Whether you should take supplements, which type and brand, how much and when, are all valid questions. However, the answers to these questions will vary depending on whom you ask or what source you read. Unfortunately, most of the information in magazines and on the internet, is based on anecdotal rather than scientific evidence, and is fueled by potential profit rather than health benefits. Due to lack of government oversight, many of the products being sold are of poor quality, deficient in claimed ingredients, loaded with fillers and void of proclaimed health benefits. In other words, many are worthless and some are even dangerous.

So, unless you have access to a healthcare provider like me, who can custom formulate supplement prescriptions based on body type profiling (age, sex, weight, body fat percentage and distribution), medical history including medications, blood and saliva chemistry, and other diagnostic factors – what are your options?

Well, you can wing it or your can supplement based on your specific body type profile. I developed a unique way of assessing individual supplement needs (protocols) based on age, sex, weight (BMI), body fat percentage and weight distribution (waist circumference), as described in Chapter 11 of my book; The Naked Truth: Overweight, Overwhelmed and Confused. Each female body type profile (I-VI) has a corresponding supplement protocol (A-F), and each male body type profile (I-VI) has its own supplement protocol (A-F).

• For example, a 50-year old overweight female with a waist circumference equal to or more than 35 inches, requires a different supplement protocol than a 30-year old female who is not overweight and whose waist circumference is less than 35 inches.

The body type information needed such as age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and waist circumference, can easily be ascertained using the guidelines in Chapter 8 and Appendix C.

Specific brands are recommended based on quality (pharmaceutical grade) assurance and independent laboratory (Consumer Lab) investigation and monitoring. The protocol supplements that I recommend are manufactured by Douglas Laboratories, a company in business since 1955. Douglas Laboratories has been producing top quality supplements for doctors and their patients throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. They have an excellent manufacturing record and comply with state, federal other worldwide regulatory bodies. Their manufacturing facilities have received GMP registration from NSF International, and are under constant monitoring and supervision by on-staff PhDs to ensure dosage potency and overall quality. Their in-house laboratories have received ISO 9001-certification and ISO 17025 accreditation; making them compliant with one of the highest and most recognized standards of quality.

The specific supplements recommended for each protocol are listed in Appendix N, along with ordering instructions. The following is an example of a body type profile, its corresponding supplement protocol and the Douglas Laboratory products recommended as well as ordering instructions.

1. Ultra Preventive D with copper (multiple vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and phytonutrient)
2. Opti-EPA (enteric coated capsules containing EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids)
3. D.L. Duo Dophilus (probiotic formula containing live Acidophilus and Bifidus strains)
4. Fiber-Plex (grain-free water-soluble fiber blend containing glucomannan)

1. Take three tablets with breakfast and three with dinner (daily)
2. Take one soft-gel capsule with breakfast and one with dinner (daily)
3. Take one capsule upon arising (once a week only)
4. Take two capsules upon arising and two at lunch with 8 oz of water (daily)

1. Either click on the desired supplement or go to www.douglaslabs.com

2. Click on the "Create Account" button (top right page)

3. Fill out the online form

4. Type in the fulfillment number (2200794)

5. Click "Sign Up" then place your order