A Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner’s Top 5 Supplements

Can I be honest? When I was diagnosed with cancer, I became so diligent about taking my supplements, doing the therapies, eating super clean – all the things. But you know what lesson I learned along the way? Healing is a marathon, not a sprint. 

Now some days I don’t take every single supplement or do all my therapies. I always say it’s progress over perfection. But I do believe these things can be powerful tools to help you live your healthiest life. 

All the wellness advice out there can feel overwhelming if you’re not working with a provider who takes you seriously, or if you don’t have the means to do individualized functional medicine lab testing. It’s no surprise I often get asked how to discern what supplements can actually benefit you.

During my 12+ years as a functional medicine nurse practitioner, here are 5 KEY supplements I found to be beneficial for almost everyone.

Vitamin D3/K2

Most people are deficient in Vitamin D, which can lead to frequent illnesses, a higher likelihood of autoimmune diseases, and more.

If your Vitamin D levels are lower than the 70-90 range, it can be a good idea to supplement. We offer a whole TDW lab panel that includes Vitamin D levels in TDW Community. If pregnant or nursing, consult with your provider before adding Vitamin D to your supplement routine.

What are some of the benefits of taking Vitamin D?

• Powers up the immune system
• Can improve mood
• Promotes healthy bones and teeth

Omega

Omega is critical to inner health and can be such a good supplement to take daily. It provides essential fatty acids for every cell membrane and fights inflammation making it helpful for issues like depression, hormonal acne, and hormone and ovulation support. It can be taken while pregnant or nursing, but as always, consult your healthcare provider with any concerns.

What are some of the benefits of taking Omega?

• Great for hair, skin, and nail health
• Fights inflammation 
• Support for healthy joints, skin, cardiovascular health, metabolism, and so much more

Magnesium

Magnesium plays a role in over 300 bodily functions. Unfortunately, stress, processed food, and other modern-day lifestyle choices all deplete magnesium, so most of us need this mineral. 

My magnesium has three forms of magnesium, so I like to say it’s three times as nice. You can learn more about the different types of magnesium and what each is best for in this blog. It’s literally the only supplement I always take, and you can take it while pregnant or nursing, but as always, do speak with your healthcare provider before taking a new product. I like to take about an hour before bedtime.

What are some of the benefits of taking Magnesium?

• Helps with relaxation
• Boosts quality of sleep
• Alleviates muscle cramping, PMS, constipation + more

Multivitamin 

I see multivitamins as a powerful tool to “fill in the gaps” for what you aren’t receiving optimally through your diet. 

A multivitamin supports your body at a cellular level. You can even take this exact one if pregnant or breastfeeding, but as always, consult with your provider.

What sets TDW’s The One apart?

• A high potency multi-vitamin with organic ingredients
• Contains prebiotics and postbiotics
• Boosts immune system, energy, brain health, and more

Electrolytes 

Most people are dehydrated, and drinking water alone won’t fix this issue – we need electrolytes to support proper hydration. 

I personally take 1-2 of my electrolyte sticks daily depending on my activity/sweat level. These have especially been a lifesaver, whenever I do the sauna, take a detox bath, or go for a harder workout. My husband and kids love them, too! Electrolytes can be enjoyed if pregnant or nursing, but as always, consult your physician about any concerns.

What sets TDW’s Electrolytes apart?

• Deep hydration via three essential minerals – sodium, magnesium and potassium. Optimal ratio of more magnesium and less sodium to meet modern-day lifestyle needs
• Organic, superior ingredients like a powdered organic coconut water base, high-quality, unprocessed salt, and organic fruit juice powder
• No natural flavors or artificial anything

If you’re unsure where to start when it comes to achieving optimal health, these 5 supplements can be powerful when paired with lifestyle changes in your daily routine. They are easy to implement and have many benefits. 

Supplement According to Specific Symptoms

When I opened the Taylor Dukes Wellness Shop, I not only wanted to give you (and frankly, myself!) a one-stop shop where you could feel good about any product. Third-party tested and verified. Pure, potent, bioavailable, and easily absorbed. But I also wanted to minimize the overwhelming feeling of finding the right supplements for you. For this reason, you can shop all my products according to your symptoms/their benefits or take this quick quiz and get personalized picks instantly based on your symptoms.

Personalize Your Well-being

If you’re interested in a more personalized path to optimal health, I would recommend functional medicine lab testing. While an investment upfront, it can save you money in the long run by knowing exactly what products, wellness gadgets, and more will be the most effective for alleviating your symptoms. I share more about the top functional medicine lab tests I recommend HERE. We offer these all in my TDW Community, which is a wellness membership where you have access to the functional medicine expertise of me and my team, the opportunity to do lab testing and 1:1 consults, exclusive guides and resources on top wellness topics, and more. You can join TDW Community anytime for $39/month.