Valeo’s TSR Method: Test, Supplement, Retest

They say too much of anything is good for nothing - this applies to supplementing too! With the post-COVID-19 supplement hype still parading in full effect, more and more people are turning to supplements to help them better their health. Now supplements can be beneficial in helping you reach your health and fitness goals, but overusing supplements is like having too much ice cream, at first it’s great but if you have too much of it, you’re going to suffer some consequences.

For example, vitamin D toxicity can lead to an increase in calcium levels which might progress to bone pain and kidney problems such as the formation of kidney stones. High levels of Melatonin can cause an unexplained increase in the prolactin hormone which may lead to menstrual disturbances or even more serious conditions. High doses of vitamin C can cause the formation of oxalate kidney stones and later damage. Unmonitored creatinine consumption will lead to severe kidney damage and maybe failure.

So where do we draw the line? To cut it short, it’s extremely important to take the time and test before supplementing, then test again after a certain duration of time to avoid over-supplementing. Enter: Valeo’s TSR Method (Test, Supplement, Retest). 

Test

The first step for any supplement user is testing. Testing helps you identify what nutrients are deficient or lacking in your body. Whether it’s vitamins or minerals, amino acids or enzymes, testing will provide a clear picture of what you need to add into your diet. This way you can avoid overdoing it with specific vitamins or supplements that could adversely affect your health. Almost every essential supplement has a test that studies its levels in your body like Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Zinc, Ferritin and Iron. There are also tests for melatonin, vitamins A and K. To test for any other supplement, other tests related to body functions can be optimized to see the effects of high or low nutrient levels.

Supplement

Once you’ve tested and identified which nutrients are deficient, then you can begin researching the right supplements for you and adding them into your daily routine. Supplements are designed to help your body function at its best and make up for any deficiencies that may be present in the food we eat or lifestyle habits we keep. If taken correctly, they can provide key nutrients that may be missing from our diets due to a lack of variety or inadequate nutrient intake. Many vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs are essential for proper functioning and taking these regularly can improve overall health. It is essential that you do thorough research on each one before taking them, you can't just take any old supplement without knowing what's in it first! 

Retest 

Once you’ve added the correct supplement into your routine it is important to retest after a period of time -  typically 3 to 6 months -  so that you can see how effective they have been in improving any deficiencies. It’s important to note that supplements are absorbed differently on different bodies, two of the most common supplements that are hard to absorb are Vitamin B12 & Iron. That being said, you might be taking a supplement, but your body is not absorbing it properly -  your blood work would be the best indicator for that. Retesting will allow you to monitor your progress and adjust your supplement use and dosage accordingly for optimal results. 

So before you start popping supplements like they're candy, just remember; by following Valeo’s TSR method (Test, Supplement, Retest) you can make sure that whatever supplements you decide on will work best for YOU! And if you need help deciding which tests or supplements are best for you – Valeo health experts are available to offer their recommendations based on your unique needs! So take charge today – get tested – get supplemented - retake those tests - then reap the rewards!