7 Must-Have Supplements for the Holidays

The holidays bring twinkling lights and cozy gatherings—but also late nights, stress, and rich foods that can leave you drained. That’s where these 7 must-have supplements for the holidays can make a real difference.

Supporting your body with the right nutrients helps you stay healthy, energized, and balanced through the busiest season of the year. Instead of simply pushing through fatigue, you can feel your best while enjoying every moment. 

Here’s your complete guide to the 7 best supplements for the holidays—so you can savor the celebrations and start the new year feeling strong! Check them out to see what you might be lacking. 

1. Manage Holiday Indulgences with UltraMetabolic™ 

From office party platters to grandma’s famous pie, holiday temptations are everywhere. These sugary, carb-heavy foods can send your blood sugar on a roller coaster—spiking one minute and crashing the next, leaving you tired, irritable, and craving more sweets.

This cycle keeps you feeling sluggish and can cause weight gain. Keeping your levels within a healthy range helps stabilize energy, control cravings, and support overall metabolic health.

Hypoglycemic botanicals like berberine—a key ingredient in UltraMetabolic™ and one of the 7 must-have supplements for the holidays—can help.

UltraMetabolic™ combines berberine with long-loved Ayurvedic botanicals such as bitter melon, Cinnamomum verum, and Eugenia jambolana, which work to remove excess sugar from the bloodstream and promote steady glucose levels.*

It also includes chromium, clinically shown to improve the body’s response to insulin.* Together, these ingredients help your body manage carbs more efficiently, turning food into steady energy levels rather than sugar crashes.

Of course, UltraMetabolic™ works best alongside smart choices—pairing sweets with protein or fiber, enjoying desserts only after balanced meals, and exercising or taking a walk after you eat to support glucose uptake.

With a little balance and the right nutrients, you can indulge without the blood sugar woes slowing you down.

2. Boost Your Immunity with UltraDefense™

Between crowded gatherings, family hugs, and indoor celebrations, the holidays create the perfect environment for seasonal bugs to spread. Add stress and lack of sleep, and our immune systems can struggle to keep up.

UltraDefense™ was designed to help—giving your immune system the extra support it needs during this busy season.

Nobody wants to spend the holidays with a box of tissues. Your immune system is your body’s defense team, and it works best when properly equipped.

UltraDefense™, one of the 7 must-have supplements for the holidays, provides that essential backup with key nutrients your immune cells rely on.

This all-in-one daily formula supports healthy immune function, promotes resilience, and strengthens your body’s defenses—so you can stay well and enjoy the season to the fullest.*

What’s Inside?

• Curcumin + NAC – Supports glutathione production*.
• Olive Leaf Extract – Supports immunity and heart health*.
• Vitamin D3 (2,000 IU) – For a strong immune response*.
• Zinc (7 mg) – Crucial for immune cell signaling*.
• Quercetin – Supports immune balance and healthy inflammation response*.

Using a supplement such as UltraDefense™ that supports immune health daily throughout the holiday season is a great proactive step.

It keeps your immune defenses ready for action. You can feel more confident at parties and family get-togethers knowing you have that extra built-in layer of protection.

3. Find Your Calm with Magnesium 

The pressure to create the “perfect” holiday can be overwhelming. Between financial stress, packed schedules, and complicated family dynamics, it’s easy to feel tense and drained.

Chronic stress not only affects your mood—it also depletes vital nutrients that help your body stay balanced.

When stress hormones such as cortisol rise, your body burns through magnesium, the mineral responsible for relaxation and calm. Low magnesium levels in turn can lead to irritability, restless sleep, and muscle tension.

Replenishing this essential nutrient helps soothe your nervous system, quiet your mind, and improve sleep quality—helping you feel more grounded through the holidays. Note that not all magnesium is created equal.

Magnesium oxide is common but poorly absorbed. For better sleep, relaxation, and stress support, magnesium glycinate is one of the most effective and gentle forms. It helps your body unwind and supports healthy emotional balance.

Magnesium threonate, on the other hand, is often studied for brain health but may not provide the same level of calm.

Among the 7 must-have supplements for the holidays, magnesium stands out as a simple way to restore calm and resilience—so you can handle the season’s chaos with a little more peace of mind.

Dietary Sources of Magnesium

You can also boost your magnesium naturally through diet. Great sources include dark chocolate (70%+), pumpkin seeds, leafy greens like spinach and Swiss chard, as well as chia seeds, walnuts, bananas, and avocado.

For added support, try taking your magnesium supplement about an hour before bed. It helps you unwind and promotes deeper, more restorative sleep.

