As part of the #NOWWellness Influencer Program, I received product samples and compensation from NOW® to thank me for my participation, but the product selection and all opinions are genuinely my own.
My Current Wellness Essentials from NOW® & Why I No Longer Take Multivitamins
During the last few years I took a step back and re-examined my relationship with dietary supplements. I felt like sometimes I’ve taken things just because someone I admire recommended them even though I didn’t actively experience the things they were aimed to address. For instance, I grew up with this idea that everyone needs to take a multivitamin daily because our modern diets are, supposedly, nutrient deficient.* While this may be true for some people, it’s certainly not true for everyone. At the back of my mind, I felt that my diet was fine, but without clinical data it remained just a gut feeling.
I finally got some validation after I went to visit my family in Europe. During that trip, I decided to splurge on my healthcare and do a full head-to-toe medical examination with a complete blood work and multi-machine scans. Sounds expensive, but it’s actually a lot more affordable than in the US. In fact, I don’t think something of this scope would even be covered by my insurance here, aside from a few basic tests and standard preventative care, not to mention that it would take many months and tens of hours of appointments. The results I received back were unexpected. I got very good news regarding my vitamin deficiencies – it turns out that my blood was only deficient in Vitamin D, which I already knew. It was nice knowing that my body was sending the right signals and I didn’t need to take multivitamins. Since then I made it a habit to do a yearly vitamin deficiency blood work, and the tests have been consistent so far.
Even though I can’t say that my diet is super healthy, it’s not unhealthy either; our meals are something in-between. For some meals we have fast food and pizza, or even instant ramen if it’s late at night and we’re hungry. However, I always try to balance it out with home cooked meals that include lots of vegetables and lean proteins, while going easy on fruits and sugar in general. I don’t count how many servings of fruit and veggies we eat in a day, as long as we eat them at all is good enough for me. Apparently, it’s good enough for my body, too!
So, how has this discovery changed my attitude toward dietary supplements? For starters, I became a lot more mindful and try to tailor them to aid my body’s current needs. It’s also important to me that my supplements are sourced from a reputable brand. I’ve been a fan of NOW® supplements for many years, and even had the opportunity to tour their factory to see how everything is made. The factory looked pristine and well-organized, and the tour made me even more confident that I am using high quality products.
Today, I wanted to show you my current wellness essentials that aren’t multivitamins with a quick note on why I chose each one.
1 // FREE RADICAL SCAVENGERS* – One of the things my physician recommended for general wellness is free radical scavengers.* Her recommendation was to eat seasonal produce more often, the brighter the better, but frozen fruits and berries are also a good option because they are frozen shortly after getting picked. I prefer fresh over frozen, so we usually only have fruit and berries during the warmer months when I can get them at our local farmer’s market. For the rest of the year, I take free radical scavenging supplements, like NOW® Tart Cherry* ($26.99). It contains 50:1 concentrate of Prunus cerasus, or Tart cherry, rich in free-radical fighting anthocyanins.* I also sometimes use NOW® Resveratrol, Extra Strength* ($35.99) instead, since Tart Cherry is a very popular product and frequently sells out. Resveratrol is another potent free radical scavenger that has shown promising results in recent studies.*
2 // IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT* – My physician said physical activity is still one of the best things one can do to maintain general wellness, and that I should aim for at least 30 minutes of light to moderate cardio per day, like going for a walk at a leisurely pace or a quick ride on a stationary bike. Staying well-hydrated and getting enough sleep are important as well, and further help support the immune system. She said it’s also a good idea to incorporate more fermented foods into my diet, like kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, and pickles which have shown to be beneficial to gut microbiome. I do my best to work on my sleep quality and meet the daily exercise goals, but sometimes I forget about the fermented foods. Luckily, I always have a bottle of NOW® AlliBiotic CF™ ($16.79) on hand. It contains a blend of garlic, olive leaf, and elderberry extracts, as well as rosemary and oregano oils, and ImmunEnhancer™ as a prebiotic component.* Garlic has been used as a traditional herb in my culture, and I love seeing it in modern supplements!* 🙂
3 // STRESS MANAGEMENT – Do you remember how everyone thought tanning was good for you? Now we know a lot more about the dangers of UV damage than we did 20 years ago, and there’s a reason tanning beds are no longer popular. If someone asks me what I think the next big health revelation is going to be in the next 20 years, I’d say stress is probably up there. We can all agree that stress is bad for you, but it will take time to find out just how bad. For now, we still live in a culture that treats overworking as a virtue and being in a stressful environment is all too common. This is where GABA comes in*… Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid is actually something your body already produces on its own; it’s an amino acid that functions as a neurotransmitter in the human brain, that may help promote relaxation.* Sometimes, when I’m feeling sad or agitated during the day, I pop one capsule of NOW® GABA 500 ($13.99) to ease that nervous tension and it works wonders!*
To sum it up, I take a free radical scavenging supplement every day, an immune boosting supplement seasonally October through March, and a stress management supplement occasionally as needed.* In addition to the supplements I mentioned above, I also take Vitamin D daily because I have a deficiency. And that’s it! While it seems like I now have several bottles instead of one jack-of-all-trades multivitamin, this routine is a lot more tailored for my personal needs. I highly recommend talking to your physician about your general wellness goals and to find out which supplements would fit your lifestyle best. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover that you don’t need them at all!
COUPON:
Don’t forget to use the coupon code GLAMORABLE for a 20% off discount on any purchase at nowfoods.com if you decide to try any of the products I mentioned above. The code works on sale items, too – yay for extra savings! This is an exclusive coupon to thank you guys for choosing NOW®, not an affiliate code, and I don’t earn any commission if you use it. Enjoy! 🙂
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Don’t forget to consult with your physician before taking any new supplements.
