Food Supplements for Beginners

Many factors play a role in feeling your best and giving your body what it needs to thrive. Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise are the cornerstones of good health. If you find it challenging to maintain a varied diet or feel you could use some extra support, food supplements can be a great addition. However, knowing how, when, and why to take them can be confusing. That's why we've created this guide for anyone new to the world of supplements!

Why should I take food supplements?

It's not a given that you need to take food supplements. A varied and balanced diet provides the body with most of the nutrients it requires. However, it can be challenging to eat a diet diverse enough to ensure you get the right amount of everything. Over the years, modern farming practices have sometimes led to less nutrient-dense soil, which can affect the nutritional value of crops. If you follow a predominantly plant-based diet, supplements such as omega-3 and vitamin B12 can be beneficial to add. And if you live in the UK or other northern countries, taking a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months is recommended. Food supplements can also be useful for specific needs, for instance, to contribute to the regulation of hormonal activity, support the normal function of the immune system, or help manage the body's response to stress. If you're unsure which supplements are right for you, we recommend taking our needs test for a tailored recommendation!

When should I take my supplements?

Most supplements have instructions on the packaging about how they should be taken, for example, with a meal. Some supplements don't need to be taken with food, but fat-soluble vitamins should preferably be taken with a meal as they require fat for absorption. If you have a sensitive stomach, it can also be a good idea to take your supplements with food. Enzyme supplements should be taken just before you start eating. Another rule of thumb we at Great Earth often recommend is to take your vitamins in the morning and minerals in the evening. This is because some vitamins can have an energising effect, while certain minerals can help you feel calm and relaxed. Then there are also supplements you can take whenever you like. You can combine these and take them at the same time as either your vitamins or minerals. If you're unsure when to take a supplement, you can always check the product page on our website.

How do I take my supplements?

The most common and perhaps easiest way to take your supplements is to swallow them as they are with a glass of water. Some tablets or capsules can be difficult to swallow. Therefore, if you wish, you can crush or split the tablet and, for example, sprinkle it over food or take it on a spoon. However, be careful here! Some of our tablets feature a 'Time-release' function. This function ensures that the vitamins are released gradually over several hours. If this type of tablet is crushed, the Time-release function is destroyed. But don't worry, if a product is Time-release, it will be stated on the packaging, so it's easy to know whether it can be crushed or not! Tablets and capsules with enzymes and lactic acid bacteria should also be swallowed whole.

Other things to consider!

As with many things, quality is important when choosing your supplements. The best approach is to find what is right for you and your specific needs, and to choose products with high-quality ingredients. Another good thing to look out for is whether your supplements contain ingredients that improve absorption in the body. For example, our Magnesium contains vitamin B6 and black pepper extract in addition to magnesium, which helps the body to absorb the magnesium more effectively.