Some of my most-read blogs ever are all about supplements. And if you've been with me for a while, you'll know I'm personally a big fan.
So whenever I hear about a new trend in this department, my ears prick up with intrigue. And this week, 'supplement stacking' is making waves.
What is supplement stacking?
To be fair, its name is pretty self-explanatory, which is unusual for anything trendy! The idea is that you layer your supplements, a bit like your skincare, to create your own little blends and in theory, get even more out of them.
For instance, if you're into fitness, you may know that creatine and protein powder are a match made in heaven and work better when paired together. And the same idea applies to pre and probiotics for improving your gut health, or vitamin C and collagen if you're looking for plumper, younger-looking skin.
Is supplement stacking safe?
And actually, I practised this for years, trying to find my own perfect combination. But while it can work brilliantly in theory, the reality can be a little trickier to navigate and sometimes, even a bit risky.
In clinic, I'd often meet women who were taking everything and anything. Then we'd go through their doses and discover they were sometimes taking 4x the recommended amount!
Now, some nutrients are water-soluble, meaning your body can just wee out the excess. But fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D and E, are stored in the body and can build up to potentially harmful levels over time, that damage your organs.
Can supplements cancel each other out?
Then there's the issue of absorption. Certain minerals can compete with one another when taken in high amounts, meaning you may not absorb as much as you think. Which is not exactly ideal for your body, or your bank balance either!
So for me, less is often more. And it's actually why Youthfuel was a bit of a selfish passion project 🙌🏼😂
I wanted one easy supplement that contained everything my skin needed, in the right doses, with the perfect pairings, all in one jar. And now, it's literally all I take.
How to stack supplements safely
Of course, there may be reasons to add something alongside it, such as magnesium for sleep or iron for anemia. But I'd always recommend keeping your stash to a minimum and checking for ingredient overlap before adding anything else in.
I think because supplements feel like such a natural, holistic approach to health, we sometimes forget just how powerful they can be. And that's exactly why I love them, but also why I think they deserve a little more thought than simply 'stacking' them up.
So if you're tempted to give this trend a try, please do your research first, check your doses and remember when it comes to supplements, more usually doesn't mean better ♥️
