Four vitamin supplements everyone should take

Supplements are a part of many people’s daily lives. They contribute to our health, but also leave us with a lot of questions. Which supplements are best? What do they actually do? What are the most affordable options?

“Supplements are a smart addition to a healthy lifestyle,” says Dr. Luke Bucci, a certified clinical nutritionist and researcher at Schiff Nutrition. “The health aisle of your local drug store holds a large amount of options that can be confusing.”

Bucci says that just because a supplement is expensive doesn’t mean it’s the best one. “Some of the highest quality, most beneficial supplements are actually quite affordable, if you know what to look for,” he comments. If you want the best supplements for both your health and your wallet, Bucci recommends you consider the following four:

1. Multivitamins “A multivitamin should be taken on a daily basis and helps ensure the body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy,” says Bucci. “This is especially important if you’re not eating a well-rounded diet. A multivitamin can help fill in the gaps that your daily intake of food is not.”

Look for options that are tailored to your age group, such as multivitamins for women or for those 50-plus. At just a few cents a day, multivitamins are one of the most affordable ways to help maintain good health.

2. Probiotics Can bacteria be good for us? Yes it can, if it’s the right kind. “Probiotics are bacteria that we can ingest in supplement form that help keep the natural balance within our digestive systems,” says Bucci. “Some studies have shown that probiotics can restore normal bowel function, prevent infections in the digestive tract and even help the immune system.”

When looking for a probiotic supplement, try to find one that has Lactobacillus acidophilus and/or Bifidobacterium bifidus human strains. These will be the most beneficial.

3. Omega-3 fatty acids An omega-3 supplement is a great way to improve your heart health and maintain good triglyceride levels. Fish oil pills are the most popular way to get this important fatty acid and provide several cardiovascular benefits.

But new research has discovered other omega-3 options. “For many reasons, krill oil has demonstrated itself as a better source of omega-3,” says Bucci. “Krill are tiny shrimp-like crustaceans that inhabit the cold ocean areas of the world.”

Bucci notes that krill oil contains essential omega-3 fatty acids, but these are chemically linked together in a different form — a more soluble structure that is easily absorbed by our bodies.

“Just one krill oil softgel, about the size of a coffee bean, lowers C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels better than three large fish oil softgels. CRP is recognized as a key marker of cardiovascular health. The lower your CRP, the healthier your heart. And with krill oil, you have the benefits of omega-3 without the fishy smell or aftertaste,” says Bucci.

4. Antioxidants Antioxidants the body needs to stay healthy are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. Since most of us do not eat enough of this fresh food group, an antioxidant supplement is a good idea. “Antioxidants are a great way to keep the body feeling great and ward off sickness,” Bucci comments.

To get a boost of antioxidants, try taking 1,000 mg Vitamin C daily. Women should also consider adding calcium and Vitamin D.

With this information, shoppers can be more knowledgeable as to which supplements are right from them and be able to navigate the vitamin aisle with greater ease.