Almost daily, patients ask if a trending vitamin or supplement is right for them based on social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram. While it’s encouraging that people are taking an active interest in their health and they certainly can't get this help through conventional medicine, there’s a flaw in these blanket recommendations—they overlook the most important factor: your unique genetic makeup.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Your body is as unique as your fingerprints. What works for one person can be ineffective or even harmful for another. This is why pharmacogenetic testing and personalized care with a frequency medicine provider is crucial to not throwing your money away on vitamins and supplements and optimizing results.
The Risks of Generic Supplement Advice (vitamins for energy)
Take, for example, the popular recommendation for methylated B vitamins, often praised for boosting energy and mental clarity. While these vitamins can benefit many people, individuals with certain genetic variants (like a COMT mutation) may experience negative effects. COMT is an enzyme responsible for breaking down dopamine, and for those with slower COMT activity, extra methyl donors from B vitamins could lead to an excess of dopamine. This overload may cause increased anxiety, irritability, or even panic attacks.
Similarly, folic acid—commonly found in multivitamins—can pose issues for people with an MTHFR gene mutation. These individuals may not properly metabolize synthetic folic acid, which can lead to buildup and potential health risks, including immune dysfunction. In these cases, methylated folate would be a more appropriate option, but only if genetic testing confirms it.
Empowerment Through Testing and Individualized Care
I value patients taking control of their health—and it’s wonderful to see non-medical providers sharing health tips, there’s immense value in personalized, expert-guided care. Years of specialized training in pharmacogenetics, naturopathic medicine, and frequency medicine allow us to dig deeper into your individual needs and guide you safely.
Are There Any Supplements That Are Universally Safe to Try?
Although personalized care is ideal, there are a supplements that are generally safe for most people to try. I will explore these more in a future post, especially focusing on vitamins for energy.
Kommentare