Your food is where micronutrients come from. Period. Your overall health depends on how you absorb and utilize these compounds, and you can't absorb what you don't eat.
I don't believe in blanketing every problem with a supplement. I don't believe a person with a clean diet and clean lifestyle should need long-term supplementation. But if you feel you need a supplement, then listen carefully: laboratory synthetics are not your answer. They're not the same as plant-based supplements. They're cheaper to produce, which is why they're everywhere, and they're inferior.
How to Spot a Real Supplement
Plant-based supplements are handled and processed in ways that don't adulterate the substances. Synthetic versions are manufactured in ways that do. The difference matters.
The best processes for supplement production don't use potentially harmful chemical compounds to extract other compounds. Low heat or no heat is better than high temperatures that alter the structure of the compound. High heat destroys what you're trying to consume.
What to Look For
Organic produce from a transparent supply chain is non-negotiable. You need to know where it came from and how it was grown. Every supplement should bear at least some of the following: "No GMOs," "Plant Based," "USDA Organic," "Non Allergenic," "All Natural."
If your supplement doesn't have these designations, you're buying processed garbage marketed as health.
The Real Test
Real supplements cost more because they're made right. Cheap supplements are cheap for a reason. You get what you pay for. If the price seems too good to be true, it is.