Health Update: The Wellness Supplements Everyone Is Talking About Right Now – What Experts Say

If you’re chronically online (or even if you’re not), you’ll have likely encountered the growing hype around selected nutritional supplements.

With busy lifestyles and plenty of us wanting to maximise the benefits of the time and effort we do have to put into our diet and exercise, it’s not surprising supplements are becoming a key addition. It should be mentioned that a well-rounded diets full of whole foods and plenty of water is still many health expert’s recommendation for good health, but supplements are being developed as a supportive addition.

There are some in particular getting plenty of attention right now. Getting adequate protein is a topic that has had everyone talking in recent years, and now, the focus has also switched to the importance of fibre, particularly for good gut health.

Kiwi comedian Chris parker hits the bullseye with this sketch touching on the idea the top supplements must have PR representatives, given how much talk there is around their importance.

If protein and fibre are the main characters of current conversation, who might be the bit players?

We think the chat around the potential for creatine to support women’s health deserves to be part of the conversation, as well as potential ingredients that may support hormonal ups and downs.

And of course collagen has been the equivalent of a multi-time Oscar winner over the years for it’s ability to support our skin’s healthy function, firmness and moisture, not to mention joint and connective tissue health.

We’re hoping for more research around supplements for women (and women’s health in general) this year and moving forward.

With all that in mind, here we’ll introduce you to some new and popular supplement players on the scene.

Of course, keep in mind that supplements are not meant to replace a healthy diet. You should always consult your GP or medical professional to better understand whether taking one is right for you. You should discuss with them which one you are considering and take into account any health conditions you have and medications you are taking.

This one certainly got our attention with its name! Ensuring you have regular, healthy bowel movements is important because they reflect how well your digestive system is working. A sluggish system can have consequences for your overall health.

Your diet and lifestyle and other important factors are important here, and it’s crucial you see a doctor if you are having trouble or you notice any changes (like blood in your stool), but in terms of regular, everyday movements a fibre supplement may help keep things moving.

This one has three different types of fibre (pea, acacia and green banana), supported with further plant-based extracts, including marshmallow root, L-glutamine, baobab, turkey tail mushroom & kiwi fruit.

Adding protein powder to a smoothie is a common way to help meet your daily protein needs. While exactly how much protein you need a day varies, protein in your diet supports muscle repair and growth, supporting strength, recovery and muscle maintenance as well as good overall health.

This one has a subtle taste that blends well with other additions like fruit. It has whey protein as well as added collagen to support skin, hair and nails.

Hailed as a beauty hero – collagen formation is important for healthy connective tissue, skin function and structure, including skin hydration and firmness, but as we age this process begins to slow. Diminishing collagen can result in dry skin that can emphasise fine lines and wrinkles, dull lackluster hair and weakened, peeling nails. 

Studies have shown taking a collagen supplement can improve skin firmness, elasticity, hydration and the appearance of wrinkles and support connective tissue and joint health. 

This supplement comes in a liquid sachet liposomal delivery system where the ingredients are protected with Liposhell® for enhanced delivery and absorption.

Once confined to gym-goers and weight-training circles, creatine has recently become more mainstream. In particular, its benefits for women are in focus. The strongest evidence still supports creatine for helping improve exercise performance, strength, power and muscle mass but further research indicates positive effects from creatine supplementation on mood and cognition. More research suggests it may help women in particular.

SUP’s gummies taste good and are easy to fit into the daily routine and can be taken on the go.

You might be familiar with Powerade – the famous sports drink was designed to rehydrate the body and replenish electrolytes. Now the importance of those two functions are being increasingly recognised in further electrolyte hydration supplements, such as powders designed to add to water on-the-go.

For those that work out a lot or live in hot steam climates, the advantages of taking a balanced electrolyte supplement is growing in popularity. Sweat contains electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which are essential for muscle function and nerve signaling, so replacing them efficiently is the aim of the game.

This one comes in two flavours in portable sachets that are easy to throw in the gym bag or purse.

Hormone balance is a quickly growing focus area for supplements, however benefits vary, particularly as the impacts of hormones are very different from person to person. More research is needed but there are plenty of options available already.

This one is targeted at women of any age feeling the effects of hormonal shifts – from PMS to perimenopause and menopause  – and contains botanical extracts such as shatavari, chaste berry, and globe artichoke said to support natural hormone balance.

Overall optimal cellular function is a wellness talking point that plays into feeling great as well as the longevity conversation. Since all tissues and organs are made of cells, their wellbeing underpins overall health.

A  large number of elements play into maintaining your cellular health, including lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management and exposure to toxins, but an increasing number of supplements are being created that aim to help preserve cellular health. As with anything, your doctor is your first port of call for helping maintain cellular function, particulalrly as it changes with age.

This supplement claims multiple benefits thanks to vitamins and antioxidants and includes collagen, CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10), Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Zinc, Arginine and more.