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Beginner Supplement Guide: How to Build a Routine in 3 Steps

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iHerb has strict sourcing guidelines and draws from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, medical journals, and reputable media sites. This badge indicates that a list of studies, resources, and statistics can be found in the references section at the bottom of the page.

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Supplements can be an incredible addition to a healthcare routine. But with millions to choose from, how do you know how to pick the right ones to help you thrive?

Luckily, there's a science to picking the right supplement. In this article, we teach you 3 simple steps to finding the ultimate supplement combination.

Step 1: Build a Strong Foundation

Start with a Multivitamin

Supplements are designed to help you fill the gaps in your diet, wherever it falls short. This is precisely why broad-spectrum multivitamins were created. A high-quality multivitamin is the cornerstone of any supplement program—but not all formulas are created equal. Look for a formula that provides:

  • Broad-spectrum coverage that includes all essential vitamins and minerals 
  • Active forms of B vitamins (e.g., methylcobalamin, methylfolate)
  • Levels of all vitamins and trace minerals like zinc at full RDA levels (note: major minerals like calcium and magnesium can be taken individually if needed)

Essential vitamins and minerals serve as cofactors in virtually every metabolic process, including:

  • Cellular energy production
  • Detoxification pathways
  • Neurotransmitter synthesis
  • Hormonal balance
  • Immune function
  • Cognitive function

Without adequate micronutrient status through dietary supplementation, even the best diet can fall short.1,2 A properly formulated multivitamin and mineral formula helps to ensure your body has the building blocks it needs to function optimally.3-6 Think of it as a nutritional insurance policy. 

A high-quality multivitamin is one of the top recommendations most doctors give, no matter the age or gender. It is a safe and effective practice that promotes health. 

Omega-3 Support

Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most important—and most commonly deficient—nutrients in the modern diet. A daily intake of ~1,200 mg of combined EPA + DHA provides meaningful support for: 

  • Cardiovascular health
  • Brain function and mood
  • Healthy inflammatory balance
  • Cellular membrane integrity

Large meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials demonstrate that supplementation with fish or algal sources of omega-3s can support cardiovascular health, triglyceride levels, and inflammatory balance.7-9  

Even individuals who eat fish regularly often fall short of optimal intake levels. Supplementation helps ensure consistent intake to achieve and maintain sufficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids necessary to support health. 

A High-Quality Probiotic

Gut health is foundational to overall health. A well-formulated probiotic can help support:

  • Digestive efficiency
  • Nutrient absorption
  • Immune system regulation
  • Microbiome balance

Clinical trials show that probiotics can improve gastrointestinal function, support immune response, and positively influence the gut microbiome.10-12 Probiotics are an especially easy addition to the daily routine for infants and kids.

The key is to use a high-quality probiotic containing clinically validated, strain-specific organisms that is formulated to ensure those live microbes survive through shelf life and digestion to reach the intestines in effective amounts.

Why This “Core Three” Matters

This combination—multivitamin + omega-3s + probiotic—addresses three critical pillars of health:

Pillar

Supported By

Foundational Nutrition

Multivitamin & minerals

Cellular Health

Omega-3s

Digestive Health 

Probiotic

Step 2: Choose Forms You Will Actually Take

Even the best supplement routine won’t work if you don’t stick with it. Fortunately, dietary supplements come in all shapes, sizes, and forms these days. With so many options, it is easy to find the form that you will actually take. Common options include:

  • Capsules and softgels
  • Powders and drink mixes
  • Liquids
  • Gummies 
  • Chewables

The key with any of these forms lies in choosing a form that provides the optimal dosages and one that you will take daily.

Step 3: Build a Sustainable Habit

A supplement routine only works if it becomes automatic. Here are simple, effective strategies: 

  • Set reminders: Use simple phone alarms labeled by supplement to stay consistent
  • Keep them where you need them: Store supplements in key locations (home, work, travel spots) instead of relying on memory
  • Anchor to routines: Take supplements with daily habits like meals, brushing teeth, or bedtime
  • Schedule it: Add supplements to your daily calendar or written routine to reinforce consistency
  • Keep performance products ready: Store workout-related supplements in your car or gym bag (when conditions allow)
  • Use auto-ship: Ensure uninterrupted use by setting up automatic refills

Over time, the goal is simple: Your supplement routine becomes as automatic as brushing your teeth.

Final Thought

The health benefit of dietary supplementation is not about taking more; it is really about taking the right dosage of key supplements consistently on a daily basis.

By focusing on:

  • A well-formulated multivitamin with active nutrients
  • Adequate omega-3 intake
  • A clinically relevant probiotic

You create a foundation that supports virtually every system in the body simply, efficiently, and effectively.

References:

  1. Bird J, Murphy R, Ciappio E, McBurney M. Risk of Deficiency in Multiple Concurrent Micronutrients in Children and Adults in the United States. Nutrients. 2017;9(7):655. doi:10.3390/nu9070655
  2. Reider CA, Chung RY, Devarshi PP, et al. Inadequacy of Immune Health Nutrients: Intakes in US Adults, the 2005-2016 NHANES. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1735. 
  3. Michels AJ, Butler JA, Uesugi SL, et al. Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplementation Prevents or Reverses Decline in Vitamin Biomarkers and Cellular Energy Metabolism in Healthy Older Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2023 Jun 9;15(12):2691.
  4. Schlebusch L, Bosch BA, Polglase G, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, double-centre study of the effects of an oral multivitamin-mineral combination on stress. S Afr Med J 2000;90:1216-23
  5. Benton D, Fordy J, Haller J. The impact of long-term vitamin supplementation on cognitive functioning. Psychopharmacology 1995;117:298-305.
  6. High KP. Micronutrient supplementation and immune function in the elderly. Clin Infect Dis 1999;28:717-22.
  7. Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD003177. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub5
  8. Hu Y, Hu FB, Manson JE. Marine omega-3 supplementation: an updated meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 127,477 participants. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019;8(19):e013543. doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.013543
  9. Skulas-Ray AC, Wilson PWF, Harris WS, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids: a science advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019;140(12):e673–e691. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000709
  10. da Silva TF, Glória RA, Americo MF, Freitas ADS, de Jesus LCL, Barroso FAL, Laguna JG, Coelho-Rocha ND, Tavares LM, le Loir Y, Jan G, Guédon É, Azevedo VAC. Unlocking the Potential of Probiotics: A Comprehensive Review on Research, Production, and Regulation of Probiotics. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2024 Mar 28. 
  11. Lee ES, Song EJ, Nam YD, Lee SY. Probiotics in human health: from nutribiotics to pharmabiotics. J Microbiol. 2018;56(11):773-782.
  12. Pramanik S, Venkatraman S, Karthik P, Vaidyanathan VK. A systematic review on selection characterization and implementation of probiotics in human health. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2023 Jan 10;32(4):423-440.

DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.