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Sian Victoria © - Vegan nutritional food vitamin supplements

Nutritional Health food Supplements for vegans

Since 2017 I’ve been taking supplements daily to improve my general health, skin, hair, and nails. I was introduced to the benefits of taking supplements when I started the 100 Day Reset challenge with Environ Skincare and the Advanced Nutrition Programme. The new skincare and supplement routine helped me to successfully get rid of hormonal acne.

Ever since my overall health and beauty has improved and I’ve become obsessed with researching different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are effective and plant-based.

Shockingly the supplement market is not regulated well enough, despite being a growing billion-dollar industry. This means brands can potentially sell placebos and label them as a food supplement. The only principle is that ‘products must be safe for consumption and not misleadingly labelled’. Therefore, the efficacy, potency and claims made by some brands are questionable.

Because of this I always do my research before buying from a brand as I know that customer reviews are not always legit. Before purchasing I always look at the ingredients list, read product reviews from other websites and investigate the brand's reputation to see if they are trustworthy and to find out how long they’ve been trading.

I also avoid brands that are cheap because it makes me question why are they so affordable? Studies have confirmed how some supplements have contained mostly fillers and binders and only a small amount of the ingredients that are sought for beneficial purposes.

Therefore, always check the ingredients list and only purchase the highest potency supplements with the ingredient you need being highest on the list. When it comes to your health it is always worthwhile paying a little extra, doing your research and in some cases seeking expert advice if you take prescribed medication.

So, here are 10 best supplement brands that I’ve used over the past few years whose products have been generally effective at improving my health and beauty. As a bonus, the brands also sell supplements suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

1. Nature’s Best

Sian Victoria © - Nature’s Best vitamin Supplements

As you can tell I purchase a lot of supplements from the British and UK made supplement brand Nature's Best who has been around since 1981. I’ve been buying from them since December 2019 and have quickly grown my collection of daily supplements and have found Natures Best to be highly effective.

I’ve visually noticed the difference in my skin, hair, and nails since using their high strength Silica. I’ve since upgraded to their Silica Advance which comes with additional key nutrients Biotin, Zinc and MSM. This vegan product made of bamboo extract makes my nails grow long and strong.

Perhaps, too quickly for my liking as I have to cut them every fortnight. But I’m certainly not complaining when I’ve had so many compliments.

Natures Best promote their products with a clear and honest approach and produce supplements with science-backed formulas and use only quality pharmaceutical grade nutrients with the highest potency available in the UK.

2. Dr Vegan

If you’d prefer to purchase your regular dose of vitamins and minerals from a brand that’s completely vegan, then Dr Vegan may be the best option for you. Firstly, you’d be supporting a 100% plant-based company and secondly you won’t have to inspect the ingredients list for substances of animal origin.

Another benefit of choosing a fully vegan supplement company is that you’re less likely to be disappointed when the ingredients list change. This is something I’ve experienced with supplements I’ve been happy with using in the past. In particular, saw palmetto from a brand that later changed the ingredients to contain gelatine, so I had to find an alternative.

The award-winning Dr Vegan supplements come in 100% plastic-free compostable pouches. So, not only is that more beneficial for the environment but more convenient too as the items come with free UK delivery that arrives in a slim cardboard box so it will fit through your letterbox.

All supplements by Dr Vegan are made in the UK, plus they are non-GMO and gluten-free. I’ve been consuming the Skin Saviour and Vegan Essentials Bundle while my partner has been taking the Bone & Muscle Support and Curcumin & Turmeric to support his digestive system and joints.

Dr Vegan Skin Saviour supplements are beneficial to the hair, skin and nails and contain Inulin, Hyaluronic Acid Vitamin A, and Vitamin C to plump the skin for healthier ageing. Zinc and Selenium contribute to strengthening nails and hair. As well as the powerful antioxidants Grape Seed, Bilberry, and Green Tea to boost collagen production and encourage a clearer complexion and glowing skin.

As you know unless you follow a nutritional diet rich in whole foods it can be difficult as a vegan to get enough B12 and Omega 3. If your diet is lacking, then a supplement is advised to prevent being deficient. I’ve been taking B12 supplements for almost 14 years, even when I was a meat and dairy eater, I never ate them often even as a child as I’ve always felt a little grossed out by doing so.

