Supplements are everywhere these days—vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, greens, roots, berries, amino acids. They come in every form imaginable, but the question remains: Do you actually need to take them every day?
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. It depends on your lifestyle, health needs, and dietary habits.
When Supplements Are Useful
Supplements can be incredibly beneficial, especially when addressing specific deficiencies. For example:
- Iron for those with anaemia.
- Vitamin C during flu season to support your immune system.
- Vitamin D if you live in a place with limited sunlight, like the UK.
If your lifestyle prevents you from getting balanced meals regularly, supplements can fill the gap. They can also help if you’re dealing with persistent issues like low energy, hair loss, or poor stamina. In such cases, consistency with supplements can make a noticeable difference—at least until you achieve sustainable health goals.
Supplements Aren’t Magic
Here’s the truth: supplements are meant to supplement your diet, not replace it. Even though I run my own supplement brand, I rely heavily on organic, wholesome foods—vegetables, proteins, and other natural sources of nutrients.
Taking supplements without focusing on a balanced diet can lead to a false sense of security. Simply popping a pill doesn’t mean you’re “all good.” For instance, no supplement can replicate the high-quality fibre found in organic vegetables. Sure, fibre supplements exist, but they’re no match for the real thing.
Do You Need Supplements Every Day?
Not necessarily. If you’re taking supplements for maintenance and don’t have pressing health concerns, you might not need them daily. Personally, I assess my nutrition day by day:
- On days when I eat a variety of proteins and vegetables, I skip supplements. Taking vitamins on those days would simply mean they’d go to waste.
- On busier days—traveling or surviving on snacks like nuts and water—I make sure to take supplements to fill the gaps.
My Personal Journey with Supplements
I started taking supplements more seriously after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis and injuring my Achilles tendon during a tennis match. That’s when glucosamine and turmeric became part of my routine. Even then, I didn’t always take the full recommended dose. For instance, I might take two capsules instead of three.
The key is to be intentional. Supplements can act as a nutritional safety net, but it’s up to you to judge when they’re truly needed.
Final Thoughts
Yes, take your vitamins—but only when you need them. Use supplements wisely and complement them with a nutrient-dense diet. You have the power to decide what your body needs, and tuning into that is the best way to ensure your overall health.
-- Written by Hala, founder of Dietapplements
