Do I need a Nutritional Supplement? (Part 1)

Do I need a nutritional supplement? (Part 1)

It is not difficult to motivate someone in pain to do things that will relieve pain. This is why I spend much of my time helping people with joint pain and reduced mobility. One of the best things I do is to see people with less pain and better mobility.  It is harder to motivate healthy people to adopt measures that will keep them healthy.

Over the next few editions, we are going to look at the benefits of nutritional supplements. In particular we review micro-nutrients including minerals and vitamins but also antioxidants with significant biological activity. Over the past 20 years I have seen thousands improve their quality of life with high grade nutritional supplements. The most common benefits are more energy, more resilience to winter ills and over time external benefits such as skin, hair, and nails.

Three words summarise the reasons to use nutritional supplements: Deficiency, sub-optimum and optimum. There are some nutrients are lacking to the point where deficiency causes disease. For example, vitamin D deficiency will cause the bone disease rickets. We thought rickets was a Third World problem but an excellent study (Wheeler et.al, 2015) commented that vitamin D deficiencies in NZ children are again causing rickets.

We then move to sub-optimum nutrition. This is where nutrient levels are above deficiency levels but below what is optimal. The results are not so obvious but over time a range of health problems emerge. Again, choosing vitamin D, lower levels increase the risk of respiratory problems, immune system disorders, learning difficulties and mental health issues and many cancers.

Adding a well formulated multi-mineral/vitamin/antioxidant like Cell eXtra will prevent deficiencies. More importantly it will lift nutrient levels to the point that our cells can function at their best. This is optimal function.

John Arts (, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz.  Join his newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz.