Walk down the supplement aisle of almost any store and the choices can be overwhelming.
There are dozens of versions of magnesium, countless multivitamins, probiotics with completely different formulations, herbs you’ve never heard of, powders promising everything imaginable, and prices ranging from a few dollars to well over $100.
Then there is Amazon, social media, online retailers, influencers, advertisements, and well-meaning friends telling you what you absolutely “need” to be taking.
So how do you know what to choose?
This is a conversation Alex and I have with clients all the time, and it’s one of the reasons we use clinician-grade nutraceuticals as part of our holistic approach at A+A Wellness.
We believe nutritional supplementation can be an incredibly valuable tool when it’s appropriate. We also believe there should be a reason behind what you’re taking.
For us, it comes down to three things:
Quality. Purpose. Personalization.
What Do We Mean by Clinician-Grade Nutraceuticals?
When we talk about clinician-grade nutraceuticals at A+A Wellness, we’re talking about the high-quality nutritional products we carefully choose to use and recommend within our practice.
Not every supplement is created the same way, and we believe the details matter.
We look at the ingredients.
We look at the forms of those ingredients.
We look at the formulation.
We look at quality and sourcing.
We look at the amount being provided.
We consider what else the person is already taking.
And most importantly, we ask why we’re recommending it in the first place.
When Alex and I recommend something, we’re putting our name behind that recommendation.
We take that very seriously.
Why Supplement Quality Matters to Us
A beautiful label or a long list of ingredients isn’t enough for us.
We want to feel confident in the companies and products we choose for our clients.
We care about thoughtful formulations, ingredient selection, consistency, quality-control practices, and having access to different nutrient forms and dosages so recommendations can be more individualized.
We don’t choose products simply because they’re popular.
We choose products we feel comfortable incorporating into the holistic wellness programs we create for our clients.
That’s a very important distinction.
Why We Choose Designs for Health
Designs for Health has been an important part of our practice for years because its professional product line gives us access to a tremendous range of individual nutrients and specialized formulations.
That variety matters because our clients aren’t all the same.
Alex may want one form or combination for one person and something completely different for another.
Having access to different formulations allows us to be much more intentional with the nutritional support we recommend.
We also appreciate the emphasis Designs for Health places on product quality, ingredient selection, formulation, and testing.
When we put our name behind a product, we want to feel good about what we’re recommending.
And we do.
If you already know which Designs for Health products you need, you can order directly through our A+A Wellness Designs for Health Store.
Supplements Should Never Be One Size Fits All
Two people can come to us with the exact same complaint and need completely different wellness strategies.
One person’s fatigue may exist alongside poor sleep and inconsistent nutrition.
Another person may be struggling with significant digestive concerns.
Someone else may have a very restrictive diet and questions about nutritional balance.
Another may already be taking 10 supplements and not know why they’re taking half of them.
This is why we don’t build recommendations around one symptom.
We look at the person as a whole.
What does your nutrition look like?
How are you sleeping?
How is your digestion?
What is your stress level?
What supplements are you already using?
What does your lifestyle look like?
What are your goals?
What have you already tried?
When appropriate, functional testing may also provide additional information that helps us create a more individualized wellness strategy.
This is the philosophy behind something you’ve probably heard us say many times:
We don’t guess. We test.
And we test with a purpose.
We want the information we gather to help us make more thoughtful decisions about the wellness plan we’re building for you.
More Supplements Are Not Necessarily Better
This is an important one.
People sometimes come to us with an entire cabinet full of supplements.
They started one product because they were tired.
Another because they weren’t sleeping well.
A friend recommended something for digestion.
They saw something about magnesium online.
Someone told them everyone needs vitamin D.
Then cold and flu season arrived, so they added zinc and vitamin C.
Before long, they’re taking a handful of products every morning and another handful every night.
And when we ask why they’re taking each one, they aren’t really sure anymore.
That’s not what personalized nutritional support should look like.
Sometimes Alex recommends adding something.
Sometimes he recommends changing something.
Sometimes we discover that someone is already getting the same nutrient from several different products.
And sometimes the answer is to simplify.
More isn’t the goal. The right support for you is the goal.
Why the Form of a Nutrient Matters to Us
This is another reason we don’t view every supplement as interchangeable.
A nutrient can often be available in different forms, combinations, and amounts.
Those differences are one of the reasons Alex looks beyond the large print on the front of a bottle and pays attention to the complete formulation.
What form is being used?
How much is included?
What other ingredients are part of the formula?
What else is the person taking?
How does this fit into the overall wellness strategy?
These details matter when we’re trying to create nutritional support that’s truly personalized.
Nutraceuticals Are Part of a Holistic Foundation
We love nutritional support.
We use it in our practice.
We believe strongly in the value of high-quality nutraceuticals when they’re used thoughtfully.
But our approach has always been holistic.
We look at nutrition.
We look at digestion.
We look at sleep.
We look at movement and strength.
We look at hydration.
We look at stress and recovery.
We look at lifestyle.
We look at the whole person.
And when appropriate, we use functional testing to help us dig deeper and better understand areas that may deserve additional support.
Nutraceuticals are one piece of that much larger picture.
That’s what holistic wellness means to us.
