When you start looking for alternative health options, you will probably find yourself Googling a lot. The one thing you will quickly learn is there is a lot of information and A LOT of opinions out there about what to do and not do. One area this can be particularly confusing is with supplements. There are so many different supplements available and many different supplement companies. All of this information can be overwhelming. This is why it’s so important to find a doctor who you trust and whose first reaction is to not prescribe you a bunch of medications you may or may not need. It’s also important to find a doctor who does not recommend a bunch of supplements that may not be helpful to you.
Disclaimer: Please talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you are taking other medications.
What Supplements Should I Take?
While this is a highly personal question that depends on a variety of factors, there are certain supplements that most everyone can benefit from taking. Ideally, we would get all of our nutrients from the food we eat, but this is not realistic for many people due to lack of time or poor-quality food. This is where supplements can come in to fill the gaps.
Multivitamin
A high-quality multivitamin is an easy way to get started with supplements. If you are already eating a healthy diet, a multivitamin can fill in any gaps due to poorer food quality or dietary preferences.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a supplement that most people should probably take daily. It is an important mineral in our bodies, and most of us are deficient in it. Foods that are high in fiber generally contain magnesium. Low magnesium levels have been linked to a variety of health issues. If you suffer from constipation, this supplement may provide relief.
Omega-3
This supplement is best known for heart health. High omega-3 levels have been linked to low risk of heart disease, blood clots and blocked arteries.
Probiotics
Much of our body’s bacteria resides in our gut. Having a healthy and functioning gut is important for both digestive health and immunity. There are a lot of different kinds of probiotics out there, so be sure to ask your doctor which one is best for you.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important vitamin for bone health. This vitamin isn’t as easy to get from foods as some other vitamins, so most of us can benefit from taking this supplement.
Vitamin C
Another important vitamin is Vitamin C. This vitamin can be found in many fruits and vegetables. You may take it when you feel a cold coming on, but I recommend taking a daily Vitamin C supplement for immune health, skin health and strong bones.
These are just a few supplements that we could all benefit from taking daily. Next time you speak with your doctor, bring up supplements and ask which ones would be beneficial for you to take. Dr. Rueda practices functional medicine in Maple Grove, MN.