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Upgrade Your Energy, Optimize Your Supplements
There are three groups of people when it comes to supplements.
The first group are those who shun all forms of supplementation because “it isn’t
natural” or because “cavemen didn’t have supplements.” They often say, “I don’t need
supplements because I get all my nutrients from food.”
My somewhat obvious reply to that misguided belief is, “Then you must get all your
toxins from nature.”
The second group are those who think supplements can make up for a poor diet, high
stress levels, and pretty much everything else.
The final group is somewhere in between. This is where we want to be.
Supplements are a double edged sword. The wrong ones can do more damage than good,
but the right ones can massively improve your health, even if you eat a great diet. In this
article, you’re going to get an overview of the problems with generic supplements, how
to pick the right supplements, and the list of supplements almost everyone should be
taking.
Throw Away Your Multivitamins
With half of the U.S. population taking a multivitamin, many people seem to think
multivitamins are the first line of defense against malnutrition and disease. In fact, the
opposite is true. Multivitamins can actually do more harm than good. We won’t go into
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the full details here, but here are two reasons to choose targeted supplements over
multivitamins.
1. Imbalance of nutrients.
Most multivitamins have too much of some nutrients (like vitamin A or B6) and not
enough of others (like magnesium). The result is over dosing and under dosing at the
same time. In order to get enough of some vitamins and minerals, you would have to
take far more than you should of others. It is a common practice to use very small
amounts of expensive nutrients, which allows manufacturers to still list them on the label.
Average consumers don’t notice there are meaningless amounts of some nutrients, and
they only want to take one pill anyway. There is no way to fit “a complete spectrum” of
nutrients in one single pill.
2. Low quality.
Nutrients come in different forms that behave differently inside your body. Folate is an
essential B vitamin, but folic acid, the kind found in generic multivitamins, increases
your risk of cancer. This may be why many studies show no benefit to taking
multivitamins (although honestly, that’s more likely because pharmaceutical companies
funded those studies…) In fact, much of the research shows an increased risk of
mortality. This is assuming you even absorb the ingredients. Many multivitamins are
made with fillers and additives which are poorly utilized by the body – to the extent some
nursing homes call them “bedpan bullets”. Even if they have the right amount of a
nutrient on the label, very little may reach your cells.
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In the end, you get what you pay for with supplements. You can delude yourself and buy
the generic multivitamins at Costco, or you can spend a little extra and actually do
something to improve your health.
Before we get into the exact supplements you should take, here are some general criteria
for supplementation.
1. Get the majority of your nutrients from food.
2. Consume supplements in their highest performance form.
3. When in doubt – go without.
4. Recognize that some supplements can help your performance – and health – more
than food.
Get the majority of your nutrients from food.
You don’t eat nutrients – you eat food. Whole foods behave differently from their
individual parts. The nutrients from a piece of meat are more bioavailable than
consuming the equivalent nutrients from a pill. Studies have shown that grass-fed meat
boosts plasma omega-3 levels far more than what could be explained by the actual
omega-3 content of the meat. Antioxidants from food are usually beneficial, but taking
mega-doses of some synthetic antioxidants increases your risk of death. The nutrients in
food work together in a process known as food synergy. In short, this means food is
more powerful than the sum of its parts. The good news is the Bulletproof Diet is the
most nutrient packed diet in the world. If you haven’t yet, take the time to read the first
article in this series to learn more about the Bulletproof Diet.
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Consume supplements in their highest performance form.
Artificial forms of nutrients are not as effective as the real thing. When you do
supplement, you should still try to get them from whole food sources. Isolated nutrients
often compete for the same absorption pathways. For example, iron and calcium inhibit
the absorption of one another, but synthetic nutrients are often damaging. For these
reasons, nutrients should be consumed in their most natural form possible.
When in doubt – go without.
There is always a risk with supplements. Even the most natural forms can contain high
levels of heavy metals, contaminants, and byproducts from processing. Food is not
guaranteed to be free from these substances, but it’s far less likely to contain them. In
many cases, the biggest downside to taking supplements you don’t need is simply
expensive urine, but in other cases it’s better to go without than to take something you
shouldn’t have.
What Supplements You Should Take
I take over 40 pills a day, carefully selected for my own needs using testing over the last
decade. That’s why this isn’t called “the complete guide to supplementation.” This list
does not cover my recommendations for smart drugs or most brain enhancing
nutrients. Those topics will come in a later post. These are the basic supplements that
most everyone should be taking.
For each nutrient, you will get a:
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Dosage recommendation.
The correct form it should be taken in.
The time it should be taken.
A recommended brand.
I have no relation or affiliation with any of these companies. They are simply the ones I
trust with my health and use on a daily basis.
Here are the ten nutrients (almost) everyone should supplement with.
