Americans are bombarded by commercials, articles, internet ads and even television shows, all of them telling us which pill or supplement we should take to either cure an ailment, prevent a disease or keep us from aging. Those of us trying to live healthy tend to believe that “prevention is the best medicine,” so we stick with healthy habits by eating right, taking the right supplements and avoiding prescription and over-the-counter medications when possible.

Most doctors and experts agree that even healthy American diets no longer include all of the nutrients we need. Plus, we know that in today’s fast-paced society, we are not going to eat “perfect” diets all of the time. Even if we did, there would still be concerns about pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metal toxicity and loss of nutrients in fruits and vegetables if not eaten at the peak of their ripeness.

In addition to a high-quality multivitamin, we suggest the following three supplements as essential supplements for helping to keep us healthy and vibrant.

OMEGA-3 Fatty Acid – Omega 3’s are known to help with heart health, cholesterol, inflammation, brain function, and slowing the aging process. A high quality, animal based omega 3 is the best choice for most people. Since most of our oceans are contaminated, fatty fish can be risky if eaten in large quantities. Krill Oil is recommended by many experts, including Dr. Mercola. These fish are so small that absorption of heavy metals is not an issue. They are also loaded with high-quality antioxidants that help keep the Omega 3’s from being damaged by oxidation from the air. Taking 500 to 1000 mg of a high quality Omega 3 per day is recommended by most health experts.

PROBIOTIC (Good Bacteria) – You can get enough probiotics through diet alone, but unfortunately many of the pre-packaged sources (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) are loaded with sugars and preservatives. If you don’t consume the organic, sugar-free, preservative-free versions regularly, you can supplement in pill or liquid form. Probiotics are especially helpful at keeping your gut healthy. Toxins, antibiotics and poor diet can wreak havoc on your digestive system and strip it of good bacteria that protects you from irritation and disease. Adding a probiotic to your daily regimen can help keep your digestive system healthy and functioning properly. Select a high-quality probiotic. If you have a chronic illness, consult with your physician before starting a probiotic supplement.

B COMPLEX – B Complex vitamins play an essential role in the proper functioning of most of your body’s systems. This supplement consists of Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, plus the vitamins Biotin, Choline and Inositol. Most people know of the energy benefits associated with the B Vitamins, but these vitamins are also essential for a healthy nervous system, good digestion, healthy skin, hair and nails. A deficiency in the B vitamins can result in digestive problems, lack of energy, dry skin, dermatitis, wrinkles, acne, falling hair and weak, splitting nails. It is important that you get all of the B vitamins listed above, because they work closely with one another. A deficiency in one or more of the B vitamins decreases the effectiveness of the others even if those others are in good supply. B Vitamins are water soluble, so overdose is not a concern. Make sure you buy a high quality B Complex vitamin and then supplement with an individual B vitamin if you need or have been advised to take more. 

People who value their health and are interested in doing what they can to stay healthy, or want to re-gain health, can become overwhelmed by the number of supplements on the market and the many recommendations that come with them. There are definitely other supplements on the market that are beneficial, but this is a good place to start. These basic supplements, along with a sound diet and exercise program, will put you on the right track to staying fit and healthy. 

Sources:

http://www.medicinenet.com/probiotics/article.htm

http://www.mercola.com/article/omega3.htm

http://www.healthandgoodness.com/article/vitamin-b-complex-and-health.html