Should I Take Supplements?
WWhen you reach for that bottle of multivitamins or vitamin C pills at the supermarket you may wonder, do they work, and do I actually need them for good health?
I get asked this all the time, and unfortunately the answer is not a simple yes or no. It depends. We are all individual with unique biological needs, stressors, and lifestyles.
There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to supplementation. Everyone’s vitamin needs are different and it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor, nutritionist or get testing done or keep a track of your symptoms before starting to take supplements. This can help you decide which ones to take, if any at all.
It’s best to get your vitamins and minerals from eating a balanced and varied diet comprised of fruits, veg, meat, and fish.
Supplements are there to support a healthy diet and lifestyle, not be a replacement. Just like you can't "out-exercise" a bad diet, you can't "out-supplement" one either. Beyond nutrients, fresh fruits and veg provide antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fibre, all of which are also important to health - but make sure you wash them!
Who Needs Supplements?
Factors like age, gender, genetics, fitness, medications, diet, habits, and even geographic location can have an impact on your nutritional needs.
For example, people who eat a vegan diet may benefit from supplementing with B12 because this vitamin is found primarily in animal products. If you eat nutrient-dense bioavailable foods like grass-fed beef, organic eggs, and oily fish you likely don’t need additional B12.
Women on birth control may benefit from taking additional Vitamin C, E, B Complex and the minerals magnesium, selenium, and zinc as the pill has been found to deplete the body off these key nutrients. On the other hand, women entering their 50s may be in need of bone-strengthening vitamins to protect their joints against osteoporosis and women who are pregnant, and breastfeeding will need an entirely different set of vitamins like folate and iron and collagen.
You’ll want to get more or less of certain vitamins depending on your specific short-term and long-term health goals. My weakness is my immune system and brain health, I also have a genetic mutation which means my body is inefficient in the process of detoxification, so I take vitamin C (Zest), B vitamins, calcium D-Glucorate, B6, Milk Thistle Extract and NAC (all found in Rise & Shine) to support detox in my liver.
As you see it’s not a one size fits all approach, we all have different needs and one vitamin can work amazingly for one person but be detrimental to another. I strongly suggest taking advantage of testing to understand your body’s needs, instead of spending lots of money on supplements that you don’t need, or worse ones that could be doing more harm than good.
Pay Attention to Quality
Unfortunately, the supplement industry is largely unregulated, which means the market is chock-full of ineffective products full of fillers and undisclosed ingredients. It’s easy to spend a fortune on vitamins, so if you’re going to take them, opt for quality over quantity. Always check the labels of the supplements that you buy and avoid toxic ingredients such as titanium dioxide, e numbers, artificial colours and flavours, and hydrogenated oils.
Omnos have blood (and other) tests that will give you the results you need to understand in depth which supplements you should take for improved health and wellness. Obviously not everyone can afford these tests - however health is not free unfortunately. If I had to choose between a TKMAXX shop or blood tests, I would certainly choose the blood tests.
Use code WILLPOWDER10 at omnos.me for a 10% discount
Davinia Taylor - take good quality supplements & only the ones you need!"
Pure, Potent & 100% Natural Supplements for The Whole Family
I’m super chuffed to have launched the WillPowders supplement range to help you stay healthy, happy, and focused.
They’re made from all natural, plant-based ingredients that come in their active form ready to be utilised by the body and are free from all the unnecessary rubbish you don’t want in your products. I’ve packed each capsule full of fabulous active ingredients to support your immune system, detoxification, brain function, hormonal function and overall health.
The range is designed to support your individual lifestyle so that you can mix, match and discover which ones work best for you. There’s something for everyone, so you can chop and change according to the seasons or your needs.
My personal favourites are HUG and AH-HA which I used to support my immune system and brain health. Also, I love, love, love a turmeric latte before bed so I open my Spice capsules (great for reducing inflammation) and add it to a warm cup of raw dairy or coconut milk (look out for hidden veg oils).
Discover the range here and find a supplement that’s right for you.