Before you buy another supplement, read this!
There’s something changing in the world of nutrition.
Over the last decade, supplements have become big business. New companies appear almost weekly, each promising better energy, better sleep, better digestion and better health, all in the form of a capsule, spray or gummy. 🙄
It’s an incredibly appealing idea.
After all, many of us are juggling demanding jobs, family life and endless responsibilities. When energy is low, sleep is poor and stress levels are high, the idea that a simple supplement could help fix things feels like the perfect solution.
Add into the mix, that some of these companies are spouting ‘pseudo-science’ around testing and then recommending a algorithm-driven supplement protocol, we can be forgiven for thinking that this is the answer to all our prayers.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
You can’t out-supplement an unsupportive diet or lifestyle.
From the conversations I have with clients, patients and colleagues, I’m noticing a clear pattern. Many people are relying on supplements to do the heavy lifting when it comes to their health.
And if that’s the main strategy, it may be costing you a lot of time and money, without delivering the results you’re hoping for.
Why I don’t think this approach is the answer:
Unfortunately, you can’t ‘out-supplement’ an unsupportive diet or a challenging lifestyle. The foundations of diet and lifestyle have a much bigger impact in supporting our health – good quality, properly personalised and targeted supplements are the cherry on top.
Choosing supplements using an algorithm is similar to the western medicine model approach of ‘a pill for every ill’. This translates to the practice of being prescribed a different medication for each symptom or condition. Using supplements in the same way – as ‘sticking plasters’ – may provide some symptomatic relief, but it will not address the root causes of our health problems. Supporting identified imbalances and root causes is crucial for good health longer-term and can help avoid situations getting worse.
Many supplements are terrible quality, may conflict with medication you are taking and may include a whole lot of things that can impact on your health negatively. Choosing properly-personalised supplements is both a science and an art.
The most common supplement mistakes I see
From the conversations I have with clients, I see the same patterns appearing again and again.
Many people are trying their best to improve their health, but the strategy they’re using often ends up being expensive and ineffective. I get it, I was once where you are.
Here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Taking supplements without knowing what they’re for
Many people end up with a cupboard full of supplements but aren’t entirely sure why they’re taking them or what they’re meant to improve. They often also ending up taking supplements long-term, when the current health picture is very different to the original one.
- Trying to “cover everything”
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking more supplements must mean more support. In reality, taking lots of supplements without a clear strategy can sometimes do more harm than good.
- Choosing supplements based on marketing rather than quality
The supplement industry is largely unregulated, which means quality varies enormously between products. Some supplements contain very little of the active ingredient, or include unnecessary additives.
- Choosing a supplement because it worked for your friend
Supplements are not a ‘one size fits all’. It’s great that it’s working for your friend, but you may have a whole different set of drivers for your symptoms. You may be taking different medications and may have a completely different reaction. We are all biochemically unique.
- Using supplements as a shortcut
Supplements are often used as a quick fix for symptoms like fatigue, poor sleep or digestive issues.
But if the underlying drivers, such as diet, stress, blood sugar balance or gut health, aren’t addressed, any improvements are often short-lived, and the imbalance can get worse.
- Following algorithm-driven protocols
Some companies now offer supplement recommendations based on online quizzes or automated testing.
While these can sound scientific, true personalisation requires context, interpretation and clinical experience, something an algorithm simply can’t provide.
What to do instead
We all want a quick fix – it’s human nature. Here’s what I recommend you do instead of randomly taking a bunch of supplements:
- Be clear what the symptoms are that you are trying to improve and take a baseline measurement (use a scale for severity e.g. 1-10 in the last month).
- Identify 1-2 simple, changes that you can make to your diet and lifestyle. For example add one extra veg to your evening meal every day or add in a daily 10-minute walk.
- Once this is established, build on this with a further simple change. Ideally add this activity in to your life daily to encourage the forming of a new habit.
- Use a system to monitor regularly (e.g. monthly) how your symptoms are changing to see if the actions you are taking are helping.
Everything I’m suggesting here is something I’m doing right now myself and is similar to the approach I use to help my clients make changes.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Supplements absolutely can have a place in supporting health, but they should never be the starting point, or the only strategy.
The real foundations of good health are much less glamorous but far more powerful:
- A supportive diet
- Consistent daily habits
- Good sleep
- Stress management
- Understanding the root causes behind symptoms
Alongside these and other interventions, targeted, high-quality supplements can be incredibly helpful. But they work best when they’re chosen carefully and properly personalised to your individual needs, not picked randomly or generated by an algorithm.
That’s why the approach I take with clients always starts with diet, lifestyle and root-cause investigation first.
Ready to reset your foundations?
If you’d like structured support to improve your diet and start feeling better, my Seasonal Whole Food Cleanse is a great place to begin.
In just 7 days you’ll:
- Upgrade the quality of your diet
- Support your energy. mood and digestion
- Learn simple habits that make healthy eating easier
- Get expert guidance and support throughout the process
It’s not about deprivation or quick fixes, it’s about getting into action and supporting your body with what it needs.
