Tired of taking handfuls of supplements and still feeling like you just rolled out of bed? You’re not alone. Every day at Medwell Spine, Knee & Neuropathy Center, we meet people across Midland and throughout New Jersey who are doing all the “right things,” eating clean, taking vitamins, staying active, but still struggling with low energy, brain fog, weight gain, digestive issues, chronic pain, and more.
Dr. Maz has spent decades treating people who feel stuck and hopeless. In this blog, we’ll unpack the truths behind supplement confusion, why your body might not be absorbing what it needs, and how functional medicine can connect the dots between your symptoms and solutions.
Supplements Alone Aren’t the Answer
You may think you’re doing everything right. You eat a fairly healthy diet, avoid fast food, and take your multivitamin every day. So why are you still tired, bloated, or in pain? One of the most common myths we hear is that supplements can fix everything. But the truth is more complicated.
Supplements are just that, supplemental. They’re meant to enhance a healthy lifestyle, not replace it. No pill can outdo a poor diet, lack of sleep, chronic stress, or an undiagnosed imbalance. Here’s where most people go wrong:
- They treat supplements like magic pills
- They buy low-quality brands at chain stores
- They follow generic dosage instructions not made for their body
- They never get tested or seek expert guidance
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But understanding the truth is your first step to reclaiming your energy and health.
Not All Supplements Are Created Equal
You’ve probably stood in the vitamin aisle at CVS or a health food store, overwhelmed by labels and prices. It’s easy to assume that all supplements are similar, just different packaging, right? Not quite.
The Difference Between Good and Bad Supplements
Good supplements:
- Are usually only available through licensed practitioners
- Contain high-quality, bioavailable ingredients
- Are designed to work with your body, not against it
Low-quality supplements:
- Are often sold at big-box stores for convenience
- May contain cheap fillers or synthetic ingredients
- Can come from poor or inconsistent sources such as petroleum byproducts or sheep’s wool
- Might not even be absorbed by your body
This is why many people continue to feel awful even after taking vitamins. It’s not that your body is broken, it’s that the supplement might be.
The Label Doesn’t Know You
Here’s a major misconception: people assume the dosage printed on the bottle is the correct dosage for them. But in most cases, that recommended amount is intended for an already healthy individual with no deficiencies. If your body is depleted, imbalanced, or inflamed, you may need a completely different approach. That’s why self-medicating with over-the-counter supplements often leads to frustration. You’re guessing, not healing. To see real results, you need someone trained in functional medicine who can evaluate your current symptoms, run proper labs, and recommend personalized dosages that actually work for your body.
It’s Not Always About What’s Missing
Many patients are surprised to learn that low levels of a vitamin or hormone on a blood test doesn’t always mean you need to take that exact thing. This is where functional medicine steps in with a deeper, more connected approach. Let’s say your lab results show:
- Low testosterone: It might not mean you need testosterone therapy
- Low vitamin D: It might not mean you need more vitamin D
That’s because nutrients and hormones work together. One deficiency may be a symptom of something else that’s out of sync. For example, low testosterone may be a downstream effect of low vitamin D. And low vitamin D could be linked to poor magnesium absorption or even chronic inflammation. In functional medicine, we look at the whole picture to find the real root cause.
The Wrong Form Can Make All the Difference
Just because a label says it contains a vitamin doesn’t mean it’s in a form your body can use. This is especially true for common nutrients like B vitamins, D vitamins, and magnesium.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Vitamin B12
- The cheap form: cyanocobalamin
- The effective form: methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin
- Why it matters: Cyanocobalamin is harder for your body to convert and may not be effective in people with methylation issues
Magnesium
- The cheap form: magnesium oxide
- The better form: magnesium glycinate or citrate
- Why it matters: The better forms are gentler on digestion and more bioavailable
Vitamin D
- Can be derived from poor-quality sources or paired with the wrong cofactors
- Why it matters: You may need vitamin K2 or magnesium alongside vitamin D to properly absorb and use it
If you’re taking the wrong form, you may be doing more harm than good or just wasting your money.
The Root Causes We See Every Day
In our Midland, New Jersey practice, the symptoms we hear from patients often sound like this:
- “I’m always tired, no matter how much I sleep.”
- “My joints hurt but my labs look normal.”
- “I’ve tried every diet and still can’t lose weight.”
- “My mood is all over the place.”
- “Nothing seems to help my digestive issues.”
These aren’t just random problems. They’re signs of a body that’s out of sync, often due to food sensitivities, toxic buildup, nutritional deficiencies, poor gut health, or hormonal imbalance.
We don’t just treat symptoms with a quick fix. We help uncover the why behind the way you feel.
What a Functional Medicine Visit Looks Like
When you visit Medwell Spine, Knee & Neuropathy Center for functional medicine, here’s what you can expect:
Your Experience With Us:
- One-on-one consultation: We listen to your full story, not just your symptoms
- Comprehensive testing: Lab work that digs deeper than standard panels
- Custom treatment plans: Personalized supplement recommendations, dietary shifts, and lifestyle changes
- Ongoing support: We help you track progress and make adjustments as your body heals
This isn’t about chasing symptoms. It’s about helping your body return to balance naturally, with as little medication as possible.
A Life with More Energy Is Possible
Dr. Maz talks often about what it really means to feel alive again, not just surviving the day, but having the energy to enjoy it. Playing with your kids or grandkids. Going on a walk after dinner. Waking up without dread. Having a mind that feels sharp and focused.
If you’ve been living in survival mode, it’s time to stop accepting fatigue and discomfort as your new normal. There is another way and we’re here to guide you toward it.
Discover the Medwell Difference in Midland, New Jersey
At Medwell Spine, Knee & Neuropathy Center, we combine decades of experience with advanced functional medicine tools to help you break free from the cycle of supplements that don’t work and symptoms that never fully go away. We proudly serve Midland and surrounding New Jersey communities with a whole-body approach that’s built around you, not generic labs or outdated models of care. And the best part? We accept most insurance plans, making life-changing care more accessible.
Take the First Step to Feeling Better
Ready to stop guessing and start healing?
You don’t have to keep trying random supplements or Googling your symptoms at 2 a.m. Book a visit with our team and let’s figure out what your body is really trying to tell you. Schedule your first consultation today because a healthier, more energetic life is possible and it starts here in Midland, New Jersey.