This is a good question since many people begin taking supplements only after they have a problem, rather using them regularly to help maintain good health. In any case, there are three key supplements that I believe everyone should be taking: a multivitamin, vitamin D, and an omega-3 fatty acid product. Here’s why -
Multivitamin benefits:
According to the USDA, only 10% of Americans actually eat a good diet. If you feel that you belong to that 10%, and you’re good to go, you’re wrong. Because, according to the USDA, comparing the nutritional goals for Americans to the nutrient content of foods consumed in a 2000 calorie per day diet, there will be insufficient amounts of vitamin D, vitamin E, choline, magnesium (for men only) and potassium. So, since you’re not likely to get all of your vitamins and minerals in from a healthy diet, you should take a multivitamin on a daily basis.
My favorite multivitamin is Twinlab Daily One Caps, because:
It has a high potency of B-vitamins - good for energy and stressful days,
It also has other important nutrients added in, and
I only have to take one capsule with breakfast each day.
Vitamin D benefits:
Our primary source for vitamin D is exposure to the sun, which converts a form of cholesterol in our skin into vitamin D. Now, since most people don’t work outside like they used to, they don’t get the same exposure to the sun and as a result, vitamin D deficiency is present in 41.6 percent of the U.S. population, while vitamin D insufficiency in 77 percent of the population.
So, a daily supplement of this key nutrient makes a lot of sense when you consider that vitamin D is necessary for:
Calcium absorption,
Differentiation of cells (specialization of cells for specific functions)
Immune health, and
Insulin secretion.
Try a daily dosage of at least 50 mcg of Twinlab D3 Dots 2,000 IU. It is a mini-tablet that dissolves in your mouth, making it easy for quick absorption.
Omega-3 fatty acid benefits:
Omega-3 fatty acids are the final of the 3 most important supplements to take every day. American diets are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for cardiovascular health and to help keep environmentally-induced inflammation in check.
When it comes to omega-3 fatty acid products, I go for Twinlab’s Norwegian Cod Liver Oil because:
A single serving provides 970 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, including the two most researched ones, EPA and DHA, in comparison to common fish oil supplements that provide only about 300 mg of omega-3 fatty acids.
It is in the form of a liquid (plain, lemon and mint flavors), which is a welcome change from having to swallow so many pills.
It is a natural source of vitamins A and D, in addition to O3FA.
Even people in good health occasionally can have short-term nutrient deficiencies. Nutritional supplementation is appropriate. Some people lack the genes that code the enzymes to use folic acid. For them, methylfolate can be of some benefit. Some people simply work out too hard. There are supplements that can help reduce the burden of overexercise on the immune system. Usually if a pitch for a supplement has a lot of exclamation points or suggests you’ll die if you don’t buy a product, you can be very sure it’s marketing hype. But the fact is, vitamins are vital. You just need sometimes to replace what you aren’t getting to get the RDA. Supplements can be an effective, short-term remedy for nutritional deficits. If you are looking for the weight loss supplement product, i high recommend Leptitox.