Supplements- Helpful Tool or Expensive Trend?
The supplement industry is enormous - and growing rapidly. Every week there seems to be a new powder, capsule, “anti-aging” compound or wellness trend promising more energy, clearer skin, better hormones, improved longevity or faster fat loss.
But more supplements do not always equal better health.
At Mind Body Skin Institute, we regularly discuss supplements with patients as part of a broader approach to skin, metabolic health, hormones and longevity or overall health. While some supplements can absolutely be beneficial in the right person, at the right dose, for the right reason -supplements can also be unnecessary, expensive, poorly regulated, interact with medications, or even cause harm when taken incorrectly.
Why Do People Take Supplements?
There are many legitimate reasons supplements may be useful, including:
Correcting a nutritional deficiency
Supporting dietary gaps
Pregnancy and fertility support
Vegetarian or vegan diets
Bone health
Menopause support
Athletic performance
Gut health
Skin and hair health
Metabolic or longevity optimisation
In some situations, supplements can play an important role in improving wellbeing and preventing complications.
However, supplements should ideally be targeted rather than random.
More Is Not Always Better
One of the most common problems we see is “supplement stacking” - where patients are taking multiple products recommended online, by influencers, podcasts, personal trainers, nutritionist’s, naturopaths or social media without understanding overlap or risk.
Many supplements contain duplicated ingredients.
For example:
Multiple magnesium products
Several B-complex formulations
Hidden vitamin A
Excessive zinc
Overlapping herbal ingredients
This can lead to doses far above what is considered safe.
A Real Example: Vitamin B6 Toxicity
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is commonly marketed for:
Energy
PMS
Hormone balance
Stress support
Hair and skin health
However, excessive B6 supplementation can cause toxicity.
Symptoms may include:
Tingling or burning sensations
Numbness
Nerve pain
Balance issues
Peripheral neuropathy
Importantly, toxicity can occur even from doses previously considered “safe,” particularly when multiple supplements are combined over time.
We are increasingly seeing patients unknowingly consuming large amounts through:
Energy supplements
Multivitamins
Hair formulas
Sleep blends
“Stress” products
This is why supplement review is important.
Supplements Can Interact With Medications
Natural does not always mean harmless.
Some supplements may interfere with prescription medications or medical conditions.
Examples include:
St John’s Wort affecting antidepressants and the oral contraceptive pill
Magnesium affecting absorption of certain medications, and in excessive doses can cause gut upset or diarrhoea
Vitamin K interfering with blood thinners
High dose biotin affecting pathology test results
Herbal supplements impacting liver metabolism
Excess iodine worsening some thyroid conditions
Patients are often surprised to learn that supplements can significantly alter blood tests, medication effectiveness or side effect profiles.
Quality Control Matters
Not all supplements are created equally.
The supplement industry has variable manufacturing standards, and quality can differ substantially between brands.
Potential issues may include:
Inaccurate dosing
Poor absorption
Contamination
Heavy metals
Undisclosed ingredients
Limited evidence
Marketing claims not supported by science
Supplements Can Become Very Expensive
Many people spend hundreds of dollars per month on supplements without a clear plan or measurable benefit.
In some cases, lifestyle is better than pill popping:
Sleep improves more from reducing alcohol and improving sleep habits
Energy improves more from addressing iron deficiency or sleep apnoea
Skin improves more from sun protection and prescription skincare
Longevity markers improve more from exercise, nutrition and metabolic health optimisation
Lifestyle foundations still matter enormously.
No supplement replaces:
Sleep
Resistance training
Nutrition
Stress management
Cardiovascular health
Preventive medical care
A More Balanced Approach
We are not anti-supplement.
In fact, supplements can be extremely useful when:
There is a clear indication
The evidence supports use
Dosing is appropriate
Quality products are selected
Interactions are considered
Progress is monitored
But we also believe supplements should be individualised rather than excessive.
The goal is not to take the largest number of products possible.
The goal is better health.
Our Approach at Mind Body Skin Institute
At Mind Body Skin Institute, we take a more personalised and medically informed approach to supplementation.
This may include:
Reviewing current supplements
Identifying unnecessary overlap
Assessing for deficiencies
Considering medication interactions
Reviewing pathology
Discussing evidence and safety
Focusing on realistic, sustainable strategies
Sometimes the best recommendation is adding a supplement.
Sometimes it is reducing them.
This article is general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Supplements may not be appropriate for everyone. Always discuss supplementation with your healthcare practitioner, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications or have underlying medical conditions.
