It takes only five seconds in the supplements aisle at your local chemist to realise this is an oversaturated market. With shelves and shelves of coloured tablets promising glowing skin, relaxed muscles and a better sleep, it’s hard not to become overwhelmed with choice.
And with the impressive array of before and afters on Instagram showing thin hair evolving into thick, luscious locks after the work of ‘miracle’ supplements, these quick add-to-cart moments are getting increasingly harder to resist.
But as with anything directly linked to our health, it’s crucial to be sure that you are purchasing from a trusted, reliable brand and not just falling for a placebo, perfectly-marketed product.
Going hand-in-hand with a balanced and nutritious diet, supplements can help stay on top of deficiencies, cope with sleeplessness or stress and give our immune system the support it needs to ward off the flu during a cold winter.
For six supplements that your body will actually benefit from, here are our top picks.
I take a multivitamin, silica tablet for hair skin and nails and evening primrose oil for pms symptoms. Last time I had a blood test my vitamin d was ok and I wsn't deficient in anything, hopefully the multivitamin is helping.
I do take supplements – I can't get by without my Vitamin D in a big dose too and I also love Carla Oates Glow but now I'm getting into her Body powders too for the extra protein (and deliciousness!). Organic flaxseed oil is also on my daily menu. (The D and flaxseed I take after seeing my doctor who has the same issue as I do medically)
I prefer to keep supplements to a minimum as most of them are are synthetic. I used to take a daily vitamin D tablet but now I eat more fish, I've been able to raise my levels and reduce my need for the supplement.
I guess I would take a supplement religiously if it was recommended by my doctor but other than that I’m a bit of a cynic. I have used the Rosehip + Collagen gummies and they were nice but did they do anything?
My doctor put me on iron, calcium, Vitamin D & fish oil supplements. Now I've just found out that I'm so low in Vitamin B12 that I need injections! So, I take a variety of supplements regularly.
This reminds me I probably need to get my levels checked. I've previously been low in iron (iron infusion ugh). Most of these don't matter if you take them when you don't need them (except to your wallet) but it is always worth checking what side effects there might be. I always remember at Uni our ethics lecturer telling us about a company that had run out of one type of vitamin so filled those bottles with multi-vitamins!
I've been taking Ostelin Vitamin D tablets for years and my levels are excellent. I also take calcium and magnesium daily as well as a collagen powder.
I've taken the Nature's Way gummies, but honestly could not see any difference. Maybe you have to take them for longer than one jar's worth to see an effect?
B12 and D are my biggest issues, and sometimes iron. Since I had whipple surgery I struggle to absorb properly from diet or supplements, so it’ll be periodic shots for me..
Blackmore’s pregnancy vitamin was my favourite, but Swisse was my second favourite. Now that we’re in cold and flu season, my family is taking daily vitamin C as that’s the one supplement several of my previous GPs have agreed is actually worthwhile for otherwise health people. We’ve had a few mild bouts of the sniffles but have recovered well and so far none of us have been really unwell, so we’ll keep going with the vitamin C through winter.
I take the Swiss Vitamin D on my doctor's instructions, also Magnesium for muscle cramps and Vitamin B complex for energy.
I would love to try the TÉGREEN 97 it sounds perfect to help with my sleep problems.
I also take a VitD supplement on my Doctor's instructions.
I take supplements everyday and I take the Swisse vitamin d capsules as well
I take a daily multi vitamin on doctor’s instructions. No particular brand, just a reputable brand, whatever is on special when I go shopping for it.
I have started taking supplements
Oof, I'd like to try the green tea supplement!
I take vitamin d, iron and flax seed oil and feel much better for it
I eat collagen synthetizing nutrients form whole plant matter aka fruits
I take my collagen as I do notice a change in my skin when I take it.
Some really great Supplements I take Vitamin C and Collegen, also Vitamin D as well as Vitamin B12 Shot.
