Supplements 101
What basic supplements should you be taking?
Even with a “perfect” diet, there are still vitamins we need that we can’t get from food. Supplements are essential to our biochemistry and metabolism. There’s a lot of noise out there on the countless supplements available in the market and which ones to take. I think the ones below are good to have in the rotation and a good place to start if you’re interested in sprucing up your morning routine (and your health).
High-Quality Multivitamin: This is your catchall. Your safety net, if you will. A good multivitamin contains essential vitamins and minerals to help fill nutritional gaps and support a little bit of everything: brain, eye, heart, and bone health; liver, bladder, and kidney function; healthy muscle tissue and immune function.
Vitamin D3 with K2: Vitamin D helps regulate your immune system, aids in calcium absorption, and plays a role in mood regulation. Why D3? Compared to D2, vitamin D3 is 87% more potent, has a longer half-life, and is more effective. K2 is the most underrated nutrient for heart health and reduces risk of heart disease. Why should they be combined? Taking Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K2 helps to ensure the calcium transported by the Vitamin D is absorbed by your bones where it's needed, rather than accumulating in deposits in your arteries.
Omega-3: Omega-3s are essential fatty acids proven to have cardiovascular & neurological benefits and can lower instances of many diseases. Our bodies don’t produce Omega-3s, so we have to get them from food or supplements. Most people don’t get enough from diet alone. These have powerful anti-inflammatory benefits that can improve cognitive function as well as eye, heart, joint, immune, and mental health.
Magnesium: Magnesium can relieve headaches, stress, anxiety, sore muscles, insomnia, and boost production of antioxidants like glutathione. It also aids in bone and heart health. Magnesium is an essential mineral that is required for 80% of the body’s metabolic functions, so when your stores are low, you may not feel your best.
High-Quality Probiotic: Your gut microbiome impacts everything from your digestive & immune systems to your brain function & mood. A probiotic helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome and rebalances gut bacteria (we want more good than bad). It also helps to digest & absorb nutrients, boost immune function, and relieve digestive issues.
My Favorite Brands: Athletic Greens, Parsley Health, Seed, Cymbiotika.
