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Supplements Are More Than Just Herbs, Vitamins, and Minerals!
If you’ve ever been in the supplement section of a health food store, you understand how many options there really are! In functional health, the term “nutraceuticals” refers to a broad and diverse category of biologically active, science-backed compounds derived from natural sources. While many people associate supplements only with vitamins and minerals, nutraceuticals include a wide range of tools used to support specific physiological systems, correct deficiencies, repair imbalances, and promote long-term health.
They are chosen based on functional lab results, symptom patterns, and the root causes of dysfunction — not to mask symptoms, but to help restore proper function at both the cellular and system levels with the goal of stopping them after symptoms resolve.
Here’s a more complete breakdown:
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Vitamins are essential organic compounds that support hundreds of biochemical processes in the body — including energy production, immune regulation, detoxification, tissue repair, and hormone metabolism. In functional medicine, we often use bioavailable or activated forms of vitamins that are easier for the body to absorb and utilize.
Examples: vitamin D3 (immune and bone health), methylated B12 and folate (methylation, detox, mood), vitamin A (skin and vision), vitamin K2 (calcium metabolism), vitamin E (antioxidant and heart health)
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Minerals are inorganic elements critical to enzyme activity, nerve conduction, thyroid function, hormone production, and cellular hydration. Many people are deficient due to depleted soils, stress, poor absorption, or medication use. Functional medicine uses the correct forms and dosages to replenish and restore mineral balance.
Examples: magnesium glycinate or malate (nervous system, muscle relaxation, blood sugar regulation), zinc (immune and hormone support), selenium (thyroid and antioxidant protection), iodine (thyroid and breast tissue health), iron (oxygen transport and energy)
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Herbs and plant extracts have been used for thousands of years in systems like Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, and many are now backed by modern clinical research. Botanicals modulate inflammation, balance hormones, support liver detoxification, improve mood, and more. Functional practitioners use standardized extracts and therapeutic doses to ensure consistent results.
Examples: ashwagandha (adaptogen for stress), milk thistle (liver detox and regeneration), berberine (blood sugar and gut health), curcumin (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant), rhodiola (energy and adrenal support), licorice root (cortisol modulation)
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Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of proteins and neurotransmitters. They play a role in healing tissues, repairing gut lining, producing brain chemicals, detoxifying the liver, and regulating metabolism. We often use them in isolation to target specific pathways or support recovery.
Examples: L-glutamine (gut lining and muscle repair), L-tyrosine (dopamine and thyroid support), L-theanine (calm focus and stress relief), taurine (cardiovascular and bile flow support), N-acetylcysteine or NAC (precursor to glutathione for detoxification and lung health)
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These are healthy fats that your body can’t produce on its own. They regulate inflammation, stabilize cell membranes, support brain and eye development, and are essential for hormonal balance. In functional medicine, we use high-quality, purified oils for therapeutic effects.
Examples: EPA and DHA (anti-inflammatory omega-3s from fish oil), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA from flaxseed), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA from evening primrose or borage oil)
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These compounds neutralize free radicals, protect tissues from damage, support detoxification and mitochondrial energy production. They’re also essential for phase I and phase II liver detoxification. Antioxidants help slow aging, protect the brain, and reduce chronic inflammation.
Examples: glutathione (the body’s master antioxidant), CoQ10 (mitochondrial and cardiovascular support), alpha-lipoic acid (blood sugar and liver function), resveratrol (anti-aging and brain health), quercetin (allergy and immune modulation).
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Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that help rebalance the gut microbiome, while prebiotics are fibers and compounds that feed and support those bacteria. They’re used to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, enhance immune function, and influence mood and metabolism.
Examples: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains (digestive and immune health), Saccharomyces boulardii (gut pathogen control), inulin, partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), arabinogalactan (prebiotic support for gut and immune health)
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Enzymes are used to support digestion or, in systemic form, reduce inflammation, break down fibrin, or improve circulation. Digestive enzymes help break down food into absorbable nutrients, while systemic enzymes work throughout the body for broader effects.
Examples: lipase (fat digestion), protease (protein digestion), amylase (carbohydrate digestion), serrapeptase and nattokinase (inflammation and circulation), bromelain (anti-inflammatory and joint support)
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Glandulars are freeze-dried extracts from animal organs (such as thyroid or adrenal tissue) that may support function in a weakened organ system. Peptides are small chains of amino acids that signal healing and tissue repair. These are used with caution and supervision in functional medicine for cases of significant dysfunction or chronic conditions.
Examples: adrenal cortex extract, thyroid glandulars, BPC-157 (gut and tissue repair), thymosin alpha-1 (immune system regulation)
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These are researched natural compounds used to target specific metabolic, hormonal, or cellular pathways. They are often chosen based on lab findings and are used for more advanced therapeutic support.
Examples: myo-inositol (for insulin resistance and ovarian function), PQQ (for mitochondrial biogenesis), sulforaphane (for detox and cancer prevention), DIM (for estrogen metabolism), beta-glucans (for immune modulation)
Nutraceuticals are not just vitamins — they are powerful, targeted tools used with intention. In functional medicine, we use them to temporarily support the body's healing systems, correct imbalances, and reduce the need for long-term pharmaceutical intervention. They are always tailored to the individual, backed by lab data, and monitored for effectiveness.
Where Do I Buy Supplements? Grocery Store, Amazon, Health Foods Store or From a Practitioner?
NEVER buy supplements on Amazon.
There are three main ways that supplements end up on the market at unbelievably cheap prices:
1. They are counterfeit and probably dangerous.
2. They are useless expired products that have been repackaged as new.
3. They are stolen products released on the black market without any quality control.
That’s why it is so important to buy directly from a legitimate manufacturer or from a trusted health practitioner whenever you can.
The FDA does not regulate supplements, so we prioritize sourcing products from reputable companies that conduct rigorous lab testing. Quality matters! Unlike supplements available at grocery or health food stores, our products are third-party tested to ensure their quality and efficacy. This extra step helps ensure you receive supplements that meet the highest standards of safety and effectiveness.
Professional supplement manufacturers work hard to make sure their products do not contain artificial ingredients, additives, excipients, allergens, etc. They also work to ensure the dosage is identical in every capsule.
Sometimes professional supplements offer therapeutic potencies not available in retail products. Furthermore, when you assess the amount of the key ingredients compared to the cost, a professional supplement may actually be a better value on a $/mg basis.
Practitioner supplements often include additional ingredients to help with absorption. A professional supplement manufacturer may choose a more expensive “source” for a component because it is known to be more bioavailable.