From magnesium to lion’s mane, we’ve taken a look at which vitamins & supplements are trending this year
Vitamins and supplements can play an important role in keeping our bodies happy and healthy. Whether you’re reaching for vitamin D, magnesium or a multivitamin, they can help to fill nutritional gaps in your diet.
But, with so many different options out there, and new information seemingly popping up all the time, it can be tricky to know which ones might work best for you. So, with this in mind, we’ve taken a look at which vitamins and supplements are currently trending and why. Read on to find out what they are, what the benefits may be and how you can best incorporate them into your lifestyle.
Vitamins vs. a balanced diet
Before we go any further, it’s important to remember that food supplements aren’t a substitute for eating a healthy, balanced diet.
In an ideal world, we would get all of our essential nutrients from the food we eat. But, busy lives or lifestyle changes mean this isn’t always possible. So, while it’s vital to keep your diet as balanced as possible – think lots of fruits, vegetables, good protein sources and high fibre foods – adding vitamins and supplements to your daily routine can help you reach your nutritional goals.
Popular vitamins and supplements
For those looking to stay up to date on the latest health trends, these are the vitamins and supplements you need to know about.
Magnesium
What is it?
Magnesium is an essential mineral that has several health benefits, including turning the food we eat into energy, helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue and supporting the normal functioning of our bones and muscles.
How much do I need?
The NHS recommends the amount of magnesium you need is:
- 300mg a day for men (19 to 64 years)
- 270mg a day for women (19 to 64 years)
How can I make sure I’m getting enough?
The Department of Health says that we should be able to get enough magnesium by eating a varied and balanced diet. It’s found in a variety of foods including legumes, green leafy vegetables, nuts and wholegrains.
But, there are a range of magnesium supplements you can consider, if you think you need support in getting the right amount.
Magnesium supplements are available as chews, liquids, powders, capsules or tablets – such as the Boots Magnesium 375mg 180 Tablets.*
Collagen
What is it?
Collagen is a type of protein found in connective tissue, skin, tendon, bone and cartilage. The collagen produced in our bodies helps to keep our joints healthy, and it’s also known to be particularly beneficial in helping maintain the firmness and elasticity of skin.
How much do I need?
Your body makes collagen naturally, so you don’t necessarily need to take additional collagen, especially if you’re following a healthy lifestyle.
There aren’t currently any official guidelines from health experts on exactly how much collagen you need per day, but if you are taking supplements, make sure to follow the instructions and the daily dosage printed on the packaging.
How can I make sure I’m getting enough?
As we’ve said, collagen is naturally produced by the body, and certain foods such as chicken skin, fish skin and bone broth are also good sources of collagen.
You can also consume collagen through supplements. These might come in the form of a powder, liquid, capsule or tablet, such as the Boots Marine Collagen Tablets.*
Collagen production naturally declines with age too, and while it’s impossible to prevent this, it might be possible to slow down the process by leading a healthy lifestyle, including eating a nutrient-rich diet and avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.
Multivitamins
What is it?
Multivitamins are supplements that contain different vitamins and minerals that can help support your nutritional needs. The exact ingredients included in multivitamins often vary depending on the brand you choose.
How much do I need?
Multivitamins are usually taken once or twice a day, but make sure to always read the instructions on the pack and stick to the recommended dosage to make sure you don’t take too much.
How can I make sure I’m getting enough?
While most of us can get enough essential vitamins and minerals through a balanced diet, multivitamin supplements can help those who might need a little extra support in meeting their nutritional goals.
These multivitamin supplements are available in many forms including capsules, gummies, powders, liquids and tablets – such as Boots Multivitamins with Iron.*
It’s also important to note that during autumn and winter, our bodies usually don’t make enough vitamin D as the sun isn’t strong enough, and we can’t get the right amount through food alone. The government recommends everyone should consider taking a daily Vitamin D supplement throughout the winter months to help with this.
You can take vitamin D as a stand-alone supplement, such as Boots Everyday Vitamin D Tablets*, or within certain types of multivitamins.
What else is trending this year?
There are also several herbal supplements that have gained popularity in the UK in recent years, though less is currently known about the health benefits of these, and more research needs to be done to understand the potential benefits.
Greens powder
What is it?
Greens powders are supplements that usually contain a number of ingredients, like greens, vegetables, seaweed, vitamins, minerals and more. To make the powder, the ingredients are usually dried or dehydrated before being ground down. They’re designed to help you increase your vegetable intake – though of course, they shouldn’t replace a balanced, healthy diet.
There are lots of different greens powders out there, each with varying ingredients and nutrients, so the potential benefits of each will vary. For example, Bioglan Superfoods Supergreens* is a source of:
- Iron – this helps support your immune system, cognitive functions and metabolism, and can help to reduce tiredness and fatigue
- Vitamin B12 – this supports your nervous system and immune system and may also help to reduce tiredness and fatigue
- Vitamin C – this helps to support your immune system and also increases iron absorption
- Zinc – this helps with the maintenance of bones, hair, nails, skin and testosterone levels in the blood
What form does it take?
Greens powders can be mixed into water or other liquids and consumed as a drink. If you don’t fancy drinking it, you could try mixing them into a salad dressing or soup, or even sprinkling them over roast vegetables or eggs.
Sea moss
What is it?
Sea moss is a marine vegetable similar to seaweed or algae. This colourful little marine moss contains plenty of vitamins and minerals, including calcium (which helps support your bones and teeth), copper (which helps support your immune system) iron, magnesium and zinc.
What form does it take?
Sea moss is mostly found in supplement form, whether that be a gel, powder, capsule or gummy – such as Cannaray Sea Moss Gummies.*
Lion’s mane
What is it?
Lion’s mane is a type of large edible white mushroom that’s available to take in supplement form. It’s used in Asian countries including China, India and Japan.
What form does it take?
Lion’s mane mushroom supplements are available as a tablet, powder or capsule, like the Grass & Co FOCUS Lion’s Mane Mushroom.*
Ashwagandha
What is it?
Also known as Indian Ginseng, Ashwagandha is a herb which has been used in traditional Hindu culture for centuries.
What form does it take?
Ashwagandha comes in various different forms, the most common of which include capsules (like the Myvitamins Ashwagandha KSM66 capsules*), tablets and powders.
Shilajit
What is it?
Shilajit is a sticky substance found mostly in the rocks of the Himalayas. It’s commonly used throughout Asia.
What form does it take?
Shilajit is available in liquid and powder forms which can be added to beverages and consumed as a drink, or you can also take it as a capsule.
Want to learn more?
If you’re unsure about which vitamins and supplements are right for you, pop down to a local Boots store and have a chat to one of our pharmacists, or why not try our handy vitamin quiz as a starting point?
Make sure to also consult a GP, pharmacist or healthcare professional before taking supplements if you’re pregnant, have a medical condition or are taking other medication.
