We Asked A Naturopathic Doctor What Supplements He Takes Every Day
Have you ever wondered what supplements the professionals take? We’ve wondered that too! That’s why we asked Dr. Aaron Henkel, licensed Naturopathic Doctor, which supplements he won’t go a day without.
Dr. Henkel is on our Board of Directors and also helps formulate our outstanding Lively products. In fact, he used to be a health-food store owner just like Tim and Becki O’Brien, co-founders and owners of The Healthy Place!
He is the founder of the Family Clinic of Natural Medicine in Madison, Wisconsin, where he currently provides comprehensive natural healthcare. Every day, Dr. Henkel sees the reality of how overwhelming it is for individuals to pick the best supplements. Of course, he personally advises his patients about which herbal remedies are best for their personal health goals. But what about the rest of us who can’t sit face-to-face with a naturopathic doctor?
Dr. Henkel is here to help! He shared his line-up of vitamins and supplements with us — the ones that he takes each and every day. If you’ve been wondering which supplements or herbal remedies to take, start here!
Vitamin D
“This is one of the main vitamins that Americans are low in — especially those of us who live further from the equator in the Midwest. Vitamin D is a super vitamin that’s good for almost everything!” –Dr. Henkel
Vitamin D is called “the sunshine vitamin” because we gain this essential vitamin from the sun — and because it’s an amazing mood-booster! As Dr. Henkel said, we definitely need this “super vitamin” since the continental US is far from the equator.
There are two types of vitamin D. Vitamin D2 comes from plant sources like mushrooms, while vitamin D3 comes from animals and is better absorbed by the body. And that’s a good thing because this “super vitamin” works wonders for our overall health!
- Strengthens bones and teeth by helping the body absorb calcium*
- Boosts mood and regulates emotions*
- Enhances immune function*
- Supports a healthy stress response*
- Nourishes brain and nerves*
- Promotes cardiovascular function and balanced blood pressure levels*
- Encourages healthy breast tissue and prostate health*
- Aids weight management by helping you feel more satisfied after eating*
Here are some of our favorite vitamin D supplements:
- Lively Vitamin Co. Solar Power is ultra-absorbable and includes vitamin K for extra health support!
- Solgar Liquid Vitamin D3 is the best choice for people who dislike capsules.
- Don’t forget the kids! We suggest Animal Parade Vitamin D3 500mg.
Omegas
“I eat lots of omega-3’s, but fish oil does an especially good job at converting to EPA and DHA, which are important for almost everything!” –Dr. Henkel
Omegas are nutrients that keep our brain, heart, and immune system in tip-top shape! If you’re not a big fan of seafood, though, it can be hard to get enough omega fatty acids from your diet alone.
From omega 3 to omega 9 and all of the omegas in between, there’s little they can’t do! But Dr. Henkel pointed out why he takes omega supplements: they convert into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These compounds provide huge health benefits to our cells! Check out what else omega supplements can do:
- Protect brain health and function*
- Stimulate immune system strength*
- Enhance cellular function and cardiovascular health*
- Aid optimal growth and development (especially for kids!)*
- Nourish hair, skin, and nails*
- Support natural inflammatory response*
Ready for more? Browse some of our favorite omega products:
- Terry Naturally Vectomega provides potent omega 3s (including EPA and DHA) sourced from wild-caught Atlantic salmon. But don’t worry, you won’t experience any fishy burps!
- EverGreen Omega 3 Fish Oil delivers 450mg EPA and 300mg of DHA per softgel for the ultimate cardiovascular and joint support.
- Again, don’t forget about your kids! Omega oils are essential for developing healthy brains. Barlean’s Seriously Delicious Omega-3 Fish Oil is thoroughly kid-approved.
Collagen
“Lord willing, I want to be active until I’m 90. And a good collagen supplement can help make that possible because it’s essential to maintaining healthy skin, joints, and more.” –Dr. Henkel
If you’re searching for an effective anti-aging supplement (and who isn’t?!), then Dr. Henkel has the answer for you! Collagen accounts for approximately one-third of the protein in our bodies, which is why collagen powder is one of the best ways to maintain limber joints, wrinkle-free skin, and youthful energy!
There are four types of collagen. Type I is the strongest and forms our skin, ligaments, and tendons. Type II makes up our cartilage and the connective tissues in our joints. Type III supports firm skin and health heart vessels. Type IV cushions our skin and lines our respiratory system and digestive tracts.
Dr. Henkel takes a supplement with all four types of collagen for incredible health benefits:
- Strengthens hair and nails*
- Promotes supple skin with fewer wrinkles*
- Eases occasional joint discomfort*
- Aids muscle strength*
- Encourages a healthy digestive tract*
Check out some of our favorite collagen products:
- Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Capsules has 5 different types of collagen, making your daily collagen dose extra nourishing and especially convenient.
- Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Ultra with CBD contains collagen and full spectrum CBD to create a formula your joints and skin will love. Plus, it’s a delicious vanilla chai flavored powder!
