The Expert-Approved Supplements That Really Are Worth Embracing In 2022

Somewhere along the line supplements became as commonplace as smoothies, with over half of the population buying one last year*. ‘Consumers are becoming more and more savvy about the fact that what they put into their body can influence how they feel,’ says Dr Simoné Laubscher, naturopathic nutritionist and founder of supplement brand Rejuv Wellness. Gone are the days when you could feel smug about taking a daily multi-vitamin or palming the odd cod liver oil capsule. And why would you want to, when you can do something so chic as, say, tip your collagen powder into your morning coffee? (Jennifer Aniston we’re looking at you).

Trendy supplements are indeed all the rage and because they’re so photogenic, they now feature in pretend-casual still life shots on Instagram. You need look no further than Lyma, the does-it-all supplement housed in a rose gold capsule. At £199, a 30 day supply will set you back at the price of a spa weekend, but users worship at its altar. Lyma’s tag-line ‘helping you thrive’ demonstrates that although supplements are prescriptive, you don’t need an ailment to take one. Everyone, it suggests, can benefit – and thrive.

That said, with an ever-increasing number of supplements available, shopping them is a minefield. ‘The supplements industry is not a regulated one,’ says Rhian Stephenson, nutritionist and founder of new supplements brand Artah, ‘you could have a microgram of a vitamin B with the rest consisting of filler yet it would still be considered a B vitamin.’ Enter our expert-led guide to navigating the modern-day supplements market, because no-one wants to pay for a placebo.

Best Supplement for Sleep

1. Magnesium.

‘Magnesium makes a fantastic sleep mineral,’ says Lorna Driver-Davies, naturopathic nutritional therapist and head of nutrition at Wild Nutrition, ‘because it supports stress response organs like your adrenal glands.' Our adrenal glands produce cortisol, a hormone that helps to control our sleep-wake cycle. Magnesium is also needed to make serotonin, the ‘happy hormone’ that also helps to induce sleep. Try Wild Nutrition Food-Grown Magnesium, £16.50 for a 30 day supply. Studies also show that transdermal magnesium – magnesium applied to the skin – can absorb just as well as an oral supplement. Try Neom’s Perfect Night’s Sleep Magnesium Body Butter, £36.

2. Valerian + Chamomile + Hops

‘Herbs like valerian, chamomile and hops work brilliantly to help re-set your body clock, get you to sleep faster and help you stay asleep for longer,’ says Dr Laubscher. Valerian root contains antioxidants called hesperidin and linarin, while chamomile contains an antioxidant called apigenin. All have been shown to have sedative effects when ingested. Hops help to lower your body temperature, paving the way for a more restful night’s sleep. Try Sleep Alpha Deep Sleep+ Full Restoration, £42.99 for 60 capsules.

Best Supplements for Energy

1. Vitamin B12

Suffering from brain fog? Don’t feel ‘with it’? You could be experiencing a vitamin B12 deficiency. ‘Vitamin B12 helps to transform food into the energy that your cells use to function effectively,’ explains Dr Laubscher, ‘it also keeps your nervous system and blood cells healthy, helping to prevent anaemia, which can make you feel weak or tired.’ Try Purolabs Vitamin B12, £29.99, which contains methylcobalamin, a vegan-friendly form of vitamin B12 that’s widely considered to be the highest quality and most easily-absorbed form.

2. Inositol

‘Most people experience in a dip in energy because of unbalanced insulin levels,’ says Stephenson. Insulin is a natural hormone produced by our bodies to keep our blood sugar levels in check. ‘Inositol, a type of sugar that is naturally present in our bodies already to balance our insulin levels and, in turn, stabilise our blood sugar levels,’ explains Rhian. It also aids the production of feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine. What’s not to love? Try the uber chic looking Artah Metabolic Fix, £32, a new brand from the ex-CEO of cult spin studio Psycle.

Best Supplement for A Glow

1. Antioxidants

‘Ingredients like zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E all have antioxidant functions,’ says Dr Laubscher, ‘and all support healthy, glowing skin.’ Dr Laubscher points out that Vitamin E helps to protect skin cells from oxidative stress. Oxidation in your skin is usually caused by unavoidable factors like stress and it dulls your complexion. Good quality antioxidants are the answer. Packed with antioxidant-rich botanicals like grapeseed extract, try Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Antioxidant, 60 capsules, £32.

2. Collagen

John Lewis reported a 230% increase in collagen supplement sales last year and it seems shoppers are on the money. ‘Collagen is widely known to provide much of the structure to the skin and supplementing with collagen has been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity,’ explains Dr Laubscher. Taking your collagen in powder or liquid form means you can mix it into your morning tea, coffee or smoothie. Try Vida Glow Natural Marine Collagen Original, £43 for 30 sachets. Clinical skincare expert, Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe, says, 'Vida Glow's super tiny particle size means it is is absorbed easily into the bloodstream and stimulates the body's natural collagen production.'

Best Supplements for Immunity

1. Astralagus + Mushrooms

‘One of my favourite herbs for the immune system is astragalus,’ says Dr Laubscher. Used in traditional Mongolian medicine, ‘it’s a natural anti-viral and I like to partner it with shiitake mushrooms and mitake mushrooms which are both high in copper and vitamin B5.’ Both copper and vitamin B5 play a huge role in the production of red blood cells, which help our bodies fight off infections.

‘These three, combined with a plant-based vitamin C - a renowned antioxidant that boosts immune function - are a true powerhouse for the immune system,’ explains Dr Laubscher. Try WelleCo The Super Elixir 300g, £62.50, an all-in-one health supplement that combines wholefoods with herbal extracts, vitamins and minerals. Tip two teaspoons of the green powder into water or blitz into a smoothie.

2. Probiotics

‘A quality probiotic supplement with research-backed strains of beneficial bacteria can make a huge difference to an individual’s gut health and, as a result, our immune system,’ says Jessica Sepel, nutritionist and founder of JS Health Vitamins. Our gut contains trillions of micro flora (bacteria) that help us absorb as much nutrition as possible from our food and kill microorganisms that could otherwise cause illness. ‘One capsule of a probiotic supplement a day is ideal,’ says Marrone. Try JS Health Probiotic+, £49.99 for 60 capsules - each capsule contains 35 billion units of probiotic strains, all of which have undergone rigorous testing.

*Kantar UK & Ireland Customer Panel Data, 2020

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