Am I the only middle aged woman NOT using supplements?

[PoliteSquid]

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!!

I'm 62, don't take any supplements and never have.

Just a D3 tablet when I remember because we just don't get enough sunshine in this country 🌞. Everything else comes from a decent diet.

Must be doing something right as I can't remember the last time I got ill.

I’m late fifties and use HRT plus Vitamin D in winter, an iron supplement three times a week following an iron infusion and suggested by my haematologist, biotin to try and improve my hair and nails after being severely iron deficient, turmeric for my joints although I’ve yet to see any benefit from that, and B12 as my levels are always on the low side.

I don't take any, but have recently been wondering if I should. I don't have any health issues, other than feeling a bit stiff sometimes.

My dog, on the other hand, is on a shed load and she's not middle aged yet.

I take iron and a b vit complex, I tend towards anaemia so am on prescribed 210mg iron, a couple of summers ago I became very exhausted my hair was falling out in handfuls etc and it transpired my low iron and transferrin was impacting my body's ability to store b12. I was on OTC iron then. I had a few b12 injections to get me back up to normal levels and take the B complex to maintain and the GP out me on 210mg of iron. I buy my iron now albeit supervised by GP with 6 monthly blood tests, because it's cheaper than paying for my prescription. I have PCOS and very heavy periods so even taking high dose for nearly a year my iron levels are still the low end of normal.
I don't see that as a waste or expensive urine as some have said, it's essential for my health.

47 and don’t take anything except progesterone to help with peri symptoms/manage heavy periods. If I was more proactive I might take vitamin D. I have taken iron in the past when I’ve been deficient. I’m not currently. I also used protein powders years ago when I was doing a lot of weights - mainly as I am veggie and struggled to get enough protein to meet my needs at that time. I don’t do weights currently so don’t bother now.

unless you have any specific concerns about your health I’d ignore it all and just keep on as you are.

I take quite a few, but if I could only afford to take one thing, I would keep the probiotics. I havent had a cold in nearly 2 years & neither has my school aged daughter.

I also take magnesium (not sure if it helps or not) lions mane (going to drop this one) biotin, a multi vitamin & cod liver oil. Im 42.

Everyone in the UK should take vit D in the winter.

Many women have low iron especially if you have heavy periods. Always worth a test especially if you have any symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, thinning hair - lots of overlap with peri symptoms so get an iron test before going on HRT. And Vit C is necessary to absorb iron.

B12 is likely to be low in anyone who doesn’t eat much meat.

Magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper and other trace minerals may be low even with a good diet as our soil is quite depleted in these.

I'm 59 and don't take any. Blood tests never reveal any issues. I'm sceptical about supplements.

Other than vit D in winter months. I avoid supplements. I’m in my 60s.

I would say to at least take vitamin D in the winter.

My GP said that most people in this country are quite deficient in Vitamin D especially during the winter months. So I take vit D supplements all year round as well as turmeric. People say supplants are a waste of money but if my body can absorb vit D from a tablet, and can absorb others too.

A lot of people in the UK don’t get enough vitamin D, especially in winter, so this should definitely be on the list.

Iron deficiency is probably quite common too, and there may be other deficiencies which don’t cause any symptoms, so regular blood panels are a good idea.

From the beginning of the pre-menopause, taking calcium is probably a good idea.

I'm 56 and don't take anything but I'm on the other side of meno now and feeling fine. If supplements had done anything for my peri anxiety I'd have taken the lot.

I’ve tried -for my bones, collagen once or twice, various forms but they all make me fart so have given up!
But do take a B complex which i had for many yrs as a young mum then couldn’t be bothered for a few yrs but now i’m old i’ve started again & feel loads better. Occasionally take vit D but it’s basically a hormone & I don’t like the thought of fiddling with hormones really….dont believe scientists know enough about them? ( never dared take hrt!)

I'm 63 and don't take anything. I tried various things but they all seemed to upset my stomach so I gave up.

I can't believe the money some people spend on stuff that doesn't seem to make any difference.

I take a few things to try and help manage my endometriosis symptoms. I'm also trying to reduce and come off HRT. Not looking for the elixir of eternal youth though just trying to seek marginal gains where I can to feel less shit!

I’m 35 and started taking cod liver oil, vitamin d and glucosamine and it has actually made me feel better. I seem to sleep better which is probably why it’s mad such a difference?

if you’re deficient, a salad and an apple isn’t going to raise my iron or vitamin d

Why do you think salad and apples will help with iron or vit D deficiency?

I take a vitamin D spray and I have started taking a liquid iron supplement that the GP recommended to my teenager. Very expensive so hope it’s doing something. I used to take evening primrose oil and the WellWoman vitamins for women but I don’t any more. It’s hard to know if they have any effect as I didn’t feel any different.

I see a lot of the powders promoted on social media but I don’t know what they are.

its called da sun

I barely remember to take my prescription meds never mind all the other non essentials. Unless I actually feel a benefit I'm bad at keeping to that routine.

I‘m in my early 40’s and don’t take anything. Had a blood test recently and everything is broadly where it should be.
I eat a really good balanced diet and exercise a lot and am prioritising long term health, if there was anything flagged in my blood test I’d not be against introducing a supplement but as it stands now I don’t need to so I’ll just continue as I am.