The end of December is a great time for reflection. Another year has past, full of experiences and opportunities. As the new year is upon us, resolutions abound. Like so many years before this one, “Getting Healthy” is at the top of many resolution lists, especially after holidays filled with rich indulgences. I know it's on my list and everyone's list here at National Nutrition.

So what can you do to start making lasting changes in your health? Of course, a healthy diet and exercise is the best way to make lasting health changes, but you can use supplements to make your transition to optimum health even easier. We've taken a look at the hottest supplements of 2014 that have been flying off the shelves. Read on to learn why they are so hot and how they can help you achieve your New Year's resolutions for this year.

Hottest Supplements Of The Past Year

Curcumin – Treat pain naturally without harmful side effects

For those of you taking more Tylenol and Advil than you'd like to admit, your New Year's resolution needs to be switching over to curcumin. Curcumin is an effective, natural anti-inflammatory that works for all kinds of different pain. Try it for arthritis, joint pain, back pain, hip pain and even menstrual cramps. The latest research says that curcumin works as well as some NSAID drugs and the bonus is that curcumin doesn't have the nasty side effects that NSAID drugs have. Instead, curcumin has healthy side effects like protecting your liver, lowering cholesterol, boosting your immune system and improving memory in people with with Alzheimer's disease. We can barely keep it on the shelf because it works so well. This one is a 'no brain-er', try a bio-available curcumin today!

Magnesium – A Naturopathic Doctor's dream supplement

If there was only one supplement I could prescribe in my Naturopathic practice, it would be magnesium. This one mineral has been life changing for so many people because as a population we are very deficient. Our food supply does not give us the magnesium we need through our diet because of soil mineral depletion. This means that almost everyone can benefit from supplementing with magnesium. Here are just a few of the things it can treat – pain, headaches, muscle tension, insomnia, constipation, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, stress, anxiety, depression, PMS, menstrual cramps, hormonal imbalance, fatigue and diabetes. Recent research is showing that magnesium is the most overlooked and underused answers to heart disease. Some cardiologists are even prescribing it. If you choose only one supplement to take this year, take magnesium bisglycinate, the best absorbed form of magnesium.

Fish oil – It's no longer safe to eat fish 2-4 times per week.

There is an overwhelming amount of research available showing the benefits of supplementing with fish oil – the best form of omega-3 fatty acids available. Every cell in our body requires omega-3 fats, but our body can't make it, which means we MUST get it from our diet. However, eating fish 2-4 times a week is not an option anymore because of the high levels of mercury contaminating our fish supply. Even Dr. Oz has been eating too much fish and he talked about his own elevated mercury levels this year on his show. This means that you need to supplement with fish oil regularly. It's used to treat heart disease, depression, inflammation, allergies, hormonal imbalances and obesity. New research tells us that children really need fish oil to in order to develop healthy brains. So, if you want to feel really good this year, with glowing skin and a healthy heart, make fish oil a part of your new routine.

Probiotics – The surprising new way to lose weight

While probiotics are not new, they've become a hot supplement for 2014 because of the new research available linking them to weight loss. In her new book, The Skinny Gut Diet, Brenda Watson CNC discusses how your gut bacteria can make you fat. She examines the latest research and explains how the balance of healthy intestinal bacteria is related to how much extra weight you'll struggle with. We've learned that the gut bacteria found in obese persons are more efficient at extracting calories from food passing through the digestive tract. So, if losing weight is your New Year's resolution this year, then a quality probiotic is the supplement you need to try.

Garcinia Cambogia – Actually works to lower your appetite

Garcinia cambogia was a hot supplement for 2014 because it helps weight loss by suppressing your appetite. With obesity rates only going up in North America, everyone seems to be trying to lose weight. Here at National Nutrition, Garcinia has been a best seller and not only because Dr. Oz talked about how well it works but because it really does work! We have many happy customers return to purchase more because they found it lowered their appetite and was a great way to enhance their diet and exercise routines. This one isn't all hype - it actually works and there is some good quality research to support it. It's a great supplement for those who gain weight because their blood sugars are out of control and their appetite seems to get the best of them.

Plant-based Protein – The easy and healthiest way to improve your diet

“Plant-based” is the buzz word of 2014 and with it came many new plant-based protein supplements that taste great. Plant-based protein powders are generally a mixture of plant proteins like hemp, pea, brown rice, flax, maca and sprouted grains. Each one is different and there is a mixture that will work for everyone, whether you have allergies, specific dietary needs or if you are looking for an environmentally friendly alternative to whey proteins. Genuine Health even made the first fermented plant-based protein this year for the truly health-committed. Using plant-based proteins is an easy way to improve your diet and help you lose weight. They are very convenient to use, so if your New Year's resolution is to make healthier diet choices, then a plant-based protein supplement will make it easy!

Natural Egg-shell Membrane – Better than Glucosamine

Millions of Canadians suffer from painful arthritis that eventually can lead to joint replacement surgeries. What if there was a better answer? Natural egg-shell membrane products have become very popular this year because more and more people are looking for alternatives to drug and surgery treatments for arthritis. We get so many great online reviews of our natural egg-shell membrane products, with customers describing how well it worked for them – and fast! Natural egg-shell membrane works well because it naturally contains the building blocks of joints like glucosamine and collagen. As a Naturopathic Doctor, this has become my new go-to supplement for arthritis sufferers. If your arthritis has gotten in the way of your “Getting Healthy” New Year resolutions in the past, try natural egg-shell membrane and you'll be moving and feeling more like yourself again soon.