The 12 Best Supplements, According to a Dietitian

Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies Sport are easy-to-chew gummy vitamins with 1000 IU vitamin D3—125% Daily Value—in one gummy. Vitamin D3 is one of the two types of vitamin D available in supplements. While both vitamin D2 and D3 are absorbed in the gut, research shows that vitamin D3 more effectively increases concentrations of vitamin D in the body.5

Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone health and has multiple other functions related to immunity and metabolism. It’s difficult to eat enough vitamin D in food since there are few naturally-occurring food sources of vitamin D. Vitamin D can be made in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. People at risk for low serum vitamin D levels include those with limited sun exposure, older people, those considered to be obese, and those of certain racial and ethnic groups.6 A healthcare professional should check vitamin D levels in your blood to determine what dose of vitamin D—if needed—would best suit your needs.

We like that Nordic Naturals vitamin D is a third-party tested supplement that’s NSF Certified for Sport. It’s suitable for vegetarians and comes in one flavor—wild berry.

Price at time of publication: $20 ($0.17 per serving)

It’s recommended adults eat 8 ounces or more of a variety of fish per week to get enough omega-3’s in the diet. However, many Americans fall short of this recommendation which may be a reason some people take an omega-3 supplement.7 However, it should be noted that fish offers a variety of other nutrients not found in an omega-3 supplement which is why the health benefits of eating fish are usually greater than taking an omega-3 supplement in research studies.8 Also, if you are on blood thinning medication or have a seafood allergy, consult a healthcare professional before adding an omega-3 supplement.8

If you’re looking for an omega-3 supplement, we recommend GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil because it contains 1000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids in one softgel. Made with a combination of EPA, DHA, and other omega-3s, this fish oil supplement is a highly concentrated source of EPA and DHA.

This supplement was approved in a 2022 review of omega-3 supplements through ConsumerLab.com’s voluntary certification program. This verifies that the product contains what it says it contains without potentially harmful contamination. It’s sourced from wild fish, and it is purified to amounts of heavy metals and other contaminants that can be found in fish.

The enteric-coated pills help to prevent a fishy aftertaste and burps—two side effects that can often occur after taking fish oil supplements. The dosage of this supplement is one softgel, but you can opt for the same formulation as mini softgels, which require taking two pills to meet the same omega-3 dose.

Fish oil supplements are not vegan, as they’re made from fish. Additionally, this supplement contains soybeans, making it inappropriate for anyone with a soy allergy. However, the GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil is gluten-free and is made without artificial colors or flavors.

Price at time of publication: $50 ($0.42 per serving)