There’s so much noise about supplements that it’s hard to know if any are worth taking. We found out if you really do need to invest and, if so, in what
As soon as the cold seasons kick in, everyone starts talking about vitamins and supplements – but it’s such a minefield out there!
With so many different types and brands, it’s hard to know which ones you should take – especially when they vary so dramatically in price.
And, if they do actually work, then are they worth the expenditure? We spoke to a nutritionist to find out if they do what they say on the tin.
Do vitamins actually work?
So first things first, do vitamins actually work? Well, in short, yes, but they should really only be seen as an added support for the immune system, not the whole shebang! They’re not a quick fix for poor nutrition and lifestyle.
“They don’t replace the foundations which are proper sleep, protein and micronutrient rich diets, consistent training load, stress management, and hydration,” says nutritionist and Wellness Clinic business owner, Saima Malik – who’s had over 10 years’ experience in healthcare and nutrition.
“It’s like a pyramid, so at the bottom, you’ve got nutrition, sleep, stress management, hydration and so on, and then it’s about filling in the gaps,” says Malik. “Supplements help with seasonal support and filling in those gaps.”
It’s also important to note that these gaps vary from individual to individual and the NHS doesn’t really recommend a fixed supplemental dose for the general population.
“It really depends on that person’s diet and how varied and balanced it is. People who are most at risk in winter would be those who might have digestive issues, so they’re not able to absorb these vitamins well – or vegetarians and vegans, and then people who are over 50.”
Are they worth the cost?
With such expensive price tags on some supplements, it’s hard to know if they’re worth investing in, or if you should bother with them at all.
“You can get so many different vitamins and these micronutrients from having a balanced diet,” says Malik on whether they’re needed.
“Going back to that, it’s really important – that foundation of sleep, hydration, the exercise as well. It’s only worth [buying vitamins] if there’s a clinical reason for having that supplement or vitamin.”
“I would suggest getting some blood work done to see if you actually would benefit from supplements, then you’ll know if that’s worth the price.”
Invest in Vitamin D
However, there is one vitamin that is definitely worth the expenditure, says Malik. “During the colder, darker months, Vitamin D is really worth investing in. In terms of supermarkets versus the more expensive ones, it just comes down to dosage and the recommended dose.”
“I would always refer back to NHS guidelines and cross check it because sometimes you might have to take 5 in the supermarket to match up to what the NHS recommends. Look at that dosage, the strength of it, and for some people it might be looking at where it’s sourced.”
