How do supplements work at Performance Health?

Supplements are part of our clinical toolkit, not a side business. We don’t push powders or pills to boost revenue. We recommend them only when there’s a clear purpose, measurable benefit, and defined endpoint.

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A medical approach to supplements

​At Performance Health, supplements and herbs are treated like medications. They have mechanisms, dosages, side effects, and goals. Every recommendation starts with lab data, patient history, and an outcome in mind. If there’s no clear reason to take it, we don’t suggest it. We do not load up every patient with "adrenal complex" supplements and disgusting expensive tinctures. 

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We focus on a short list of products that are evidence-supported, time-tested, and quality-verified. Every brand we use provides third-party testing and has a long track record of purity and consistency.

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No one should be prescribing for profit - this includes supplements.

The problem with the supplement industry

The supplement market has become a get-rich scheme. Under current U.S. law, manufacturers don’t need to prove that their products are safe or effective before selling them. Studies have repeatedly shown widespread contamination, mislabeling, and adulteration with undeclared pharmaceuticals or heavy metals (Cohen et al., JAMA Network Open, 2018; Starr et al., PLOS One, 2021).

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That’s why we don’t “sell supplements.” We prescribe them when clinically appropriate, source them from verified suppliers, and stop them when the goal has been met.

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When supplements make sense

A few targeted nutrients - such as vitamin D3, magnesium, or omega-3s, are often useful due to widespread deficiency and strong evidence of benefit. Beyond that, every decision is individualized. No “stack,” no trendy blends, and no indefinite use.

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Our standard

If a supplement doesn’t meet medical-grade manufacturing standards (USP, NSF, or equivalent), or if the data behind it is weak, it doesn’t enter our practice. Period.