Picture with me an Iceberg. . .

This iceberg represents everything we need to stay healthy. At the largest part of the iceberg, are vegetables, then fruits, proteins, carbs, healthy fats, water, and at the tip . . . supplements. They are an important part of any healthy regimen.

Because of the foods our culture eats, we need supplements to keep our bodies running in tip top shape! The SAD, Standard American Diet, can typically be chalk full of high calorie foods that offer little to no nutrition. Even if we were to eat the healthiest diet possible, we would find we are still deficient in nutrients. There are many different reasons for this. Among them is the fact that our soil is being depleted. Plus, a lot of our foods are processed and genetically modified which can affect the nutrient quality. If that weren’t enough, there are toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis that deplete our bodies of nutrition. It is no wonder we need supplements!

Some of the most beneficial supplements we can give our bodies every day are a multivitamin, fish oil, and vitamin D3. The higher the quality, the better they are for us! Supplements in the U.S. are not regulated by the government like our food, so we want to make sure they are made with good quality ingredients. Generally the cheaper the supplement, the poorer the ingredient quality. That can result in the body not being able to digest the supplements properly or at all! Cheaply made supplements can also have added fillers, colors, allergens, or toxins (like mercury or lead), which are never good!

Below we will discuss the three most beneficial supplements in more detail. . .

Multi-vitamin:

There are 13 different vitamins that our bodies need in order to function at their very best! They are vitamins C, A, D, E, K, and the B vitamins, plus trace minerals and fatty acids. (It is good for men to add electrolytes to this list, too). These vitamins offer many benefits for our bodies. They help us maintain strong bones, fight diseases and aging, and help stabilize our hormones.

Above we addressed some of the reasons a person might experience nutrient deficiencies.

But, there are more . . .

Women:  For women, some other factors are low socioeconomic status, being over the age of 65, being of reproductive age, being underweight or eating too few calories a day, or being a vegetarian or vegan. 

Men:  Some of the other risk factors for men are eating an unhealthy diet, being elderly, having a family history of deficiencies, being of low socioeconomic status, or taking medications that block the effects of some vitamins.

 For general wellness, unless your health care provider states otherwise, just follow the directions on the package as far as dosing goes. Metagenics PhytoMulti capsules are a smart choice for a multivitamin. You can find them on our online store. The dosage for this brand is 1-3 capsules per day. These capsules are vegetarian friendly.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA):

Healthy fats can improve your mood, skin, hair, nails, and protect your body from inflammation which can lead to disease. They can also prevent blood clots and lower cholesterol. A good recommendation is to take 1,000 mg of fish oil one to two times per day or as your doctor prescribes. A good quality fish oil should have a 300/200 ratio of EPA/DHA. For a high quality fish oil check out the OmegaGenics fish oil (liquid or capsules) made by the trusted company, Metagenics.

Vitamin D:

Up to 80% of people today don’t get enough Vitamin D from their diet or supplements. Vitamin D can keep our brains healthy, prevent depression, help men produce testosterone, and help women balance their hormones. The best form is Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 and prescription Vitamin D generally aren’t good choices and may not work as well. Monitor your vitamin D levels with your doctor. The average daily dose for maintenance for most people is 1,000 to 2,000 IU a day. Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 liquid is a good option to use!

We hope this information was helpful. Check out our online store for all of your supplement needs. If you have any questions or helpful tips please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!