Let’s Get Real About Vitamins & Supplements

I’ve literally talked about this so many times in the past week that I’m beginning to annoy myself but I’ve been SICK. (If you’ve been following me on Instagram and read my newsletter this week – I’m sorry you have to hear about it again!)  

I’ve had the fever, the runny nose, the cough, the headache, the lack of energy – the whole nine yards. I really thought I was getting better but then I relapsed and got even sicker than before.

It’s been an absolute mess.

So in the spirit of taking my health back, I decided to write a post about some of my favorite vitamins and supplements. (No Flintstones chewies for this girl!)

Before I start, let me just emphasize that you really need to consult your doctor before taking any of these vitamins. Some medications and vitamins counteract. AKA: don’t take them together. I’m not a doctor (nor do I want to be!) but these are just things that work for me. I encourage you to do your own research and talk to your own doctor about which vitamins are best for YOUR body.  Everyone’s body is so different and we all require a little more love in different areas!

My reason for taking vitamins is super simple. I just feel better. I’m a huge advocate for doing what feels best for my body regardless if I look crazy carrying around a little baggie of vitamins in my purse.

I try to keep the number of vitamins that I take a minimum. I got caught in the trap of thinking that I needed to take 10 -12 different vitamins a day. So when I went to my doctor he was very politely said to me “ummm..what the….You don’t need any of this.”

He doesn’t have the warmest bedside manner but sometimes I just need to hear it straight up.

By keeping a healthy diet (read: semi-healthy diet), exercising and getting enough time outdoors, I i really only need to take a few vitamins a day. As my lifestyle changes, I might take an additional supplement or take something out. It’s really important to be consistent with taking vitamins and supplements but it’s as equally important to switch things up.

I purchase all of my vitamins on either Amazon or iherb.com. If you haven’t heard of iherb.com, be prepared to be mind-blown. They seriously have the BEST prices and they have a points system. So you actually get a small percentage back after each purchase that you can use towards your next purchase. They have free shipping in the US for purchases over 35 dollars! They don’t sell just vitamins either. I’ve purchased some non-perishable items from them like olive oil, protein powders, teas, Himalayan salt etc etc etc. They also have beauty products, household supplies, baby products and so so so much more. Definitely, check them out! (Totalllllly not sponsored – just love the company!)

Below is a list of vitamins that I take on a daily basis and how they help me maintain my health!

I have a really sensitive stomach so I take all my vitamins with a meal or within the hour of eating. Just a preference of mine so listen to your body!

Magnesium

Dosage: 2x a day with a meal (usually breakfast and dinner)

This is my magic pill. I struggle with anxiety and I kid you not – this has helped me TREMENDOUSLY. The physical symptoms of anxiety were so overwhelming for me. I would constantly feel tightness in my shoulders and just all over my body. After taking magnesium consistently for a few months, I noticed that the tightness and stress headaches were less frequent. Magnesium plays a huge role in our nervous system (Hello? Anxiety?) and can contribute to mental health issues. You can read more about it here.

Fish oil

Dosage: 1x a day with a meal

There are SO many different kinds of fish oil supplements out there. It’s pretty overwhelming which is why I would suggest speaking to your doctor about which one is right for your body. I originally started taking fish oil because I heard that it was good for your skin and nails (which it is!) but it also has a huge list of other benefits. It can even help with anxiety, ADHD, weight loss and inflammation. You can read the full list of benefits here.

Vitamin b12

Dosage: 1x a day with a meal (usually around lunchtime to combat that afternoon slump)

Vitamin b12 has really improved my energy levels and cleared some of that brain fog that I get everyone once in awhile. B12 is needed to support our adrenals, aids in our digestion, support memory and brain health – the list goes on. It’s one of the few vitamins that our bodies do not naturally produce and we need to find it through our diet. I found this fact sheet from the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, was super helpful and informative.  

Vitamin D

Dosage: 1 dropper into my coffee/water. Usually taken during breakfast.

My acupuncturist actually turned me onto liquid vitamin D. I’m not a huge fan of taking a ton of pills all at once. So this is a super simple way to add it to my morning routine. When I tell you that I don’t taste it in my coffee…I’m so serious! I just take one dropper of vitamin D and put it into my coffee and mix it with my coconut milk and a dash of cinnamon and I can hear angels singing. Did ya know that most of us are Vitamin D deficient?! I sure didn’t! It’s also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because most of it is produced through exposure to sunlight. Healthy Vitamin D levels are important for our moods, boosting our immune system and helps our body maintain strong bones. Check out this great piece about the benefits of Vitamin D.

Our bodies aren’t perfect! Sometimes our diets and lifestyles don’t provide enough nutrients that our bodies need to keep it running at its optimal levels.

I’ll do my best to continue to add to this list as I dive a bit deeper into my own wellness journey.

I hope this post was helpful!

Reach out to me if you have any questions or suggestions. 🙂

 

***DISCLAIMER: This article should not substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. If you are suffering from any medical issues, you should contact your primary care physician to see if these vitamins and supplements are right for you and your condition.***