I just take Ostelin Vit D tablets daily 🙂 I would be interested in taking any supplement that was beneficial.
I take a multivitamin, silica tablet for hair skin and nails and evening primrose oil for pms symptoms. Last time I had a blood test my vitamin d was ok and I wsn't deficient in anything, hopefully the multivitamin is helping.
I also take multiple supplements each day
Ive started taking iron, multi vitamin and fish oil tablets
I do take supplements – I can't get by without my Vitamin D in a big dose too and I also love Carla Oates Glow but now I'm getting into her Body powders too for the extra protein (and deliciousness!). Organic flaxseed oil is also on my daily menu. (The D and flaxseed I take after seeing my doctor who has the same issue as I do medically)
Yeah sometimes I take a Swisse C tablet too.
It's so hard to get enough sun during the day when I'm working full time so I've started taking D.
I prefer to keep supplements to a minimum as most of them are are synthetic. I used to take a daily vitamin D tablet but now I eat more fish, I've been able to raise my levels and reduce my need for the supplement.
I guess I would take a supplement religiously if it was recommended by my doctor but other than that I’m a bit of a cynic. I have used the Rosehip + Collagen gummies and they were nice but did they do anything?
I've just been put on B12 shots, too! I'm not even vegetarian or vegan!
My doctor put me on iron, calcium, Vitamin D & fish oil supplements. Now I've just found out that I'm so low in Vitamin B12 that I need injections! So, I take a variety of supplements regularly.
Personally I will only take supplements with GP recommendation
I take Evening Primrose, Vit D, Calcium and Magnesium and occasionally Iron as I don't eat meat
I always have to take vitamin D because my vit d levels are super low.
The Kynd multivitamin + skin looks really good. I would definitely try it.
This reminds me I probably need to get my levels checked. I've previously been low in iron (iron infusion ugh). Most of these don't matter if you take them when you don't need them (except to your wallet) but it is always worth checking what side effects there might be. I always remember at Uni our ethics lecturer telling us about a company that had run out of one type of vitamin so filled those bottles with multi-vitamins!
Good to know.
I take a wide variety of supplements. I'm now introducing a vitamin D supplement after finding out my levels are low (this was no surprise).
I take a calcium supplement and iron. I have a script for Thyroxine.
I've been taking Ostelin Vitamin D tablets for years and my levels are excellent. I also take calcium and magnesium daily as well as a collagen powder.
must take collagen supplement and look younger.
I've taken the Nature's Way gummies, but honestly could not see any difference. Maybe you have to take them for longer than one jar's worth to see an effect?
Swisse make good for you products well
Kynd Women’s Multivitamin + Skin looks good
I need some more Vitamin D, I might try these ones from Swisse
B12 and D are my biggest issues, and sometimes iron. Since I had whipple surgery I struggle to absorb properly from diet or supplements, so it’ll be periodic shots for me..
I take vitamin D now too
I have started taking the Voost collagen
I have on occasion taken supplements, but prefer to have a varied and nutritional diet.
Most supplements are only beneficial if the body is actually lacking that particular substance. Pre-conception folate is an exception.
Not usually my jam.
Thanks of sharing…
I think I will focus on my health first.
Natures way collagen gummies supers easy to take and delicious. I am currently taking vitamin D as well.
Blackmore’s pregnancy vitamin was my favourite, but Swisse was my second favourite. Now that we’re in cold and flu season, my family is taking daily vitamin C as that’s the one supplement several of my previous GPs have agreed is actually worthwhile for otherwise health people. We’ve had a few mild bouts of the sniffles but have recovered well and so far none of us have been really unwell, so we’ll keep going with the vitamin C through winter.
I usually just take the ones my doctor has recommended for me based on blood test results.
I am very skeptical of any 'beauty' related supplements.
There are so many supplements available that it gets confusing to know what to buy.
I trialled the Harmony My Beauty and really enjoyed it
Heard of these brands but never tried them. Swisse multivitamin would be one I want to try