The Supplements That Made It Into My Daily Routine
- williampattersonv
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 16 hours ago
I never pictured myself becoming someone with a shelf full of supplements.
For years, I grabbed whatever looked good at the store and hoped for the best. I didn't spend much time thinking about ingredients or research. Life was busy. Teaching, raising six kids and keeping the house running left plenty on my plate already.
Then I hit my 40s.
I started paying more attention to my health. I wanted more energy for my family. I wanted my workouts to count. I wanted habits that would serve me well for years instead of chasing the latest trend.
That sent me down a path I never expected.
I started listening to podcasts during my commute. I read studies after the kids went to bed. I found experts like Dr. Rhonda Patrick, who has a gift for breaking complicated research into something I could actually understand. Her work gave me a starting point. From there, I kept reading and made my own decisions about what fit my goals.
This page isn't a list of miracle products. It's the routine I've built one choice at a time.
Some of these supplements have decades of research behind them. Others are newer and still being studied. I'll always tell you which is which because I think that's important.
If you're looking for one place with everything I use, you're in the right spot. Click on whatever catches your eye, read why I decided it was worth trying and decide whether it's something you want to learn more about.
That's exactly how I built my routine.
FISH OIL (Omega-3)
"This was one of the easiest additions to my routine. I know I don't eat enough fish, so this helps me fill that gap without overthinking it." People usually take it for:
I don't eat fatty fish as often as I'd like, so this was one of the first supplements I added to my routine. Omega-3s have been well studied, and Dr. Rhonda Patrick has talked extensively about the importance of getting enough EPA and DHA through food or supplementation when needed. |
Why I like it: It fills a nutritional gap in my diet with something that's backed by decades of research.
CREATINE MONOHYDRATE
"The more I learned about creatine, the more I wondered why women aren't talking about it more. There's so much good research behind it." People usually take it for:
I used to think creatine was only for people trying to build muscle. Then I started reading the research. It's one of the most studied supplements available, which made it an easy choice once I started strength training regularly. |
Why I like it: I appreciate that there's so much quality research behind it.
COLLAGEN PEPTIDES
"If it's easy, I'll stick with it. I throw this in my coffee every morning and don't have to think twice about it." People usually take it for:
This one couldn't be easier. I stir it into my morning coffee and move on with my day. Research suggests collagen supplementation may support skin elasticity and hydration in some people and may also support joint comfort when taken consistently. |
Why I like it: It's simple, it fits into my morning routine and I'll actually remember to take it.
AVMACOL (Sulforaphane)
"This one definitely sent me down a research rabbit hole. I heard Dr. Rhonda Patrick talking about it and ended up spending hours learning more." People usually take it for:
This is probably the supplement that gets the biggest "What is that?" from people. I first learned about sulforaphane while listening to Dr. Rhonda Patrick explain the research on broccoli sprouts. The science is fascinating, and researchers continue studying sulforaphane's effects on the body's natural antioxidant and cellular stress-response pathways. |
Why I like it: I enjoy following emerging research, and this is one area that really caught my attention.
MAGNESIUM
"Sometimes the simplest supplements are the ones that make the most sense. Magnesium earned a permanent spot in my routine." People usually take it for:
Magnesium is involved in hundreds of normal processes throughout the body. Even with a healthy diet, many people don't get enough from food alone, so this is one supplement I feel good about keeping in my routine. |
Why I like it: It's one of those foundational nutrients that quietly does a lot behind the scenes.
CURCUMIN PHYTOSOME
"When I buy a supplement, I want the version that's been researched well. That's why I chose this form instead of just grabbing the first bottle I saw." People usually take it for:
Curcumin is the compound in turmeric that researchers have studied the most. I chose a phytosome version because it's formulated to improve absorption compared with standard curcumin. When I buy a supplement, I want the version that's been researched well. |
Why I like it: I like knowing I'm getting a form that's designed to be absorbed more efficiently.
TRU NIAGEN (Nicotinamide Riboside)
"Healthy aging is something I'm thinking about a lot more these days. I'm always interested in where the research is headed." People usually take it for:
Nicotinamide riboside, or NR, is a precursor to NAD+, a molecule your cells use every day. Human studies consistently show NR raises NAD+ levels, and researchers continue studying what that means for long-term health. |
Why I like it: Healthy aging is something I'm paying more attention to, and this is one area of research I enjoy following.
GLYNAC-ET
"I don't mind trying something newer as long as the research looks promising and people are honest about what we still don't know." People usually take it for:
GlyNAC combines glycine and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The research is still developing, but scientists are studying this combination because of its role in supporting glutathione production, particularly as we age. |
Why I like it: I like staying up to date on promising research while keeping my expectations realistic.
PRENATAL VITAMIN
"People laugh when they see a prenatal vitamin on my shelf. It simply checked the boxes I was looking for in a multivitamin." People usually take it for:
This one surprises people! No, I'm not pregnant. After comparing different multivitamins, I settled on a prenatal with methylated folate because it fit what I was looking for. It's always worth talking with your healthcare provider about what's appropriate for your own needs. |
Why I like it: It gives me a broad range of vitamins and minerals in one supplement.
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