When people find out I work at Vitacost.com, I typically get a lot of questions about what supplements and products I take every day. I certainly understand the curiosity, so I thought I’d take some time to share five of my favorite products with you.
It should come as no surprise that they are all from our very own Vitacost brand — with all the hard work and extra care that our team puts into the quality and safety of these products, I’m extremely proud to use each and every one of them. Am I biased? Perhaps. But even if I weren’t an employee of Vitacost.com, it’s likely that this list wouldn’t be any different:
Fish oil: I don’t eat fish as often as I’d like to, so I’ve been taking fish oil for a long time. What I look for in a product is high levels of both EPA and DHA (Vitacost Mega EFA has 800 mg and 400 mg, respectively), molecularly distilled and purified oil and no fishy aftertaste. I’ve been extremely satisfied with Mega EFA since it hits all of those marks (and then some).
Multivitamin: I try to eat and snack healthy, but my diet is not always perfect. To fill in nutritional gaps, I rely on a daily multivitamin. My pick is Vitacost Synergy Once Daily capsules. It has the vitamins and minerals I’m looking for (21 of them, to be exact), with extra nutrients such as green tea and resveratrol. Plus, the one-capsule serving is perfect for my busy schedule.
CoQ10 (as Ubiquinol): If you’re still in the dark about CoQ10, let me explain why I take it. This vitamin-like compound is used by your body’s cells to produce energy — it also functions as an antioxidant to protect those cells from free radicals. Unfortunately, your natural levels begin to decline as you age, and from other factors such as use of statin drugs. I prefer Vitacost Ubiquinol CoQH because it’s a safe, highly absorbable and stabilized form of this nutrient.*
L-tryptophan: I’m usually the first person in the office and one the last ones to leave; some people wonder if I ever sleep. I actually get a solid night’s rest most of the time — but when I can’t unwind, I prefer to use a natural product. Vitacost L-Trypotophan (500 mg) usually does the trick. If you’re not familiar with L-tryptophan, it’s an essential amino acid and a pre-cursor to several neurotransmitters associated with relaxation. It’s also widely blamed as the reason people pass out after eating a ton of turkey on Thanksgiving – but the truth is that you’d have to eat far more than your fair share to feel any effects.*
Iced coffee: This one isn’t a supplement. But a day without coffee is definitely not a good one. Here in the office, we like to make iced coffee with Vitacost Brew Breakfast Blend — it’s made from 100% organic Arabica beans and has a smooth, rich flavor that helps me start the day on the right foot.
I would love to hear about the products you use every day — please take a moment to share your thoughts with me in the comments below.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.