8 Basic Supplements You Should Be Taking Today


Taking dietary supplements is necessary if you are not getting enough vitamins and minerals from the food you eat. Bear in mind, though, that these pills should not be a substitute for a nutrient-dense meal. The nutrients you get from food are more bioavailable and powerful than those found in supplements. 

Also, do not assume that taking multivitamins is a better option than taking individualized supplementation because of the belief that the former contains different nutrients. In fact, multivitamins can do more harm than good to your overall health. They actually contain too much or too little of certain nutrients, and as a result, you may consume larger amounts of some vitamins and minerals while getting insufficient doses of others. 

Moreover, multivitamins contain a significant amount of additives and fillers. These substances can decrease the absorption rate. Thus, even when you take the therapeutic dosage of each nutrient, too little will reach your cells. 

Instead of multivitamins, consider taking targeted supplementation. Here are eight essential health supplements that you must include in your diet starting today: 

1. Vitamin A 

Vitamin A is important for several bodily functions and metabolic responses. The best sources of this vitamin include organ meat like heart, kidney, and liver. 

If you are a vegetarian, you need to take vitamin A supplements because you can’t get enough of this essential vitamin from plants. Beta-carotene is not enough. 

2. Vitamin C 

Vitamin C helps with connective tissue and collagen formation. Also, it can boost your immune system and prevent free radicals from damaging your cells. Though many fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of vitamin C, this is often depleted because of certain storage and cooking methods. So supplementation is imperative, especially if you are healing from some injuries or suffering from infections. 

3. Vitamin D 

Vitamin D is known for its crucial role in calcium metabolism to make your bones strong and healthy. The best source of this vitamin is sun exposure, especially in the early morning. But if you don’t go outdoors on a regular basis, vitamin D supplementation is necessary. Don’t worry about toxicity because this is impossible if you are taking enough amounts of vitamin A. 

4. Iodine 

Iodine is important in ensuring the proper functioning of your thyroid. Also, it helps prevent brain damage and boosts your immune function. 

The best source of iodine is seafood. But since it would be impossible to have seafood each meal, iodine supplementation is important. And if you engage in physical activities regularly, you will need more iodine. 

5. EPA / DHA 

EPA and DHA are essential nutrients because they maintain the healthy functioning of your brain and retina. They help with the formation of neural transmitters. 

One of the popular sources of EPA/DHA is fish oil. But if you can’t find a high-quality fish oil, Krill oil is a great alternative as it is more stable. And since it is phosphorylated, your brain can easily use it. Also, it contains astaxanthin, which is an antioxidant. 

Other best sources of EPA and DHA are wild-caught fish and grass-fed protein. Following the Bulletproof Diet is also helpful. Otherwise, you must add krill oil supplement in your diet. 

6. L-Tyrosine 

L-Tyrosine will help improve your cognitive ability, mood, glandular function, and stress response. This amino acid is also the building block for your thyroid hormone. It has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier to boost the neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine. 

Though your body can make L-Tyrosine, it is easily depleted by stressors. Thus, add pure L- Tyrosine to your diet, especially if you are dealing with different types of stress daily. 

7. Magnesium 

Magnesium helps with energy production. It is also important for DNA and RNA transcription. This is why a deficiency in magnesium is a serious matter. You can experience headaches, migraines, arrhythmias, metabolic syndrome, and muscle cramps. In fact, this is also highly associated with PMS, anxiety disorders, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes which should be properly managed. 

Because of today’s poor farming practices and rapid soil depletion, you cannot get enough magnesium from the food you eat. With that said, supplementing your diet with magnesium is a must. 

8. Zinc and Copper 

Zinc supports energy production and a healthy immune system. Since it is hard to get the right amount of zinc from food, you have to add zinc supplements to your diet. Remember as well that your body is not capable of storing zinc, so replenishing your body through daily supplementation is crucial. But for zinc to function at its best, you should take it with copper supplements. 

Supplement Smart

Today, taking health supplements is indeed important, but it’s also best to be cautious when choosing which of the many available supplements to take. There are plenty of unreliable supplement pills being sold on the market nowadays. So before taking any supplement, consult your physician first. You should work together to come up with a health and dietary supplement plan that suits your lifestyle and diet. 

Dave Asprey is the creator of the widely popular Bulletproof Coffee, host of the #1 health podcast, Bulletproof Radio, and author of the New York Times bestselling book, "The Bulletproof Diet." Through his work, the Silicon Valley investor and technology entrepreneur provides information, techniques and keys to taking control of and improving your biochemistry, your body and your mind so they work in unison, helping you execute at levels far beyond what you'd expect, without burning out, getting sick, or allowing stress to control your decisions.


I hope you enjoyed this article about the most important dietary supplements you should be taking on a frugal budget.

Interested in more articles about nutritional supplements? 

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