Magnesium is one of the best ways to strengthen your resilience to holiday stress, support immune function, and enjoy the restorative health benefits of better rest and relaxation.*

4. Support Mood and More with Vitamin D

As the winter months set in and sunlight fades, it’s common to feel less motivated or a bit blue—a sign your body may need more vitamin D.

This drop in mood often comes from reduced sun exposure since your skin produces vitamin D naturally from sunlight. Acting as a natural hormone and not just a vitamin, it supports mood, focus, immunity, and heart health.

Low vitamin D levels are linked to blue moods and poor concentration. Research by Dr. Michael Holick highlights its importance for emotional balance and immune support.

Supplementation is especially helpful during the cold months—or year-round for those with limited sun exposure—to promote a better mood and overall resilience.

Beyond improved mood, vitamin D strengthens your immune system, supports bone and brain function, and helps you stay healthy through the season.

Choose vitamin D3, the same form your body makes from sunlight. It’s found in fish oil and fortified grain products, but most people don’t get enough from diet alone, making a supplement essential.

For best results, take vitamin D3 with vitamin K2, which directs calcium into your bones (instead of your arteries) and supports heart health.

Simple yet powerful, vitamin D3 + K2 offers lasting health benefits and earns its place among the 7 must-have supplements for the holidays—helping you feel brighter, stronger, and more balanced all winter long.*

5. Keep Your Gut Happy with Probiotics 

The holidays can be tough on your digestive health. A rush of sugar, refined carbs, rich foods, and alcohol can disrupt your gut microbiome, leading to bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort.

Your gut houses trillions of bacteria—both good and bad. When the bad take over, it impacts more than "just" digestion. Since about 70% of your immune system resides in your gut, imbalances can weaken your internal defenses.

Maintaining a healthy gut with consistent probiotics support helps you stay strong and resilient through the holidays.

Probiotics restore balance, promote smoother digestion, reduce digestive discomfort, and strengthen immune function. A 2025 study found probiotics may lower your risk of catching a cold—and help you recover faster if you do.

With ongoing probiotics support, you can maintain a healthy gut, ease digestive discomfort, and fortify your immune defenses. 

Dietary Sources of Probiotics

To further support your gut, include unsweetened fermented foods like plain yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut in your diet. These natural sources of beneficial bacteria work hand in hand with supplements to promote a balanced, resilient gut.

Take a high-quality probiotic with each meal during the holidays, along with your berberine/UltraMetabolic.

This simple step can help you feel lighter, more comfortable, and better able to enjoy festive meals—with less digestive discomfort afterward. That’s why it’s part of the 7 must-have supplements for the holidays.

6. Boost Immunity with Vitamin C

As the holidays and winter approach, vitamin C is a smart staple. It supports immune function, boosts collagen for healthy skin and tissues, and provides antioxidant protection from seasonal stressors like travel, late nights, and crowded gatherings.

It also enhances iron absorption—helpful when comfort foods replace salads—making it an easy way to strengthen daily nutrition during the hectic holiday season.*

Best Food Sources of Vitamin C

Many foods are powerhouses for vitamin C. While most people instantly think about citrus, there are plenty of other ways to maximize your vitamin C:

• Guava
• Red and yellow bell peppers
• Kiwi
• Strawberries
• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Papaya
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Kale
• Black currants
• Acerola
• Camu camu & rosehips

How Much Vitamin C for Winter Immune Health?

Most research focused on supporting normal immune function during winter uses about 200-1,000 mg/day of vitamin C.

Because everyone is different and has different baseline needs, your required amounts may be different from a friend's or family member's. The RDA also varies by sex, age, and smoking status. Baseline estimates are 75-120 mg/day.

Saturation target used in studies -- about 200 mg/day generally saturates blood and tissues in healthy adults.

Common winter protocols -- 500-1,000 mg/day (in divided doses) helps maintain steady immune function and reduce duration or severity of common winter complaints.

Upper limit for adults -- 2,000 mg/day from supplements (in divided doses) to avoid GI upset. Some people suggest even higher amounts for significant illness, but be aware that it can come with GI distress. You have to pick your battle. 

Liposomal vitamin C tends to be more easily absorbed especially for higher doses. Even then, consider increasing your amounts slowly, divide doses throughout the day, and take it with food.

Remember to count actual foods in your intake. Aim for at least one vitamin C-rich food daily (e.g., a bell pepper, kiwi, citrus). Add a 200–500 mg supplement if your diet is inconsistent.

7. Our Pick of the 7 Best Supplements for the Holidays: UltraCur® Advanced for Joint Support

The holidays often mean more time on your feet. You're power-shopping at the mall, standing for hours at parties, and maybe even chasing kids around the house. All this extra activity can be tough on your joints.

