have to have all your weight off first. I’m saying clean up your diet, get hydrated, and get your sleep, which, by the way, helps the weight come off, too.)

When it comes to dietary supplements, the most bang for your buck happens when you’re eating a clean diet, drinking water, and sleeping; and when you’re buying high-quality supplements you actually need (meaning they’re strategically chosen).

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