1. Vitamin D
2. Magnesium
3. Vitamin K2
4. Vitamin C
5. Iodine
6. Krill Oil
7. Vitamin A
8. Selenium
9. Copper
10. Folinic Acid with B12
Vitamin D
Vitamin D isn’t just the most important supplement – it is possibly the most important
biohack. Vitamin D acts on over 1000 different genes and serves as a substrate for sex
hormones like testosterone, human growth hormone, and estrogen. It moderates immune
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function and inflammation. It assists in calcium metabolism and bone formation. It’s no
coincidence this is one of the few vitamins humans can make on their own. Without it –
we’d be dead. It’s true that you can get adequate vitamin D from sun exposure, but for
non-nudist non-equatorial dwellers it’s not enough. If you’re getting adequate vitamin A,
it’s almost impossible to overdose on D.
Dose: 1000 IU / 25 pounds of body weight.*
Form: D3
Time Taken: Morning
Recommended Brand: Purity Products vitamin D3
*People with brown/black skin don’t convert sunlight into vitamin D as quickly as lighter
skinned people. If you’re brown skinned, a safe bet is 1500 IU / 25 pounds of body
weight, but you should always test your blood levels because individual response to
dosage varies.
Magnesium
This is almost as important as vitamin D, and almost as under appreciated. Magnesium is
used in over 300 enzymatic processes, including all of those involved in ATP
production. It’s also vital for proper transcription of DNA and RNA.
Magnesium deficiency is a serious problem. Symptoms include heart arrhythmias,
tachycardia, headaches, muscle cramps, nausea, metabolic syndrome, migraines, and
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pretty much everything else you don’t want. It’s also associated with cardiovascular
disease diabetes, asthma, anxiety disorders, and PMS.
Almost all Americans are deficient in magnesium. The majority of people don’t meet the
RDA, which is already too low. Due to soil depletion and poor farming practices, it’s
almost impossible to get enough magnesium from your diet. Without a doubt – everyone
should supplement with magnesium.
Dose: 600-800mg / day
Forms: Citrate, malate, glycinate, threonate, or orotate
Time Taken: before bedtime.
Recommended Brand: Natural Calm or VRP
Vitamin K2
Unless you grew up eating only grass-fed meat and raw milk – you’re deficient in
vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is a fat soluble vitamin involved in calcium
metabolism. Excess calcium is deposited in arteries, leading to calcification and
decreased vascular function. This is why vitamin K2 prevents atherosclerosis and heart
attacks, and strengthens bones.
Vitamin K1 is the kind of vitamin K found in leafy vegetables, and vitamin K2 is the kind
found in grass-fed animal products. Humans don’t convert vitamin K1 into K2
efficiently. Ruminant animals like cows and sheep convert K1 into K2 in their
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stomachs. This is another reason you should eat grass-fed animals, because they can only
get K1 from grass – not grains.
There are two subsets of vitamin K2: MK-4, and MK-7. MK-4 is the kind shown to
produce the most benefit, but MK-7 is still important. You should consume a total of at
least 2,000mcg per day of K2, at least 100mcg of which should be the MK-7 form.
Dose: 2,000mcg / day (100mcg MK-7 form)
Forms: MK-4, and MK-7
Time Taken: Doesn’t really matter, but it’s best to take this with vitamin D, so morning
is best.
Recommended Brand: Life Extension
Vitamin C
This is one of the safest, most effect supplements you can take. Vitamin C is needed for
collagen and connective tissue formation. It’s used to manufacture glutathione, the most
powerful antioxidant in the body. Vitamin C can enhance immune function and help
quench free radical damage. Studies have shown you can take up to 120 grams of
vitamin C a day with no side effects (besides loose stool).
It’s hard to get enough vitamin C from food, which is why 30 percent of the population is
deficient.
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Some fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin C, but cooking and storage methods can
deplete vitamin C content. Supplementation with at least 500mg per day is optimal. You
should take a lot more if you are suffering from chronic infections or healing from injury.
Dose: 1-2 grams / day
Forms: Ascorbic acid crystals or time release capsules.
Time Taken: Morning and evening, but it’s best not to take it after a workout as isolated
antioxidants can negate the insulin sensitivity gained from exercise.
Recommended Brand: Solaray
Iodine
Iodine is crucial for proper thyroid function and metabolism. It also enhances immune
function and prevents brain damage. Iodine deficiency is widespread, so
supplementation is wise. You can get some iodine from seafood, but risk of deficiency is
still high. Iodized salt won’t get you optimal levels. The toxic limit for iodine is also
extremely high, meaning you can take a lot. A good starting point is 1mg / day from kelp
powder or as potassium iodide.
Dose: 1mg / day
Forms: Kelp powder or potassium iodide capsules
Time Taken: Doesn’t matter.
