The Truth About Your Supplements

Two experts give the lowdown on vitamins and minerals we may need to top up... or not!

- KAREN EVENNETT

Has anyone mentioned that you should be taking a daily dose of collagen? Or that it's unlikely you're getting enough protein from your diet? It's popular advice doing the rounds right now. As we head through menopause and beyond, we're all more conscious of the need to protect our future health. We want strong bones, younger-looking skin, and pain-free joints - and it doesn't take much to persuade us that we could be doing ourselves a disservice if we don't top up with a powder or pill. But, while our need for certain nutrients does increase as we age, supplements aren't risk-free, so consult your healthcare provider before taking them.

Look At The Big Picture

Any doctor or dietitian will tell you: you should get most of what your body needs from a well-balanced diet. Supplements are just there to fill the gaps. But if breakfast is a sugary cereal, lunch is a sandwich, and supper is pasta or pizza, you'll have more gaps to fill than someone who fills up on protein, wholegrains and vegetables, warns Judy Watson (judywatsonnutritionist.co.uk).

"It's a fine balancing act. For example, if you take calcium to bolster your bones, you'll also need magnesium and vitamin D to aid its absorption. You also need to consider the type of each mineral that you take they're not all as easily absorbed."

B-Smart