Personalized Supplement Guide: What Does Your Body Actually Need?

In a world overflowing with supplement trends, social media claims, and one-size-fits-all solutions, knowing what your body actually needs can feel overwhelming. At BIÂN, Dr. Ben Schuff brings clarity, rigor, and personalization to supplement care—helping members move away from guesswork and toward intentional, evidence-informed protocols that truly support their health goals.

As a licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND), Illinois Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN), Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), and Licensed Acupuncturist, Dr. Ben offers a rare depth of expertise across nutrition science, medicinal botanicals, mushrooms, and professional-grade supplementation.

We sat down with Dr. Ben to talk about his approach to supplement reviews, common misconceptions, and what clients can expect from a one-on-one consultation.

What makes your approach to supplement reviews unique, and how does your naturopathic background shape the way you build personalized protocols?

Naturopathic doctors are trained to bridge Western medicine with integrative and functional modalities, Dr. Ben explains. That means understanding which products are actually supported by evidence—and whether they’re appropriate for a specific individual.

He sees many clients who arrive with long lists of supplements accumulated over time—often driven by targeted marketing or social media trends rather than true need.
Frequently, there’s overlap in function or products that simply aren’t relevant anymore, he notes. My role is to bring a critical eye, simplify where possible, and ensure every supplement has a clear purpose.

When someone comes in for an Initial Supplement Review, what does the assessment process look like?

Supplements are inherently supplemental, Dr. Ben emphasizes. They’re secondary to the foundations of health.

An Initial Supplement Review functions much like a comprehensive intake. Dr. Ben looks at the full picture—lifestyle, nutrition, stress, sleep, and health history—so any recommendations are made in the right context. Supplements are never positioned as a replacement for the basics, but as targeted support once those foundations are addressed.

When appropriate, objective testing—such as a micronutrient panel—can be used to assess adequacy of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, metabolites, and fatty acids in both circulation and storage.
That data helps inform whether supplementation is truly needed, and if so, which nutrients will be most impactful.

Clients leave with clarity: a refined supplement plan, an understanding of why each product is recommended, and a clear roadmap aligned with their goals.

What common issues or misconceptions do you see in people’s current supplement routines?

The biggest misconception? Treating supplements as the primary modality for health.

When supplements are framed as the main solution, that’s often a mistake, Dr. Ben says. They’re meant to support healthy habits and core systems—not replace them.

While certain herbs or specialty supplements can be incredibly helpful for specific symptoms, marketing can sometimes overpromise.
That’s where evidence, clinical experience, and discernment matter. Not everything advertised is realistic—or necessary.

Dr. Ben’s approach is intentionally conservative: concise protocols, minimal redundancy, and professional-grade products used only when there’s a clear, individualized need.

How can a well-designed supplement protocol support meaningful improvements in health?

When used skillfully, supplements can help bridge gaps—supporting metabolism, meeting nutritional needs when diet alone falls short, and reinforcing healthy systems already in place.

Nutrients drive metabolic activity, Dr. Ben explains. When supplementation is thoughtful and precise, clients often feel more balanced, more supported, and more confident that what they’re taking is actually working for them.

The goal isn’t “more”—it’s simpler, cleaner, and more effective.

The Takeaway

A supplement protocol should never be generic—and it should never feel overwhelming. Dr. Ben Schuff’s one-on-one Supplement Review Consultations at BIÂN are designed to cut through the noise, uncover root causes, and deliver a streamlined, personalized strategy that gives your body the strongest opportunity to heal, restore, and thrive.

If you’re ready to refine your approach and make your supplements work for you—not against you—this is where clarity begins.

Please note that Dr. Ben’s Supplement Review is exclusively available to BIÂN members. Explore membership and apply here.