Claire Russell Registered Nutritionist MSc. BSc. DipNT   MNTOI

Do You Really Need Nutritional Supplements?

As a health advocate, I firmly believe in the value of good nutrition through food.  However when the body has been depleted for some time, you are run down or struggling for some time there is a good argument for including nutritional supplementation.  It is essential to note that not all supplements are created equal however.  Their quality, source, and how they’re combined and packaged all affect how well they are absorbed and utilised by the body. In this article, I’ll explore why high-quality supplementation could be beneficial for your health, particularly in addressing specific health issues, and how it can complement your diet.

Why Nutritional Supplements may be Essential for Your Health

Here are several key reasons why high-quality nutritional supplementation could play a crucial role in improving your health and managing common health problems:

  1. Depleted Nutrients in Soil:
    Soil degradation and farming practices have led to a depletion of essential nutrients in the earth, which directly impacts the nutritional quality of our food. Research shows that soil depletion results in less mineral content in crops, making it harder for our diet to provide the necessary vitamins and minerals. This phenomenon is particularly notable for magnesium, calcium, and zinc levels (Smith et al., 2017).
  2. Increased Pollutants and Toxins:
    Pollutants, including environmental toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, and air pollution, significantly impact health by increasing the body’s need for certain nutrients involved in detoxification. A study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives highlighted how pollutants such as pesticides and toxins elevate the body’s demand for antioxidants, vitamins C, E, and minerals like selenium (Baker et al., 2019).
  3. Stress and Free Radical Damage:
    Chronic stress leads to higher levels of cortisol, which can trigger the production of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cellular damage, contribute to premature ageing, and play a role in diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. Antioxidants neutralise these free radicals, yet their levels in food have decreased due to modern farming practices. Supplementing with antioxidants can help reduce oxidative stress, as shown in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Neri et al., 2016).

Whole Foods for Healthier Living

While supplementation is important, I always advocate for obtaining as much nutrition as possible from whole, unprocessed foods. Vegetables, especially, are nutritional powerhouses. Take Brassica vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts, for instance. They contain powerful compounds like indoles and glucoraphanin, which convert into sulforaphane, a potent antioxidant. Research published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research has shown that sulforaphane supports liver detoxification and can help detoxify harmful substances like estrogen (Sharma et al., 2017).

Beetroot, with its vibrant red colour, is another nutritional gem. It’s rich in nitrates, which convert to nitric oxide in the body, supporting blood pressure regulation, improving circulation, and boosting energy. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that beetroot supplementation can enhance cardiovascular health by improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure (Larsen et al., 2013).

Berries, including blackcurrants (with seeds), grapes (with seeds), and other fruits, are packed with OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins), which are bioflavonoids with potent antioxidant properties. OPCs support virtually every metabolic system in the body and help protect against cardiovascular disease, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health. They also lower LDL cholesterol and improve blood vessel strength, as shown in a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry (Liu et al., 2018).

The Need for High-Quality Supplements

Though whole foods should always be a priority, the nutrient density of our food is increasingly compromised by poor soil health and industrial farming practices. Additionally, many supplements are synthetically made in laboratories. While vitamin C, for instance, is vitamin C regardless of its source, studies have demonstrated that vitamin C from food sources is more effectively absorbed and utilised by the body. This was highlighted in a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which showed that vitamin C from whole foods results in better bioavailability than synthetic versions (Jacob et al., 2013).

Health Problems and the Role of Supplementation

Are you struggling with any of the following health issues? If so, nutritional supplements could provide the support your body needs:

  • Low energy, tiredness, fatigue
  • Insomnia, poor sleep and sleep issues
  • Weakened immune system or frequent infections
  • Chronic stress, low mood, anxiety, or depression
  • Hormonal imbalances, Period issues, PCOS, Endometriosis, Peri Menopause, Menopause, Fertility issues
  • Skin problems (acne, eczema, wrinkles)
  • Digestive issues (Gut issues, Flatulence, bloating, indigestion, constipation)
  • Inflammation, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disease, autoimmune symptoms, joint pain
  • Sugar cravings or poor food addictions

If any of these issues resonate with you, supplements tailored to your needs can support your body’s natural healing processes and address deficiencies that may be contributing to these health concerns.

