• About
  • Run Faster
  • Podcast
  • Recipes
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Instagram

Carolyn Coffin Coaching

Improve your fitness. Preserve your health.

Are supplements necessary if you eat real food?

October 1, 2015 by Carolyn Coffin

If only I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked the question, Do I really need to take any supplements if I’m eating real food?

It’s a great question, and one I’ve wondered many times myself, which is why I wanted to pick the brain of an expert.

Dr. Michelle Durkin is a naturopathic doctor and owner of the Quinte Naturopathic Centre in Belleville. She also happens to be the resident expert for the Eat Real Food Academy. I know, handy right?

If you want to end your confusion about supplements and supplement quality, this video is a must see. At the end she reveals the three supplements she recommends to her patients — whether or not they eat a real food diet.

Now we want to hear from you. Do you take any supplements, and if so, which ones? If not, why not?

Like this post? Would you like weekly real food inspiration delivered right to your inbox?

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Tweet

Filed Under: What You Won't Learn About Nutrition Tagged With: omega 3, probiotic, supplements, vitamin d

My secret motivation weapon
Make sure this is on your Thanksgiving table

Comments

  1. Anne says

    October 1, 2015 at 6:38 am

    Usually I take a Vitamin D tablet, a calcium & magnesium supplement and just recently got into taking wild salmon and fish oil. This is based partly on my experience of working with a GP. I had not realized the brand of supplement was so important (of course they company charging the least could up their price and people would buy it thinking price may dictate quality). How can I determine a quality product to take?

    Reply
    • Michelle Durkin says

      October 4, 2015 at 5:00 pm

      Hi Anne,
      In general, I recommend buying most supplements at a reputable health food store or from your Naturopathic Doctor. I recommend avoiding supplements at big box stores. With your supplements in particular, the salmon and fish oil needs to be from a company that is diligent on making sure their raw ingredients do not contain heavy metals. With a calcium/magnesium/vitamin D supplement ensure the calcium is not in the carbonate form and the magnesium is not in the oxide form. Otherwise it’s like trying to absorb your minerals by eating a rock!

      Reply
  2. Rosanne says

    October 1, 2015 at 7:50 am

    Awesome info and program. What about post menopausal “supplements”? I take all 3 supplements that you recommend + Primrose Oil + glucosomene, as recommended by my traditional Chinese medicine doctor. We’ve been working together for over a decade and I don’t make a move without her input (also a doctor of acupuncture – also most helpful for any or all problems).
    Thanks for helping us to live an optimal life.

    Reply
    • Michelle Durkin says

      October 4, 2015 at 5:03 pm

      Thanks Rosanne for your comment! It is really important to see a professional so they can optimize the supplements that are best for you and your medical conditions or family predispositions.

      Reply
  3. Betty Pierce says

    October 1, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    hi there…I take supplements that you had mentioned in your video plus Selenium and Zinc…. I have read articles that these minerals are lacking in our soil and foods? Along with the Omega 3….I have been taking halibut oil and vitamin e capsules …what are
    your thoughts on these?

    thanks Betty

    Reply
    • Michelle Durkin says

      October 4, 2015 at 5:09 pm

      Hi Betty!
      You are correct about the lack of minerals in our soil and selenium and zinc are some of the most common. Zinc is of particular importance to our immune system, skin, and reproductive function while selenium is necessary for thyroid hormone conversion. If none of these things are your concern and you are more interested in repleting any possible missing minerals a good multi-mineral supplement may be enough for you. Halibut oil is a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin D. Out of all 4 fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) Vitamin D is likely the most important.

      Reply
  4. theresa taylor says

    October 15, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    Hi Michelle,
    I take a vitamin and mineral supplement,a plant sourced calcium and vitamin D in the fall , winter and spring since I spend time outdoors in the summer.I eat mainly a plant based diet with fish a couple of times a week.I do not have any gut problems (or health problems) and feel that the natural yogurt I eat daily will keep me supplied with good bacteria. Is this sufficient?
    Because I eat a whole food diet I never thought I needed fish oil supplements.
    I do enjoy your weekly updates.
    Thanks.
    Theresa

    Reply
    • Michelle Durkin says

      October 17, 2015 at 11:51 am

      Hi Theresa!
      The amount of good bacteria in natural yogurt (there are only 3 ingredients, milk, cream, and bacterial culture) could be enough if you haven’t been on antibiotics within the last couple of years, you don’t drink chlorinated water, you are not on steroid or NSAID drugs, and you don’t have any ongoing negative stress. I would try to also add other fermented foods into your diet besides yogurt if possible. A few examples are sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi.

      Reply
  5. theresa taylor says

    October 22, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    Thanks, Michelle.
    I will re introduce kefir into my diet and the occasional sauerkraut. My granddaughter makes it for the good bacteria. I have not taken antibiotics for a long time.
    Thanks to you and Carolyn for your on going support and knowledge.
    Theresa

    Reply
    • Michelle Durkin says

      October 23, 2015 at 8:36 am

      Thanks Theresa. We love knowing our content is helping people 🙂

      Reply
  6. Vicki Howie says

    February 28, 2016 at 8:42 am

    Hi Michelle and Carolyn,
    Great episode! One question I have is how are the vitamins/minerals that are in grains/breads/cereals – ie B vitamins/folic acid replaced in the eat real food plate? I thought you might say if you are eating the ERFA plate that a B or multi-vitamin would be needed to replace what you would normally get in grains? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Michelle Durkin says

      March 7, 2016 at 11:50 am

      Great question Vicki! The only reason that vitamins have to be “replaced” in foods like grains, breads, and cereals is that they have been stripped out of the food by bleaching and other processing techniques. In all real food you already have the nutrients present and don’t need to add anything back in. There is however a growing concern about the lack of minerals present in our soils and that our foods are being grown in nutrient deficient soil. This does build a case for everyone taking a good quality multi-vitamin.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Want to Run Faster 5ks to Half Marathons?

Subscribe for free insider tips to train smart, set personal bests, and fuel your body right.

Resources

What our Graduates are Saying

  • ShawnShawn

    Carolyn helped me improve my 5k from 23-mins to 20:51 in less than one year! I'm not only faster, but I'm much more mentally strong thanks to her coaching.

  • MelanieMelanie

    Receiving my weekly running program is almost as fun as opening my stocking on Christmas morning!

  • GarryGarry

    With Carolyn’s easy-to-follow approach, I’m finally running without pain in my joints for the first time in years, and the bonus is that I’ve lost weight!

  • CandaceCandace

    Carolyn's style of coaching has real density. The changes I made to improve my health and fitness are meaningful and sustainable, thanks to her process. Working with Carolyn has significantly changed my life for the better.

© 2023 Carolyn Coffin Coaching · Website by Format Creative