💊 Supplements

Dietary supplements can be a helpful part of supporting health — when used intentionally, appropriately, and with a clear purpose for certain amount of time. At Xenia Integrative, supplements are not used as a default or a replacement for foundational care or nutrition. They are selected based on individual needs, physiology, and clinical context, with an emphasis on safety, quality, and effectiveness.

 

🧬 How Supplements Work

Supplements provide specific nutrients or bioactive compounds that support normal physiological processes in the body. These may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics, and other compounds involved in cellular function, metabolism, and regulation. When used appropriately, supplements may help:

 Replete nutrient deficiencies (e.g. Vitamin D).

🧬 In the United States, vitamin D deficiency is common across many groups, including a high prevalence among infants and adults, and is particularly elevated in individuals with certain risk factors (e.g., higher skin melanin, obesity). ~NCBI

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 Support targeted biological pathways (e.g. mitochondrial support, in essence help the mitochondria (power house) produce energy more efficiently).

🧬 This review evaluated evidence from multiple systematic reviews on Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) use in heart failure. Overall, the authors found that CoQ10, when used alongside standard medical therapy, was associated with improvements in cardiac function, symptoms, and functional status, with some evidence suggesting a potential survival benefit. ~PMC 

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 Improve resilience during periods of increased demand or stress (modulate or change the way the adrenal glands work with the nervous system so the body and mind can adapt efficiently to increased demands)

🧬 In a U.S. randomized, controlled trial, 138 middle-aged adults supplemented with 2.5 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids for four months showed a 19 % lower total salivary cortisol output during an acute stress challenge (Trier Social Stress Test) compared with placebo, indicating that omega-3s may blunt HPA axis reactivity to stress ~PMC

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Their role is to support the body’s systems — not override them.

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🩺 Clinical Use of Supplements

Supplement recommendations are individualized and may be used to support:

 - Digestive and gut health (e.g. L-glutamine)

 - Hormone and neurotransmitter balance (e.g. Omega-3 fatty acids)

 - Immune system function (e.g. Zinc)

 - Inflammation and cardiometabolic health (e.g. Magnesium)

- Stress response, energy, and recovery (e.g. B vitamines)

In many cases, supplements are used temporarily to restore balance. In others, they may be used longer-term with appropriate monitoring. Recommendations are always made with intention — and reassessed over time.

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⚖️ Quality, Dosing & Safety

Not all supplements are created equal. Clinical considerations include:

- Form and bioavailability

- Appropriate dosing = safe AND effective

- Timing and duration

- Potential interactions with medications, botanicals, or other supplements

Using multiple supplements without guidance can lead to unnecessary expense, side-effects, or unintended interactions (e.g. taking a multivitamin which often contains vitamin A with another specific Vitamin A supplement can often cause too much Vitamin A ingestion which can be dangerous.)

“Natural” does not automatically mean safe or appropriate for every individual thus a skilled clinician can help guide patients in this arena. 

 

📚 Evidence-Informed, Not Trend-Driven

Some supplements are supported by robust clinical research, while others have emerging or mixed evidence. Recommendations are based on the best available data, clinical experience, and individual response.If a supplement is not providing benefit, it is re-evaluated — not continued indefinitely.⸻

 

🧰 One Tool in a Larger Plan

Supplements are just one part of a comprehensive approach to health that prioritizes nutrition, sleep, nervous system regulation, movement, and sustainable habits. The goal is not lifelong dependence on supplements, but thoughtful support when and where it’s needed.

 

🤝 Curious If Supplements Are Right for You?

If you’re already taking supplements — or wondering whether you need them at all — we can review what you’re using and determine what is helpful, unnecessary, or potentially counterproductive.