You might notice achy knees after a long day or your hips feeling stiff in the morning or after sitting at your desk for a few hours. Joint discomfort can really get in the way of enjoying yourself during this festive season. 

This is an important part of why we include UltraCur® Advanced joint support in our list of the 7 best supplements for the holidays. 

UltraCur® Advanced contains 3 stealth ingredients enhanced by ProtiSorb™ technology -- UltraCur curcumin, Boswellia (Frankincense), and Devil's claw, working together synergistically.

Boswellia and devil’s claw don’t actually rebuild cartilage, but they can help keep joints feeling comfortable and moving more freely* when used consistently.

For best results, use as part of a broader joint support plan that includes weight management, strength training, supportive footwear, and adequate sleep.

Adding a supplement such as UltraCur® Advanced to your daily routine can help you glide through the holidays with greater ease and comfort.* It helps prevent minor aches from turning into major roadblocks.

The support of UltraCur® Advanced lets you focus on making memories, not on your sore knees or hips. Keeping your joints healthy allows you to stay active (helping counteract weight gain and high blood sugar levels) and feel good.

A comprehensive joint formula like UltraCur® Advanced can provide the building blocks your cartilage needs.* It helps maintain joint cushion and smooth movement.*

Creating Your Holiday Supplement Routine

Understanding the best time to take supplements is one thing, but remembering to take it is quite another.

Creating a simple routine with high-quality vitamins is the best way to stay consistent -- over the holidays or any time. Here's a sample schedule that's easy to adapt.

In the Morning

Start your day with the holiday supplements that support energy and daytime functions. Morning is a great time to take your Vitamin D, which can promote mood and focus.

Pair it with UltraDefense™ for immune protection and UltraCur® Advanced to support your joints for the day ahead.*

With Meals

Take probiotics, UltraMetabolic™, and vitamin C with your meals. Probiotics work more effectively when paired with meals.

Taking UltraMetabolic™ before or with each meal can help your body manage the extra holiday carbs and sugar you consume.

Also, if you take higher levels of vitamin C, it's advisable to take it with meals to facilitate absorption and reduce GI effects. 

In the Evening

Wind down your day with Magnesium. Take it about an hour before bedtime to promote a sense of calm. It prepares your body for a night of deep, restorative rest, which is exactly what you need during this hectic season.

Keep your supplements in a visible place, like on your kitchen counter or at your place at the table. This simple visual cue can help you remember them.

Consistency gives you the best benefits to truly support your health and healthy immune function throughout the holidays.

Conclusion

The holiday season should be a time of joy, not a test of your endurance. By being mindful of your body's holiday needs, you can give yourself the gift of health. You get to enjoy parties, food, and, family time without feeling completely drained afterward.

These 7 best supplements for the holidays are not a replacement for good sleep and healthy food choices. But they are powerful allies. They fill in the nutritional gaps that are almost inevitable this time of year.

Your well-being helps you make the most of celebrating every moment with loved ones for a healthy holiday season. Think of the 7 best supplements for the holidays as your personal support crew, helping you feel your best from the inside out.

With the right support, you can wrap up the holidays in good health and start the new year feeling refreshed, vibrant, and strong! 💪

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the best way to stack these 7 must-have supplements for the holidays into your day?

For steady benefits, here's the stack:

• Morning: Take UltraDefense™, UltraCur® Advanced, and vitamin D3/K2
• Mealtimes: UltraMetabolic™ + probiotics + vitamin C
• An hour before bedtime: Magnesium (glycinate or threonate)

This timing aligns immune support, metabolic support, digestion, and sleep—without overlap that can upset the stomach

2. UltraMetabolic™: when should I take it for carbs and sweets?

Take UltraMetabolic™ just before or with your largest carbohydrate-heavy meals (e.g., office parties, holiday dinners). Pair with protein + fiber on the plate to help keep post-meal energy steadier.

However, daily, every-meal consistency across the season beats occasional use for best results.

3. Vitamin D3 + K2: How much and do I need a test in winter?

Many adults use 1,000–2,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 in winter (and even year-round) to support normal vitamin D status; K2 is often paired to support healthy calcium placement.

Because needs vary, your smartest move is a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test or 25(OH)D blood test. Aim for levels of 50 to 80, then adjust amounts with your clinician’s guidance. Take D3 with a meal that contains fats or fatty acids for best absorption.

4. Probiotics and vitamin C: can I take them together for holiday nutrient support?

Yes—take probiotics with meals (the stomach is less acidic then) and split vitamin C (e.g., 250–500 mg 2–3×/day) with food to support GI tolerance and steady levels.

Food sources still count (citrus, kiwi, bell peppers), and liposomal or buffered C may be gentler for higher intakes.