Supplements

What are dietary supplements?

Dietary supplements often contain vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, herbs, or other natural ingredients. They’re designed to supplement a healthy diet to enhance physical and/or mental health and well-being.

The Chicago Center for Women's Health experts provide dietary supplement recommendations as part of a holistic medicine approach to keep you healthy and avoid common medical problems. They combine supplements with diet and exercise advice to optimize health outcomes.

What are examples of dietary supplements?

Examples of dietary supplements include:

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Proteins
• Amino acids
• Echinacea
• Omega-3s
• Fiber
• Herbs
• Spices
• Probiotics
• Prebiotics
• Ashwaganda
• Collagen
• Green powders

While you can consume essential nutrients from foods, adding dietary supplements can maximize your wellness journey.

Which conditions can dietary supplements help support?

Dietary supplements may help prevent or reduce symptoms of the following women’s health conditions and more:

• Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and other menopause symptoms
• Sleep disorders
• Urinary incontinence
• Irregular bleeding
• Prolapse
• Pelvic pain
• Blood in urine
• Thyroid problems
• Hormonal imbalances
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• High triglycerides
• Diabetes and other chronic diseases
• Digestive problems
• Headaches or migraines
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Sexual dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia or other causes of chronic pain
• Menstrual disorders
• Gynecological conditions
• Mental health disorders

Your Chicago Center for Women's Health provider may suggest you take more than one type of dietary supplement based on your individualized needs and goals.

Which dietary supplements are best suited for me?

Your women’s health specialist discusses your medical history, medications, symptoms, and lifestyle habits to determine which supplements you may be a candidate for.

They also check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, offer InBody evaluations, and complete wellness testing or other diagnostic tests to determine which dietary supplements best fit into your holistic medicine treatment.

What should I expect when taking dietary supplements?

After receiving personalized dietary supplement advice, it’s helpful to take your supplements exactly as instructed by your provider.

The benefits you can expect when taking dietary supplements often include:

• Fewer chronic disease risks
• Better disease management
• More energy
• Easier weight management
• Improved hormone balance
• Fewer nutritional deficiencies
• Enhanced body composition
• Mood improvements
• Reduced menopause symptoms
• Regular menstrual cycles

Follow up with your women’s health specialist to ensure your dietary supplements are working as designed. You might also make changes to your diet, exercise, or sleep habits and manage stress using personalized management techniques.

Schedule a dietary supplements evaluation at the Chicago Center for Women's Health by calling the office or booking a visit online today.