What Supplements Do I Really Need?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and includes the opinion of the author. Information is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or disease. It is simply information found through experience and/or research. Always follow the directives of a licensed health professional. Neither Anita Bastian nor the publisher of the information takes any responsibility for actions readers take in regards to how they use or perceive the information. Readers are encouraged to do their own research.
I am often asked which supplements I would generally recommend for people. In this article, I talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to the need for supplements, and I share how I look at the situation.
First, the bad and the ugly. Nearly everyone who understands health understands that given the toxic, nutrient-deficient soil that our food crops have been grown in for decades due to the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides, we now are suffering the consequences of using these chemicals. In addition, the manner in which our meat sources of food are being fed also contributes to people having multiple nutrient deficiencies. Along with the nutrient deficiencies that most people have, there are many hidden and harmful toxins that we are taking in with many bites of food and sips of beverages. This is a recipe for internal toxic soup and a plethora of health issues. Deficiencies and toxicity generally leads to disorders and diseases.
The ways that toxins can negatively affect the body depend on a number of different factors, such as:
the type of toxin(s) that the body is exposed to
the amount of toxic exposure
the number of different new toxins the body is dealing with as well as the toxins that have accumulated in the body prior to the current exposures
the condition or internal resiliency of the body’s ability to metabolize nutrients and remove toxins
the length of time that the body is exposed to the toxins
the input given to the body in the form of supportive supplements and nutrients
the toxic load in the water being consumed
the number of parasites that may be involved
Most sources say that we now have over 86,000 different toxic chemicals in our world, which may be affecting our foods and our water. Most municipalities test our water supply for less than 100 potential contaminants. How can we realistically think that our water is safe to drink? (We can’t.) How can we truly know what toxins we are drinking when we drink tap water or beverages made with tap water? (We can’t know this either.) So, what are we to do?
First, I would avoid or minimize drinking tap water, minimally filtered water, or beverages made with tap water. I would seek proven filtration systems and change the filters way more often than recommended, or I would use a good water distillation system. I have found that distillation, in the long run, is the most cost-effective way to have a high degree of certainty that you are drinking the cleanest water possible. Thus, distillation is the option that I chose. For more info on water, see this article. You can think about having clean, pure water as one of the most critical supplemental supports that you can give your body. This is the one vital product that we all need to consume.
Contrary to some messages being repeated, drinking distilled water isn’t going to wash out the nutrients or minerals in your body and lead to deficiencies. Also, it’s important to know that water isn’t necessarily meant to supply the minerals to your body. Minerals that the body can best use should come from organically grown plants and pasture-raised animal meats. Distilled water can, however, support your bodies in moving and removing toxins that have come in with the food products and tainted water that you drink. We see this if someone is dealing with a high toxic load within their body because they may have pronounced detox responses, such as headaches and digestive discomfort, when switching to drinking pure distilled water.
Now that we have established drinking clean, pure water as the first supplement of support, what’s next?
Next, we need to provide guidance and support for each person individually. No two people are alike. What supplement support products are helpful depends on a number of different factors affecting the person’s health and their toxic burden. It also depends on the person’s goals and mindset. If this isn’t the answer you were looking for, keep reading. I will soon reveal some specifics that I think will be helpful.
The toxins that are hindering and debilitating people are not completely our own fault. We have all been led to believe that our food and water supply are safe. We think that products on the shelf are tested for safety. Turns out this is not the case. In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group, “Almost 99 percent of food chemicals introduced since 2000 were greenlighted for use by food and chemical companies rather than properly reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. Many of these widely used chemicals are associated with major health harms, including increased risk of cancer, developmental harm and hormone disruption.” (Source: March 18, 2025 article.) Only about 1% of the more than 10,000 chemicals used in many different foods have been tested for safety. We have been duped – again!
But there is so much hope! God has given us all that we need. We just need to know what to avoid and what to put into place, such as, supportive nutrients, proper binders, and targeted detoxifying herbs to address the offenders, so our bodies can function more the way God created them to.
If someone is highly committed to their health and wants long-lasting changes in their health, then comprehensive, guided detox support is the way to go. If someone is moderately committed to their health, at minimum I would do some basic detox support to hopefully ward off bigger health issues. If a person is not committed to their health and accepts the “decline with aging,” “it’s genetic,” or “there’s nothing I can do about it” rhetoric, then keep reading and learning. There is still hope for you to see the light too. But you need to be open to learn and grow. You need to be set on seeking the truth, and not just believe what is repeatedly being told to us. For people who are curious about what minimum product support that I would suggest, here are my thoughts regarding this.
Since toxins can displace minerals, most people are deficient in multiple minerals. So, I would go with a complex mineral product. CT Minerals by CellCore is my favorite mineral support product that seems to work well for most people. This mineral complex is easily utilized by the body and it contains extra magnesium which most of us need.
Secondly, I would not want to be without an all-purpose binder. Binders are key to assist the body in effectively removing toxins. For this I would generally go with ViRadChem Binder, which is a broad-spectrum binder that is made by CellCore. CellCore binders are the only ones that I use in my practice because they are the only ones that I trust to support the body to the highest degree in removing a variety of toxins.
Last but not least, I would be sure to include drainage or elimination support(s) depending on the case. If you are pooping at least once a day, every day, then you need less drainage support. If you don’t have daily bowel movements, then you likely need more drainage support. Some products I would consider for drainage are Lb, Ls, and K Kidney by Systemic Formulas; Livton, LivCo, and Spanish Black Radish by Standard Process; and KL Support or Tudca by CellCore.
Your diet is a consideration as well. If you regularly eat processed foods then you are going to need more supplement support. If you don’t eat meat or seldom eat meat, then you will likely need additional support beyond what I mentioned above. Any time whole food groups are left out, there will be multiple deficiencies and possible health issues that arise. If you do not get outdoors very often, you could consider finding a good quality vitamin D3, K2, and magnesium supplement. I carry two different vitamin D3 complexes. You can reach out to me if you want to know more about them.
I hope that you found this helpful. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to health and wellness. We have all seen that what works for one person may not work for another.
We also know that our mindset and our belief system will greatly determine our success and our path. Find the practitioner that you resonate with and can trust to help you in this journey to achieve the level of health that you seek. Then commit to being steadfast and enjoy embracing a lifestyle that limits and removes toxic exposures, so that you can have the most vibrant life possible.
God created every good and perfect thing. We humans, have created many toxic things. Thankfully, God has supplied us with natural solutions to deal with toxins and reclaim our health.
Many blessings as you keep on keepin’ on in your journey to greater wellness!
Anita
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. --James 1:17 NIV
*Note: The Environmental Working Group article cited in this article was accessed on March 24, 2025.