What Vitamin Complex To Take Can Be, Er, Complex. Let Us Help
Cosmopolitan UK|April 2019

Finding the right supplement can mean navigating a mine of misinformation. Here’s what to pop, and what to definitely not.

Ingeborg Van Lotringen
What Vitamin Complex To Take Can Be, Er, Complex. Let Us Help

Beauty, it’s said, is only skin deep. This is true, but never truer than when you wade into the sometimes murky and sometimes magical world of supplements. Not a day goes by, it seems, that a new powder, pill, Goop dust or drink doesn’t zoom onto the beauty team’s desk promising to make us younger, healthier, with thicker hair and brighter skin. And while it signals a renewed faith in wellness and beauty from the inside out, you may want to think twice before jumping entirely onto this glossy bandwagon. A very famous 2013 study analysing 27 different clinical trials on supplements* concluded there was “no clear evidence” that any of them prevented disease – and the study’s co-author has seen “no proof” to change his mind since. Well, that’s encouraging.

But all is not lost. Lots of supplements are made in a way that doesn’t make them particularly effective, which will, experts agree, account for some of the damnation. Secondly, the world of supplements is regulated for safety, but not for proven results, meaning it’s up to you – the consumer – to do all the work. Or is it? Because, drumroll please… we have done it for you. Here are the 13 things you need to know when supp-shopping. If you want your investment to go beyond creating really expensive wee, please pay attention.

1 Take out dis-nutrition insurance

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COSMOPOLITAN UKView all
‘Is Three Relationships Too Many?'
Cosmopolitan UK

‘Is Three Relationships Too Many?'

With his girlfriend out of town, Jack’s* wife suggests he finds a third partner

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2019
Brave New Beauty
Cosmopolitan UK

Brave New Beauty

Is tech about to revolutionise your skincare regime and transport you into a whole new universe of beautification? Joanna Taylor isn’t always convinced…

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2019
How The Gig Economy Is Killing Millennials…
Cosmopolitan UK

How The Gig Economy Is Killing Millennials…

I put in 18-hour days. I work in the same room I sleep in. I never know when or if I’ll be paid. I go days without speaking to anyone.

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2019
Could Your #AvoOnToast Get You Headhunted?
Cosmopolitan UK

Could Your #AvoOnToast Get You Headhunted?

Quite possibly. But you’ll have to catch the eye of a new breed of talent scout first. Here’s how…

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2019
The Robot Wars
Cosmopolitan UK

The Robot Wars

For decades, mankind has feared the day technology becomes cleverer than us. Now it’s here, and we were too busy trying to sync our Sonos to notice. Welcome to The Big Techover...

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2019
Hot-Air Health Myths... Exploded
Cosmopolitan UK

Hot-Air Health Myths... Exploded

Think you’re up to date with the basic rules of staying in shape? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you probably aren’t…

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2019
The Darkside Of BodyBuilding
Cosmopolitan UK

The Darkside Of BodyBuilding

Amateur fitness competitions have gone mainstream – but do they provide a “healthy” cover for those hiding deadly eating disorders? Former competitor Rebecca Barnes, 22, certainly thinks so.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2019
The Stacy Dooley Effect
Cosmopolitan UK

The Stacy Dooley Effect

From the frontline to the dancefloor, Stacey Dooley defied all the odds to become TV’s golden girl. But it could have worked out very differently

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2019
Kings Of The Night
Cosmopolitan UK

Kings Of The Night

Sex, champagne and parties on tap… what could possibly go wrong? BOBBY PALMER spends the night with the most successful club promoter in London

time-read
9 mins  |
May 2019
Is Beauty A Tickıng Timebomb?
Cosmopolitan UK

Is Beauty A Tickıng Timebomb?

With their legions of fans, beauty-brand founders have exploded onto the scene – sometimes becoming celebrities in their own right. But what happens when their behaviour eclipses their products? Laura Capon investigates

time-read
10 mins  |
May 2019