My obsession with supplements began innocently enough three years ago, when I ordered a solitary bottle containing magnesium citrate capsules with the irresistible promise that they would aid in deep, restful sleep.
I paid around £20 for a two-month supply online, hoping to ease 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.
Then came text messages and emails from supplement companies I had never subscribed to.
Would I like to have thicker, shinier hair? Fewer fine lines and glowing skin? Energy that matches that of my ten-year-old son? A happier mood and no bloat? Yes, yes, yes.
And that’s how I found myself falling into a spiral of vitamins and supplements.
‘Earlier this year, I was shaking every time I moved house, such was the amount of capsules I was consuming every day,’ says Sadie Nicholas
The UK vitamins and supplements market is expected to be worth £520m in 2022, according to market intelligence agency Mintel.
Meanwhile, the US menopause market has been valued at more than £4bn, with dietary supplements accounting for more than 95 per cent of that revenue.
In short, supplements are big business and middle-aged women are the ones making the most money.
Like most perimenopausal women, there are days when I barely recognize myself in the mirror. Fine lines appear on my face, wrinkled skin appears on my once-flat belly, and my hair is a limp embodiment of its former self.
And don’t even mention the bloating… is it any wonder I succumbed to the temptation of taking some pills to “cure” all these ailments?
My magnesium capsules were quickly joined by a bottle of Solgar chewable vitamin B12 tablets (£18.50 for 100) which I hoped would boost my energy.
I then discovered the JSHealth range and paid £31.99 a month for their Detox & Debloat tablets. I could have bought all the other vitamins on the website but stuck to the brand’s Hair + Energy Formula capsules, which cost £36.99 and had a two-month supply.
One day, when I was feeling particularly stressed, I came across adverts for ashwagandha, an ancient herb said to improve memory, relaxation and sleep. I immediately clicked “buy now” on a brand called True Veda, for £22.97 a month.
“I started reading more about the effectiveness of supplements and was horrified to discover that most medical experts agree that they are largely unproven.”
Next up is Effer-C, a soluble powder containing 1000mg of vitamin C and electrolytes. At £17.70 for 30 sachets (landys.com chemical), was supposed to boost my energy levels. Meanwhile, I saw countless adverts for collagen supplements. Collagen is an important protein and supplements are supposed to increase its presence and result in smoother skin. I’ve been splashing out £135 a time on a 90-day subscription to INGENIOUS Beauty’s Ultimate Collagen+.
My latest supplement purchases came after several months of digestive issues. I saw great reviews for the 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 stimulate hair growth).
Earlier this year, I was on the verge of shaking every time I moved, such was the number of daily capsules I was consuming. And yet, I realised that I wasn’t actually getting any clearly perceptible benefit.
When I added it up, the £30 here and £20 there I was spending on supplements added up to a horrendous £2,826.79 in one year.
I began reading more about the effectiveness of supplements and was horrified to discover that most medical experts agree that they are largely unproven.
Most compelling was a radio interview with television doctor Chris Van Tulleken, who said: “The last time I looked at the big meta-analysis, my reading was that there is no supplement or extract from 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 should point out that from a lifestyle perspective, I do all the right things: I exercise every day, go for an hour-long walk every morning, wear SPF 50 sunscreen year-round. I choose fish and salads at lunchtime and rarely drink alcohol. Sleep and stress trip me up every time, but still…
So I’ve decided that when I run out of all these wonderful supplements, I won’t be refilling. I’ve already stopped taking some of them and I honestly don’t notice a difference.
I will continue to take vitamin D, which is the only supplement the Government recommends everyone consider taking. At £18.99 for a year’s supply (vitapremium.com), is not very expensive.
The only product I’m really nervous about is the collagen, but if my complexion gets worse, I can always order it again…
As for the money I save, I’ll spend it on something that will definitely make me feel better. Forget supplements, I’m planning on luxury spa treatments.
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