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Even with a healthy, balanced diet, it’s still possible to have nutritional gaps. Modern agricultural practices have led to soil depletion, which means many foods no longer contain the same nutrient levels they once did.

Even home-grown produce can fall short if the body struggles with absorption, which is influenced by genetics, epigenetics, gut health, and other health conditions.

That’s where supplements come in: they’re designed to support, not replace, good nutrition. Choosing the right kind matters – food-grown supplements are often better absorbed and more compatible with the body than synthetic isolates.

With so many brands on the market, finding trustworthy, high-quality supplements can be overwhelming. To simplify the process, I created a Supplement Buyer’s Checklist — based on how I evaluate products for myself, my family and friends, and my clients.

✅ Supplement Buyer’s Checklist: What to Look for Before You Buy or Take Supplements

🌱 Ingredients & Formulation

• Check the full ingredient list (active + inactive).
  
• Avoid artificial additives, colors, and fillers.
  
• Watch for allergens (gluten, soy, dairy, etc.).
  
• Look for bioavailable forms and evidence-based dosages.
  

🧪 Quality & Safety

• Choose third-party tested products (NSF, USP, Informed Choice, etc.).
  
• Review the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) if available.
  
• Ensure GMP certification and clear expiry dates.
  
• Confirm testing for contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, microbes).
  

🌿 Organic & Ethical Standards

• Prefer certified organic and non-GMO ingredients.
  
• Look for sustainably sourced botanicals or fish oils.
  
• Support brands with fair trade and ethical labor practices.
  
• Opt for eco-friendly packaging (recyclable or minimal plastic).
  

🧘‍♀️ Brand & Transparency

• Buy from reputable brands with clear contact info.
  
• Avoid products making miracle or cure-all claims.
  
• Check customer reviews and independent ratings.
  

⚕️ Personal Safety

• Consult a healthcare professional if on medication or managing a condition.
  
• Check for interactions with other supplements or drugs.
  
• Start small to assess tolerance; avoid megadoses.
  

📚 Stay Informed

• Research ingredients and look for clinical evidence.
  
• Stay updated as new studies and standards emerge.
  

🧭 Choosing the Right Supplements

My favourite supplements are below and these can be purchased at my HEALF Affilate Shop where you will get 10% off at checkout using this link (10% not available for subscriptions or in addition to other offers):

Wild Nutrition (The Food-Grown® difference) are my favourite as they are food-grown, thus offer high bioavailability. If your supplements aren’t absorbed, they’re not working. And that’s the beauty of Food-Grown®: ingredients are better absorbed and better retained. Wild Nutrition offer a comprehensive range including some wonderful blends, individual vitamin and mineral supplements, collagen, protein powder, and a high dose probiotic which is great for anyone who has taken antibiotics in the last 10 years and needs to improve microbiome diversity. They also have a comprehensive kids and teenager range.

Optibac produce various probiotics which are targeted at different groups of people – for example, I take the Optibac Every Day (5 billion) but they do probiotics for particular individuals, for example, babies and children.

Ancient + Brave offers a range of premium wellness supplements and functional blends – including collagen powders, adaptogenic drinks, MCT oils, and hydration formulas. They are designed to support skin, body, and mind through sustainably sourced, high-quality ingredients.

Ancient Nutrition offers a range of whole-food-based wellness supplements, including multi-collagen blends, bone-broth proteins, herbals, super-greens and probiotics. All inspired by traditional wisdom and crafted for modern health.