Heath conscious stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Stacy Keibler are huge fans of Dr. Alejandro Junger. Even Dr. Oz gives this wellness doc two thumbs up!
Dr. Junger wrote the best-selling book Clean and is the creator of the Clean program, which is a 3-week dietary plan to remove toxins and revive overall health. For the year or so, Healthy Hollywood has been an avid follower of Dr. Junger and his endless get healthy tips.
Recently, Healthy Hollywood stumbled across his thoughts on supplements. Who isn’t over-whelmed by all the products and questions whether supplements are garbage or actually useful? “Before we even talk about supplements, we have to acknowledge that food deserves the most attention. That being said, even if we are eating clean, a diet of whole foods is most likely not sufficient,” reveals Dr. Junger, who adds, “Whole foods are the key to long-term health, but supplements may just be what we need to take care of any nutrient deficiencies we have.”
Dr. Junger shares his top 5 daily recommended supplements.
Fish oil (or vegetarian Omega3)
Overview: Provides essential fatty acids and reduces inflammation.
Tip: Look for brands certified free of heavy metals like mercury and other contaminants. Start with doses around 1000mg, once to twice daily, with a 300/200 ratio of EPA/DHA.
Probiotics
Overview: Beneficial bacteria help break down food, absorb nutrients, and boost immunity. Take at least 15 billion live organisms a day.
Tip: Choose a probiotic that has the lactobacillus acidophilus strain along with other strains such as Bifidobacterium longum, lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum. Switch your type of probiotic every few months.
Multivitamin/ Multi-mineral
Overview: Replenishes essential vitamins and nutrients that may not be present in your diet.
Tip: You can find this in tablet/capsule form or within a high-quality nutritional shake mix like Nourish.
Vitamin D3 (from sunshine and/or capsule)
Overview: Increases energy levels and immunity, boosts mood and balances hormones.
Tip: When possible, focus on getting 20 minutes of direct sunlight on your bare skin daily. For maintenance take 2,000-4,000 IU a day (SunD3). For deficiencies, work with your functional medicine doctor. They will recommend dosages between 5,000-10,000 IU a day for a few weeks.
Magnesium
Overview: an important mineral directly involved in over 300 different bodily functions and often lacking in our diet.
Tip: Look for magnesium citrate or glycinate because they have been shown to absorb better. Take at least 250mg/day.
Dr. Junger suggests all of the supplements listed are best taken with food except for the probiotic. Probiotics are best taken on empty stomach with water and don’t eat for 15 minutes after taking them.
For more on Dr. Junger and his Clean program, check out www.cleanprogram.com
— Terri MacLeod
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