Supplements can feel confusing, and honestly, most people have no idea where to start. If you’ve ever stood in the vitamin aisle (or scrolled Amazon late at night) wondering why there are so many bottles that all claim to change your life, you’re not alone. Everything promises better energy, clearer skin, better sleep — and it can start to get overwhelming. This is the simple version of how I explain supplements to anyone who asks what they should take, which brands are actually good, and how to avoid wasting money.
The first thing to know is that not all vitamins are created equal. You’d think everything on the shelf is held to the same standards, but that’s not the case. Some brands use high-quality ingredients, test their products, and actually care about what goes into your body. Others… not so much. One of the easiest ways to tell the difference is to look for brands that are transparent about their ingredients and use third-party testing. When a company is willing to show exactly what’s in their product — and have an outside lab confirm it’s accurate, clean, and safe — that’s usually a good sign. Megafood Prenatal Multi is a great example of this kind of transparency and quality.
Another thing most people don’t realize is that vitamins come in different forms, and some work a lot better than others. Magnesium alone comes in about ten forms: some help with sleep, some help digestion and some barely absorb at all. The same goes for B12, folate, iron, zinc and pretty much everything else. So if you’ve taken a supplement before and felt nothing, it may have been the wrong or cheap form. Legendairy Milk Prenatal is an example of a high-absorption formula.
The ingredient label is another clue. If it looks overly colorful, overly complicated, or reads like a mini science experiment, it’s usually a sign to skip it. High-quality supplements tend to keep things simple: the active ingredients, a clean capsule and not much else. No artificial dyes, no mystery blends, no long list of fillers. Vimergy Micro C is a great example of a clean product.
When it comes to choosing what to take, the best approach is to focus on what you actually need. Not everything trending on social media, not everything your friend is taking — just what supports your goals. For energy, a B-Complex or trace minerals can help. For immune support, Vitamin C or D3+K2 are great basics. For stress or sleep, magnesium glycinate or lemon balm extract are solid options. And for gut health, a probiotic or digestive enzymes is usually a good starting point.
Most people do best with a simple routine: a good multivitamin, magnesium, vitamin D3, and maybe omega-3s or a B-complex. From there, you can adjust depending on how you feel and what your body needs. Consistency always beats perfection. A good supplement taken regularly is far more effective than a “perfect” one that sits untouched in your cabinet.
At the end of the day, supplements shouldn’t be overwhelming. They’re not about collecting a shelf full of bottles — they’re about choosing a few high-quality things that actually support your body and your goals.
Here are a few to explore if you want a good starting point:
Megafood Vitamin D3
Vimergy Magnesium Glycinate
Natural Force Pure Omega 3
If you ever want help choosing between two products or figuring out what makes sense for you, feel free to ask — I’m always happy to help.