Supplements I Take Each Day for Diet

• Daniel Berardo has spent decades researching heart health.
• She regularly takes three supplements: folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.
• She recommends consulting your doctor before starting any new supplements.

Daniel Berardo has dedicated his career to studying the heart and helping patients and the public live healthier lives.

Berardo, a Los Angeles-based cardiologist, not only sees patients, he also sees hosts. podcast Educating the public on how to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and debunking health trends.

Berardo said one of the questions people often ask her is about supplements. People want to know whether they should take supplements, and if so, what types.

Berardo said most supplements aren’t necessary unless you have a deficiency, but there are some that can be helpful depending on your specific situation, such as where you live or your personal diet.

Below are the three things that Berardo himself takes every day.

folic acid

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate or vitamin B9.

It is recommended for all women of childbearing age, Berardo said. Berardo, who is in her 30s, said she takes a daily multivitamin containing folic acid.

of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention It is recommended that women consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.

most people get enough folic acid Because about half of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned and folic acid can prevent serious birth defects, the CDC recommends that anyone who may become pregnant get folic acid through their diet.

vitamin B12

Berardo is a vegan. healthy for your heart. And for many vegans, vitamin B12 It can be difficult to obtain because it occurs naturally in foods such as meat, dairy, eggs, and fish. But it’s not a plant.

However, vitamin B12 is essential for the formation of the body, so it must be taken. red blood cells and DNA.

Vegans and vegetarians are at higher risk of: Vitamin B12 deficiencyIt may cause symptoms such as: pins and needles I have pain in my hands and feet and am very tired.

Vegans and vegetarians can get vitamin B12 through fortified foods such as milk and cereals, which are small but guaranteed to meet the required daily intake of vitamin B12. 2.4 micrograms “It may take a lot of planning,” Berardo said.

As a result, she said, she recommends that “people who are vegan or vegetarian who are completely plant-based take vitamin B12 in supplements to be safe.”

vitamin D

like a biohacker brian johnson Immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci also said Berardo takes vitamin D supplements.

Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, It also helps prevent muscle spasms, reduce inflammation, and improve immune function.

Like vitamin B12, it can be difficult for vegans to get vitamin D through diet alone, Berardo says. “Vitamin D is mainly found in large amounts in animal foods.”

Environment and genetics can also increase your risk of vitamin D deficiency, Berardo says. “Vitamin D depends on where you live, how much sun exposure you have, various genetic factors, and how much fortified foods you eat with vitamin D.”

Although sun exposure can increase vitamin D levels, the American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend sun exposure because it can increase the risk of skin cancer, Dr. Berardo points out. “I take vitamin D supplements because I want to avoid sunburn at all costs,” Berardo said.

Before taking these supplements, Berardo said, it’s important to consult your doctor to determine the appropriate dosage and frequency of the supplements to meet your personal health needs.

That’s because medical professionals don’t widely recommend supplements unless there’s a specific need. And if there is a deficiency, Berardo says, “that’s an issue that needs to be investigated.”