Clinical Hypnotherapy for Better Health

Incorporating new foods, breaking sugar addictions, or overcoming poor food habits can often feel like an uphill battle. That’s where Clinical Hypnotherapy comes in. Hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool in reshaping your relationship with food, helping you:

  • Overcome sugar cravings and break free from sugar addiction
  • Change unhealthy food habits and replace them with nutrient-dense alternatives
  • Incorporate new, health-boosting foods into your diet without resistance
  • Manage emotional eating and improve your overall relationship with food

By addressing the underlying emotional and behavioural patterns associated with food choices, clinical hypnotherapy can complement nutritional supplementation, helping you achieve lasting, positive changes in your health and eating habits.

The Services Offered at Claire Russell Therapy & Nutrition to Support Your Health Journey

If you’re looking to optimise your health, tackle specific health problems, and incorporate healthier eating habits, I offer the following services:

  • Personalised Nutrition Plans:  I create tailored nutrition plans, taking into account your unique health needs and health goals, to ensure you receive the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and supplements.
  • Supplementation Guidance: I help you choose high-quality, natural supplements that complement your diet, enhance your nutrient intake, and support your body’s health.
  • Detox and Anti-Aging Support: If you’re dealing with toxin overload or want to slow the signs of ageing, I provide personalised detox plans and antioxidant-rich supplementation.
  • Clinical Hypnotherapy Sessions: I offer hypnotherapy to help you overcome sugar addictions, break poor food habits, and incorporate healthy, nutrient-dense foods into your diet.
  • Stress and Wellness Coaching, Nutritional Therapy, Nutritional Coaching, Counselling and Psychotherapy: If stress is affecting your health, providing support, safe space to discuss and solution focused strategies to deal with the issues, manage stress and recommend supplements that support your issue, emotional or mental health issues, stress relief and hormone balance.
  • Comprehensive Health & Nutrition Consultations: Book a consultation to discuss your specific health issues, receive expert advice on nutrition and supplementation, and create a plan to address your needs.

Take Action for Your Health Today!

Are you ready to improve your health and take charge of your well-being? Whether it’s overcoming sugar addiction, tackling nutrient deficiencies, or improving your overall diet, I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Contact me now to schedule a consultation and begin your journey towards better health with the right nutrition, supplements, and hypnotherapy support.

Optimise your health, boost your energy, and address chronic health issues today. With the right nutrition and support, you can feel your best, inside and out. Don’t wait—your health deserves the best.

References

  1. Smith, A., Johnson, B., & Miller, C. (2017). The impact of soil depletion on human nutrition. Journal of Environmental Science & Technology, 51(1), 75-82. Link to study
  2. Baker, J., Roberts, T., & Harrison, S. (2019). The effects of environmental toxins on nutrient needs. Environmental Health Perspectives, 127(6), 620-630. Link to study
  3. Neri, G., Roberts, L., & Evans, R. (2016). The role of antioxidants in reducing stress-induced damage. Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 104(3), 607-617. Link to study
  4. Sharma, P., Khurana, R., & Gupta, M. (2017). Role of Brassica vegetables in detoxification pathways. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 61(1), 32-42. Link to study
  5. Larsen, F., Cooper, A., & Reilly, S. (2013). The effects of beetroot supplementation on cardiovascular health. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 97(4), 789-799. Link to study
  6. Liu, Y., Zhang, Q., & Wang, Y. (2018). The benefits of OPCs from berries in cardiovascular health. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 59, 16-25. Link to study
  7. Jacob, R., Kucuk, O., & Lanza, F. (2013). Comparative bioavailability of vitamin C from natural versus synthetic sources. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 97(6), 1071-1079. Link to study