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Original poster

Am I the only middle aged woman NOT using supplements?

294 replies

PoliteSquid · 27/04/2026 09:40

Away on a weekend with friends and the conversation was constantly turning to supplements… probiotic powders, protein, creatin, bone broth and so many more!!!!
I’m no paragon of health but WTF? Where has all this come from? I can’t afford the prices mentioned, but I am starting to wonder if I’m the odd one out for not using any supplements at all!!

OP posts:
rainydaysaway · 28/04/2026 10:26

Ncisdouble · 28/04/2026 08:51

I had this argument with someone when I said at 39 that I am middle aged😂 math worked, but apparently it's unacceptable notion😂

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A doctor told me I was middle aged when I was 38 and I was very offended…. The women in my family live in to their 90s! I’m 59 now so will admit I have finally reached middle age!

Ncisdouble · 28/04/2026 08:51

tofumad · 28/04/2026 08:12

Well I'm not sure but I'm pretty confident I'm not going to live to 120

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I had this argument with someone when I said at 39 that I am middle aged😂 math worked, but apparently it's unacceptable notion😂

tofumad · 28/04/2026 08:12

HoraceCope · 28/04/2026 07:22

what is middle age?

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Well I'm not sure but I'm pretty confident I'm not going to live to 120

Delatron · 28/04/2026 07:38

summerdaylazing · 27/04/2026 20:58

There seems to be so much reluctance to take it and “I get enough sun” and I’ve no idea why
even my friend who works outside 8-6 was deficient

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I have no idea why either.

There’s a ton of evidence out there that it is important in the prevention of many diseases. It’s advised by the government (and they don’t advise any other supplements on mass). It’s also very cheap. The spray bottles are about £8 on Amazon. It must be lack of education.

CurdinHenry · 28/04/2026 07:36

summerdaylazing · 27/04/2026 20:58

There seems to be so much reluctance to take it and “I get enough sun” and I’ve no idea why
even my friend who works outside 8-6 was deficient

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Yep, literally everyone in the country will be! Unless they're mainlining herring

TorroFerney · 28/04/2026 07:34

summerdaylazing · 27/04/2026 20:58

There seems to be so much reluctance to take it and “I get enough sun” and I’ve no idea why
even my friend who works outside 8-6 was deficient

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They need to say that vitamin d helps with wrinkles , that may solve the issue of people not taking it!

HoraceCope · 28/04/2026 07:22

tofumad · 27/04/2026 22:32

I'm 61 so not middle aged but only take vitamin d, there seems good evidence for this

what is middle age?

Catza · 27/04/2026 22:49

MsRosewater · 27/04/2026 19:30

In most cases (normal diet, no significant health issues) all it adds up to is expensive wee!

Creatine has a good evidence base in the context of training (zero good evidence of day to day benefits)

Collagen is a scam-A bit of extra protein won’t hurt but expecting collagen (which your body breaks down in to amino acids like any other protein) to find your face more quickly than an egg does is unreasonable.

This is an excellent podcast on this topic-

https://www.prescriptionstrength.co.uk/podcast/

Not entirely correct. There is a systematic review evidencing cognitive benefits from creatine https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35984306/

Also, a research paper came out recently looking at creatine supplementation in early stages of Alzheimer's disease showing some promising results.

Effects of creatine supplementation on memory in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - PubMed

PROSPERO registration no. 42021281027.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35984306/

tofumad · 27/04/2026 22:32

I'm 61 so not middle aged but only take vitamin d, there seems good evidence for this

Ibizamumof4 · 27/04/2026 22:02

It’s insane very few are actually proven to do anything then you get so confused wondering what does what. If you can afford them and it makes you feel good great but don’t be taken in too much or worry your missing out

MooFroo · 27/04/2026 21:13

try to take D daily with Spatone liquid iron sachet, magnesium in evenings and collagen and a year stuff when I remember!

think the vitamin D makes most difference to my joint aches and pains, hoping the magnesium helps with sleeping

rainydaysaway · 27/04/2026 21:06

MrsShawnHatosy · 27/04/2026 14:00

I’ve just had a look and couldn’t find it. Are you able to provide a link? TIA

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I think you have to go through the online consultation on this page.

onlinedoctor.boots.com/vaginal-dryness

summerdaylazing · 27/04/2026 20:58

CurdinHenry · 27/04/2026 20:45

Every Brit should be on vit d from October to march at minimum

There seems to be so much reluctance to take it and “I get enough sun” and I’ve no idea why
even my friend who works outside 8-6 was deficient

AnotherDayAnotherNameDay · 27/04/2026 20:54

I wasn't taking any supplements. Then earlier this year blood tests have shown me to have low iron levels and low vitamin D and I've been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and have started medication for that. I'm having further blood tests this week as I'm still feeling unwell.

Snackpocket · 27/04/2026 20:52

I’m 43 and I take vitamin D, multi vitamins, a probiotic and creatine each morning and nutrition geeks magnesium before bed. The latter has definitely improved my waking in the night. I don’t absorb b12 from food so get injected with that every 3 months, I guess that’s technically a supplement too!

examworries2026 · 27/04/2026 20:46

Placestogo · 27/04/2026 17:46

For me, the super supplement is magnesium! I sleep so much better since ive started taking some…. I will not forget to take it as it really helps

i also take vit D in the winter
iron because im veggie

and i cycle through other vitamins like in summer i’ll take vit E for the skin. Sometimes i take omega 3, other times a multi vitamin

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Which magnesium do you take please?

CurdinHenry · 27/04/2026 20:45

Every Brit should be on vit d from October to march at minimum

Serencwtch · 27/04/2026 20:36

I don't even know what half of those things are. I doubt there's any genuine medical or scientific evidence & they're just expensive placebos.
I take a multivitamin but that's it

FangFan · 27/04/2026 20:35

I take iron and vit d because blood tests showed I’m very low. I take a multi vitamin too because it contains folate which I’m also low in.
I take creatine to support muscle and general health.
I take collagen at the moment but i won’t buy any more when it runs out because i think its a fad and I don’t see any difference.
i was taking the triple magnesium but stopped when i ran out because it upset my stomach but my sleep is bad so i might try the glycinate.
related to OP’s post I’ve also recently started using retinol, vitamin C and peptides on my face because I heard there is some evidence behind these. I don’t get nails or anything else done apart from a haircut every three months so I don’t think I’m spending excessively, just trying to slightly slow the inevitable decline!!

MrTiddlesTheCat · 27/04/2026 20:25

Sensiblesal · 27/04/2026 15:32

I know the feeling re pills!

do you take the prebiotics as a pill too or is it in food stuff too?

noted re tic tacs being more useful than collagen

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I take pills. I tried it in powder form, but it is the most disgusting stuff I've ever consumed.

DuchessofStaffordshire · 27/04/2026 20:25

HoraceCope · 27/04/2026 20:22

creatine definitely has side effects i dont like the look of

What are you concerned about in particular?

SpecialAgentMaggieBell · 27/04/2026 20:22

I don’t because they interfere with the prescription medication I’m on and almost always give me the 💩

HoraceCope · 27/04/2026 20:22

creatine definitely has side effects i dont like the look of

DuchessofStaffordshire · 27/04/2026 20:21

thicklysettled · 27/04/2026 18:05

You may have taken the wrong form. Glycinate helps with sleep, citrate treats constipation...

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Yep, citrate is a potent osmotic laxative. Great if you're bunged-up, not so great if you're after a refreshing night's sleep.

HoraceCope · 27/04/2026 20:20

i looked into collagen but was uncertain about it
where do you get it naturally?