I used to be one of those people who thought vitamins were superfluous and just another thing to stress out about. It wasn’t until I experienced my own health crisis, and during my enrollment at a health coaching school, did I realize the importance of vitamins and how they would soon make an impact on my own personal health when I needed it most. Speaking from my own experiences and after much trial and error throughout my health journey, I found these products to be the constant in my self care routine.
Below are the supplement vitamins I take daily, along with a women’s multivitamin (which is not pictured). I make sure to take a multivitamin everyday, but I don’t take my supplement vitamins everyday. Below I’ll note which days I choose to take my vitamins, why I take them, and where I buy them! Before picking up any of these vitamins, its important to speak to your doctor especially if you are pregnant and nursing! Enjoy!..
1. Collagen Booster with Hyaluronic Acid & Resveratrol
How Often: Twice a day, every other day or just 3 days a week.
Where: Healthy Options
Benefits And Why I Take This: Resveratrol is known for its anti-aging properies and is found in grapes (wine!), blueberries, raspberries and more. In this particular brand they use Organic French Red Grapes and other USDA certified organic grapes to extract their resveratrol. Also included in this vitamin are 600 mg of Hydrolyzed Collagen and 100 mg of Hyaluronic Acid both known for their skin hydration and firmness boosting properties.
I take collagen very sparingly, just enough times to give my skin a natural glowing boost from within. As much as I love my skin care products, nothing did it like a good collagen supplement. I noticed the biggest effects from using this particular brand.
2. Omega – 3
How Often: Every single day!
Where: Healthy Options
Benefits and Why I Take This: A lot of people will go out and purchase an omega vitamin with both omega 6 and 3. But the only supplement of omega that most people need nowadays are omega 3’s. The oils we cook our food in are swimming with omega 6’s and are actually lacking in 3’s. This imbalance of omega 3 and 6 in the body can cause health problems such as blood clots, high blood pressure, inflammation, heart attacks and strokes. So supplementing with a good, clean omega 3 is a definite must in order to restore balance between the two omega’s.
3. L-Lysine
How Often: Once a day, ONLY the days when I have a cankersore.
Where: Healthy Options
Benefits and Why I Take This: If you’re someone like myself, and experience the occasional, incredibly painful, cankersore then this is the supplement for you! I’ve literally tried all home-made and store bought remedies to cure cankersores, and nothing works quite like a good L-Lysine supplement! And yes, I’ve tried taking Vitamin B, but I found that it was only a temporary solution.
How Does It Work? L-Lysine is an essential amino acid, responsible for rebuilding and repairing tissues and muscles as well as making antibodies. It is not manufactured by the body naturally and so we rely on the food we eat and supplements, like this one, to provide enough for us. L-Lysine is also good for stress relief and managing blood sugar levels!
4. Tart Cherry
How Often: One Capsule, twice a week.
Where: Healthy Options
Benefits and Why I Take This: Tart Cherry contains natural polyphenol antioxidants, which help fight free radicals in the body. Although a natural occuring process, free radicals can cause damage to DNA and cells in the body and has been linked to cancer, disease, Alzheimer’s and more. Taking a tart cherry supplement may also help reduce inflammation and pain due to arthritis.
5. A Probiotic (Fortified with Herbs)
How Often: One Capsule Every other day or everyday, if I feel like I need it.
Benefits and Why I Take This: It is no secret how important healthy gut bacteria are to our overall wellbeing. And as a person who doesn’t get around to consuming yogurt everyday, very rarely actually, I’ve been relying on a probiotic pill to help keep the gut bacteria happy and healthy. Rainbow Light is my very favorite brand, and I used their prenatal vitamin when I was pregnant too! Their probiotic is food-based and also contains ginger, fennel, turmeric, and peppermint to help soothe any aching stomach.
Where: Sadly, I don’t know if this particular product is available in the Philippines. I purchase mine from any natural whole food store in the States. Search their website here!