A supplement cannot replace a poor diet, but it surely will enhance a healthy lifestyle! Providing our body with proper nutrients is vital, especially with everyone being on lockdown. In addition to limited time outdoors, reduced physical activity, and increased stress, many of us might not be getting the wide variety of foods normally eaten.
When I am buying a supplement my requirements include:
Vitamins and minerals from whole food sources
Certifications - most important for me are Non-GMO and Gluten Free. Since the supplement industry does not have specifically designed standards across the board, the more certifications backing it up, the better.
Company transparency about sourcing, ingredients, and procedures.
MegaFood sent me Women's One Daily and Skin, Nails & Hair to review and share my thoughts. A few years back, I struggled with low iron, and the MegaFood Blood Builder Iron supplement worked wonders for me. I was excited to try these products to supplement my diet, especially after seeing progress from MegaFood products in the past – and very eager to share my thoughts and helpful information with you all :)
About the brand:
MegaFood strives to use ingredients that are best for you and your body, and for the environment. This brand advocates for organic and regenerative farming, and has obtained certifications to ensure their products meet optimal standards for ecological and social sustainability.
Certifications are SO important to me before taking a supplement. MegaFood products have earned many certifications that may include:
Certified B Corp - this entails overall social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Businesses with this certification are working to solve social and environmental problems.
Non-GMO Project Verified - This one is vital for me! Genetically Modified Organisms are linked to both health and environmental concerns, so it is reassuring knowing the ingredients meet the Non-GMO Project Standards.
Certified Glyphosate Residue Free - Glyphosate is an herbicide commonly used in the US, but it has been linked to killing microbes in the soil that are necessary for growing healthy food, which can negatively impact our digestive health. MegaFood is the first supplement brand to have its *entire* line of products certified!
Certified Gluten Free - This certifies that products have been certified gluten free by NSF.
Certified Kosher - MegaFood was one of the first whole food supplement brands to have products certified kosher by OK Kosher Certification.
Certified Vegan - Vegan Action certification ensures that products are free of any animal-derived ingredients, and are suitable for those following a vegan diet. This is crucial for vegans because a lot of other brands use animal products in the capsule or other ingredients that you wouldn't expect, and are not always called out.
Vegetarian - Vegetarian products are made without animal products, except for the supplements containing Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which is derived from lanolin (sheep wool), GTF Chromium (contains l-cysteine from duck feathers), and/or L-tyrosine (from duck feathers). If you are looking for products without any animal product origin, stick with the majority of their other supplements which have the Vegan seal.
All products are dairy and soy free as well. I do not include dairy in my diet, so I do not want to take it in supplement form either. This is a problem I have seen some clients experience - they have allergies to dairy, gluten, or various ingredients they otherwise avoid, but their supplement was unknowingly causing a reaction because it was not properly labeled.
MegaFood products have been tested for 125+ pesticides and herbicides, and include real foods with added vitamins and minerals. They even provide additional information about their trusted farmers. Having so many third party qualifications helps to ensure that the supplement you are taking is safe and effective. It is important to me that my supplement brand is transparent with ingredients and sourcing so that I can make an informed decision.
Women's One Daily - A great multivitamin and mineral that checks ALL of my boxes! This is the ideal one-a-day for me as it contains Vitamin D for healthy bones *Vitamin B for energy levels *iron necessary for replenishment during the menstrual cycle *as well as a variety of other vitamins and a "nourishing food and herb blend." The herbal blend
includes Organic Chaste Tree Berry, Organic Ashwagandha Root, and Organic Dandelion Root just to name a few. Women's One Daily can be taken any time of day even on an empty stomach. I have already noticed increased energy while taking this supplement. I believe that this is an optimal women's health multi, but if you want to focus more on beauty and skin...
Skin, Nails & Hair - A multivitamin and multimineral emphasizing on hair, skin and nails with a blend of Biotin, Folate, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These vitamins and minerals are delivered with real, whole foods, including organic oranges, carrots, rice, and nutritional yeast to help strengthen and nourish nails hair.* There is also a "support blend" of beneficial skin-supportive herbs like Organic Horsetail Leaf, Organic Milk Thistle and Organic Turmeric Root to help support you from the inside out.*
Since I have not been getting my nails done in quarantine, I have been paying close attention to my nail health because they had become thin and brittle. My nails are noticeably stronger, and the ridges on the top of my nail have disappeared. Also, since I haven't been able to get my hair cut either, I was nervous about it becoming limp and straggly, but it already feels thicker. Just as the One Daily, this supplement may be taken any time of day even on an empty stomach.
From Women’s Health - pre/post-natal, to Men’s Health, Children’ Health, digestion, immunity, stress, and beauty, MegaFood provides quality supplements and optimal nutrients for the whole family. They also have Gummies and Powders if pills aren’t your thing!
Do you and your family take daily vitamins? What supplements are most important for your lifestyle? What brands do you swear by?
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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