The Ups and Downs of Writing About Supplements: My Experience

When it comes to supplements it's a big, complex world out there and I've spent countless hours diving into this topic. Today I'm going to share the real deal about the challenges of writing on supplements, from the overwhelming sea of information to the hot debates, and during this hopefully I don’t put you to sleep.

The Info Overload

Let's start with how huge this field is. There are supplements for just about everything, each with its own set of pros, cons, and a stack of research to go along with it. And, with new studies popping up all the time, the challenge is to boil down this info into clear, accurate bits that you can easily understand and use.

The Great Supplement Debate

Supplements stir up a lot of heated discussions among every health field. Some swear by their benefits, while others urge caution. My goal when writing about supplements is to give you the full picture, trying to steer clear of any personal bias and letting you know what biases I have.

Also, there's the issue of who's funding the research, specific ingredients in supplements that might not be included in the research, and pointing out the pros and cons of each supplement. It's crucial to dig deep into each study, checking for any potential conflicts of interest that might tilt the results as well as the specific supplement used in the study.

Making It Fun to Read

Let's face it, supplements aren't the most thrilling topic. There is lots of biochemistry and physiology. However, as someone who loves to write, I’ll strive to make it interesting. I’ll try and break down complex ideas into simple ones, share real-life stories, and sprinkle in a bit of humor here and there.

Embarking on a Supplement Journey

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing my personal experiences with some supplements that I've been using, some for quite a few years. I recommend these based on solid research, my understanding of how they work in our bodies, and their potential benefits for overall health.

I'm excited to take you along on this journey, merging professional insights with personal experiences. My hope is that this will give you a better understanding of these supplements and whether they might be a good fit for you.

Writing about supplements can be tough, but it's essential in helping people make informed health choices. The aim is to cut through the complexities and controversies, and present you with fun, fact-filled content. At the end of the day, it's all about giving you the knowledge to make the best decisions for your health.

My Bias and an Understanding

I’ve used supplements the majority of my life, from taking protein and weight gainer supplements as a rail thin 5th grader to taking creatine and fish oil for brain health. Clearly I think supplements have their benefits. However, when I started practicing I didn’t think that I would sell supplements. Fast-forward 5 years and nearly every patients I sit down with is taking a supplement. Whether its a “Pain Free Joint Complex” that they saw on late night television or a doctors recommendation to supplement with protein to help decrease muscle atrophy, most of my patients are taking supplements. Some of them are great high quality supplements and others I wouldn’t take if you paid me.

One of my main issues with supplements and specifically the selling of supplements is the massive profit margins and the overzealous marketing, extrapolating the benefits of a supplement, when there might only be negligible benefits or in some cases no benefit at all. For this reason the supplements I sell are always at a 35% discount from the producers(Thorne) marketed price and I’ll never recommend a supplement when there isn’t solid research backing it, and I’ll let you know where it’s lacking. I am not in the business of Chiropractic to get rich on supplements but rather to help individuals move and heal better with less pain and better function. I hope you enjoy the following blog post on supplements and the benefits of some and drawbacks of others as we dive into this topic. As always if you have any questions please feel free to email me at drcoffman@optimizecolumbus.com