My Daily Supplements

As a pharmacist I often get asked about what supplements to take during Covid-19 with a follow up question of  how to remember to actually take those vitamins amidst all the chaos that is 2020. This is a pretty loaded question, but I’ve got some answers!

First off I would like to say that maintaining a proper diet is KEY! We can get all the nutrients we need from our food, but then again this is 2020. This year everyone gets a free pass, let’s talk vitamins!

Here are my Top Five Recommendations;

Vitamin C: this water soluble vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that is essential for collagen synthesis and limiting the effects of free radicals. The most common dosage is 500mg tablets, I recommend taking this with a meal. 

Vitamin D: this vitamin is essential for bone health and research is showing that it plays an important role in immunity. In addition, studies are showing that a high percentage of the population are low or deficient in this vitamin. It is always good to get a baseline level of vitamin d before supplementing, but a good dosage to start out will be between 400-1000 IU. 

Probiotic: there have been multiple studies showing the link between the gut and the immune system. Probiotics lead to better digestion, and are especially important when taking antibiotics as they restore the good bacteria in the body. I take this on a regular basis because I don’t eat a lot of fermented foods or yogurt, but if you do eat those foods then this could be skipped.

Fish Oil: some of the benefits of fish oil include; increased immunity, a positive effect on mood, and skin benefits. Additionally there are heart health benefits such as improving cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure and overall reducing some of the risks of heart disease. 

Multivitamin: a good multivitamin can bridge the gap between what you need and what you're missing. I like to think of it as covering my bases, if I'm eating well then I don't need it but if I’m having an off-week then I am all set. I try to select a brand that is more natural, meaning there are not a bunch of fillers or artificial ingredients. 

Often times I will change up my supplement routine, but I try to stick to these five super supplements. I don’t necessarily recommend a specific brand although I have been taking this brand for a long time. Something new that I have incorporated is using this cute little pill case and it has greatly improved my adherence.