This may be an unpopular opinion coming from someone in the holistic health space, but here it is: More supplements are not always the answer.
In fact, sometimes they're part of the problem.
Before anyone panics, let me clarify. I use supplements. I recommend supplements. Many of my clients benefit tremendously from targeted nutritional support. But somewhere along the way, wellness culture started sending a dangerous message: "If you're not getting better, you probably just haven't found the right supplement yet." And that's where things get messy.
I've seen it countless times. Someone starts with three supplements.
Then six.
Then twelve.
Then twenty.
Before long, they're spending hundreds of dollars each month, swallowing handfuls of capsules, and feeling more overwhelmed than ever. Their protocol becomes so complicated that it creates stress all by itself. Ironically, the very thing they hope will help them heal becomes another drain on their capacity.
Supplements can support healing. But they don't replace the foundations that healing is built upon.
Sleep.
Nutrition.
Movement.
Stress management.
Connection.
Recovery.
These aren't glamorous. They're not exciting. They don't come with fancy labels. But they're often where the biggest gains happen.
As a nurse, I've learned that biology rarely responds well to shortcuts. The body is always looking for balance, not hacks.
Every intervention requires resources.
Every supplement must be digested, absorbed, processed, and utilized.
Every protocol requires mental energy.
Every new recommendation requires decision-making.
Sometimes the issue isn't that the body needs more support.
Sometimes the issue is that the body needs less interference.
That's a very different conversation.
One of the questions I often ask clients is: "Do we need to add something, or do we need to improve the body's ability to use what it's already receiving?" Because those are not the same thing. A person with poor sleep, chronic stress, blood sugar instability, and nervous system dysregulation may not need a bigger supplement protocol. They may need a stronger foundation. And often, strengthening that foundation creates more lasting change than adding another bottle to the cabinet.
Before I get excited about the latest wellness trend, I usually ask:
- How is sleep?
- How is stress?
- How is recovery?
- How is energy?
- How is nourishment?
- How is nervous system capacity?
Those answers tell me far more than a supplement list ever could.
The goal isn't to take the most supplements. The goal isn't to run the most protocols. The goal is to help your body become more resilient. Sometimes that includes supplements. Sometimes it doesn't. The wisdom lies in knowing the difference.
If you've been throwing supplements at symptoms and still feel like you're running in circles, you're not alone. In my upcoming webinar, Running on Empty, we'll explore some of the hidden reasons people stay stuck in their healing, and practical ways to support energy, resilience, and recovery without adding unnecessary complexity.
Registration is open now, and I'd love to have you join us: https://adelecole.com/page/running-on-empty-webinar
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