Choose your fighters

Today we're partnering with Vitacost to give away three $50 gift cards on the UNiDAYS app. In order to help you decide what to buy with your winnings, here are the supplements that most people need every day, according to experts. Obviously, check with your doctor about your individual needs, tho. Duh.

1. Multivitamins

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Multivitamins are a one-stop-shop for lots of different nutrients that the body needs (which explains why the pills are often so large!). They contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your body needs. You can select your multivitamin based on the different levels of these nutrients based on what your body needs the most, and there are multivitamins for different ages and sexes. Something for everyone!

2. Vitamin B-12

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If your multivitamin isn't rich in vitamin B-12, it's often a good idea to supplement with a B-12 supplement. Vitamin B-12 is important for your overall wellbeing, since it affects the production of DNA and RNA, which make up all the cells in your body. It keeps your memory sharp, your muscles strong, and your central nervous system running properly. Vitamin B-12 is often found in meat, so if you're a vegetarian, this is likely an especially important supplement for you!

3. Vitamin D

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No matter how often you sunbathe, there's a large chance you're not getting enough Vitamin D. This "vitamin" is actually a hormone that is responsible for a long list of important things like the health of your bones and teeth, the strength of your immune system, and the function of your heart and muscles. Vitamin D3 is the most absorbable form of Vitamin D, and it can often be found in pill form.

4. Omega-3s

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Omega-3s are a key nutrient responsible for brain function, so it's very important to make sure you're getting enough of it (especially if the amount in your multivitamin isn't sufficient for your personal needs). Omega-3 fatty acids are great at reducing inflammation, which is the surprising root of a long list of ailments you may be experiencing. Omega-3s are also a key player in lowering cholesterol, since they help increase the good cholesterol and decrease the bad cholesterol in your body.

5. Probiotics

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Cue the Activia commercial. Probiotics are responsible for increasing the healthy bacteria in your gut and decreasing the harmful bacteria. The microbiomes in your gut are actually an important fighter against infection and inflammation, so you want to keep the gut as happy as you can. You also might be surprised to know that these microbiomes affect the chemicals in the body that shape your mood, sleep quality, appetite, and sex drive. This all comes from your belly, forreal.

6. Calcium

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You probably already know that calcium, often found in milk, is responsible for the strength and health of your bones. Bone calcium actually begins to decrease during young adulthood, so it's important to stay on top of your calcium intake so that you can stop that deterioration in its tracks. If you avoid dairy for any reason, you might want to ask your doctor if a calcium supplement is a good idea for you.