In essence, we need supplements for two reasons: 1) to replace nutrients that are missing from our foods and bodies because of the way they are grown (such as depleted soils, long periods of travel), processed (high heat); and 2) to help the body detoxify and defend against toxins that have got into our body through food, air, water and other means (such as cosmetics).

This does not fully correct the issues discussed in question 1 above.

We classify supplements into those that are “core” and those that are therapeutic.   Core supplements are those that we need to take  for  the  rest  of  our  lives  to  achieve  and  maintain optimal health.   These include: a potent multi-vitamin, DHA/EPA (“fish oils” or omega-3 oils), GLA (anti- inflammatory omega-6 oils), and probably pro-biotic bacteria.   Therapeutic supplements are those that are required to correct deficiencies based on lab tests (such as magnesium, vitamins B12 and D), symptoms, or other factors.  These will be taken for a period of time, usually 3-12 months.

The most common difficulties are with B vitamins (usually in multi’s) and with fish oils.  Usually this is due to sub- optimal digestion, is an important clue to why you may be deficient in the first place.  This can usually be remedied by the addition of the appropriate digestive aids.  We will begin your supplement program slowly, and ramp it up over several weeks to months.   We will see you three weeks after beginning your supplement program to monitor tolerance and make appropriate adjustments.   We will repeat  blood  tests  and  other  measurements  after  2-3 months.  If absorption is sub-optimal, additional important evaluations will be indicated.

See    question    15    for    more    information    about intolerance.

You should stop all new supplements for a few days and then add one in at a time, starting with the one you are most suspicious  of.    If  this  doesn’t  work, either call the office, call the hotline or schedule an earlier visit.  Please do not waste a month or more while waiting for your next appointment.

 This is a complex but very important topic that is addressed in separate publications.  Please ask if you want copies or go to the website and review the articles on “Stomach Acid”, “Enzymes” (pending), and “GI and Inflammation” and “Yeast” (for information on probiotics).

There are two considerations here.  First, the supplements should be  tested  for  their  ability to  dissolve  and  be  absorbed. Also, while some supplements pass through your body, as does water, what is important is their effect on your body as they turn on and off certain metabolic processes (in part, “programming” your genetic tendencies in the right direction).

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As long as you spread them over the day, you can take them at other times, such as lunch and dinner.  However, they should be taken at least two hours before bedtime.   (However, certain specific supplements are to be taken at bedtime).

Supplements are sometimes called “nutriceuticals”, implying  that  they  are  as  important  as pharmaceuticals (drugs).  Indeed they have the advantage of having a higher benefit-to-risk ratio than most drugs.  In other words, they usually have a very low side-effect profile.   Dr. Cheikin and staff have spent hundreds of hours researching the various companies and their products for quality and cost- effectiveness.  Most companies we support use “GMP” or Good Manufacturing Practice, and some use independent labs to ensure the potency and purity of their products. We believe the supplements we provide are the best “bang for your buck” and will give your the best chance of achieving optimal health.   We use these same supplements for ourselves and our families.

We have chosen the ones we carry because of their cost-effectiveness.  If there was a brand that was equivalent and cheaper, we would carry it.   The small amount you can save is not worth the time and risk of sub- optimal results.  We take your concerns seriously and have formulated your program to achieve optimal results in the most efficient way.

No.  Most are designed to take with meals to reinforce what is in the food.  We don’t eat, drink or breathe once a day; taking supplements once a day will not get the desired results. This is in part because many supplements are water soluble and only last in your body six hours.   While the optimal frequency is three to four times a day, a compromise is twice a day.  (Some special supplements will be taken between meals or at bedtime).

Having the right tools for any job is essential. Opening 4- 10 bottles twice a day is not sustainable or convenient. Therefore, having the right pill containers is essential. They should be large enough to hold all your morning or evening supplements for a week. We also recommend ones that lock if you travel or have small grand/children in your home or car. Dr. Cheikin has successfully used 10 containers for his monthly program: am and pm containers for weeks 1-4, plus a second week 4 so that weeks 1-4 can be filled up while finishing week 4 from the prior month. Most supplements come in one-month supplies, which enables such a strategy. Also, keeping your pill containers in a visible and functional place (kitchen cabinet with morning tea, refrigerator, bathroom sink etc.) can be helpful. Finally, keeping a log and checking it off can serve as an important tool (Dr. Cheikin tapes such a log inside his kitchen cabinet).

It doesn’t pay to double up. Realistically, if you take your supplements 10-12 times out of a maximum of 14 times (7 days times 2x/day), you are doing pretty well.

Because  most supplements work at the cellular level, it takes a while for them to get into your cells, push out other compounds (such as previously ingested hydrogenated oils), and adjust the biochemistry of each cell.   This may take several months.  The positive effects usually sneak up on you. Likewise, if your supplement program lapses (which happens from time-to-time to the best of us!), you will sustain the benefits for a week or two and then begin to slip back to where you began.    You then restart your supplements and begin to improve again.  This A-B-A-B design is a valid method for testing the effectiveness of any intervention.

Because  most supplements work at the cellular level, it takes a while for them to get into your cells, push out other compounds (such as previously ingested hydrogenated oils), and adjust the biochemistry of each cell.   This may take several months.  The positive effects usually sneak up on you. Likewise, if your supplement program lapses (which happens from time-to-time to the best of us!), you will sustain the benefits for a week or two and then begin to slip back to where you began.    You then restart your supplements and begin to improve again.  This A-B-A-B design is a valid method for testing the effectiveness of any intervention.

Most of us only convert 5-10% of flax oil’s alpha linolenic acid into the anti-inflammatory DHA/EPA in fish oil.  If the average adult needs at least 2000 mg of DHA/EPA, this means that they would have to take 10-20 times this amount as flax or hemp oil. For those vegetarians who are adamant about not taking fish oils, there are other alternatives that are more expensive but available.   We can also do a “fatty acid analysis” to measure the balance of oils in your body.  We do recommend that all patients take DHA/EPA at least for a while

Since we are designing an optimal program for you, taking less that what is recommended will not achieve optimal results in optimal time.  However, sometimes, a compromise is necessary.  At other times, it is a matter of reviewing  priorities.    Most  people  would  spend  a  far greater amount than we are recommending to fix their car, or care for their teeth or pet.

We would prefer that you are honest with us about your situation and priorities. We also encourage patients to explore HSA’s (Healthcare Savings Accounts) with their employers, which can be used to pay for supplements provided by a physician for a specific medical diagnosis.

As long as you spread them over the day, you can take them at other times, such as lunch and dinner.  However, they should be taken at least two hours before bedtime.   (However, certain specific supplements are to be taken at bedtime).

As long as you spread them over the day, you can take them at other times, such as lunch and dinner.  However, they should be taken at least two hours before bedtime.   (However, certain specific supplements are to be taken at bedtime).

Holistic Medicine offers many paths to healing. While supplements are an important tool, they are not the only one.  If you are willing to endure a slower healing process, and the cost of other modalities, then some people can achieve satisfactory if not optimal results without supplements.