Because of this, due to constant dizziness and tiredness while in college, I discovered I had anaemia, so I’ve relied on taking B12 ever since. These pink easy-to-swallow B12 vitamins from Dr Vegan contain 2000ug and are considered the energy vitamin to encourage the production of red blood cells and improve the nervous system. Another vegan essential is consuming enough Omega 3 to protect your brain, heart, and eye health.

I’m past my 30’s now and am constantly using digital devices which have affected my eyes, so I make sure I never go without my daily dose of omegas. This Omega 3 supplement contains Algae Oil from a controlled environment so you can ensure it is free of toxins and pollutants which are often found in fish oil.

3. Biovea

Sian Victoria © - Biovea Complete Multi-vitamin Supplements and Spirulina

Sian Victoria © - Biovea Collagen & Grape Seed Extract Supplements

A brand I started using in 2018 is the American health and beauty brand Biovea. They have been trading since 2001 and sell a fantastic range of unique products. A product I’ve continuously re-purchased and rely on is their daily vegetarian Complete Multi-Vitamin.

Each pack has 120 high potency tablets and contains 32 essential vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health. I’ve been recommending these to family and friends over the years and they have noticed a positive difference in their overall health.

They are costly at £32 without shipping. However, we buy them together whenever there’s an offer or discount code and they do last 4 months and provide you with all the nutrition you need. So, they are worth it if you find it difficult to get vital ingredients into your diet such as biotin, b12 and iron.

A supplement vegans may find hard to find is Collagen, since most brands use the connective tissue found in meat and fish. Thankfully Biovea has created a vegetable hydrolyzed collagen. It doesn’t specify where and how it’s created. However, my mom and I have been using them for almost a year now and the product has hundreds of positive reviews.

If you’d prefer not to take a Collagen supplement then increase your intake of leafy green vegetables, chia, pumpkin seeds, and legumes. These are all great sources to boost collagen production and always apply a daily SPF. As the sun’s harmful rays can reduce and break down the collagen in your skin making it saggy and losing elasticity.

Alternatively, consuming a daily Grapeseed supplement may improve collagen levels while also reducing blood pressure and delaying neurodegenerative diseases.

4. Solgar

Sian Victoria © - Solgar Saw Palmetto Supplements

Solgar is a brand that has been around since 1947 and has created some of the world’s first and finest nutritional supplements. For full control, they have their own manufacturing facilities and claim they avoid using artificial ingredients and unnecessary fillers, binders, and colourings.

They have 205 vegan products, so you’re likely to find the perfect supplement for your needs. For me, the high potency Saw Palmetto is the best supplement discovery I’ve made for my specific health concerns.

Saw Palmetto is not an essential nutrient and is usually recommended to men for prostate health. However, after researching I found that saw palmetto can help regulate female hormones by reducing the effects of too much testosterone in women and promote an estrogen-like effect to balance the hormones.

For women, too much testosterone in the body can contribute to hormonal acne, weight gain, unwanted hair on the face and body, hair loss and thinning. These and many more are symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Hair loss and thinning is something that I’ve been experiencing for years and it can be caused by a buildup of DHT on the scalp and within the hair follicle because of too much testosterone. I’ve been taking the herbal tablet for 10 months and have noticed a big improvement with their being less hair fall on my brush and new growth along my hairline. So, it’s a supplement I’m grateful to have found.

If you feel that you may have PCOS symptoms, I’d recommend discussing taking Saw Palmetto with your doctor as it can interfere with other medications.

5. Advanced Nutrition Programme

Sian Victoria © - Advanced Nutrition Programme collagen support & vitamin C supplements

Advanced Nutrition Programme launched in 2006 and was the brand that introduced me to the beauty benefits of food supplements. In 2017 I started taking Skin Vitality followed by Skin Accumax, which is formulated to reduce hormonal acne on the face, back, chest and shoulders. It contains Vitamin A, C, E and the key ingredient Diindolylmethane. Also known as DIM, it’s an active nutrient compound sourced from broccoli and it is amazing for improving acne as it too balances testosterone-to-estrogen levels and symptoms of PMS.

This skin-loving combination nourishes all layers of the skin to clarify the complexion, support skin health, and reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples as well as the sore bump-like cysts that can appear under the skin.

As you can see in my before and after hormonal acne post, ANP supplements worked their magic and my skin has since completely transformed. However, I did stop taking Skin Accumax in August 2018 as it was becoming too expensive to keep up at £75 for 120 capsules.

