Supplements 101
The market for supplements has become so vast—and let’s be real, also so complicated!—that it’s difficult to know what to reach for. How do we know what we actually need? How long do we take them for? Will we see results? Are they even useful??
The only person qualified to give you these answers and any other specific supplementation advice will be your trusted general practitioner, a holistic practitioner, or a registered dietitian. Because supplements affect different people and different ways, and we all have different needs, only a qualified professional can recommend the best options for you.
However, there are some general guidelines you can abide by when considering the introduction of a new supplement into your routine. Read on below for a few informative bits on how to better understand supplements and their effects:
WHAT DO SUPPLEMENTS REALLY DO?
A high-quality supplement can fulfill the nutrients or minerals you lack in your diet. Vitamins and minerals are essential to helping your body develop and function as it should, and while most people get all of what's needed by eating healthy, some of us need a little boost.
Other vitamins, minerals, or proteins can deplete over time, such as our body’s natural production of collagen. Hence, introducing a supplement can mitigate this loss.
WHO DO SUPPLEMENTS BENEFIT?
Supplements can do a great deal of good to everyone and anyone, regardless of age, gender, or lifestyle habits. The trick is to find out which ones are best for you.
For example, most people can introduce a collagen supplement starting as early as 25 years old. Another great example is people who live in Canada tend to lack vitamin D throughout the year, so it is recommended to consume a vitamin D supplement for a large part of the year.
Folic acid can reduce birth defects for pregnant women and calcium can promote the health of aging bones. Other supplements (think amino acids, enzymes, herbal tinctures, or oils) can all be used to restore or boost health in some way; for example, help with sleeping issues, restore energy, counter a drop in estrogen levels during menopause, and more.
That being said, the most important thing to understand is that supplements are not a substitute for a healthy and balanced diet.
WHICH BRANDS SHOULD YOU CONSUME?
There is no obligation to commit to one brand in general when choosing your supplements. Many come in pill, powder, gel, or even liquid form. Depending on your needs or preferences, there are many options to choose from.
We are proud to carry some of the best supplement brands out there and recommend options that pair best with your specific skincare needs. Here are a few of our tried and tested supplement favorites:
ADVANCED NUTRITION PROGRAMME SKIN OMEGAS+ - 60 CAPSULES - $64
BEND BEAUTY RESET - $66
GLISODIN® THE ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME - $55
VITAL PROTEINS COLLAGEN PEPTIDES - $36
BEND BEAUTY RENEW + PROTECT - MINI SOFTGELS - $80
Until next time, take care of the skin you are in…from the inside out!
The BSE Team