Your Guide to Easy and Essential Supplements

Supplements: Intimidating when you don’t know what to expect, amazing when you use them properly. Supplements are becoming an essential tool in getting all the necessary nutrition, especially for those on the go or elbows deep in busy lifestyles. And who better to speak on that topic than our wellness guru, Sophie Jaffe? A wife, entrepreneur, and mother to two boys (and a baby girl on the way), Sophie understands what it’s like when you’re in a rush and need easy-to-access nutrition.

Introducing supplements, your new best friend. We spoke to Sophie to get the lowdown on these vital, albeit somewhat mysterious products.

For a newbie, what are supplements? How should they be consumed?

A supplement is a dietary additive that can help you take in a vitamin or nutrient you’re not getting enough naturally. I believe consumption really comes down to personal choice. Many people like taking a few vitamin pills with their breakfast. If you’re like me, you love superfood and supplement powders to mix into your smoothie.

 I love the convenience factor of supplements in pill form—it totally fits into my holistic lifestyle. My schedule is constantly changing and I love being able to bring some probiotic support or a multivitamin in my purse to keep me moving at prime levels. If I start to feel run down then my work, and even my family, starts to fall apart, so it’s important I stay balanced and well nourished.

What are the right sorts of questions to ask when taking supplements? 

There are a few important ones—I think it’s crucial to ask yourself how it feels internally, as well as ones regarding the product’s origins. Ask, is this working? How do I feel 30 minutes after? An hour? The next day? What is the shelf life? Where are they sourced?

What is your personal supplement routine?

I am pretty picky about the quality of vitamins I put into my body. I’m a huge fan of probiotic supplements because I think gut function can truly make or break your day. I depend on the extra vitamin and nutrition support to keep me healthy, as well as a source of nourishment life for my little girl growing inside me. As we age, we need to depend on things more than our natural body to keep us living the life we want and not the life limited by body restrictions.

For me, I like having a set time to get my supplements and take one in pill form every morning with a tall glass of alkaline water.

---

Not sure where to start? Sophie breaks down the basics of supplements below.  

Probiotics 

Probiotics can support your digestive health.* The health of your gut is a super important and often overlooked piece of the puzzle of your overall wellbeing.* Often known as the body’s “second brain,” your intestines are linked to digestion, mood, and immune health. Maintaining a healthy gut allows the body to build a stronger immune system and nourish the “good” type of bacteria. There’s a connection between mental health and suffering from stomach issues and poor digestion. NOW® Women’s Probiotic was created specifically for women to help maintain this essential function of your body, including while pregnant and nursing.*

Biotin

This is a woman’s best-kept secret for the maintenance of long, healthy hair and nails, and a staple in my medicine cabinet.* Biotin (part of the B vitamins) is often overlooked, but so integral to the well-balanced maintenance of your body. Many of my lovely-locked lady friends take Biotin daily to keep their hair, skin, and nails vibrant and youthful.*

A little tidbit: Your body can’t make biotin, so it must be obtained through diet, supplementation, and intestinal bacteria. NOW® Biotin 5,000 mcg are perfect biotin capsules that support a healthy immune system and keeps your metabolism at top performance levels.*

Rhodiola

Rhodiola is a root herb that hits all your supplement checkboxes. As an adaptogen, Rhodiola helps the body adapt to physical, chemical, and environmental stressors, and contains active compounds like rosoavin to help maintain healthy cortisol levels.* Its presence is fairly timeless; tea with Rhodiola has soothing properties and is used across Asia as a stress reliever.* As a daily supplement, it may help to boost brain power, support performance during endurance exercise and generally leave you feeling a bit more fit and focused.*

Hyaluronic Acid

Want to know a secret to smooth, glowy skin? Hyaluronic acid.* Don’t be fooled by the corrosive name of this one: Hyaluronic acid is found in the connective tissue and fluid of joints, making it the perfect supplement for mamas (hey-yo!) with little ones to carry from place to place. Sadly, our body’s natural production of this declines as we age. Taking a moderate amount daily maintains the flexibility and moisture of your skin better than even some of the fanciest skin products out there.* Keep moving with these NOW® Hyaluronic Acid 100 mg capsules and your limbs will thank you.*

Women’s Multivitamins

I love EVE™ Women’s Multivitamin Softgels for when I need a quick and painless body boost.* It’s got everything a woman needs to assist the body in flushing  out toxins and fill up on antioxidants, including horsetail, green tea, and CoQ10.* Just three gels daily provide you with more than enough Vitamins A-E, Iodine, and Zinc.  Make sure you keep it out of reach from your little ones, though! These have lots of iron, which can be dangerous in large doses to kiddos on the hunt for a snack. (But for the ladies out there? It’s a perfect choice!)

Remember to always listen to your body and take note of how supplements are making you feel. It may take a bit for you to figure out the “perfect” combination, and that combination is constantly changing. Supplements are there to help, not harm, and can be a great addition to your daily health routine.

---