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Recommended Brand: Pure Encapsulations potassium iodide
EPA/DHA (Krill oil)
This is a tricky one. Small doses of high quality fish oil reduce inflammation, improve
brain function, and even enhance muscle growth, but poor quality or high doses can cause
more problems than they help to solve. Not all fish oil is created equal. Most of the
brands you are likely to buy at your local grocery are contaminated, oxidized, and low
potency. If you can’t find a good fish oil – you’re much better off avoiding it all
together.
That’s why I recommend krill oil over fish oil altogether. Krill is more stable and it is
phosphorylated, meaning it’s easier for your brain to use. It also comes with astaxanthin,
a potent antioxidant.
There are real benefits to taking EPA and DHA, but most of these are strongest if your
diet is deficient in omega-’3s, or too high in omega-6’s. If you’re eating a Bulletproof
Diet, this won’t be a problem. Humans only need 350mg of DHA and EPA a day to have
optimal brain function. If you’re eating grass-fed meat and wild caught fish, this is easily
obtainable. If you can’t find grass-fed meat or wild caught seafood, you should
supplement with at least 1000mg of krill oil per day.
Dose: 1000mg / day
Forms: Krill Oil
Time Taken: With meals.
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Recommended Brand: Jarrow Krill oil
In addition to these basic supplements, there are a few you should also consider taking.
Vitamin A
This is essential if you aren’t eating organ meats like beef liver, kidney, and heart (you
should). Vitamin A is an important cofactor for numerous metabolic reactions and bodily
functions. A quarter of Americans consume less than half the RDA, which is already too
low. An important thing to remember is that you can’t get vitamin A from plants. Plants
don’t have vitamin A, they have beta-carotene. Beta carotene is poorly converted into
vitamin a which is why some populations develop vitamin A deficiency despite
consuming far more than they should have required. Sorry vegetarians and vegans,
carrots don’t count.
Dose: 10,000-15,000 IU / day.
Forms: Retinol (A good source of vitamin A is cod liver oil, which also has vitamin D)
Time Taken: With meals.
Recommended Brand: Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil (Arctic Mint flavor)
Selenium
Selenium is a heavy metal with numerous beneficial effects on the body. It boosts
immune function, prevents cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and protects against
thyroid dysfunction. It is possible to get enough selenium from wild caught fish and
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animal products, but most people don’t. If you can’t find real meat, you should
supplement with 200mcg per day. Be careful, too much selenium can cause negative
health consequences. Take 200 micrograms, not milligrams.
Dose: 200mcg / day
Forms: Se Methyl Selenocysteine or selenomethionine
Time Taken: Doesn’t matter.
Recommended Brand: Life Extension
Copper
Copper is needed for proper vascular and heart function. Most of the U.S. Is woefully
deficient in copper, consuming only .8mg per day. This is worrying since less than 1mg
per day is enough to cause heart attacks. Copper intake has fallen over the last century
due to modern farming and dietary practices. Modern fruits, vegetables, and
conventional meats are low in copper, containing 75 percent less than they used to.
Luckily, beef and lamb liver have a massive amount of copper. If you’re eating at least
four ounces of beef liver per week, you can meet your copper needs. Other good sources
of copper include cocoa (dark chocolate – look for low toxin Bulletproof Chocolate
Powder), cashews, and lobster. If you aren’t eating beef or lamb liver weekly, you
should supplement with at least 1mg per day.
Dose: 1mg / day
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Forms: Capsule
Time Taken: Doesn’t matter.
Recommended Brand: Life Extension
B-12 and folinic acid
Most people are deficient in B12. B12 can protect against dementia, increase immune
function, maintain nerves, and regenerate cells. B12 lowers homocysteine and protects
against atherosclerosis. It’s necessary for maintaining methylation reactions that repair
DNA and prevent cancer. One of the most crucial areas for B12 is the brain.
Folate deficiency can also cause mental symptoms, although B12 is more likely to be a
problem. Folate and B12 are both required for mental function, and a deficiency in one
produces a deficiency in the other, but folate will not correct a B12 deficiency in the
brain. If you make the mistake of treating B12 deficiency with folate, you can get
permanent brain damage. (hear that, vegans?) Likewise, high amounts of folate without
adequate B12 can cause neurological conditions. That’s why I take them together.
Dose: >5mg of methylcobalamin or hydroxycobalamin and >800mcg of folate (5-MTHF
or folinic acid, NOT folic acid)
Forms: Capsule
Time Taken: Doesn’t matter.
Recommended Brand: varies
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Supplementation is something everyone should do, but how much depends on your diet
and other lifestyle factors. Athletes need more of some supplements than other
people. In general, you should try to get as much nutrition from food as possible. You
should consume nutrients in their most natural form. When you do supplement – you get
what you pay for. If you aren’t wiling to spend money on quality supplements – you’re
compromising your health and it will cost more in the long term.