5 Supplements I Actually Use!
The 5 Supplements I Actually Use and Frequently Reccommend!
Prenatal vitamin
In an ideal world I would be getting 100% of my nutrients from food sources. But this is reality, and we’re not perfect (and neither are our food sources). So taking a daily multi that doubles as a prenatal is my insurance.
I’m not pregnant (and won’t be any time soon) but I do plan on having kids one day, so I take this to make sure my body has ample nutrients to prepare when the time comes. The prenatal I take is packed with micronutrients like Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, magnesium, zinc, selenium and more. I like it because it helps to keep the number of daily pills I swallow to a minimum. Pregnant or not, prenatal vitamins are packed with nutrients that women need for healthy sexual and hormonal function. For the fellas, a high quality mens multi can provide the same benefit.
2. Immune-boosting medicinal mushrooms
Mushroom extracts are incredibly powerful, especially for supporting the immune system. Believe it or not, people have been using mushrooms medicinally for hundreds of years. Current research and traditional wisdom supports using medicinal mushrooms for treating cancer, improving energy levels, adapting to stress and boosting brain function. The blend I take comes from Host Defense, which I highly recommend since they responsibly source all of their mushroom products.
3. Astaxanthin
This is a new addition to my medicine cabinet but that doesn’t make it any less important. Research shows astaxanthin to be a powerful antioxidant, free-radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory with specific benefits for the eyes and skin. Oxidation and free-radicals are responsible for the inflammatory process that occurs in our bodies and can cause tissue damage and aging. If astaxanthin can help slow that process down… I say load me up!
4. Digestive bitters
Let’s face it, our GI tracts don’t always, ahem, agree with us. And if you’re prone to having a sensitive stomach like me this can happen way more frequently than you’d like to admit. Having digestive bitters on hand is proactive for those days when you know you’ll eat something that bothers your stomach. Bitters can help calm a chronically irritated tummy. They help to reduce bloating, indigestion and even improve energy.
5. High-potency probiotic
No doubt you’d heard about the need for a healthy gut microbiome at this point. Those tiny bacteria are responsible for so much more than gut health. Not only do they help with digestion, but they produce neurotransmitters that keep you happy (serotonin) and strengthen your immune system. Specific strains have been studied for everything from depression to weight loss. Sourcing is very important here! Refrigerated brands are almost always going to be better quality, and the higher the CFU (colony forming unit) count, the better. Look for ones with CFUs in the billions.
Friends, WHERE you get your supplements is just as important as WHAT you get. I can’t stress this enough. Buying your supplements from the same place you buy toilet paper is never a good idea. And if you’ve been paying attention to the news, you know that even “brand name” supplements from Amazon aren’t safe.
Thank goodness someone stepped in to give us another option.
For all my patients (and myself) I recommend setting up an account with Fullscript. Fullscript provides access to practitioner-grade, third party tested products.
If you want to stop throwing away money and start buying supplements that work, set up your account using the link below AND get 10% off anything you buy!
Here’s the link: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/drgolightlynd
If you are ready to get to the root cause of your health concerns, reach out to the EmpowerMed team of naturopathic doctors today. We take a collaborative approach to natural medicine, partnering with patients to help them achieve their unique health and wellness goals.
Contact us today at 760-456-7501 or use our booking link to schedule.
EmpowerMed Clinic is located just off the I-15 and Carroll Canyon within the Fitness Quest 10 Wellness Center of Scripps Ranch, San Diego County, CA. We serve the communities of North County San Diego, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Mira Mesa, Ramona, Scripps Ranch, Santee, and more.