Have you ever asked yourself this question? It’s one that my clients often ask me.

Nutritional supplements are products designed to complement our diet. In the wide range available on the market, we find phytonutrients, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, fatty acids, and amino acids. Many of them come from natural sources, while others are synthesized in the laboratory.

Many people view supplements as miraculous pills that can solve everything. They hope these supplements will restore their health, lost faculties, and even give them “superpowers.” Others, on the contrary, believe that they are useless, that we don’t need them, and that it’s just a trend or a business. Between these positions, there could be another, more balanced perspective that I will try to share.

One of the most frequent debates in nutrition is whether we can obtain enough nutrients from food alone and if supplementation is necessary.

First and foremost, it’s important to know that no supplement can replace the food we eat. Ideally, all the nutrients we need to function well should come from a balanced diet. However, today’s foods do not contain the micronutrients they did 30 years ago. Additionally, we experience more wear and tear, handle higher levels of toxicity, and often have reduced nutrient absorption due to the abuse of processed and ultra-processed foods that cause inflammation. And I haven’t even touched on the way we prepare food, the utensils we use, and improper freezing processes, which are crucial factors in preserving nutrients.

There are also nutrient deficiencies linked to established diseases and cellular deterioration. Finally, special conditions such as pregnancy highly justify supplementation.

Medical evidence shows that there is an increasing deficiency of minerals and vitamins in the general population.

For this and many other reasons that I will continue to share in the second part of this article, supplementation is not just a trend; it is a priority.