Supplements can help address a variety of health concerns and needs. But there are so many supplements out there—which ones do you truly need and which ones may actually be effective? We asked our editorial team what supplements they take and why. Here’s what they said.
There are a few supplements I take and swear by—with my doctor’s recommendations:
- Vitamin D: This is my number one. I take it all year round but less frequently in the summer since I get it naturally. It makes a noticeable difference in my energy levels and mood.
- Fish oil: I take it for brain and mental health benefits (and my eye doc says it’s good for preventing dry eye).
- Magnesium glycinate: This is for when I need help sleeping. It helps me relax and feel drowsy before bed without making me feel groggy in the morning (which melatonin sometimes does). Plus, it’s good for muscle relaxation and recovery, so I might take it before bed if I feel sore from a workout.
-Hannah Harper
Currently, I take three types of supplement gummies:
- Women’s multi-vitamin: I take this because I don’t think I get all the nutrients I need from food.
- Muscle recovery sleep gummies: They have melatonin, tart cherry extract, and vitamin D to help with my insomnia and muscle recovery. I’m not sure if it’s working well for my muscles, but I do feel like it’s helped with my sleep recently.
- Stress management gummies: I gummies I take have GABA, L-theanine, and lemon balm. I can definitely tell a difference in my mood from taking these. These are awesome for me!
-Jas Thompson
These are the supplements I take:
- Biotin: To support hair health after a history of thinning hair for various reasons.
- Collagen: An easy protein source to add to coffee, smoothies, and oatmeal.
- B12: Since my levels are sometimes on the lower end, as many people’s are.
-Jamie Wolff
I take an iron supplement to support my ferritin levels, which tend to be quite low in female runners. If I run out of iron or forget to take it for a while, I can usually tell after a few weeks. I feel groggier on my runs. I’ve been doing this since high school!
-Anisa Arsenault
Every morning, I take a psyllium husk supplement mixed into 12 ounces of water. I have irritable bowel syndrome, and it’s been super helpful in making my digestion more normal. And as someone who often struggles to get enough hydration, it’s also nice to start the day with a glass of water.
-Jenna Anderson
I take a B-complex supplement every morning. I used to get canker sores constantly—multiple every month—until I learned that getting my B12 levels up could help. I started taking a regular B-complex supplement, and my random canker sores have disappeared!
I also take vitamin D, but only in the winter. I find it especially important during the darker months when my sun exposure is low.
-Dana Ingemann
Not everyone needs a supplement. The supplements you may need are based on your individual health needs and wants. If you are considering taking a new supplement, discuss it with your doctor first. They can let you know if the supplement is right for you and direct you on how to take it.
When purchasing a supplement, make sure it has been third-party tested. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration does not inspect supplements the same way it does medications.
A supplement company can have its products third-party tested for ingredient safety. Look for a seal from third-party testers, such as NSF International, United States Pharmacopeia (USP), or ConsumerLab, on the supplement package.
