Thinking of taking a supplement? Read this...

With the winter months approaching there’s never been a better time to start taking a supplement. But with so many on offer, it can be difficult to know what’s best for you. Before starting any new supplement plan it’s important to assess what you’re looking to address and how you want to improve. To help you make the right choice, we’ve broken it down so that you know exactly what to buy and when... 

 

Immunity Saviours 

When it comes to our immune system, most of us could do with a helping hand. Late nights, Christmas parties and too many mince pies can chip away at our immunity – pair that with winter weather and you’ve got a recipe for coughs, colds and flu. Taking a daily supplement that supports your immune system is an essential step for making sure you stay well. Look for ones that contain ingredients like echinacea, vitamin C and nourishing superfoods like goji berries and blueberries. 

We recommend:

Wild Nutrition Food-Grown Immune Support, £26

Kiki Health Natures Living Superfood Organic, £22.95

Energy Boosters 

Low energy levels can affect people at any time, but they are most likely to occur in the winter when the days are shorter and darkness sets in earlier. Exercise is a great way to improve your energy, but if you’re finding you’re still feeling exhausted it might be good to turn to supplements to give you a helping hand. Iron has been shown to contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and is crucial for the maintenance of normal red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is also essential for energy regulation, so it’s a good idea to look for blends with both. 

We recommend:

Wild Nutrition Food-Grown Iron Plus, £10

Fountain The Energy Molecule, £24

Weight Loss Solutions 

Alongside a healthy diet and a regular workout plan you can also use supplements to help aid your end results. Unlike slimming tablets, these make use of targeted plant ingredients (like Siberian ginseng, ginger and green tea) known to help speed up your metabolism, burn fat and shift weight, while also keeping hunger pangs at bay. Ancient + Brave- a supplement brand started by a stunt woman- believe that intermittent fasting is the best way to speed up weight loss, and keep it off. Their True MCT powder which is derived from coconut oil, boosts the metabolism by triggering the bodies ability to burn far for fuel. Smart, we know! 

We recommend:

EQUI Lean Formula 25 Day Supply, £49

Ancient + Brave True MCT, £29

Complexion Perfectors 

Beautiful skin starts on the inside – no matter how many savvy skincare products you layer on your face, you’ll never reap the rewards unless you’re targeting your complexion from the inside out. One of the most important ingredients is collagen; thanks to its regenerative effect on the skin, reducing the signs of ageing, plumping, firming and all while boosting radiance too. If you’re aren’t great at swallowing pills look for brands that offer a powder alternative, simply sprinkle these over foods, use them to create shakes or add them into your favourite recipes. 

 

Kiki Health Marine Collagen Beauty Blend, £9

Ancient + Brave True Collagen, £27

Dr Nigma Talib Immortal Skin Collagen Powder, £67

The Beauty Chef Glow Advanced Inner Beauty Powder, £40 

Probiotic Performers 

Everyone can benefit from taking probiotics. While you might have heard about ‘having a healthy gut’ often we aren’t entirely sure what that entails, so let us explain…Inside every human gut there is a mix of both good and bad bacteria, and it’s vital that there is enough good bacteria to help support things like our energy levels, digestion, immunity and general wellbeing. These levels can become unbalanced by a poor diet and medications like antibiotics, so it is vital to keep the good bacteria levels in check by taking a daily dose of probiotics. They are also essential for skin health: a healthy gut equals healthy skin, and you should start to see results after two weeks. 

We recommend:

Wild Nutrition Food-Grown Multi Strain Biotic, £35

KiKi Health Body Biotics, £21.99

Sleep

Finding that you’re struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep? There is nothing more frustrating than a disruptive nights kip and if one or two nights start to spread into weeks of no sleep, you’ll start to feel and see the effects. Tackle it with natural sleep aids chamomile, lavender, magnesium and ashwagandha – they’re known to induce a deeper, more restful sleep by reducing anxiety, calming the body and mind and allowing you to drift off peacefully. 

We recommend:

Better You Magnesium Oil Original Spray, £11.95

Wild Nutrition KSM-66 Ashwagandha Plus, £19.50

The Super Elixir Sleep Welle Calming Mist, £24

Pregnancy 

Women who are trying for a baby can benefit from specific support from the moment they begin trying to conceive, right through conception to pregnancy and motherhood. As well as multivitamins and minerals which are needed for increased general health, it’s also advised to increase your uptake of folic acid, vitamin D, iron, B vitamins and omega 3 fish oil – all essential for healthy development of your baby.

We recommend:

EQUI Pregnancy Formula 30 Day Supply, £37

EQUI London Pregnancy Fish Oil 30 Day Supply, £25

 

Written by Gabrielle Dyer