Harper\'s Bazaar UK - 11.2019

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PHOTOGRAPHS: LUCKY IF SHARP

BE AU T Y BA Z A A R

How to shop for supplements...

KNOW YOUR RDA

Compare the quantities of

v ita mins listed on t he label

with the Recommended Daily

Allowances (RDA), the

minimum required to prevent

disease. BECKI MURRAY

CHECK YOUR VITAMINS

Find vitamin supplements

derived from food

concentrates, such as

WelleCo’s Super Elixir,

as these are more

easily absorbed.

CHOOSE LIQUIDS OR CAPSULES

Liquids generally have

high absorption

rates while capsules,

including Lumity’s, contain

fewer bulking agents

than tablets.

FIND LIVE PROBIOTICS

Probiotics are only effective if

they reach the gut alive. Try

VH Mega Probiotic ND or

Symprove, which is proven

to safely deliver four types

of good bacteria.

The NHS

recommended

daily allowances

for women

VITAMIN A 0.6 milligrams

VITAMIN C 40 milligrams

VITAMIN D 10 micrograms

(supplements recommended

between October and March)

VITAMIN E 3 milligrams

FOLIC ACID 400 micrograms when

trying to conceive, until you’re

12 weeks pregnant

IRON 14.8 milligrams for women

aged 19 to 50; 8.7 milligrams

for women over 50

MAGNESIUM 270 milligrams

SELENIUM 0.06 milligrams

ZINC 7 milligrams

Energise Me,

£67 for a

28-day supply

GP Nutrition

Skinesis

Overnight

Facial

Supplement,

£64

Sarah

Chapman

Miracle Drops

CBD, £37

Disciple

Super Elixir

Greens

Original,

£62.50

WelleCo

For skin and hair

‘My philosophy centres on skin condition, which is constantly

changing due to biological and environmental factors – this means

that the type of supplements you should be taking depends on the

skin concerns you’re treating,’ says the facialist Sarah Chapman. For

d r y ne s s , C h apm a n re c om mend s ome g a s such a s fla x se e d oi l ; t ho se

prone to breakouts should look for zinc and B vitamins, which both

support skin healing (but check http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins

-and-minerals for information on the recommended daily allow-

ance for each type of B vitamin). Chapman’s Overnight Facial

Supplement contains a blend of 23 micronutrients including vit-

amin A, hyaluronic acid, and sea buckthorn, which is rich in omega

7 and helps to reduce wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity. If thinning

hair is a concern, Viviscal supplements contain a marine protein

complex called AminoMar C and have been clinically proven to

suppor t ha ir g row t h by nour ishing t he follicle f rom w it hin. SR

For energy

‘No one supplement will give you a shot of energy unless you have

a deficiency,’ says Eve Kalinik. However, iron is important for car-

rying oxygen if you are suffering from mild anaemia, ‘which is much

more prevalent than we might think’, she adds. She advises choosing

a product that includes vitamin C to help absorption, or stocking up

on berries and peppers, which are a rich source; try taking iron with

a little apple juice, or a glass of water infused with GP Nutrition

Energise Me sachets. Supporting a healthy gut with a probiotic can

also positively increase the uptake of nutrients

that lead to better overall energy, while magne-

sium is essential for energy production, and

ginseng supports tired adrenal glands – but only

as an occasional fix rather than a daily dose.

Experts also agree that getting enough protein,

around a palm size at every meal, and between

one and a half and two litres of water a day, will

regulate your energy levels. KY

For fertility and hormones

‘Fertility is a highly complex area and may be driven by multiple

factors, so I would always suggest working with a practitioner,’

advises Eve Kalinik. However, it won’t hurt to ensure your body is

receiving sufficient nutrients as well. ‘The most important here

are zinc, folic acid, selenium, vitamins C and E, and omega 3 fatty

acids,’ explains Dr Glenville.

‘During the menopause, we know that women eating a diet rich

in phytoestrogens, found specifically in soy beans, chickpeas and

lentils, have significantly fewer hot flushes,’ says Dr Glenville. ‘The

cells in your body have oestrogen receptors that act like a lock.

Phytoestrogens act as the key to “stimulate” them into activity – in

the brain or bones, for instance – or switch them off where you need

to avoid overstimulation, in the womb for example.’ Other useful

supplements during the menopause include soya, flaxseed and

vitamin D, which is particularly important for bone health. SR

For cognitive health

As its popularity has risen in the health industry, cannabidiol (CBD)

has been touted as a fix for almost every ailment. There are now

gummies, sprays, balms and vapes offering benefits in everything

from skin health to anxiety. CBD is a chemical compound found in

the hemp plant, but, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it is not

psychoactive. ‘Many of the benefits of CBD are related to cognitive

performance, making it an effective nootropic,’ says Charlotte

Ferguson, a psychotherapist and the founder of the wellness

company Disciple. ‘Studies have demonstrated

CBD interacting with the receptors in the

brain to support hormone release, metabolism

and memory.’ Ferguson advises choosing a

full-spectrum CBD oil, which will contain

a variety of cannabinoids and therefore may

magnify the therapeutic benefits. ‘Most repu-

table CBD companies will have lab results on

their website,’ says Ferguson. SR