Supplements & Functional Medicine
Why supplements are a critical part of getting you better – and why I'm very particular about which ones I recommend.
In Functional Medicine, targeted supplementation is one of our most powerful tools. Not as a replacement for diet and lifestyle – food is always the foundation – but as a precise intervention that can accelerate healing and support your body in ways that food alone sometimes can't.
Every supplement I recommend is chosen for a reason specific to you. There are no generic multivitamins or one-size-fits-all protocols here. Your plan is built on your symptoms, your labs, and your testing – and it evolves as you heal. Depending on what we find, it might include prebiotic fibers to feed beneficial gut bacteria, strain-specific probiotics, barrier-healing compounds like L-glutamine, anti-inflammatory support like omega-3s and butyrate, targeted antimicrobials, or nutrient repletion in forms your body can actually absorb.
The sequencing matters as much as the selection. We start with foundational support before layering in more targeted compounds. Many supplements can cause temporary worsening if introduced too aggressively, so I start low, escalate gradually, and adjust based on how you're responding. This is also why I don't recommend self-prescribing based on what you've read online – without knowing what's happening in your gut, you risk spending money on things you don't need or taking something that makes the problem worse.
Quality supplements cost money, but I'm thoughtful about what I recommend. I'd rather you take six well-chosen things than scatter your resources across a medicine cabinet full of bottles. Supplements are not included in visit costs but are eligible for FSA/HSA coverage, and through my Fullscript dispensary you'll receive a 15% discount from retail.
Where You Buy Matters
The supplement industry isn't regulated like pharmaceuticals. The FDA doesn't test or approve supplements before they hit the market, and independent testing has repeatedly found products with inaccurate labeling, undisclosed fillers, or poorly absorbed nutrient forms.
I recommend ordering through Fullscript, my preferred dispensary. It carries only professional-grade, independently tested brands, and I link you directly to the exact products I want you to take. You also get 15% off retail.
Amazon, Vitamin Shoppe, and Whole Foods all carry some good products – but also many questionable ones. Amazon in particular has documented issues with counterfeits and expired products. When I recommend a specific probiotic strain or a specific form of magnesium, those details matter. Fullscript lets me control for all of that.
If something is out of stock or cost is a concern, just ask – I'm happy to suggest alternatives.