Today, nutrition alone is often no longer enough. Physician Dr. Simon Feldhaus explains why supplementation makes sense, what really matters when choosing products — and what sustainable health truly means.
Dr. med. Simon Feldhaus
Specialist in General Medicine
Chief Physician Paramed Group
Long-standing cooperation partner of POWERLIFE®
Question 01
What role do micronutrients play in today's healthcare?
Even if politicians and media repeatedly emphasize that a balanced diet is sufficient, this is simply not true. Many factors such as soil degradation, long delivery and storage times of food, improper preparation, or high consumption due to stress and medication mean that the increased demand cannot be met by diet alone.
Well-documented examples in studies include vitamin D and omega-3 — very few people achieve the necessary amounts here. But other micronutrients are also frequently deficient. Therefore, supplementation is necessary and recommended for maintaining health and preventing diseases and premature aging.
“Supplementation is necessary and recommended today for the prevention of diseases and premature aging.”
— Dr. med. Simon FeldhausQuestion 02
How important is a holistic approach to nutrient supply compared to individual isolated substances?
Micronutrients often work in synergy within the body. Isolated nutrients cannot replace the complex effect of a nutrient matrix from natural foods. Coordinated combinations are optimal — humans, as a multi-substance system, also require a sensible combination of several micronutrients.
At the same time, it is important to note that interactions between individual micronutrients are possible, especially at higher dosages — for example, between zinc and selenium.
Question 03
Why is this holistic approach so important — are there specific examples?
Many micronutrients only work correctly when they interact with each other. A well-known example: Vitamin D can only be activated and thus become effective if sufficient magnesium is present. The individual administration of micronutrients simply does not do justice to this interplay.
Isolated nutrients can even promote imbalances in certain circumstances. Concrete examples from practice: If an existing B12 deficiency is treated with very high doses of folic acid, this can mask the symptoms of anemia, while nerve damage due to the B12 deficiency progresses unnoticed. And an excessive intake of beta-carotene increases the risk of lung cancer — this is also well documented.
Important to know: Vitamin D can only be activated if sufficient magnesium is present. Those who supplement in isolation may fall short — or in individual cases even cause harm.
Question 04
What should be paid particular attention to when it comes to high-quality micronutrient products?
In addition to the composition and dosage of the substances used, the galenics — meaning the preparation and formulation — are particularly crucial. This significantly influences bioavailability, ideally improving it. Equally important is the quality of the raw materials: stability and protection against oxidation play a major role here.
Certain additives used in the production of tablets must be carefully considered — titanium dioxide, for example, which is still used as a whitening agent, is a critically discussed example. Ultimately, the decisive factors for a micronutrient product are: composition, bioavailability, and the harmlessness of potential additives or colorants.
Question 05
What disadvantages do you see in traditional tablets or capsules?
The problem with capsules lies in the necessary excipients — separating or binding agents, as well as potential colorants. Fillers are often necessary to bring tablets or capsules to the desired size and shape. Furthermore, flavors and sweeteners can be used to mask the inherent taste of vitamins or minerals — these, in turn, bring their own problems: intolerances, interactions, and more.
A high-quality micronutrient preparation is characterized by the absence of unnecessary colorants, flavorings, and preservatives. The criterion of bioavailability remains absolutely central — as does the stability of the ingredients, so that effectiveness is not impaired by storage.
“A high-quality micronutrient preparation is characterized by the absence of unnecessary colorants, flavorings, and preservatives.”
— Dr. med. Simon FeldhausQuestion 06
What do you observe in patients in everyday life — what are the most common mistakes?
Too often, micronutrients are taken indiscriminately and without control. Many people supply themselves with freely available dietary supplements without advice or supervision — and take them unsystematically. This is often ineffective or can lead to overdoses in the case of B vitamins, such as vitamin B6.
However, ineffective dosages are very often the actual issue. Despite the ease of obtaining information via the internet today, the level of knowledge among the general population can be considered deficient. The individual situation is particularly given too little consideration — and interactions with medications being taken are generally not considered at all, for example, when taking contraceptives.
The most common mistakes: Undifferentiated intake without advice, ineffective dosages, and a lack of consideration for interactions with medications — all of which reduce effectiveness or, in the worst case, can cause harm.
Question 07
In your opinion, what is the most sustainable factor for long-term health?
The basis for sustainable health is always lifestyle: sufficient exercise, biologically wholesome nutrition, stress reduction, and adequate sleep. The enjoyment factor should also play a big role in everyday life — the joy of life is an important health factor.
"Mens sana in corpore sano" is and remains a fundamental principle. Micronutrients make an important contribution to maintaining health on this basis — but they by no means replace a self-responsible lifestyle.
“Mens sana in corpore sano is and remains a fundamental principle. Micronutrients make an important contribution — but they by no means replace a self-responsible lifestyle.”
— Dr. med. Simon FeldhausQuestion 08
Can you recommend POWERLIFE® products in this context?
POWERLIFE® products are very well coordinated for their respective application areas and have been created in a highly effective galenic form. Therefore, I can effectively recommend them.
Question 09
What do you particularly value when assessing such products — and to what extent does POWERLIFE® meet these criteria?
For me, the quality of the raw materials comes first, followed by a well-thought-out composition and an optimally coordinated dosage — always within the framework of legal requirements. Equally crucial is the correct galenics, so that the nutrients can be absorbed by the body in the best possible way.
From my point of view, POWERLIFE® products convincingly meet precisely these requirements.
“Quality of raw materials, well-thought-out composition, optimal dosage, correct galenics — POWERLIFE® convincingly meets precisely these requirements.”
— Dr. med. Simon FeldhausAbout Dr. med. Simon Feldhaus
Dr. Simon Feldhaus is a physician with a focus on integrative medicine and a long-standing cooperation partner of POWERLIFE®. In his daily practice, he provides holistic care to patients — with a special focus on micronutrient supply, prevention, and lifestyle medicine.