My obsession with supplements began three years ago, when I ordered a jar of magnesium citrate capsules with the irresistible promise that they would promote deep, restful sleep.
I paid around £20 for a two month supply online, hoping to alleviate my perimenopausal insomnia. I was soon inundated with a dizzying number of pop-up adverts for other supplements on social media, email and various websites.
This was followed by text messages and emails from companies selling supplements that I had never subscribed to.
Do I want thicker, shinier hair? Fewer fine lines and glowing skin? Energy to match my 10-year-old son? A brighter mood and no more bloating? Yes, yes, yes.
And so it happened that I found myself in a vicious circle of vitamins and supplements.
“Earlier this year I was on the verge of shaking when I moved, such was the amount of capsules I was taking each day,” says Sadie Nicholas
According to market research agency Mintel, the UK vitamins and supplements market was worth £520m in 2022.
Meanwhile, the US market for menopause products is estimated at over £4 billion, with nutritional supplements accounting for more than 95 percent of that turnover.
In short, supplements are big business and middle-aged women are the big winners.
Like most perimenopausal women, there are days when I barely recognize myself in the mirror. Fine lines creep across my face; wrinkled skin has appeared on my once smooth stomach; my hair is a limp incarnation of what it once was.
And don’t even get me started on the bloating… is it any wonder I succumbed to the temptation to pop a few tablets to ‘cure’ all these ailments?
After my magnesium capsules I was soon given a jar of Solgar chewable vitamin B12 tablets (£18.50 for 100) which I hoped would give my energy a boost.
I then discovered JSHealth’s range and paid £31.99 a month for their Detox & Debloat tablets. I could have bought any of the other vitamins on the website, but I limited myself to the brand’s Hair + Energy Formula capsules at £36.99 for a two-month supply.
One day, while feeling particularly stressed, I came across adverts for Ashwagandha, an ancient herb said to improve memory, relaxation and sleep. I immediately clicked ‘buy now’ from a brand called True Veda, priced at £22.97 for a month.
“I started reading more about the effectiveness of supplements and was shocked to discover that most medical experts agree that their effectiveness is largely unproven.”
Next up is Effer-C, a soluble powder containing 1000mg of vitamin C and electrolytes. At £17.70 for 30 sachets (landys chemist.com), it was supposed to boost my energy levels. Meanwhile, I saw countless adverts for collagen supplements. Collagen is an important protein, with supplements supposed to increase its presence and result in smoother skin. I spent £135 at a time on a 90-day subscription to INGENIOUS Beauty Ultimate Collagen+.
My most recent supplement purchase came after a few months of digestive issues. I saw rave reviews for Bettervits Probiotic Complex and paid £30 for a bottle that lasted a month. I also paid £25 for the brand’s Biotin Complex with selenium and zinc – biotin is one of the B vitamins and is said to help hair growth.
At the beginning of this year I was on the verge of rattling with every movement, such was the amount of daily capsules I was taking. And yet I realized that I was actually not reaping any noticeable benefits.
When I added it up, the £30 here and £20 there that I was spending on supplements, came to a staggering £2,826.79 a year.
I started reading more about the effectiveness of supplements and was shocked to discover that most medical experts agree that their effectiveness is largely unproven.
The most compelling was a radio interview with TV physician Chris Van Tulleken who said: ‘The last time I looked at the big meta-analysis, my interpretation of it was that there is no supplement or extract of any food that provides any health benefit to a healthy person, with the possible exception of vitamin D or B12 in a vegan.’
At this point I have to stress that from a lifestyle perspective I do everything right: daily workouts, an hour of power walking every morning, SPF 50 all year round. I choose fish and salads for meals and rarely drink alcohol. Sleep and stress let me down every time, but still.
So I have decided that when my supply of all these miracle supplements runs out, I will not renew my order. I have already stopped taking some of them – and honestly, I cannot tell the difference.
I will continue with vitamin D, the only supplement the government advises everyone to consider. At £18.99 for a year’s supply (vitapremium.com), then it will hardly cost you any money.
The only thing I’m really nervous about is the collagen – but if my skin deteriorates I can always reorder…
As for the money I save, I spend it on something that will definitely make me feel better. Forget supplements, I plan luxury spa treatments.
