Client testimonial:        Pro athlete gets the edge

"As a professional athlete, my body and my health is my #1 priority.  If I am sick or injured, I can not perform my best. Proper diet and nutrition keeps me fit, energetic and healthy.  That's why proper nutrition and supplements are so important - they are one of my most important tools I use to gain the competitive edge - as important as practice and physical training.

I have met and worked with many health professionals throughout my career and Erika is one of the most passionate, knowledgeable, and detail-oriented of any one I have met.

Since working with Erika, I feel great, have maintained my weight, and my energy has been excellent!  She personally has helped me address some of the issues that were holding me back from being the best athlete I could be." 

-Professional athlete on the LPGA Tour, top 15 money earner the past 2 consecutive years

Reason # 2 :  How much do they know about you and your health situation?

Reason #3:  It's not a simple question to answer.

It's a paradigm shift.  Western versus natural/alternative medicine.

Our society is so programmed with the allopathic philosophy of medicine, which is,  "Here is my symptom, so what should I take for it?"  I get asked that all the time, "What is the best supplement for migraines?"  or "What should I take for my cold?"  People sometimes don't understand how that is not necessarily a simple question to answer. 

For example, if you go to a doctor with a problem with migraines, often they will give you medication that will stop the symptom (the migraine), and as long as you are taking the medication you won't feel the migraine.  The symptom though is your body's signal that something is wrong.  It's meant to sound the alarm to you.  Holistic/natural approach to the same situation is to figure out why the migraine exists in the first place, and then work to help the body heal itself by supporting the reason for the headache.  Then, once you address the cause, you no longer have the symptom.  I like a quote I have read before several times, "You don't get a headache because you have an aspirin deficiency."

Reason #4:  Assuming you are choosing the right supplement, how do you know it's "one of the good ones?"

You want to make sure the supplement is high quality - and that is hard to determine.  There is no current regulation of supplements, so you really don't know what you are buying, and whether it's good or not.  I've heard varying figures on this, but generally speaking, about 90% of the supplements out there are not worth buying.  The hard part is knowing what that 10% is! 

That's where working with someone who understands nutrition, knows you and your health, and also has used certain lines or products with many clients, is a good resource.  I use a few different lines of products personally and with clients, and often will recommend my clients use those lines, because I know they are high quality, I know what they do, and I have demonstrated results in many other clients. 

I always leave that decision up to the client in that regard and will take a look at their current brands to see whether they should stick with what they are doing, or whether it may make sense to change.  While I can take a look at the ingredients, I don't feel as confident in making a recommendation because I don't have personal experience with them, nor do I understand their manufacturing process, where they source their raw materials, or their quality control practices. 

Also, this is the appropriate time to bring up the cost issue.  Generally speaking, you are going to pay for good quality supplements.  It's just the way it is.  The "good ones" usually cost more because they use real, whole food based ingredients, not chemicals synthesized in a chemistry lab to mimic nutrients found in nature.  I use some nutritionals where the cost for one month can be as high $85 for a one month's supply.  I have some people saying "that's too much money!" yet they are the very same people who spend $8 a day on a Starbucks latte and a trans-fat laden muffin (that totals over $180 per month).  My point being that not everyone values their health enough to make changes like that, and that's their choice.   My clients typically do not fall into that bucket, though,  as they are already seeking information to help themselves, and are interested in taking a proactive approach to living a higher quality life.  I find most people understand this and it's not an issue.

I love, though, when I get a client who may have commented on cost initially, who later feels noticeably better and healthier, isn't getting sick anymore, and feels energetic and strong.  They never seem to bring up cost ever again.  J 

I will caution here also, though, that just because it's expensive, doesn't mean that it's good.  And there are some high quality ones that aren't too expensive, like some fish oils I've seen out there.  Generally speaking, though, expect to pay some money for good quality.

Reason #5:  It could have nothing to do with the supplement itself.

The other factor in this situation is, "Is this person absorbing and digesting the food or supplement?"  These days, digestion and absorption are usually compromised in most people.  I always say that you can be eating the best foods, taking high quality supplements, but if your body is unable to absorb the nutrients, it's a waste of precious resources (both the high quality supplement and your hard earned cash).

Confusing, huh?

Somewhat.  But the more informed you are about what goes into the selection of the appropriate products for you, the more you can feel confident in your choices.  Ideally, you would work with a health professional who understands holistic health, nutrition, and supplements, to come up with a plan specific to you and your needs.  In the long run, you'll end up saving money because you will know what you are taking IS the right thing for you, you'll feel better, and you won't have to spend as much money on the wrong products for you.  And, you'll likely spend less in medical bills and medications down the road.