Summary: Thanks for joining us for episode 89 of The Ancestral RDs podcast. If you want to keep up with our podcasts, subscribe in iTunes and never miss an episode! Remember, please send us your question if you'd like us to answer it on the show. Today we are answering the following question from a listener: “How can you know if you’re absorbing vitamins, minerals, and supplements, especially if there is leaky gut or SIBO? I have heard that normal blood levels don't necessarily mean the nutrients are getting into your cells and exerting an effect. I don't want to spend money on supplements my body isn't absorbing, and if blood levels don't give that information, how can we know? With so much fraud in the supplement industry, how can we know which brands of supplements contain what they claim, and even more are free of dangerous heavy metals that could just make things worse?” With the vast amount of supplements on the market, it seems like there is a supplement for every health concern. But with little oversight in the supplement industry, it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones actually deliver what they claim. On top of that, we are left to wonder if our bodies are actually absorbing them. So how can you be sure what you buy is effective, and most importantly, safe? Today we are diving into the topic of supplementation so you can come away with insight into determining if a supplement is right for you. Packed with much needed information and tips, just some of what we’re discussing in the podcast includes factors that affect absorption and utilization of supplements, types of products with a greater risk of heavy metal contamination, and ways to investigate the quality of a supplement. Here's what Laura and Kelsey will be discussing in this episode: Factors that affect how you absorb supplements Nutrients that can affect the absorption and utilization of other nutrients When supplementation is preferable over just relying on dietary sources Why liquid or powdered forms are preferred when dealing with digestive concerns The effect of stress on digestion and absorption of nutrients A practical stress relief exercise to enhance digestion How paying attention to symptoms is the best way to determine if a supplement is beneficial Why working with a practitioner is especially helpful when considering supplementation Symptoms of common nutrient deficiencies The importance of choosing high quality brands Important factors to consider to be sure a supplement is appropriate for you The types of supplement products that are at greater risk for heavy metal contamination Ways to investigate the quality of a supplement Links Discussed: This episode is sponsored by Pure Indian Foods Integrative Medicine article: "Facing the Problem of Dietary-Supplement Heavy-Metal Contamination: How to Take Responsible Action" Integrative Medicine Journal's Supplement Quality Audit Form TRANSCRIPT: Laura: Hi everyone. Welcome to episode 89 of The Ancestral RDs podcast. I’m Laura Schoenfeld and with me as always is Kelsey Kinney. Kelsey: Hey guys. Laura: This is our first time back recording in 2017, so starting off a New Year. Kelsey and I always take I think a two week break at the end of the year from working with clients, and doing podcasts, and stuff just to kind get some…well it used to be downtime for me. It really wasn’t much downtime for this past two weeks like usual. But how was your holiday? Kelsey: It was great. I was in Massachusetts for Christmas…Christmas Eve, Christmas, and a few days after that. When I’m there I have three different families basically that I have to spend time with. My parents are divorced so my mom, my dad, and then my husband’s family are all in the same town. It’s kind of crazy to try to run around and see everybody. Christmas morning was crazy. I think we spent two hours in the morning with each family starting at 8 a.m.
