There are a few caveats to this rule:

1. Nothing replaces a healthy diet. Our bodies need a healthy, balanced diet filled with fresh, whole foods. What do I mean when I say whole foods? I have a fun “jingle” that I give my clients to describe whole food, “Whole food is any food that grows on a tree, comes out of the ground, or runs away from you.”  Got it?  But in reality, it’s nearly impossible to get optimal levels of nutrients through food alone. Yes, you can get the “basic-just-alive” amounts, but not the “healthy-happy-strong” amounts. Today’s lifestyle factors such as stress, fast food, and super-mom schedules also increase the amount of antioxidants the body needs; the basic RDAs just aren’t enough. Think of supplements as medical insurance against nutritional deficiencies plus a boost for you have in your body 24/7 that helps propel your cells to optimal functional levels.
2. Not all supplements are created equal. The reason people think supplements don’t work is because, in truth, a lot of them don’t. The gigantic bottle of 1,000 one-a-day tablets that you buy the same place you get your oil changed likely won’t hurt you, but they sure aren’t helping you.  Even worse, many supplements on the market today aren’t “clean and pure” (aka fish oil can be highly contaminated with mercury if not distilled properly.)

My philosophy in buying supplements is to buy only from companies who specialize in making them and are recognized for being the best in their field.  Because in my opinion, if we don’t have our health, we don’t have anything. 

I’d rather spend a few extra dollars to get something effective and potent instead of save a few dollars on something that is either harmful or doesn’t work. Saving a few extra bucks might feel like you’re making a great financial decision, but you’re really just flushing money down the drain and not coming out ahead in the end.  In short, stop buying the cheapest supplements you can find on the clearance rack and get them from a company that is known for their research & development and high-quality manufacturing processes.

In the long run investing in high-quality saves you money. Marketing for all health products is cleaver and most companies outsource the production of their supplements.  So check out the label and do your research (the book The Comparative Guide To Nutritional Supplements is an excellent 3rd party study–you can get it on Amazon for around $20).

My criteria and 5 tips for choosing supplements:

• Extra potent and complete so I’m not wasting money
• Clinically tested for absorbability; no point in taking it if my body can’t absorb it
• Clinically tested for pureness and safety
• Manufactured by a legit R&D company and backed by the science
• Priced well

I’ve chosen USANA as my exclusive Product Partner because they fit the bill for the criteria I listed above, including a 5-star rating in the Comparative Guide To Nutritional Supplements, pharmaceutical-quality manufacturing standards, excellent customer service, and great prices.

INTERESTING FACT: YOU’D HAVE TO EAT 22,000 CALORIES PER DAY AND SPEND MORE THAN $33 PER DAY TO GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF NUTRIENTS FOUND IN A DAILY DOSE OF THE USANA ESSENTIALS MULTIVITAMIN ALONE.

I started using supplements from USANA Health Sciences nine years ago and I wouldn’t go a day without them; I can truly feel a difference in my skin, immune system, energy levels and overall health & wellbeing.

Back to choosing the right supplements for you.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE MY FREE USANA HEALTH ASSESSMENT TO UNDERSTAND WHICH SUPPLEMENTS YOU SHOULD BE TAKING.

This interactive tool is super fun and super informative.  It just takes a few minutes and gives you three personalized reports to help you make informed decisions, including:

1.  Lifestyle Report
2. Top Health Risk Areas Report
3. Supplement Recommendations Report

If you chose to order at the end, be sure to select to become one of my (free) Preferred Customers to save 15-20% off retail pricing–you pay what I pay when you’re a Preferred Customer. Use my free health assessment link instead of ordering directly through the company’s website to get the lowest price.

(Disclosure: Please note that as an independent distributor of the company I may receive compensation should you choose to order products through this link. I am not compensated for you taking the free health assessment or creating a free Preferred Customer Account.)

The health assessment will give you recommendations based on what information you input into the app and you can edit your final list on the end based on your own personal preferences, too.

On a daily basis, I personally take the following USANA products:

• Essentials Multivitamin
• BiOmega Fish Oil
• Proflavonal C 100
• Co-Enzyme Q10
• Antioxidant Booster
• Active Calcium
• USANA Probiotic
• Digestive Enzymes as needed
• Fibergy in my smoothies as needed
• Extra vitamin D in the winter months

If you’re new to supplements, that might sound like a lot, but trust me, it’s not. If you’ve been a supplement junkie for a while, you’re probably thinking I run a lean ship! And I do!  Instead of having 50 bottles of unused supplements in my cabinet I have what’s listed above; no need for things like extra B Complexes or Vitamin C – it’s all in the Essentials. Every now and again a few things might come and go from the rotation, but all in all that’s what I take each day.

I hope this helps to inform both why supplements are necessary and what I personally take.

xoxo,

Debbie