Savvy Supplementation

Guide to Supplementation: A Rebel Roots Approach

In a perfect world, our plates would provide every nutrient our bodies need for optimal health. Crisp vegetables, luscious fruits, mindfully sourced proteins, and healthy fats would be abundantly available and present at each meal. And while food is, and always will be, the gold standard, for sourcing the nutrients that we need, the reality of our modern lives doesn’t easily allow this to be the case.

At Rebel Roots Nutrition, we maintain a food-first philosophy. But we also recognize that achieving optimal nourishment sometimes requires a helping hand. Factors like compromised gut health, individual food intolerances, poor soil quality, food processing, and a busy lifestyle can all contribute to nutritional gaps that even the most pristine diet can’t fill. This is where savvy supplementation comes in—not as a replacement for a healthy diet, but as a targeted tool to elevate your well-being.

Testing, Not Guessing: Your Body's Unique Blueprint

Navigating the world of supplements can feel confusing and overwhelming. That’s why our approach is rooted in a simple yet powerful principle: test, don’t guess. Instead of blindly reaching for the latest trending supplement, we delve deep into your body’s unique biochemistry. Through functional lab testing—blood, urine, and even stool analysis —we are clued into the specific nutrients your body is calling for. This allows us to build a targeted, personalized protocol that addresses your individual needs.

To gain even greater clarity, we often work with tools like the Cronometer app. By meticulously tracking your dietary intake, we can pinpoint the exact vitamins and minerals your diet is providing and, more importantly, where it might be falling short. This data-driven approach empowers us to make informed decisions about which supplements will truly serve you, if diet is not sufficient on its own.

Bio-Individuality and Bioavailability

Just as every person is unique, so are their nutritional needs. A pregnant woman’s requirements will differ vastly from those of an elderly individual or an athlete. Your activity level, stress levels, and genetic predispositions all play a role in shaping your nutritional landscape. Our goal is to honor this bio-individuality, crafting a supplement plan that is as unique as you are, and often temporary to meet specific goals.

Its not just about what you take, but more importantly what you absorb. Beyond simply choosing the right nutrients, we must also consider their bioavailability—the body's ability to absorb and utilize them. A healthy gut is the cornerstone of nutrient absorption. This is because absorption of most nutrients takes place in the small intestine. If your digestive system is compromised, even the highest-quality supplements may pass through your system without making a meaningful impact. That’s why we always prioritize gut health as a foundational element of any wellness plan.

Autoimmune and other conditions can damage gut cells involved in nutrient absorption. For example, loss or dysfunction of intrinsic factor (a transportation protein) impairs vitamin B12 absorption, making alternative methods of delivery (e.g. sublingual B12 or B12 injections) often necessary.

Furthermore, the form of a supplement matters. Certain forms of vitamins and minerals are more readily absorbed and better tolerated than others. For example, magnesium glycinate is often better absorbed and less likely to cause digestive upset than magnesium oxide. Other nutrients may or may not cross the blood brain barrier depending on their form. We carefully select supplements in their most bioavailable forms to ensure you’re getting the maximum benefit from every dose with minimal side effects.

Quality Matters: The Importance of Third-Party Testing

The supplement industry is largely unregulated, which means that quality can vary dramatically. To ensure the purity, potency, and safety of the supplements we recommend, we prioritize products that have been rigorously tested by third-party organizations. This independent verification provides an extra layer of assurance that you’re investing in a product that is both effective and safe.

This is why Rebel Roots Nutrition utilizes the Full Script platform, dedicated to high-quality supplements and serving as an added safeguard for quality, transparency, and consistent product standards.

A Short-Term, Therapeutic Approach

For the most part, we view supplements as a short-term, therapeutic intervention. The goal is to use them strategically to correct imbalances, address specific deficiencies, and support the body’s natural healing processes. Once your body has returned to a state of balance, we aim to transition you back to a food-as-medicine approach, with a few exceptions. A high-quality multivitamin, for instance, can serve as a nutritional insurance policy, filling in any small gaps that may arise from day to day.

The Rebel Roots Philosophy: Empowering Your Journey to Wellness

At Rebel Roots Nutrition, we’re not about quick fixes or magic pills. We’re about empowering you with the knowledge and tools to become the expert of your own health. By combining the wisdom of a food-first approach with the precision of targeted supplementation, we can help you move from depleted to revitalized, so you can feel your best and give your best. Ready to get to the root of your health concerns? Let’s start the conversation.

Connect with Carla for a 30 minute free consult to learn more.

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Carla Abate is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition. She specializes in functional nutritional strategies for women and families. She is a level 3 Restorative Wellness Solutions Practitioner, a Certified Nutrition Therapist Master, and a Postpartum Doula. She also holds a Master's degree in Counseling. Carla is dedicated to fostering health and wellness through evidence-based nutrition coaching.  

The information provided in this content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical or nutritional conditions. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or health regimen.