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Why I’m quitting supplements after spending £3,000 on them every year

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

“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.”

“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.

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