Is It Better to Get Nutrients From Food or Supplements?

This question comes up all the time:

Is it better to get nutrients from food or supplements?

And the honest answer is… both, but not in the way most people think.

There’s a lot of confusion around this topic. Some people believe supplements are unnecessary. Others rely on them to fix everything.

The truth lives in the middle.

Let’s Start With This: Food Comes First

At Lenura, we believe in a food-first philosophy.

Whole foods give your body things supplements simply can’t fully replace, like:

• Fiber

• Antioxidants

• Natural enzymes

• Compounds that work together in ways science is still learning about

Eating fruits, vegetables, proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains builds the foundation for health.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health supports this idea, explaining that nutrients work best when they come from whole foods first:https://www.hsph.harvard.edu

Food isn’t optional. It’s the base.

So Why Do People Use Supplements at All?

If food is so important, why do supplements exist?

Because modern life makes it harder to get everything we need from food alone.

Some common reasons:

• Busy schedules

• More processed foods

• Lower nutrient levels in soil

• Stress that increases nutrient needs

• Digestive issues that affect absorption

The National Institutes of Health explains that supplements are meant to help fill nutrient gaps, not replace meals:https://ods.od.nih.gov

Supplements are support tools, not shortcuts.

Food vs Supplements Is the Wrong Question

Instead of asking:“Food or supplements?”

A better question is:“How can supplements support my diet?”

Supplements work best when they:

• Fill gaps food doesn’t cover

• Support consistency

• Help your body keep up with modern demands

For example:

• Protein supplements can help when meals fall short

• Collagen can support connective tissue not easily targeted by diet alone

• Digestive support can help the body absorb nutrients better

None of these replace food. They reinforce it.

Why Food Alone Isn’t Always Enough Today

This part surprises people.

Even if you eat well, you may still fall short on certain nutrients.

Why?

• Fruits and vegetables today often contain fewer nutrients than decades ago

• Stress increases the body’s demand for certain vitamins and minerals

• Some nutrients are harder to get consistently through diet alone

The Cleveland Clinic explains how lifestyle factors and stress can increase nutrient needs:https://health.clevelandclinic.org

This doesn’t mean food is failing. It means life has changed.

Supplements Should Never Replace Meals

This is important.

If someone uses supplements to:

• Skip meals

• Avoid eating real food

• “Fix” poor habits

That’s not sustainable or healthy.

Supplements are meant to add, not subtract.

If you remember one thing from this article, remember this:Eat real food first. Supplement smartly.

What “Smart Supplementation” Actually Means

Smart supplementation looks like this:

• Simple, not overwhelming

• Consistent, not extreme

• Focused on long-term support

It means choosing supplements that:

• Fit your routine

• Support your lifestyle

• Are high quality and transparent

It also means listening to your body and adjusting when needed.

The Mayo Clinic reinforces that supplements are most effective when combined with healthy eating and lifestyle habits:https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle

How Lenura Thinks About Food and Supplements

At Lenura, we don’t believe in “either-or.”

We believe in:

• Food as the foundation

• Supplements as support

• Routines over extremes

• Long-term health over quick fixes

That balance is what creates sustainable wellness.

Final Takeaway

So, is it better to get nutrients from food or supplements?

Food comes first. Always.

But smart supplementation can help support your body in a modern world where food alone doesn’t always cover everything.

When food and supplements work together, health becomes simpler, not more complicated.