At the start, you take 4 capsules a day for 14 weeks and then reduce it to 1 or 2 a day. Thankfully the high potency Vitamin A, C and E in my multi-vitamin has stopped the acne returning and has improved further by balancing my hormones with saw palmetto and most recently Biovea’s DIM (Diindolylmethane).

However, if improving your skin health is your main reason for wanting to take supplements, then I highly recommend starting with the Skin Accumax, Collagen Support and Skin Antioxidant supplements from Advanced Nutrition Programme. I’ve used them myself and can confirm they are vegan and effective.

6. Swisse

Sian Victoria © - Swisse Hair, skin & nails supplements

Founded in 1969, Swisse is an Australian wellness brand. They were the first supplement brand I took as a teenager as my mom would make my sister and I take the Women's Multivitamin. The high-potency nutritional food supplement formulated with vitamins, minerals and botanical extract served me well growing up, as I rarely got ill.

In recent years I’ve taken their Hair Skin Nails tablets. As I like how it contains Sicilian blood orange which is rich in essential antioxidants to protect your cells against free radicals that can cause heart disease and certain cancers.

I’ve since swapped to Natures Best as the supplements I wanted to have, have the same beauty ingredients as the Swisse so it’s important not to take too much of one ingredient. If you take a few different supplements always check, that they don’t contain the same ingredient, for example, vitamin C which can sometimes be added to help with the absorption of other ingredients like iron.

Swisse is perhaps the most well-known brand internationally on this list. Therefore, if you’re not too sure about trying a brand you don’t know then they may be the best option for you.

7. Peak Supps

Sian Victoria © - Peak Supps Vegan supplements

Established in 2014, another great independent supplement brand that uses less plastic in its packaging design is Peak Supps. All their vitamins, minerals and omegas come in letterbox-friendly pouches. They also provide you with the option of picking 30, 90, 180 or 360 tablets for a year’s supply in one handy pouch, making it affordable, convenient and more eco to buy in bulk if you’re pleased with the results.

Because of this in recent months, I’ve swapped my Biovea Complete Multi-Vitamin for the Peak Supps Multi-Vitamins & Minerals A-Z Tablets. For years I paid £32 for a 120-day supply and had them shipped from the USA and they arrived in a plastic container.

Whereas the UK brand Peak Supps version is £16.99 for 360 tablets and comes with free UK delivery and arrives in a recyclable pouch. The only difference is that Biovea’s contains 32 beneficial ingredients whereas Peak Supps contains 24. I swapped in January 2022, so it is still too early for me to comment on not having those extra vitamins and minerals. However, after inspecting the ingredients list Peak Supps does include all the essentials in beneficial quantities so I’ll be taking these daily for the rest of the year.

If you struggle to swallow tablets, then the Peak Supps multi-vitamin is also a lot smaller to swallow in comparison to Biovea’s large tablet. Purchasing vegan supplements from Peak Supps is also a lot easier too as they have an entire category dedicated to their plant-based product range with hundreds of supplements for all your needs to choose from.

8. Goli Nutrition

Sian Victoria © - Goli Nutrition Apple Cider Vinegar gummies

Apple cider vinegar is a beneficial health and beauty substance that’s been used for centuries. For years I’ve diluted it with water to drink in the mornings on an empty stomach, applied it to the skin as a facial exfoliating toner and added it to homemade hair masks.

However, in 2019 I was introduced to Goli Nutrition who create supplement gummies made with apple cider vinegar, pomegranate, beetroot, citrus, B12, B9 and pectin. The gummies improve energy, healthy digestion, the immune system, weight management and appetite.

Like many I’ve never enjoyed drinking APC. So, thankfully Goli made it convenient and enjoyable to consume to reap the benefits. The Apple cider vinegar gummies have a delicious fruity sweet taste. It’s recommended to take two gummies daily to be the equivalent of one APC shot.

I take one in the morning before food for an energy and digestion boost and one in the evening to fight off sugar cravings. I find this helps me to not reach for the unhealthy sweet snacks at night. Therefore, by stopping my sweet cravings it does help to control my weight and reduce appetite.

If Goli Nutrition sounds like something you need, you can get 5% off using my discount code: sianvictoria5. Plus, with every sale Goli donates to Vitamin Angels who improves the health of vulnerable mothers and children by providing them with essential nutrition. As malnutrition is the number 1 cause of preventable child deaths.

9. Fushi

Sian Victoria © - Fushi Evening Primrose Oil

Fushi is a London based health and beauty shop I recently stumbled upon while searching for Evening Primrose Oil. They specialise in pure organic fresh-pressed oils and ground herbs that have been ethically sourced. Active since 2009, you’ll find them stocked at Boots, Planet Organic and Holland & Barrett.

