In a sea of supplements, sometimes it's hard to know what you body needs and will benefit from the most. Beauty director Sarah Simpson chats to Swisse nutritionist, Andrea Fenner to uncover what supplements suit our age and lifestyle.
30's beauty and babies
According to Fenner, "Beauty starts from within, so we need to make sure we nourish our bodies from the inside out. Every day we are exposed to pollution, stress and processed foods - all of which have an impact on our bodies internally. To protect ourselves from the damage caused by these environmental factors, antioxidants such as vitamin A, C and E plus grapeseed act as a mop that clean up free radicals. These nutrients (alongside biotin, zinc and iron to name a few!) support healthy hair, skin and nails." Her advice: "Women planning to get pregnant should increase their intake of the B vitamin folate, known as folic acid in its synthetic form. Folic acid supplementation reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. It is recommended women take 800 micrograms of folic acid daily four weeks prior to conception."
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40's sleep
"Sleep is just as important as diet and exercise, as we need it to restore our body and mind." Who shares information from a survey by insurance company Sovereign conducted in 2015, that 35 percent of Kiwis expressed they were dissatisfied with the quantity and quality of sleep, and this figure rises to 42 percent for females aged 35 to 49 years. "Herbal extracts that promote a good night’s sleep include valerian and hops – known for their calming properties to encourage a restful sleep. Magnesium is also a muscle relaxant that can assist with sleep.
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50's menopause and bone health
For women in this age bracket, Fenner says, "A decrease in estrogen creates menstrual cycle changes and uncomfortable symptoms. To smooth the transition through menopause, standardized herbal extracts such as black cohosh and sage can help alleviate symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and irritability. Soy isoflavones can also assist with hormonal balance as they are phytoestrogens that mimic the activity of estrogen in the body. They can ease hot flushes and have shown to be protective against age-related bone loss." She believes, "As we get older our peak bone mass decreases which can lead to osteoporosis later in life. To prevent fractures, weight bearing exercise can help to maintain strong healthy bones. Other than keeping physically active, key nutrients such as calcium and Vitamin D - an essential companion to absorb calcium – help to maintain bone health. These nutrients are of particular importance to individuals who don’t eat dairy products, or who don’t have much sun exposure."
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60's cognition
At this age and life stage Fenner beleives feeling forgetful could be an issue. "This is a part of the normal ageing process. There are ways to keep our mind sharp, including getting regular mental stimulation, social interaction and physical activity. You can also use supplements such as gingko, a traditional Chinese medicine that has been shown increase mental circulation and improve working memory. Another key herb for brain health is brahmi, which assists with focus and concentration."
Our picks
Swisse Memory + Focus, $28. Ultiboost Women's Ultivite, $35. Ultiboost High Strength C, $47. Ultiboost Joint Repair Support, $71.
Swisse supplements available from Life Pharmacy.