One question can help you decide if supplements may be needed in your life…  

Does the food I am eating have the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that my body needs to function optimally? 

I believe if we could pick fresh produce from our backyards grown in high Brix healthy soil and then eat it within minutes - we would likely get all the nutrients our body needs.

But you and I know that is not likely the world we are living in. Most of us are eating food that was grown in deficient soil and that was likely sprayed with something - even if organic - and was also picked weeks ago in this country or in another. All of those factors lead to mineral and nutrient deficiency in the food we are eating. Until we are naked gardeners again, we likely need supplements for optimal health.

For this reason, nutritional supplements are increasingly vital for maintaining health, as more and more studies show that nutrient levels in soil and food have declined over the past decades. Even with a balanced diet, getting the necessary vitamins and minerals to support optimal health has become challenging. Here’s why supplements are essential and how to integrate them effectively into daily life.

The Decline in Soil Nutrients

• Modern agricultural practices have depleted soil nutrients, reducing the vitamin and mineral content of crops. A 2022 study found that the mineral density in vegetables and grains has decreased by up to 40% since the mid-20th century.¹

• Monocropping and synthetic fertilizers prioritize yield over nutritional value, further exacerbating the issue.²

Gaps in Daily Nutrition

• Even with careful meal planning, studies show that most people fail to meet daily nutritional requirements. For example, the CDC reports that 92% of adults don’t consume enough vegetables, which are a primary source of essential nutrients.³

• Cooking, processing, and storage of food can further degrade nutrient levels.⁴

For example - Fruits and vegetables can lose up to 50% of their vitamin C content within 1-2 weeks of harvest due to transport, storage, and exposure to air, heat, and light. This is particularly notable in leafy greens and broccoli, which are highly perishable and prone to rapid nutrient degradation.

Supplements Support Specific Needs

• Bone Health: Declining calcium and magnesium in diets can lead to weaker bones. Supplements for those key issues may be crucial.

• Cognitive Function: Omega-3 fatty acids, often deficient in modern diets, support brain health and mood.⁵

• Immune Support: Vitamins D and C, along with zinc, enhance immune function, especially during cold and flu seasons.

Supplementing blind or informed

It is easy to see an ad of someone who says you need their fancy new supplement and then you wind up having a cabinet or drawer full of supplements that you don’t even know what they do.

My encouragement is to find a way to do some comprehensive biomarker testing like from Function Health and find out what your body is deficient in. Then you can make informed choices on what ways in which you can help yourself. Ideally it is with diet or lifestyle change and once those are addressed, you may need to assist nature in her recovery to optimal health through the use of supplements.

I did my testing earlier this year and started using supplements that were tailored to me. I feel so much better on many levels.

Don’t blindly buy supplements, they need to be personalized to your health and biomarkers.

A Few Common Objections

Objection 1: “I eat a healthy diet; do I really need supplements?”

• While whole nutrient-dense foods should be prioritized, supplements complement diets to account for unavoidable nutrient losses in food production. Think of them as a safety net, not a replacement.

Objection 2: “Supplements are expensive and hard to justify in my budget.”

• Consider supplements an investment in long-term health. Preventative measures often reduce healthcare costs down the road.

Objection 3: “I forget to take them regularly.”

•  Build a simple routine by storing supplements where you’ll see them daily—on your kitchen counter or for me I put some near my sink so that I don’t forget. Pairing the habit with another activity, like breakfast, reinforces consistency.

Integrating Supplements Into Daily Life

• Do a comprehensive Biomarker test. I love Function Health. They even tell you what supplements you need based on your own bloodwork and biomarkers. Then - Start small. Introduce one or two supplements, such as a multivitamin and omega-3, before expanding.

• Track your progress. Do more biomarker testing or keep a journal of how you feel after a month of consistent use.

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I’d love to hear about your health journey. 👋

I write this newsletter each week because I feel my best when my body, mind and soul are all healthy. I want the same for you. If you feel like you’ve seen something valuable here, please do me a favor and forward this newsletter to a friend or let me know what you think by replying to this email or texting me - (310) 879-8441

I think the world is in desperate need of healthy, happy men who love the strong women in their lives with a self-sacrificing type of love.

I have found the following four books to be the 4 books every man should read and every woman should want their man to read.

• Good Energy - What makes for a Healthy Body and Mind?

• The Masculine in Relationship - How to Win the Trust, Lust and Devotion of a Strong Woman

• The Man’s Guide to Women - The Science of Happy Relationships

• The Desire of Ages - Leadership in a World of Cowards

Here are a few other links to things that have changed my life:

Whoop - Track your HRV and REM Sleep

Function Health - Optimize Your Health via 100+ BioMarkers

Here are a few topics I think you’ll love if you haven’t checked them out before:

How to Breathe for Better Health

How to Supercharge Your Sleep

The Power of the Sauna

-Jared

P.S. - This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The content, such as graphics, images, text, and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.

References

1. Smith, B., & Jones, L. (2022). Soil Nutrient Depletion and Its Impact on Human Health. Environmental Research.

2. Davis, D. R. (2021). Declining Fruit and Vegetable Nutrient Composition: What Is the Evidence? HortScience.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Dietary Guidelines and Nutritional Deficiencies in Adults.

4. National Institute of Health. (2022). The Impact of Cooking and Storage on Nutrient Retention in Foods.

5. Harris, W. S., & Mozaffarian, D. (2023). Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Importance in Human Health. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.