Last week, I had the unique opportunity to join a small group of health and wellness professionals for the Powered by NOW Immersion Experience in Chicago. (Disclosure: all travel expenses were paid by NOW. I was not compensated for my time and was not paid for this post).
The event was more than just a tour. It was a deep dive into the history, mission, and innovation of NOW (often referred to as “NOW Foods”), a family-owned company that’s been a trusted name in natural health products for nearly 60 years.
Founded in 1968 by Elwood Richard, NOW remains family-owned today (I even met one of the grandchildren who works at the company) and has grown into one of the largest independent manufacturers in the natural products industry. With more than 1,500 products spanning supplements, sports nutrition, natural foods, beauty, and essential oils, NOW’s mission has always been clear: to provide quality health products at a great value, empowering people to live healthier lives.
During my visit, I was able to see firsthand the level of quality control and testing that sets NOW apart. Their in-house, pristine labs perform more than 31,000 tests every month on raw ingredients and finished products, ensuring purity, potency, and safety.
Suiting up, scrubbing in, and speaking with their team of scientists/quality experts while touring their facility gave me a whole new appreciation for what it takes to bring trustworthy, high-quality supplements to market. (And bonus: they do so at a very affordable price.)
One of my favorite practical takeaways from my visit was the “starter kit” recommendation that fellow registered dietitian DJ Blatner shared with attendees. Her “Supplement Starter Kit” is designed to simplify wellness by providing a framework for choosing a basic set of supplements.
For anyone wondering where to begin with supplements, here is a five-part foundation DJ and NOW call the Supplement Starter Kit. (Ironically, I’ve talked about all of these in the past on my podcast. Be sure to check out the archives if you want to listen to any of those episodes.)
Multivitamin/Multimineral – Think of this as your “nutrient insurance policy.” Even with a balanced diet, it’s easy to fall short on key vitamins and minerals. A high-quality multivitamin helps fill those gaps and can be tailored to life stage or gender-specific needs (e.g., women’s formulas with iron).
Vitamin D – Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” D is produced naturally when our skin is exposed to sunlight. However, most people don’t get enough. It’s essential for bone strength, immune support, and cardiovascular health. Experts suggest testing your levels and often recommend supplementing with around 2,000 IU daily if you’re low.
Magnesium – Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, magnesium supports everything from muscle and nerve function to energy production and stress balance. Different forms offer different benefits—magnesium citrate for digestion, glycinate for relaxation, or malate for energy.
Omega-3s – With 4 out of 5 adults not meeting the recommended intake of fish each week, omega-3 supplements can be an important way to support heart, brain, and joint health. You can test your omega-3 levels for a personalized approach, and plant-based options (like algal oil) are available if you don’t eat fish.
Probiotics – Nearly 80% of your immune system is located in your gut, yet only about 1 in 4 adults eat fermented foods regularly. Probiotics help balance gut bacteria, improve digestion, and strengthen immunity. Different strains target different needs (digestive comfort, women’s health, immune support), making personalization key.
From this foundation, you can personalize additional add-ons based on your unique health goals (for example, energy, sleep, weight management, or women’s health support).
In a world where the supplement aisle can feel overwhelming, their starter kit framework offers a simple, science-backed entry point—whether your goal is everyday wellness or better performance in the gym. I hope this starter kit idea inspires you to think about your own nutrition foundation and evaluate where you can fill in the gaps.
To make it easy for you to find/shop these products, check out my Amazon affiliate “fave supplements” list. I’ve pulled DJ’s Supplement Starter Kit recommendations to the top to make them easy to find.
On that list, you can also check out some of my other fave supplements for GenX women at midlife that I have previously discussed on my podcast.
👉 Have you ever tried NOW Foods products? Which ones are your go-tos?
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