Supplements Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All

If you’ve ever stood in the supplement aisle feeling completely overwhelmed, you’re not alone.

Patients often ask me, “Is this a good supplement?”

And the truth is—it depends.

Just because something looks reputable (or helped your friend, your neighbor, or someone on Instagram) doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your body. A supplement might be high-quality, but that doesn’t automatically make it helpful for you.

At Asheville Functional Medicine, we think about supplements in two key ways:

To Fill in the Gaps: Even with a nourishing diet and the best intentions, it’s not always possible to get every nutrient your body needs—especially if you’re dealing with chronic illness, gut dysfunction, or absorption issues.
To Support What’s Struggling: Sometimes, certain systems need more than food alone. Whether that’s getting your vitamin D to a therapeutic level to support immunity, or using targeted antioxidants to help your body detox more effectively—supplements can play a powerful, supportive role.

But here’s the most important part: More isn’t always better. Taking the wrong supplements—or taking too many—can actually do more harm than good.

That’s why quality and personalization matter.

How to Know If a Supplement Is Actually High-Quality

There’s a lot of noise out there, and not all supplements are created equal. If you’re evaluating a product on your own, here are three things to check on the label:

✅ Third-Party Certifications

Look for seals like NSF, USP, or ConsumerLab. These show that an independent lab has tested the product for purity, potency, and safety—so you know what’s in the bottle is what it claims to be.

✅ Bioavailable Forms

Not all nutrients are equally absorbable. Your body needs nutrients in forms it can recognize and use. Look for:

Chelated minerals (like magnesium glycinate instead of magnesium oxide)
Methylated B vitamins (like methylfolate instead of folic acid)

✅ Clean “Other Ingredients”

Flip the bottle and check the fine print. Avoid artificial dyes, unnecessary fillers, and synthetic additives. If an ingredient sounds more like a lab chemical than real nourishment, it’s worth questioning.

But the Most Important Factor? Personalization.

Even the “best” supplement won’t help if it’s not what your body needs.

Your nutrient requirements are shaped by your own unique biology—things like:

Genetics
Gut health
Inflammation
Lifestyle and stress levels

This is why I'll never recommend a supplement protocol based on trends or guesswork. What your friend swears by might not work for you. Instead, I use advanced testing, a root-cause lens, and personalized protocols to support your body in the way it actually needs.

Because your health isn’t one-size-fits-all. And neither are your supplements.

Need help sorting it all out? I offer personalized consultations to help you get to the root of your symptoms and create a plan that works for you. Click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation!