Discoveries from WellTech brand LYMA reveal that over 80%* of UK women aged 30 and above are diving into vitamins and supplements without a clue about their safety or efficacy. Shockingly, less than half bother reading the packaging and a whopping 60% have no idea about the right dosage. With the £1.5 billion industry booming, the lack of consumer information due to regulations is like navigating a health maze blindfolded.
If you already follow a healthy lifestyle, you might not see the necessity of taking supplements. While they shouldn't be substituted for food, supplements can help with your general wellbeing, so don't cast them aside too quickly. Add some of our below recommendations into your daily diet and we bet that you'll soon feel like a better version of yourself.
Grazia's Best Supplements At A Glance
Editor's Choice: Lyma, The Supplement, £195
Best Multivitamin:WelleCo The Super Elixir, £63
Best Collagen Supplement: Puori, Pure Collagen Peptides, £45.15
Best B-3 Supplement:Solgar Megasorb Vitamin B-Complex 50 Tablets, £15.49
Best Omega 3 Supplement: Holland & Barrett Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000mg 360 Capsules, £31.99
Best multivitamins
A multivitaminis a good all-rounder supplement that will help to maintain your energy levels and support your immune system. Vitamins like Thiamine, Riboflavin and Vitamin B12 contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamins C and D, and Zinc and Copper contribute to the normal function of the immune system.
If you're someone who has been struggling to sleep, try a multivitamin supplement drink. WelleCo founder Elle Macpherson says: 'Like all good habits, my evening routine evolves with me. The latest addition to this routine is WelleCo’s The Evening Elixir, which has transformed my evenings in the most profound ways. It is the perfect wind-down companion, whether it’s by my side in the evening or while reading a book before bed. I’ve found I sleep more deeply and then wake up to unrivalled gorgeous, glowy skin.'
Nutritionist Rose Ferguson spotlights Vitamin C, 'I know it's an obvious one and sounds boring,' she says, 'but Vitamin C is the most brilliant anti-oxidant and very accessible, it's great for your immune system, it's great for your skin too.' There are lots of multivitamins on the market but we recommend opting for a supplement with a high level of vitamins.
lyma.life
Description
This supplement supports, sleep, reduces anxiety whilst improving skin, hair, and nails! Within 24 hours you will be able to see a boost in your immune system, simply place the gorgeous case on vanity so you make it a part of your skincare regime.
Description
If you're in need of a good nights sleep Welleco have the thing for you. This potion supports your skin from within, all you need to do is add two teaspoons in milk or water to the powder. It is formulated blend of magnesium, natural vitamin C and niacin mixed with cacao, passionflower, chamomile and lavender. Yum.
www.spacenk.com
Description
Skincare made easy- renew your skin with Stella McCartney's Alter-care supplement. It has 99% natural ingredients including hyaluronic acid, samphire extract, lingonberry extract, olive squalane and algae extract, that wakes up dull skin.
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Description
A Grazia beauty team favourite, this green powder can be added to water (don't be put off by the colour, it's got a great citrus taste) or smoothes and contains all the vitamins you need in a day. Consider it a drinkable multivitamin. It's the brainchild of Elle Macpherson and Dr Simone Laubscher would recommend.
Best Omega-3 supplements
It's recommended that you consume at least two portions of fish a week (one being oily fish), but as well as this, you can takeomega-3supplements to help support brain and heart health. DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid, which is an omega 3 fat) contributes to maintenance of normal brain function with a daily intake of 250mg. It also contributes to the normal function of the heart. Nutritionist Rose Ferguson says 'I always make sure I take a 'good fat' supplement, whether that's an omega-3 or I personally like phosphatidylcholine for the skin, it's great for the lipid layer of skin and it really helps to calm inflammation too. It's a great fatty acid for the skin.'
www.hollandandbarrett.com
Description
Support your heart and brain function by taking these capsules.
Best B-Vitamin supplements
A vitamin B-complex supplement can help reduce tiredness and fatigue, so it's a great supplement to take if you're always low on energy (we know we definitely are!). With its rich combination of B-Vitamins, this supplement works by supporting your metabolism, which turns the food you eat into energy to give you that get-up-and-go. Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
www.wildnutrition.com
Description
Meet vitamin B12. It helps support happy blood cells, energy, and a the nervous system. It can be found in meat, fish, and dairy, making this supplement great for vegan and vegetarian diets.
www.bulk.com
Description
This Vitamin B Complex Tablets are ideal for anyone looking to up their B vitamin intake, these are suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
www.hollandandbarrett.com
Description
A vitamin B-complex supplement can help reduce tiredness and fatigue, so it's a great supplement to take if you're always low on energy (we know we definitely are!).
Best collagen supplements
More and more people are opting to supplement their diets with collagen powders. Award-winning celebrity facialist and aesthetician and founder of D.Thomas Clinic Debbie Thomas says that the emphasis, when it comes to collagen supplements, should be on the quality of the collagen supplement you choose.
'There is evidence that taking collagensupplements helps you to make more of your own collagen, however, the quality of the collagen supplement does make a big difference. Collagen supplements were first used to aid muscular and skeletal recovery from injury or surgery. Some people, while taking these supplements, noticed other side effects like joints becoming more supple, reduction of vaginal direness and some skin improvements. So skin supplements containIng collagen has become a 'thing' for a reason.'
Nutritionist Rose Ferguson says 'I take collagen, but I think of it more as an all-around body helper as opposed to a skin-specific supplement. I like powder forms of collagen best. If you're a bone broth person, which is a great source of collagen, then great but when it comes to taking collagen every day I prefer to use a powder supplement. I like Puori Pure Collagen Peptides, £29.99. I do believe with things like collagen, you should be careful where you get it from and get a really good quality one. There are vegan forms of collagen out there too.'
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Description
This is the stuff Jennifer Aniston adds to her coffees and smoothies so it's got to be good right? She's so enthusiastic about the brand that she's become their Chief Creative Officer. The powder is available at Boots and also at Cult Beauty.
www.sephora.co.uk
Description
'I take collagen but I think of it more as an all-round body helper as opposed to a skin-specific supplement. I like powder forms of collagen best. If you're a bone broth person, which is a great source of collagen, then great but when it comes to taking collagen every day I prefer to use a powder supplement. I like Puori Pure Collagen Peptides, £29.99. I do believe with things like collagen, be careful where you get it from get a really good quality one. There are vegan forms of collagen out there too.' - Rose Ferguson, nutritionist.
www.joltmyworld.com
Description
While the idea of these supplements may sound far-fetched, they are centred on charging cellular health to improve overall mood, immunity, skin health and general wellbeing, which in turn helps us to look and feel younger. From improvements in skin radiance and elasticity to advance cell production, the vegan, unisex capsules feature seven key scientifically proven compounds intended to supercharge the body and mind, and ergo improve your health span.
tocuhealth.com
Description
The new way to enjoy supplements, these vitamin patches are quick, convenient and can be used to treat a host of concerns, from pre and post-menopausal symptoms to workout recovery and brain fog. Just peel, stick and go, it really is that simple.
What supplements does a master facialist take to keep her skin glowing?
Renowned facialist Michaella Bolder took to Instagram to reveal each and every supplement she takes in a day. Michaella wrote: 'Supplements are an essential part of my morning routine along with my skincare regimen. I tend to adjust and rotate supplements as the seasons change, listening to my body's needs. Everyone's bodies and needs are so different but these are my own personal year round staples.' See Michaella's post below:
Michaella spotlights collagen peptides, vitamin C, vitamin D, multivitamin capsules and a probiotic.
Food supplements should not be used instead of a varied balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
*The Survey was conducted by Mortar Research a member of the BPC who polled a nationally representative sample of 2000 women over 30 in the UK. The survey asked about respondents’ knowledge and behaviour around taking supplements, vitamins and minerals.
Food supplements are regulated under food law, which is based on the principle that products must be safe for consumption and not misleadingly labelled. Food law does not permit any food to make any claim, or imply that it can treat, prevent or cure any disease or adverse medical condition. (HSIS.Org)