11/07/2026
Here are the only 5 supplements most people actually need.
1. Vitamin D3 with K2: It's nearly impossible to get enough vitamin D from food, and most people don't get enough sun. Aim for blood levels of at least 50 to 80 ng/mL. Pair it with K2, which helps keep calcium out of your soft tissues.
2. Magnesium glycinate: About 80% is absorbed, compared to 3 to 4% for magnesium oxide. It supports energy, sleep, and muscle relaxation, and it helps vitamin D work.
3. Electrolytes, especially potassium: The RDA is 4700 mg, and most people get less than half. Choose one without maltodextrin.
4. Omega-3s from fish oil or cod liver oil: The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio should be around 2:1 or 1:1, but most people are at 10:1 or even 20:1. Sardines are a great food source, with about 900 mg per can.
5. Trace minerals: Modern farming only puts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back into the soil, so crops are often low in minerals like selenium, zinc, and iodine.
What most people can skip:
โข Generic multivitamins, which are often full of fillers and synthetics
โข Iron supplements (get iron from red meat or liver instead)
โข Calcium supplements, which some studies link to a higher risk of heart attack, especially in postmenopausal women (get calcium from dairy instead)
-Dr. Berg
Dr. Eric Berg, DC, not MD; information only