Supplements on a Budget

Supplements can get pricey, and in a time when inflation is running hotter than at any point since 1981., your money may be best used elsewhere. This article will show my top 4 supplements and how to make them affordable.

4 supplements most people should take for health and longevity and how to save money on them!

1. Multivitamin

   Multivitamins are a great safety blanket. Eating a wide range of Whole Foods can be difficult, and even with a great diet, there are some nutrients that are unaccounted for. Multivitamins make sure that you are getting any of the vitamins that your diet misses.

   Multivitamins can get expensive, but a lot of the products on the market are glorified and overpriced. Keep it simple and grab your grocery store’s generic multivitamin. I use this Publix Multivitamin, but you can also find good deals on Amazon. At $1 to $2 per month, multivitamins are a no-brainer.

2. Fish Oil

   Modern diets provide insufficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The benefits of fish oil come from omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid with the first double bond 3 carbons back from the final carbon. EPA and DHA are the two omega-3 fatty acids that are important in the fish oil supplement. They are anti-inflammatory, make blood platelets “less sticky” and help cellular metabolism be more efficient. They also lower triglycerides and raise HDL (good cholesterol)

   It is more difficult to find affordable fish oil, but it is possible. I like the Oceanblue Professional Omega-3 2100™. This product is sometimes available as a buy one get one free at Publix and that is when I usually grab 6 months worth for around $40.

3. Vitamin D

   Vitamin D plays a role in the maintenance of immune system homeostasis. Several epidemiological studies have linked inadequate vitamin D levels to a higher susceptibility to immune-mediated disorders, including chronic infections and autoimmune diseases. It can also present as rickets, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia in adults.

   With little risk in supplementing vitamin d and its low cost, this should be in most people’s cabinets. I use this product from Amazon to get 5,000 IU per day at about $2 per month.

4. Magnesium

   Significant portions of the population have magnesium intake below recommended levels. Magnesium is needed to activate many enzymes, parathyroid hormone secretion, bone metabolism, and muscle and nerve function. Magnesium is second only to potassium as the most predominant cation within cells.

   Magnesium can range in price, and there are many different forms with different uses. I recommend going with Magnesium Oxide to save money. While it is not the most bioavailable, you will still get the benefits without any risks at higher doses. This Magnesium Oxide on Amazon is the best I have seen for the cost. I personally take this Magnesium Glycinate, it is a bit more expensive at $4 to $5 per month, but it has better bioavailability.