Hi, friends! Today we’re exploring supplements. As their name might suggest, supplements can be a great way to support an existing wellness routine. But there’s also a lot of misinformation floating out there about supplements. Let’s take some time to debunk the top 5 misconceptions or myths about supplements.

Myth 1: If you’re eating right, you won’t need supplements.

This may be true for some, but, believe it or not, getting proper nutrition can be difficult without the use of supplements. While vitamins and nutrients are available in food sources generated by your own body, it can be a challenge to nourish an active body, and there are some key nutrients that may be missing from your diet to begin with.

Myth 2: Natural supplements are inherently safe.

It’s true that supplements that are referred to as “natural” originate from a naturally-occurring source like a plant as opposed to being synthetic. But, in the same way that not all plants are safe for us to ingest (hello, hemlock), just because a supplement is plant-based doesn’t  inherently make it safe. While yes, your supplements aren’t going to be using poisonous plants (we hope), ingesting more than the recommended serving size can be dangerous, and so can potential medication interactions. You can use Medscape’s online drug interaction checker as a way to cross-reference the supplements you’re interested in taking with any medications you may currently be on. Always make sure to consult with your doctor.

Myth 3: Supplements are regulated in the same way as medications.

This is a big misconception, and an important one to clear up. It can be said that while, “drugs are considered unsafe until proven safe,” dietary supplements are just the opposite: considered safe until proven unsafe. Because dietary supplements are considered a separate category from drugs, they are not subject to the same rigorous review prior to hitting the market. This is why it is so important to look for supplement providers that are doing their due diligence with regards to health and safety, like obtaining certification of Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Bluebird Botanicals has the most robust third-party lab testing for every single product batch to ensure product quality and safety.

Myth 4:  Everyone will benefit from [X Supplement] in the same way.

Bluebird often talks about how each person has a unique endocannabinoid system, but this is just the piece of the puzzle that pertains to CBD. Everyone has their own unique gut microbiome as well, and this can impact how a supplement interacts with your body. CBD is like any other supplement - it won’t work the same for all, and may not work for you.

Myth 5: Supplements are miracle cures.

While we know most of our flock are too savvy to fall for the idea of a miracle cure, we did want to explicitly call this out. No supplement - CBD included - is a miracle, catchall cure or panacea. Supplements are intended to provide another balancing variable in the complicated body. Because everyone’s body chemistry, diet, lifestyle, and more are so distinct and varied, so too will an individual’s experience be with a given supplement. And, while some people may experience profound impact from introducing just that right supplement to their diet, it’s more like the cherry on top of the wellness sundae than an all-powerful cure.