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 can only think you'd want to take protein and creatine for building/maintaining joints, muscle and bone density. Is there another reason?

I live in the UK, so there is only so much sunshine to be had. I am out and about a fair bit (get over 10k steps walking to work/gym etc) but my levels were very low when I had them checked a few weeks ago. I was advised a high dose by a medical practitioner. The Calcium also I was advised ages ago as a generic supplement. The Gingko, and Collagen I'm taking on a trial basis for a few months - I might well have bought into the hype on those ones!

I take Vit D in winter but that’s it (48)

Getting "out in the sun more" won't solve most vitamin D deficiencies.

I work outside all day, everyday as a dog walker and didn't think I needed to bother with supplementing until blood tests showed I was deficient.

Everyone in the UK should be supplementing vitamin D from at least October - March but many of us need it daily, year-round.

I'm 47 and take Menopace one a day. I decided to try it as a result of various aches and pains due to mild osteoarthritis, and bloating and breast pain due to increasingly irregular periods. It seems to have helped even out the hormones, the bloating and pain has decreased, as have the night time hot flushes I was beginning to have. I don't have a bad diet but I'm under no illusions that I won't be getting everything my body needs.

No (if you count a bit 40over as middle-aged).

56 and I don’t take anything. I eat well. I’m a tad overweight but healthy I think!

No, OP, you're not. I'm 60 and I've never used any of the things you mention, nor any prescribed medication (eg HRT).
If you feel OK, why would you faff about with this stuff? The cost must be pretty steep, so the companies must be doing very nicely trading on.... what? Paranoia? Peer pressure? Good marketing?

I’m vegan and 39
i take Algae oil, Creatine, Vitamin D and B12
Some times I take the DR vegan bundles for stress or brain health. The only one I really noticed a difference with is creatine.

Regarding vitamin D, both Dh and I were given blood tests presently by our GP (we do it every two years). They test liver function, thyroid, Iron levels and lots of different Vitamins, including Vit D.

We were fine apart from both deficient in Vit D, and were told to take a high dose for 3 months then go back for another test. Vit D deficiency can cause so many problems, the government advice is to take a small dose all winter.

54 here. I dont take anything. Didn't know it was a thing.
Does any of it actually work

I don't have any aches and pains. I also sleep 9+ hours straight. I don't take anything.

Everyone in the UK should be taking Vitamin regardless of how "okay" they feel.

I take vitamin D in the winter, and vegan algae omega 3 because I'm vegetarian so don't eat oily fish. Occasionally take vitamin C or berroca if feeling a cold coming on.

I don't take anything. I'm outside a lot, walk, eat a good diet and sleep solidly for 8 hours every night. I have bought multi vitamins in the past but I always forget to take them so I don't bother. I do sometimes have a rather vague feeling that there may be a super supplement that I'm missing out on but I would probably forget to take that too 🙂

Iron, B12, collagen.Fish oil,vit D.
Iron - because I've never had normal levels.
B12 - because it literally changed my life. Having a break currently to see what happens. I was obviously deficient but doesn't mean I will be again.
Collagen - I'm not convinced about this one. The science doesn't make sense, but then again I'm sure my skin looks better. I have breaks.
Vit D - it's added to the collagen. I get plenty sunshine in summer.

I take D as recommended, and B12 because I'm vegan.

It's not tosh. In the UK between October and March out bodies do not make sufficient vitamin D from sunlight. The UK government and NHS recommend that everyone takes supplements during these months.

I take 4,000iu vit D, multi, 1000mg Vit C, K2, 6mg boron, iron bisglycinate 28mg, magnesium glycinate, Vitamin B12 spray, garlic and just to be completely obsessive, I keep Brazil nuts with my vitamins and have 3/4 a day for selenium. But also the fat is needed for the vitamin D to be absorbed. Thinking of buying creatine.

I am not quite Middle aged but I take a hair skin and nails gummy, Vit D, Magnesium and ashwaganda. I also take gentle iron every few days as I had low ferritin/b12 for years due to endometriosis, although well managed with birth control atm. The hair skin and nails is probably a waste of money but I take it regardless, at least it has b12 in it which I do need!

I have always swithered over creatine but never taken it. New information has come out to suggest it can make endometriosis worse so I’m continuing to stay away from it.

Just vitamin D as we don’t get enough from sunlight, particularly as I live in Scotland.
I tend to think that unless blood tests show otherwise there’s no need to take extra supplements. I’m very rarely unwell.

66 no supplements. Healthy diet. Works for me.

What do you mean by that? There is ample research showing that creatine helps to slow down sarcopenia, reduce risk of osteoporosis and help with cognition. What else do you think I need to look up?

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

I'm 49 and take lots of things: multivitamin, vitamin D, omegas and CoQ10, magnesium glycinate, glucosamine and chondriotin, iron.

I also drink 100oz of water with electrolytes and fiber powder, and add creatine and collagen to my coffee.

I listen to Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a preeminent menopause physician and basically follow the science.

Not to blow my own trumpet (as I start tuning up!) but I feel and look fantastic. I barely have a line on my face, I'm no longer waking in the middle of the night, and I ran 11 miles this weekend and my knees aren't creaking. I am absolutely passionate about my health; I'm working on the body and brain I'll have when I'm 70.