The Top Four Supplements to Start Taking Now

A 2006 Centers for Disease Control report stated nearly half of American adults take some sort of dietary supplement. But with a sea of supplements to choose from, it can be tough to know what nutrients you really need. Here's the bottom line on supplements you should add to your daily regimen, but before you do, be sure to check with your primary physician.

Probiotics

Don't fear bacteria, you have trillions alive and well in your body right now. "We're looking for a balance between good and bad bacteria, but many of us are deficient when it comes to the good kind," says Dr. Cory Gold. "This imbalance hinders our digestion, causing poor absorption of nutrients and a possible decrease in our immune response." Even organic foods are short on nutrients because our soils are, too. Dr. Gold recommends Metagenics Ultraflora Balance, a product that delivers multiple strains of healthy bacteria.

Vitamin D3

Our bodies get vitamin D from sun exposure and some foods, but probably not enough. A deficiency can lead to symptoms like fatigue and immune response issues. And most of us are deficient, so get tested to know your baseline. Most people will need to take about 3000 I.U.s of vitamin D3 (the form our bodies process best) per day to maintain normal levels. Supplementing with Metagenics D3 1000 vitamins can help boost your immune defenses and help ward off sicknesses like the flu and cold.

Fish Oil

"I use Nordic Natural Omega 3 fatty acids," Dr. Gold says. "Every single cell in our body can benefit from the Omega 3 fatty acids. They are especially great for brain and heart health and decreasing inflammation and other generalized pain. This powerful supplement can help prevent obesity, eczema, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Multivitamin

Ensure that your diet has the nutrients you need by adding a multivitamin. "Let's face it, most of us just don't eat that well," says Dr. Gold. "And even those of us that do need to make up for the inherent deficiencies in our food." When it comes to multivitamins, Dr. Gold recommends investing in a high quality product, as some less expensive multivitamins may be based in petroleum, which is nearly impossible for our bodies to breakdown. Consider trying one of Dr.Gold’s favorite multivitamins made by Metagenics.