A beginner’s guide to supplements

Try as you might to live a healthy lifestyle by eating well, getting a good night’s sleep and staying active, nobody’s perfect. Some days/weeks/months your always-on-the-go life leaves you lacking energy and time, which can lead to your body - even your mental state - suffering. That’s where supplements can help. They can pick up the slack to help you get back on track to feeling your best.

What are supplements?

Supplements are ingestibles that are packed with nutrients to help improve our overall health and wellbeing. They’re designed to top up essential ingredients that your body may be lacking due to a poor diet, lifestyle influences (like stress), or health conditions. 

There are so many options when it comes to supplements. When determining which ones are right for you, you should listen to your body. You should also always talk to your GP or healthcare professional before taking supplements.

While supplements can support your overall wellbeing, they should never replace a healthy diet.

 

If you’re not sure where to start, here are just some top supplements to boost your overall wellbeing:

Apple cider vinegar

The benefits of apple cider vinegar are practically never-ending. Made from the fermented juice of crushed apples, apple cider vinegar (APV) is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C, biotin, folic acid, niacin, and pantothenic acid. When ingested, all these nutrients may help boost your energy levels, increase your metabolism, aid digestion, and improve your immune system. ACV is also believed to clarify and clear skin. Instead of sipping on apple cider vinegar, which isn’t exactly palatable and can erode your teeth, try apple cider vinegar supplements instead. 

Our pick: Tonik Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules

Coconut oil

Another natural ingredient that has been touted for its endless benefits, if the thought of eating a spoonful of coconut oil has you gagging, then coconut oil supplements are a great alternative. When consumed, coconut oil is thought to stimulate collagen production, nourish skin and improve skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, boost the immune system, encourage health hair and nail growth, improve memory and brain function, and balance hormones...among other things. 

Our pick: Tonik Coconut Oil Capsules 

Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in more than 300 chemical reactions in the body. Our bodies need magnesium to support healthy muscle, brain and nerve function; it’s also essential for converting food into energy. There are a lot of benefits of taking magnesium supplements. They include helping ease muscle tension (great for post-workout recovery and headaches), supporting nervous system health and function, assisting with healthy bone formation (including healthy teeth), and potentially even helping reduce anxiety and depression.

Our pick: JS Health Magnesium Supplements 

Turmeric

Turmeric has a long history for being used in ancient herbal medicine for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, can assist with liver function and promote a healthy digestive system, boost the production of your body’s natural antioxidant enzymes, improve skin health, enhance cognitive function, and help fight inflammation. Since the curcumin content in turmeric is not especially high, the best way to get enough of this super ingredient is by taking supplements. 

Our pick: Tonik Turmeric Capsules

Aloe vera

We all know how good aloe vera is at soothing skin and healing burns and sunburn, but did you know that aloe vera has a lot more goodness to offer when ingested? Aloe vera can aid digestion and help treat constipation, reduce inflammation, and maintain general wellbeing and a strong immune system. Since aloe is rich in antioxidants like vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, it can help neutralise free radical damage and stimulate fibroblast within the body, which produces the collagen and elastin fibers that help skin remain elastic and less wrinkled.

Our pick: Unichi Aloe Vera Extract Supplements

Hemp seed oil

The benefits of hemp seed oil have only just started to pop up on our radar and to be honest, we wish we’d known about it sooner. Hemp seed oil is one of nature's richest sources of essential fatty acids and gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which are essential for maintaining brain function, bone health, reproductive health, and metabolism. When taken in an ingestible supplement form, hemp seed oil may help regenerate your skin’s protective layer and improve skin oxygenation and hydration, accelerate your metabolism, regulate hormonal balance, improve your intestinal flora and immunity, and fight inflammation. 

Our pick: Tonik Hemp Seed Oil Capsules

*Bureau of Statistics' Australian Health Survey