Evening primrose oil is a rich source of omega 6 and there’s evidence to suggest it can do wonders for your skin and scalp, especially for acne caused by hormones. It has an acquired taste, so I’ve been drizzling it on my muesli in the morning. It can also be applied directly to the skin.

However, it has a comedogenic rating of 2-3 which means it has the potential to break you out in spots if you have stubborn skin like mine. So, it’s best to consume the oil or EPO supplements orally instead.

I’ve since spotted that Fushi has Ashwagandha supplements and Fresh-Pressed Vegan Omega Total oil which I’ll be ordering next. The omega oil has omegas 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 making it a complete and easy way to get all your omegas including rare oils that can only be consumed from plants such as Sea Buckthorn. So, when I’ve finished with the above omega supplements I’m on, I will be trying the oil.

I hadn’t heard about the Ayurvedic herb, Ashwagandha until recently. It’s an adaptogen for boosting cognitive function, encouraging calm, reducing anxiety, depression and cortisol levels while also improving sleep and balancing hormones. So they are both on my list to buy next.

10. Nutrivitality

Sian Victoria © - Nutrivitality Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin C Oral supplements

An alternative to taking a supplement tablet is drinking it in liquid form. This is best for those who struggle to swallow pills. Personally, I would rather take vitamins in liquid form as they’ll often contain fewer ingredients. Since they won’t contain what’s needed to make the capsule shells, binders, and other unnecessary extras. Although, you will sometimes find sweeteners added to the liquids so always check the ingredients list.

Nutrivitality is a British brand born out of a family illness that led them to question the supplement market. Through extensive research, they developed an oral supplement that would deliver the correct levels of nutrition that the body requires after it’s been absorbed.

All oral supplements are flavoured so they are more enjoyable to consume, and some come in spray form which is more convenient to carry around with you. Their Multivitamin contains all the essentials for the immune system and brain health. It’s also peach flavoured and is available for adults and children.

I’ve previously used the Liposomal Vitamin C and the minerals Selenium and Zinc from Nutrivitality. These are good for boosting the immune system, supporting bones, and protecting cells from oxidative stress.

Tips for Taking Dietary Supplements for the first time

It’s important not to take too many supplements and to find the right balance by looking at the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). For example, having too much vitamin A and iron in the body can be toxic.

Do your research to see if the products are suitable for your concerns and if necessary, always seek advice from an expert nutritionist. Or a doctor if you have health problems as supplements can interfere with prescribed medication.

If considering a new supplement brand always be sceptical at first and investigate their ingredients and claims. As it is your health after all. Purchasing from cheap unknown brands such as on eBay could be a bad idea.

Always examine the ingredients list and do research. As its common for toxic and dangerous fillers, binders and colourings to be added. For example, avoid artificial food colourings, Hydrogenated Oils such as soybean oil, Lead, Mercury, & PCBs (usually found in fish oils), Talc or Magnesium Silicate (these can contain asbestos) and Titanium Dioxide which can damage your DNA.

Read the supplement's instructions to find out the best time of day to take them and if it needs to be taken with food or on an empty stomach to improve effectiveness. Some supplements must be swallowed, and some can be taken under the tongue. If you struggle to swallow tablets, see if there is a liquid alternative.

Never take supplements that are past their expiry date and store them correctly so that they do not spoil or become ineffective.

Before purchasing supplements consider how you could change your diet to get more nutrition from food and how much of each food should be eaten to get the recommended intake. Only take supplements if you struggle to get the nutrition from food and the tablet is your only way to consume that vitamin, mineral or antioxidant.

If you would prefer to get the nutrition you need from food than I recommend buying wholefoods online or finding your nearest zerowaste store for purchasing affordable pantry food staples to enhance your health and diet. Depending on what nutrition you need it could be as simple as sprinkling seeds on your breakfast and snacking with nuts if you’re looking for a vegan omega boost. To find out how to add more nutrition to your diet check out my pantry health foods post.

Don’t expect to see results overnight. It can take up to 3 months before you start feeling the benefits or visually seeing a difference from taking supplements.

Ensure you take the recommended dose in the recommended way by following the instructions and take them daily at the same time. Consistency is the key to increase the effectiveness of supplements.

To conclude

So, there you go hopefully, you’ve found this list of supplement brands I’ve had positive experiences with helpful.

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