In nutritional counseling, I often encounter requests like, "I’ve been feeling tired lately; which vitamin should I take?" or "My blood sugar is a bit high; is bitter melon extract effective?" The public tends to skip the "diagnosis" and jump straight to the "cure." However, as a dietitian, I must emphasize: Nutritional advice without a medical report is nothing more than blind guesswork.
Why do we insist on starting with Biochemical Analysis?
First, the body is honest, but feelings can be deceiving. "Fatigue" could be caused by iron-deficiency anemia, liver dysfunction, or even thyroid issues. Without confirming the root cause through blood tests, blindly taking multivitamins will not only fail to address the problem but may also mask the actual condition, delaying necessary treatment.
Second, supplements are not "the more, the better." Many believe that since supplements are food-based, they are harmless. However, the human body has an upper limit for micronutrient tolerance. For instance, excessive calcium supplementation without a confirmed deficiency can increase the risk of kidney stones or vascular calcification. Over-consuming fat-soluble vitamins (like A, D, E, and K) can even lead to toxicity. Medical data tells us the actual "water level" in your body, allowing for precise replenishment rather than aimless irrigation.
Lastly, dietary adjustment always takes precedence over pills. Only by understanding your clinical status and biochemical data can we determine whether you need to shift your macronutrient ratios (e.g., lower carbs, higher protein) or require specific micronutrients.
Conclusion: Supplements should be the final piece of the nutritional puzzle, while the medical report is the blueprint. Without the blueprint, you will never know if you are filling a gap or creating a new burden.
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