Supplements have always been the rage. It’s been touted as the cure all be all, but hold your horses on implementing it into your routine.
I have been taking supplements ever since I started my health journey, but I have cycled off them and tried plenty. Learning your body is truly a science. It’s important to pay attention to how your body reacts with certain supplements. Always remember that all supplements aren’t created equally. Your body may react differently to Brand A Vitamin C than Brand B Vitamin C.
Even though I eat pretty healthy and workout, not as consistently as I need to, I still think it’s important to supplement my diet. I made supplement a priority when I started experiencing some severe hormonal changes when I turned 30. Between severe fatigue, hormonal acne and other issues, slowly adding vitamins and supplements in my routine was key to getting my estrogen dominance on track.
Even though you may eat healthy and “clean”, our modern lifestyles demand more nutrients than food can often provide. Agricultural practices have drastically changed to meet the ever-growing demand of our population and it has left us nutrient deficient.
Here is a list of supplements that have helped me get my hormone back in balance and regain a piece of my life back.
Vitamin D – 5,000IU
There was a time where I was experiencing severe fatigue and couldn’t figure out why. I mean sooo tired to the point where I couldn’t function without a midday nap. I was talking to my sister who is a phenomenal nurse and she asked me when was the last time I got my Vitamin D levels checked, which I couldn’t remember. So ironically enough, I had my annual physical lined up, and asked my PCP to check my vitamin D levels. When my results came back, I had NO vitamin D. I immediately started supplementing and I felt relief by getting better sleep and I was also not as figured through the day any more. The other benefit was that it helped shuttle my hormones into balance which was amazing.
Coenzymated B Complex Vitamins
B Vitamins help with a number of functions in the body. By providing a great energy source, I had more stable energy levels to power through the day. I take my B vitamins in the coenzymated form because it makes it readily available to be absorbed in the body. As we get older, it takes more for our body to absorb vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. By taking the coenzymated form, it makes it easier for absorption.
Vitamin C
The holy grail in immunity. We all know Vitamin C is a great immune booster and it is available in many forms. I typically take it in the form of good old fashioned lemon water or I’ll pop an Emergen-C in a bottle of water and consume it that way. My husband swears by vitamin c.
Zinc
When it comes to zinc, I believe that it works as a better immunity boost than vitamin c. I have felt that it absorbs better and exhibits effects better. Now one of the reasons why I started incorporating it regularly instead of when I would have a cold is because zinc does wonders for skin health. When I started suffering from hormonal acne flare ups, improving my skincare routine and adding zinc to my lemon water or smoothies in the morning tremendously helped improve my skin. Now I can’t live without it.
Iron
As women go through the infradian rhythm cycle every month, it comes with my monthly gift that we dread. Hormone changes, skin flare ups, cramps, and more. Of course it’s also the time of the month when we lose the most amount of blood. I have always been anemic since I can remember. Having heavier cycles doesn’t make it any better. I typically start taking Blood Builder Iron supplements about 3-5 days before my next period to ensure that while I am losing blood, I don’t fall to the floor from lack of energy. Taking an iron supplement has also stabilized my anemia levels and it reflects in my lab work when I do my physicals.
Magnesium
As I started consistently taking my Vitamin D, I wanted to get better quality sleep. After using a few sleep trackers, I started to realize that I wasn’t getting quality sleep. After doing some research, I learned that Vitamin D and magnesium become a powerhouse when paired together. Now all magnesium isn’t made the same. There are so many types and the absorbability differs based on the type. I have found that magnesium chloride has the best absorbability, especially when taken transdermally, through the skin. I spray magnesium oil every other night and it has been a game changer. I get some of the best sleep when I use this and I can’t live without it.
These are the supplements I rotate through my routine and I am able to do it with ease. Of course, before you start taking supplements, consult with your doctor, and get your labs done before you start anything new in your routine. Most importantly, pay close attention to how your body reacts and stop taking supplements if they don’t agree with your body.
