What does your body need to function properly? We’re all familiar with the basics — good sleep, enough water, a balanced diet — but unfortunately, even our best efforts to maintain these habits might not be enough. Enter: supplements. Supplements are an easy, efficient way to provide your body with the support it needs to carry through its most vital functions, allowing you to feel and look your best. 

But what supplements are right for you? There are hundreds on the market claiming to serve a wide range of purposes: from boosting your immune system to restoring your energy levels or giving you glowing nails and skin. Each body is different, but there are some supplements that everyone can benefit from taking. Dr. Anant Vinjamoori, Modern Age’s Chief Medical Officer, shared his favorites.

Creatine

Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in your body’s muscles and brain. As a building block of protein, creatine helps us build muscles and repair damaged tissues. For this reason, it’s popular among fitness enthusiasts who take it after exercise to see better results from their workout and prevent injury. 

In addition to its muscular benefits, creatine has also been connected to better cognitive health. Creatine increases your body’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule that provides energy to cells, and is used 95% in your muscles and 5% in your brain. More studies need to be done, but it’s been proposed that creatine can improve neurotransmission and symptoms of brain fog and other cognitive dysfunction.

Available in powder form, take creatine before a workout or toss it in your morning smoothie to both build better muscle mass and maintain cognitive health.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential to the healthy functioning of our bodies in both the short and long term. In the short term, taking vitamin D can improve your immune system year round, especially during cold and flu season. In the long term, vitamin D helps build stronger bones by allowing for the absorption of calcium, and reduces the risk of chronic inflammation.

Most people get vitamin D from two sources: food and the sun. However, not many foods are rich in vitamin D, and if you live in a colder climate, you’re less likely to get this essential nutrient from the sun year round. In fact, 25% of adults have a vitamin D deficiency.

To ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D, you can add a daily supplement into your routine or get monthly vitamin D injections with a licensed clinician. Injections are an easy way to maintain vitamin D levels, as the vitamin bypasses the digestive system and enters straight into the bloodstream.

Omega 3

A super supplement if we’ve ever seen one: Omega 3 supports heart, skin, hair, and cognitive health at the cellular level. Omega-3s are a key component of cell membranes, and provide the necessary energy to facilitate functions in your heart, lungs, immune system, and endocrine system. Recent studies have even shown that Omega 3 intake can help prevent cardiovascular disease by maintaining a regular heartbeat, lowering blood pressure, and improving blood vessel function. 

You can get Omega 3s from fatty fish, like oysters, mackerel, and sardines. For vegetarians, omega-3s can also be consumed via soybeans and walnuts. However, the easiest way to absorb these essential fatty acids is through a supplement. Dr. Anant Vinjamoori recommends Thorne Super EPA Pro, an Omega 3 supplement with high levels of EPA and DHA, two essential acids that your body can’t create on its own. 

Get your supplements down to a science

Discover the exact supplements your body needs with Modern Age’s Aging Wellness Assessment. Our comprehensive series of tests measures 55 biomarkers associated with aging, including vitamin and hormonal deficiencies. With your results, you’ll work with a licensed clinician to fill in the gaps and provide your body with what it needs to age better and live longer. Book a free consultation.