Reaching for over-the-counter supplements can feel like a smart, empowered choice, especially when you’re tired of feeling off and not getting clear answers from your providers. Maybe a friend swears by something that helped her, or you saw a TikTok influencer raving about a “game-changing” vitamin. It’s totally understandable—when you’re frustrated, you just want to feel better. But self-prescribing can sometimes lead to more confusion and overwhelm, not clarity. As a Naturopathic Doctor at RTB, I see this all the time. In this blog, I’m sharing 4 common mistakes women make with supplements—so you can skip the guesswork and start supporting your health in a way that truly works.

Taking the wrong form or dose

Supplements can come in different forms and your body might not absorb or use them the way you think. For example, magnesium comes in several forms, and so do things like B12 and iron. These considerations can also be important for the impact on your bowel health and how well your gut will tolerate them.  What helps your friend may not be the right fit for you

Wasting money on low-quality brands:

Supplement shelves (and online stores) are packed with products that look healthy and effective, but many are filled with low doses, hidden ingredients, and/or contaminants. Just because something is popular or has pretty packaging doesn’t mean it’s high quality. Always look for third-party testing to ensure the product contains what the label claims.

Over-prescribing:  

It’s easy to end up with a growing collection of bottles, especially when you’re trying to fix multiple symptoms at once. But more isn’t always better. Taking too many supplements can confuse your system, create new deficiencies, or simply overload your liver and digestion. A personalized, focused plan—based on your unique health picture—will always be more effective than throwing the whole supplement shelf at the problem.

Potential interactions with medications or other supplements:

Just because it is natural doesn’t mean it is safe. You don’t want to reduce or increase the dose and/or effects of the pharmaceutical medications that you have been prescribed. This is especially important if you’re managing conditions like thyroid issues, mood disorders, cardiovascular medications, or using hormonal birth control. Checking with a trained practitioner helps keep you safe while still supporting your health goals.

Avoid this issues by working with a Naturopathic Doctor who understands your unique needs! A tailored approach ensures you get the right support for your body—without the guesswork. ????✨

Ready to thrive? Our team members are ready to help.  Book an appointment with one of our team members HERE.

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