Supplements: are they all equal?
I know that even for me, walking into a big chemist filled with rows and rows of supplements can feel overwhelming. The shelves seem endless, every bottle promising to fix something. How do you know what’s actually needed? What really works? And which one is best for you?
Social media doesn’t make it any easier. You’ll see people sharing advice that worked for them or swearing by something a friend or cousin recommended. It can sound convincing, but without evidence to back it up, that kind of advice can lead you in the wrong direction. What helps one person might not have the same effect for someone else, especially if there are health conditions or medications involved. In some cases, a supplement might even be contraindicated, meaning it shouldn’t be used because it could interfere with another treatment or make a condition worse.
When it comes to choosing the right supplement, there are a few key things to look for. Quality. Efficacy. Therapeutic dosage. The form of the nutrient matters too. For example, magnesium comes in many different types and each form does something different in the body. Magnesium glycinate can help with sleep and nervous system support, while magnesium citrate is often used for digestion. The wrong form can leave you disappointed or even uncomfortable.
Excipients and additives are another area worth checking. These are the extra ingredients used to bind, sweeten, or colour a supplement. Some are harmless, while others can trigger sensitivities or reduce absorption. Sometimes, paying a little more for a practitioner-grade product truly does mean paying for value.
Practitioner-only products usually go through more rigorous testing and often come from companies that uphold sustainability and ethical sourcing standards. If the supplement is supplied through an Australian distributor, it also needs to meet TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) requirements, which helps ensure that what’s on the label is actually what’s in the bottle.
And here’s something a lot of people don’t realise: natural doesn’t always mean natural. Many supplements use synthesised ingredients, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Synthetic nutrients can sometimes offer better stability or absorption. What matters is whether the form used is active, absorbable, and safe for your individual needs.
The supplement world can be confusing, but with the right guidance, it doesn’t need to be. Think of it like nutrition in concentrated form. Most effective when it’s tailored to you, not copied from what someone else swears by online.
If you’re unsure, speak with a qualified practitioner who can assess what your body actually needs, check for interactions, and help you invest wisely in products that support your health, rather than cluttering your cupboard.
