Top 3 Supplements that Everyone Should take Everyday
1. Vitamin D3
Vitamin D is very important for overall good health and may be one of the simplest solutions to a number of health issues. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked many things like cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, diabetes, digestive problems, and rheumatoid arthritis. Especially important for our patients is the role in inflammatory disorders and immune system dysfunction. The ideal way to optimize vitamin D is through exposure to the sun, however, between winter and working, we generally don’t get enough, and that is why supplementation is necessary.
800 IU per day for infants
2500 IU per day for children
5000 IU per day for adults
2. Multiple Vitamin-Mineral
Studies have shown that people who take a multi-vitamin have reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. A good daily multi-vitamin and mineral should contain Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, along with magnesium, calcium, folate, and potassium. You may also consider taking an additional B complex vitamin to ensure that you are getting at least 100 mg of B6 and 100 mcg of B12. Folate or folic acid is important in pregnancy for the developing baby’s nervous system. The multi-vitamin should be copper free (less than 100 micrograms) and iron free (if you can find it).
3. Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for your overall health. Some of the benefits include: improved heart health (reduced risk of heart attacks and stroke), normalizes and regulates cholesterol triglyceride levels (anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic), aides in your child’s learning and behaviour, helps your brain, helps with auto-immune disorders (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), and can help with digestive problems like Crohn’s disease. Food sources include wild Alaskan Salmon (avoid farm salmon), Fish oil and probably the best is Krill Oil. Or just take a supplement.
Children: the DHA should be greater than the EPA (2.6/1)
900 mg of EPA + DHA per day
Adults: has an ideal ratio of ALA, EPA, DHA, and GLA; EPA should be double DHA
3000 mg of EPA + DHA per day
These supplements can be purchased easily at a local health food, most pharmacies, Costco, or an independent distributer like Isagenix or Shaklee (go to andrehenriques.ca for more info.).
We are always ready to help you if you have any further questions about supplements.
In Great Health,
Dr. Mike and Dr. Mark