Answer: To be on the safe side, see a doctor to make sure that you are in good health. I highly suggest that you try a consistent format of eating whole foods.

I recommend numerous nutritional supplements to clients but recommend that they first master the art of eating balanced meals for a solid foundation. My mother and I were recently talking about how as she has become older, she eats less and less. Since she got into her mid- to late-50s and now early 60s, I have seen her lose weight and suffer from low energy.

I first sent her cans of protein, told her to get more sleep and eat more food.

She followed my advice for a few weeks and noticed a positive difference. However, she was still a little frail and underweight.

She finally admitted that she hadn't been eating meals but rather drinking the protein shakes and only small junk-food snacks here and there. I sent her an easy-to-follow meal plan that had her eating three simple/balanced whole food meals a day with a protein shake in between those meals.

She ate brown rice, oatmeal, chicken breast, egg whites, fish, broccoli, spinach and lots of water.

Week after week, she noticed an increase in her energy levels and healthy weight. This is a real-life example of how supplements without a consistent, healthy eating format are not as effective.

Now that she has balanced out her eating and gets extra protein and other nutrients from her protein shakes, she is feeling like her "old" self again. Your first step is to eat a balanced meal every two to three hours, exercise at least 4 days a week and get ample sleep. This will get you all the nutrients needed for increased energy and a healthy, vibrant body.

As far as supplements go, don't get too caught up on them because nothing is better than quality food. For general health and body maintenance, most people only need a quality protein/meal replacement shake, a multi-vitamin based on their specific needs and healthy oils such as flaxseed oil.

Contact personal trainer Dave Patania by e-mail: davpatania@aol.com