I probably could survive without taking my daily vitamins, but I don’t really want to. Especially since doing so would require me to eat a perfectly varied and balanced diet every day without fail, and let’s be honest, it’s tough to do this religiously.
Shockingly enough, I eat pizza occasionally, burgers too. I know neither of these food favorites tends to have much nutritional value. Hence, my saving grace, chewable and gulp-able supplements, rich with all those minerals and vitamins missing from our pepperoni slices of heaven.
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1. Life Extension’s Two A Day
Even if you’re eating right on a consistent basis, are you getting enough sun? Vitamin D is not only free to all earthly beings but it’s fairly easy to get your daily dose, assuming you live on a tropical island or in an eternal summer. Unfortunately, that is not the reality for most of us. I’m from Boston originally, so right away I know I don’t get nearly enough sun. That’s where a multi-vitamin comes in handy. Most brands not only have vitamin D but the whole vitamin alphabet (vitamin A, B6, B12, C, E), in addition to calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and folic acid to name a few.
The thing to be wary of is that most generic brands don’t contain the potency of vitamins we need for optimal health.
I used to just take Centrum Multivitamins and consider myself healthy, but what I didn’t realize was how small the doses of nutrients were compared to other brands. Not to mention they’re made from artificial ingredients with poor bioavailability, meaning they’re less absorbable.
That’s why I wanted to start with Life Extension’s Two-Per-Day capsules. They contain the highest nutritional potencies of any science-based multivitamin formula with fifty times more vitamin B1, twenty-five times more vitamin B6, twelve times more vitamin B12, eight times more vitamin C, twice the amount of Vitamin D, three times more vitamin E, ten times more biotin, and twice as much zinc. Not to mention they’re made with the highest quality nutrients and are bioavailable.
** Disclaimer: Your pee may turn neon yellow but this is perfectly normal and completely harmless. It is only due to the excessive amounts of B12!
2. Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract (Immune Formula)
Ever since COVID-19 first hit, we’ve all been more concerned with our immunity. That’s why I’ve been raving to all my loved ones about the Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract (Immune Formula).
I have a friend who studied holistic nutrition and she swears by these. I normally average 1-2 head colds a year, and they’re especially brutal in the winter. She told me since taking these so-called magic vitamins, she hasn’t fallen ill in years. Only once did she develop sniffles before immediately taking her two capsules, and her symptoms had cleared by morning. I almost didn’t believe her, but figured it would be wise to experiment with this magic myself before calling her out on her lies.
As it turns out, I never got to call my friend a liar, because she was right. Those vitamins are magic and I haven’t stressed about illness since I started taking them back in 2018. That’s not to say I’ve never been sick because sometimes I do myself the courtesy of forgetting to take them at all. However, when I take them consistently my sick days are far and few between. So depending on how much you like your job, perhaps these vitamins are a good choice for you too.
In addition to immunity, they aid in digestive support, inflammation, and detoxification. It also helps to know that these vitamins are non-GMO, fully organic, and have been aged for 20 months to boost dietetic value and remove odors, so you don’t have to worry about garlic breath either!
3. Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Fish Oil Soft Gels
My only regret is that I didn’t start taking the Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Fish Oils sooner. When I was young I always struggled in school and even as an adult I have a hard time focusing. Most days my brain feels like it’s resting in dense layers of fog. That was until my holistic nutritionist friend made yet another helpful recommendation. By that point, she had already earned my trust with her magic immunity capsules, so I was willing to spend the extra money to test these bad boys out too.
I always knew omega-3 fatty acids helped with the brain’s structure and ability to perform, but I never anticipated the differences being this apparent. Since taking these daily, I no longer have brain fog, just crystal clear thinking. An added benefit is that these soft gels increase heart and eye health, improve immunity, and strengthen your hair and nails.
4. Earth Echo Collagen Peptides
Our bodies naturally produce lower amounts of collagen as we age, that’s why I love having this dissolvable, pure, grass-fed collagen peptides powder in either hot or cold water every morning. It also makes for a great addition to a smoothie or even baked goods.
This supplement is a godsend for anyone craving healthier hair, skin, or nails. I’ve already received dozens of compliments on my hair and have had friends asking me what I’ve been doing to get it to grow so fast. It also promotes gut health, healthier bones and joints, strengthens the immune system, and aids in a better night’s sleep. Even if this is the only thing I have for breakfast it keeps me feeling full for hours, and it’s nice to know that I’m not just filling myself with empty calories.
5. Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
Everyone knows there are amazing health benefits to apple cider vinegar such as regulating PH balance in the body, detoxifying, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, improving insulin sensitivity, decreasing cancer risk, weight loss, and if that wasn’t enough it also has anti-aging properties.
The one downside about apple cider vinegar is the taste. Not many people enjoy downing a few tablespoons of any sort of vinegar, even if it is diluted with water. That’s why Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies are the next best thing. They provide all the same health benefits but in tastier form thanks to their special organic apple, carrot, and blackcurrant formula. I look forward to them every morning almost like I’m eating gummy bears.
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Of course, there are many other incredible vitamins and supplements out there, but these are the essentials that I take with me wherever I go. I no longer make blind purchases and instead try to make sure that I pay attention to quality, nutritional potency, bioavailability, how it’s produced, who produces it (beware of large pharmaceutical corporations), and even the process of getting it to my doorstep.
At the end of the day, our health is the most important investment we could ever make, which is why spending a little more to ensure the best quality is absolutely worth it.
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Photo by Caju Gomes on Unsplash
**This post may contain affiliate links
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