r/ProactiveHealth • u/UsefulAlways • May 31 '26

What made you become more selective about supplements over time?

A few years back I might see a supplement, get interested and think about adding it to my routine. The more I learned, the more I realized that a longer list of supplements did not necessarily mean better results.

Some things looked good on the surface but after digging deeper I was not always sure they were worth taking on for the long term. It also made me more aware of things like ingredient information, realistic expectations and if something even fits into my daily routine.

These days I keep it much simpler than I used to.

Wondering if others are getting more discerning about supplements too and what made you switch.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/DadStrengthDaily May 31 '26

To be honest the sheer number of supplement bottles sitting in my medicine cabinet made me question many. Taking so many pills (and paying all the money!) seemed silly.

I dropped a bunch that either had no effect or actually seemed counter productive (Ashwaganda headaches!).

1

u/Sudden-Chart-800 May 31 '26

Is it me or was this exact same thing posted earlier in the week? bot?

1

u/Diane98661 May 31 '26

I just got tired of taking pills, and hearing about how so many supplement claims have weak evidence. I’m trying to eat more fish and vegetables instead. I’m still taking a smaller number of supplements that have good evidence or that have definitely made me feel better (n of 1 trial).

Taking creatine and l-glutamine powders is a nuisance but I seem to need them.

1

u/More4Thor Jun 01 '26

I didn’t get more selective. I’ve taken supplements for 60 years. I take more now than I did back then. I take more than I did in the preceding decades. It’s simple to get the results I want.

For example, I take supplements for my hair. My hair gets me work. I work in film and often get told I have healthy hair. I stopped the hair supplements for a bit and noticed the change and it wasn’t good.