7 Body Boosting Supplements for Amazing Health - Examiner

 I was never a big fan of taking supplements. I was a purist in a sense. Believing we could only give our bodies what it needed with whole organic foods and drinks.  I don't recall where the shift happened, but in the past two years I have become a big fan and advocate of taking high quality, backed by research, high performing supplementation.  Gone are the days where our soil and crops are tended to in an organic and nourishing way.  We can no longer receive the proper nourishment our bodies deserve by food alone.  

Below are my all time favorite top 7 supplements I take and suggest to my clients and patients.  These are the general supplements that could work for anyone looking to rev up their health, digestive track and energy levels.  

Fish Oil- starts with sourcing oils from fresh, cold water, wild caught fish.  It has been shown to support cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, supports healthy brain and nervous system function, strengthens eye health and supports brain development in fetus/newborns.  Look for formulas that have EPA-DHA Omega-3 fatty acids as these are vital for healthy nervous system function. 

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Vitamin D- helps the body absorb calcium, which we need for strong healthy bones and musculoskeletal health. Since our bodies make small amounts of vitamin D we are encouraged to find it from other sources.  It's not as easy as lying out in the sun and soaking up some rays.  There are so many factors that fall into play like time of day, season and location.  The easiest way is to take a vitamin D supplement in capsule or liquid form.  Vitamin D has been shown to support bone and dental health, immune function, cardiovascular health, healthy mood, normal fetal development and healthy glucose metabolism.  Be sure to have your Vitamin D levels checked to determine your correct dosage.  Look for Vitamin D3 NOT D2 as the D2 option is synthetic and not recognized by our bodies; I take a vitamin D3 5000.

Daily Multi-Vitamin- hands down one of the best things you can do for your body is to take a high quality multi-vitamin.  It's like giving your body a solid insurance policy. Do your research and shop around for the right one for YOUR body.  All-too-often people are sold a 'quality' vitamin or supplement, simply to take it and have it pass right through their system.  I take and absolutely love PhytoMulti by Metagenics.  It is a professional grade formula and can only be sold by certified medical practitioners.  I purchase mine through two incredible integrative doctors, Dr. Mark Hymanand Dr. Lynese Lawson. She is a fantastic integrative doctor in the Vienna/Tyson's Corner area of Northern Virginia.

CoQ10- Everyone on the planet needs to be on CoQ10 (especially if your doctor has put you on a statin drug). It is a vital component of the mitochondria, the energy-producing units of cells in our bodies.  Did you know that the cells in our hearts couldn't function without CoQ10? As we age the CoQ10 in our bodies naturally decline! This makes taking a CoQ10 supplement absolutely vital in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system, immune system and helps support anti-aging.

Probiotic- Helps to maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora. They are healthy bacteria that bring healing nutrients to the gut.  If you suffer from bloating, constipation, IBS, leaky gut syndrome and digestive discomfort (especially after meals) a probiotic could be your new best friend.  Depending on the strain probiotics support lactose digestion, bowel regularity, inflammation, and are a must if taking antibiotics which changes the level of our gut flora, irritating our bowels.  I currently use Ultra Flora Plus and it works great. 

5-HTP- this bad boy has been a universal blessing to me!  I used to suffer from insomnia for years, which messed with my moods and cognitive function.  Not anymore! 5-HTP helps to support restful sleep, healthy mood and it even regulates your appetite.  It is generally known as folate and is a water-soluble B vitamin.  If you are a big consumer of processed and cooked foods your likely getting inadequate levels of folate.  How many of us have eaten and felt tired or sleepy after?  That's not good as food is supposed to energize us.  A good folate intake will help with a healthy and energized mood.  

i5- I am head over heels in love with i5 from Xymogen.  After my usual morning green juice or smoothie I make a quick i5 shake.  i5 has been shown to improve body composition, immune function, improve inflammation, support intestinal health, and supports detoxification.  It includes pea and rice protein making it free of gluten and lactose. It's also a great source of soluble fiber.  You can read more about it here and purchase it here. 

To your RADIANT health!