We aren’t looking for one magic answer.
We’re looking at how all of the pieces work together.
Why We Want You to Order Through the A+A Wellness Store
This is especially important for our existing clients and anyone who wants our help with their Designs for Health products.
If you would like our support with the products you’re purchasing, please order directly through our A+A Wellness Designs for Health Store rather than Amazon or another third-party platform.
When you purchase through our store, your order is connected to our practice. This allows us to better support you with the Designs for Health products you’re using and gives you access to our additional 5% discount on eligible purchases with code AAWellness.
Purchases made through Amazon or other third-party platforms are separate from our practice and do not qualify for our product support or the additional 5% A+A Wellness discount.
We want to be very clear about this because one of the biggest benefits of purchasing through our practice is having us as a resource.
If you’re investing in high-quality nutritional support, we want to help you use it thoughtfully.
Your orders through our store also directly support our small family practice, and Alex and I are incredibly grateful for that support.
Shop the A+A Wellness Designs for Health Store
Do You Know What’s in Your Supplement Cabinet?
Here’s something I would encourage you to do.
Pull every supplement you’re currently taking out of the cabinet and put them on the counter.
Then go through them one at a time.
Why did I start taking this?
How long have I been taking it?
Do I know what’s actually in it?
Am I taking another product with some of the same ingredients?
Does this still serve a purpose for me?
You might be surprised by what you find.
We meet people all the time who started taking something years ago and simply never stopped because it became part of their routine.
That doesn’t automatically mean you should throw everything away.
It means your nutritional support deserves some thought.
If you look at everything sitting on your counter and think, “I honestly have no idea,” that’s a great time to ask for help.
Our Holistic Approach to Nutritional Support
At A+A Wellness, we don’t want you taking something simply because it’s popular.
We want you to understand what you’re doing and why.
Our approach may include personalized nutrition, lifestyle changes, functional testing when appropriate, Holistic Health Programs, clinician-grade nutraceuticals, education, motivation, accountability, and ongoing support.
And because our practice is 100% virtual, we’re able to provide this personalized approach to clients across the country.
Alex handles the clinical testing and program side of our practice, while I help with education, motivation, accountability, coordination, and the ongoing support that has always been such an important part of what we do together.
We’re a husband-and-wife team, and we have intentionally kept A+A Wellness personal.
We want to know our clients.
We want to understand what’s going on.
We want you to understand your own wellness plan.
And we want you to feel supported along the way.
The Bottom Line
We use clinician-grade nutraceuticals at A+A Wellness because quality matters to us.
We use Designs for Health because we want access to professional-quality formulations and a broad selection that allows us to personalize nutritional support for the people we work with.
But even a wonderful product still needs to make sense for the person taking it.
That’s the part we never want people to miss.
The right product. The right person. The right reason.
If you’re staring at a cabinet full of supplements and wondering what you actually need, or you’re ready for a more personalized and holistic approach to your health, start with a conversation.
Alex and I would love to help.
Visit AandAWellness.com, email AandAWellness@icloud.com, or text Ashley at 770-905-7400 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
And if you already know which Designs for Health products you need, please order through our A+A Wellness Designs for Health Store so your purchases qualify for our product support and the additional 5% discount on eligible purchases using code AAWellness.
Your orders, referrals, reviews, and recommendations directly support our small family practice. We never take that support for granted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are clinician-grade nutraceuticals?
At A+A Wellness, we use this term for the high-quality nutritional products we carefully choose to incorporate into our holistic wellness approach. We consider the complete formulation, nutrient forms, ingredient quality, amount, and how the product fits the individual’s needs.
Why does A+A Wellness use Designs for Health?
Designs for Health gives us access to a broad range of professional-quality nutritional formulas and individual nutrients. That allows us to be more intentional and personalized when selecting nutritional support for our clients.
Does everyone need nutritional supplements?
No. Nutritional needs are individual. Diet, lifestyle, age, digestion, existing supplements, wellness goals, and other factors can all influence whether supplementation makes sense.
Why shouldn’t I just choose supplements based on my symptoms?
A symptom doesn’t necessarily tell you what your body needs. Two people experiencing similar concerns may need very different approaches. That’s why we prefer to look at the whole person rather than recommend the same product to everyone.
Why should I order Designs for Health through the A+A Wellness Store?
Ordering through our A+A Wellness Designs for Health Store connects your purchase to our practice so we can provide product support. Eligible purchases also receive an additional 5% discount with code AAWellness. Purchases through Amazon or other third-party platforms do not qualify for our product support or additional A+A Wellness discount.
Can A+A Wellness help me review the supplements I’m already taking?
Absolutely. Reviewing someone’s current supplement routine can be an important part of understanding the bigger wellness picture. Sometimes the goal is adding targeted support, and sometimes it’s simplifying what someone is already using.
Does A+A Wellness work virtually?
Yes. A+A Wellness is a 100% virtual holistic health practice working with clients nationwide through personalized Holistic Health Programs, nutrition guidance, functional testing when appropriate, clinician-grade nutritional support, education, motivation, and ongoing support.
Educational Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Individual nutritional and supplement needs vary. If you have specific medical concerns or questions about medications, seek guidance from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
