Dr. Lilly’s Recommended Daily Vitamins and Supplements
Even a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet can leave your body void of vital nutrients. However, a daily vitamin and supplement regimen can help bridge the gaps to achieve optimal overall health. Cooper Clinic Platinum Physician Steven Lilly, MD, MBA, discusses the recommended daily vitamins and supplements he gives his patients and his personal vitamin regimen.
Basic One Daily Multivitamin Iron Free
Basic One daily multivitamin contains methylated (5-MTHF) folate and vitamin B12, 50 mcg (2000 IU) vitamin D3, magnesium, zinc and other premium vitamins and minerals in amounts proven beneficial to optimal health.
$29.98 Add to cart“Vitamins and supplements are used to enhance enzyme and metabolic reactions within the body,” states Lilly. “These reactions enable your cells to use energy more efficiently, which can translate to a variety of health benefits.”
Recommended Daily Multivitamin
While there is no silver bullet supplement to replace the benefits of a healthy diet, taking a multivitamin in addition to eating well-balanced meals can address common nutrient deficiencies. Lilly believes the foundation of a well-rounded supplement routine is a robust multivitamin first and foremost.
Loaded with essential vitamins and minerals such as B12, C and folate, Cooper Complete multivitamins have been shown to contribute to heart health by lowering the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a key marker of inflammation in the body related to heart disease, diabetes and autoimmune diseases. The high levels of vitamin C (150 mg in Basic One and 500 mg in Original) in these multivitamins can improve immune system health by enabling the body to resist pathogens. Cooper Complete multivitamins contain Cooper Clinic’s baseline recommendation of 50 mcg (2000 IU) of vitamin D3 for optimal bone health. While Cooper Complete’s gummy multivitamin only contains 25 mcg (1000 IU), it remains more robust in vitamin D than the leading gummy multivitamin brands on the market.
Take your pick from Cooper Complete’s six multivitamins, including pill or gummy forms and options with or without iron.
5 mg Melatonin Prolonged Release Supplement
Prolonged Release Melatonin is a formula with a two-phased delivery system that releases melatonin quickly and then steadily over six hours. Due to supply chain constraints, this product has transitioned to a 5 mg supplement and 90 tablets per bottle.
$26.97 Add to cartVitamin D Supplement
Coming in a close second from Dr. Lilly is the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D is vital in building a healthy immune system and effectively fighting off infections and viruses.
“Vitamin D also plays a critical role in promoting musculoskeletal health and maintaining bone density,” explains Lilly. “This helps decrease the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures that come with aging.”
Cooper Complete Vitamin D3 is available in 25 mcg (1,000 IU) and 125 mcg (5,000 IU). When choosing the dosage that is right for you, it is important to remember that it depends on how well your body absorbs vitamin D. Reflux medications and acid blockers that lower acid levels in the stomach can affect the absorption of vitamin D, in which case one might opt to take a higher dosage.
Recommended Daily (Nightly) Supplement Melatonin
Lilly often recommends a melatonin supplement to his many patients struggling with sleep issues. Melatonin sends signals to the brain and the rest of the body to initiate and maintain sleep. Screen time before bed can suppress the normal increase in melatonin at night, causing difficulty in falling asleep. Nighttime melatonin concentrations also decrease as we age.
With stress and sleep being closely connected, melatonin can be an ideal solution for sleep problems while also providing stress relief. Lack of quality sleep leads to increased stress levels, depression and anxiety, and decreased ability to deal with the root causes properly.
Turmeric Curcumin Supplement
Contains 1000 mg of turmeric extract, which is standardized to contain 95% curcuminoids, and 10 mg of black pepper in 3 vegetarian capsules. Physician formulated to support a healthy inflammatory response.
$35.98 Add to cartCooper Complete offers both a quick-release melatonin supplement to help you fall asleep and a prolonged-release formula to help you stay asleep.
(You can learn about sleep hygiene steps to improve sleep by reading this article from Nina Radford, MD, Cooper Clinic Cardiologist and Director of Clinical Research.)
Omega-3
As most Americans do not meet the two servings of fish per week recommendation from the American Heart Association or a minimum of 8 ounces of seafood per week from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, taking an omega-3 supplement can aid in bridging the dietary gap. Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 supports heart health and brain function as well as optimizes lipid levels. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to help reduce symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as eczema, rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain.
Dr. Lilly’s Recommended Daily Vitamins and Supplements – Personal and Patient Regimens
“I recommend all my patients supplement their diets with the vitamins appropriate for their lifestyle and habits,” says Lilly. “As I see such a variety of eating habits and nutritional practices among my patients, it is important to ensure they are each meeting their personal nutritional requirements with the supplementation appropriate for them.”
The daily vitamins and supplements Lilly himself takes include Cooper Complete Basic One Multivitamin, Omega-3, Vitamin D3 and Turmeric Curcumin Complex. “Being vitamin D deficient, I found supplementing with vitamin D has significantly helped bring my vitamin D levels into the normal range,” says Lilly. “Taking my omega-3 every day has also improved my cholesterol, especially my triglyceride levels.” Lilly finds the combination of these supplements and regular exercise helps keep inflammation at bay and boosts his energy levels during the day.
As a reminder, your health care provider understands your health profile best, including your medical history, risks and current medication and supplement use. Therefore, it is important to talk to them about which supplements are best for you.