photo via MentalFloss.Com

As if life as an adult couldn’t be more difficult, now we have to swallow pills upon pills just to get the right nutrients. You can’t chew a Flintstones Vitamin and call it a day anymore…oh no…long gone are those days!

If we’re serious about the long haul in today’s day and age, we need to really commit to VITAMIN-POPPING. One might assume that we get it from our food, but not always. Most foods are overcooked  into oblivion (think deep fried anything), which depletes food of their nutrients and enzymes (unless it’s a food like tomato, which gets stronger the more its cooked). Its important that we try and get our vitamins through eating nutrient rich food (salads, fresh juices, etc), but sometimes those french fries look better on your plate rather than the side salad  – this is where vitamins come in handy! We have to get our  nutrients somewhere and vitamin-popping makes it easy!

Below is a list of the vitamins/supplements I take and a photo of the bottle and pill. Hopefully it can inspire you to start vitamin-popping (if you don’t already) and taking care of your body. Also – I am no expert, so if there is something that you suggest I add – let me know in the comments below.

PLEASE NOTE:

1: You should consult your doctor before starting a regimen to make sure it’s safe for you.

2. Some of the brands I buy are pricier than others, but you don’t need to buy the same ones I use. The most important things is that you are supplementing your bodies needs. There are a ton of safe and up to standard versions that are cheaper. I’d suggest going to your local health food store and asking a store clerk, they usually know which brands are good that are affordable!

Lignan Flaxseed Oil (via Barleans.Com)

With its wholesome, nutty flavor Barlean’s Highest Lignan Flax Oil is a pure, unfiltered and unrefined source of essential omega-3 fatty acids and nutrient-rich lignans. A foundational addition to a healthy diet, our organic, high-lignan content flax oil is ideal for those who aspire to nutritionally support:

Heart Health

*Cholesterol Levels Already Within a Healthy Range*Joint Mobility & Bone Density*

Energy & Endurance

*Blood Glucose Levels Already Within a Healthy Range*

Skin, Hair & Nail Health*

What are Lignans?

Lignans are a highly studied and researched class of plant phytonutrients most abundantly found in flaxseed that have recently come to the forefront of nutritional research. Numerous studies have reported on the role of lignans in support of heart and hormonal health.* Barlean’s Fresh ExPressedâ„¢ extraction process gently liberates delicate Omega-3 flax oil, while capturing lignan flaxseed particulate.

Rich’s Pure MSM – $25 (via RichDistributing.Com)

MSM is not a medicine, a drug, or a food additive. It is a FOOD – a pure organic white sulfur powder. It comes from the ocean and is water soluble. Sulfonyl sulfur is found in plants, meats, dairy products, and vegetation. MSM is the 3rd largest ingredient found in your body.

If our body doesn´t receive the proper nutrition and the building materials it needs, it will produce bad, dysfunctional cells, deficient of the basic ingredients that constitute a healthy cell. If you´ve ever had a canker sore it´s because you lack something in your diet, possibly vitamin A or C. Your body tries to heal itself, but with deficient materials, it draws from other resources, and usually takes what it needs from the inside skin of our mouths leaving a sore on the inside of the mouth. If we give the body what it needs to heal itself, it will repair the sore in the mouth and the skin will become healthy again. If we want a good flexible cell, capable of maintaining good health, we need to supplement our diets with MSM, to enable the body to heal itself

Innate Women’s Multi – $40 (via InnateResponse.Com)

Crafted exclusively from nutrient-rich whole foods to support and promote the health of women in their reproductive years. Botanicals known to help balance and support the reproductive, endocrine and nervous systems were also included. The botanical extracts in Women’s Multi including vitex, red raspberry leaf and licorice root are provided in small quantities, in the traditional tonic use of herbs. This formula is further enriched with alfalfa and Hydrilla, two nourishing green foods rich in minerals, B12 and chlorophyll. Formulated with iron from True Active™ FoodState®, which is not only gentle on the stomach but also non-binding. Iron is an important mineral for women with which to supplement their diet during the reproductive years.

Nordic Naturals Complete Omega 3-6-9 – $19.95 (via NordicNaturals)

Supports a healthy immune system and joint flexibility*
The omega “multi”—a healthy balance of omegas-3, 6, and 9
+1000 I.U. vitamin D3 per serving

Complete Omega-3.6.9-D provides the same balanced formula as Complete Omega-3.6.9, plus the added benefits of natural vitamin D3. This omega-rich blend supports cardiovascular health, brain function, positive mood, as well as healthy joints, hair, skin, and nails, while vitamin D3 promotes strong bones as well as healthy immune and neuromuscular function.* Vitamin D3 (or cholecalciferol) is the natural form of vitamin D produced by the body, and is better absorbed and utilized than other forms.

BlueBonnet  Vitamin A & D3 10,000 IU/400 IU SOFTGELS  – $10 (via Amazon)

Bluebonnet’s Vitamin A 10,000 IU & D3 400 IU Softgels provide 100% natural vitamin A and vitamin D3 from deep sea, cold water, fish liver oil and is molecularly distilled. Available in easy-to-swallow softgels for maximum assimilation and absorption.

Innate Response Digestive Enzymes Clinical Strength – $48.95 (via PureFormulas)

Your digestive system is complex. This is why Innate Response Formulas’ Digestive Enzymes Clinical Strength Capsules may be just what you need to help improve your digestion. This formula is a broad spectrum supplement that contains a number of proteolytic, lipolytic, and carbohydrolytic enzymes specifically chosen to help support a compromised digestive system.

With over a dozen ingredients, Digestive Enzymes Clinical Strength is one of the most robust enzyme supplements on the market. Some of these ingredients include:

• Protease is an enzyme that helps your body break down protein.
• Bromelain and papain come from pineapples and papayas, and also work to break down proteins.
• Amylase is another enzyme, which is produced in the pancreas and helps break down starches.
• Lactase is one of the most well known enzymes: it’s responsible for breaking down lactose. If you’re lactose-intolerant, your body doesn’t have enough lactase enzymes to properly break down lactose, meaning that you must stay away from dairy products and other foods that contain it.
• Invertase is used to metabolize and digest sucrose, another type of sugar.
• Cellulase isn’t naturally produced by your body, but it helps you digest the fibrous material found in plants that you’d normally be unable to absorb. This makes cellulase a vital enzyme in your daily diet.
• Lipase is an enzyme that’s produced in the pancreas and helps break down certain fats during the digestive process.