Are These the 19 Most Important Supplements to Take?

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I typically recommend taking a dietary approach to get the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients you need, but as many as 86 percent of Americans may be using supplements to boost their health.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Molecular hydrogen is a selective antioxidant, meaning it doesn’t indiscriminately suppress free radicals but, rather, helps your body make the antioxidants it needs.
• Glycine and NAC are glutathione precursors—your body uses glutathione to increase the effectiveness of antioxidants such as vitamin C, which is why it’s known as the “master antioxidant.”
• Magnesium is involved in the functioning of more than 300 enzymes, and many people are deficient.
• The best supplements for you depend on your age, health status, diet, and health goals.
• I mention a bonus supplement at the end of the article.

While dietary supplements cannot take the place of a healthy lifestyle, they can be used strategically to boost your health, especially in cases of deficiency. In the United States, 57.6 percent of adults aged 20 and over, overuse supplements, with multivitamins, vitamin D, and omega-3 fats representing the top three.[1] Another survey put the percentage of Americans using supplements at 86 percent.[2]