Magnesium
“I love to take magnesium glycinate before bed because it helps me sleep.” –Dr. Henkel
Dr. Henkel reminded us that most Americans are deficient in magnesium. Let’s not be included in that statistic! Magnesium is one of the most common minerals in the body because it plays a key role in so many essential processes from sleep to digestion and brain function to heart health.
If you get confused when you see different types of magnesium on the label, here are a few pointers. Magnesium citrate is best at relieving constipation, while magnesium oxide soothes indigestion. In particular, Dr. Henkel takes magnesium glycinate to reduce tension and calm his body before sleep. Here’s how else magnesium glycinate can boost your wellness:
- Stimulates healthy digestion and excretion*
- Eases digestive discomfort like gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea*
- Reduces tension and sore muscles*
- Enhances quality and duration of sleep, plus it helps you fall asleep faster*
- May alleviate headaches and muscle cramps*
- Encourages a more positive mood*
- Supports skeletal strength and health*
Feel your best and sleep like a baby with one of our favorite magnesium supplements:
- Lively Vitamin Co. Magnesium Ease contains one of the most absorbable forms of magnesium on the market, which is why it’s our top recommendation!
- Terry Naturally Bioactive Magnesium Complex combines zinc and P-5-P with magnesium to bring a tension-easing and nerve-relaxing supplement like no other.
- Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Glycinate is another potent and easily-absorbed magnesium supplement that your body will readily utilize!
Turmeric
“If I got stuck on an island and could only choose one nutrient, I would choose turmeric!” –Dr. Henkel
Dr. Henkel knows his stuff! Turmeric is one of the most powerful nutrients to combat oxidative stress and unhealthy inflammation levels. We encounter these things every single day of our lives through the pollution in the air, toxins in our food, and chemicals in our clothes! Thankfully, nature has provided an easy and effective solution.
Turmeric is the plant-based herb that turns curry yellow, yet Dr. Henkel sums it up as the anti-herb: antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory — the list goes on. With so many amazing properties, it’s no wonder that he takes this herb every single day!*
- Increases antioxidant capacity*
- Relieves occasional physical discomfort*
- Boosts immune function*
- Supports brain, liver, and cardiovascular health*
- Promotes improved muscle function and joint mobility*
- Enhances your natural inflammatory response*
Ready to experience the best of turmeric? Browse our favorite turmeric and curcumin supplements:
- Lively Vitamin Co. CuraHealth supports daily wellness and ensures inflammation levels remain healthy. It contains BCM-95, the most bioavailable form of curcumin, for utmost absorption and effectiveness.
- Lively Vitamin Co. CuraRelief lets you put down conventional pain relievers because you can rely on this natural option instead. While CuraHealth is designed for daily support, CuraRelief is the bottle you need close by when you need relief.
- Terry Naturally CuraMed 375mg is another powerful curcumin support supplement that provides 375mg of curcumin for everyday nourishment and protection against joint discomfort and muscle tension.
Bonus: What I Take During Covid and Flu Season
If you’re worried about catching germs, vitamins and supplements can be your ally! In the midst of cold-weather coughs and seasonal sniffles, our immune systems need extra support. When Dr. Henkel is sick, he adds vitamin C, zinc, quercetin, extra vitamin D, and colloidal silver to his supplement routine!
Check out our favorite immune support products — including bundles:
- The Maximum Immune Support Bundle gets a check of approval from Dr. Henkel! It combines our favorite elderberry supplement, a super probiotic, inflammation-balancing CuraMed, and colloidal silver so you can maintain your health all year long.
- Lively Vitamin Co. Citrus Kick brings you better health yearlong with 1500mg of ultra-absorbable liposomal vitamin C.
- Think Zinc when you feel sniffles and coughs coming on! This zinc supplement is a strong defense for your immune system against seasonal germs and viruses.
- Pure Encapsulations Quercetin not only strengthens your immune health, but also boosts your antioxidant capacity at the same time!
- Natural Immunogenics Sovereign Silver Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol Drops offer more potent daily immune support than comparable brands, thanks to having 98% bio-activity and 8x more potency.
Bonus: Honorable Mentions
We all know how tough it can be to support our overall wellness. After all, our busy schedules and full days make it hard to balance a healthy diet and daily exercise with adequate sleep and healthy relationships. When Dr. Henkel needs an extra health push, here’s what he takes.
- Taking a multivitamin is the perfect first step to balance your diet and make progress toward your personal wellness goals.
- A probiotic is great for maintaining a healthy digestive tract, which is especially important when we’re traveling or eating out.
- Iodine is a runner-up because it supports thyroid and hormone health, plus gives your body an extra boost in the midst of fatigue.
- Green tea supplements give you the oomph you need when life is busy! It stimulates immune function and aids weight maintenance.
Take what the doctor takes!
Now that we’ve had a behind-the-scenes look into Dr. Henkel’s daily supplement routine, we can enhance our own health goals! Here’s what Dr. Henkel takes every day — and maybe we should too!
- Vitamin D
- Omegas
- Collagen
- Magnesium
- Turmeric
- During covid and flu season: vitamin C, zinc, quercetin, colloidal silver
- Honorable mentions: probiotics, multivitamin, iodine, green tea