When it comes to wellness trends, supplements top the charts year after year. From collagen peptides to sleep gummies, we’re all in search of a “fast fix” for better health. However, dietary supplements are also dubbed as the “wild wild west” by some nutrition experts because they aren’t regulated by the FDA. Though it’s best practice to always double check ingredients and be wary of too-good-to-be-true claims, many supplements can make a positive impact on our health and wellness. Right now, there’s buzz around three big trends in the space that should be on your radar: colostrum, creatine and vitamin patches. Here’s the scoop.
Featured Experts
- Jennifer Hanway, a certified holistic and celebrity nutritionist, online metabolic weight-loss coach and wellness expert
- Corbin Hohl, director of research for BelliWelli
- Cleo Davis-Urman, founder of barrière
- Mari Llewellyn, co-CEO and founder of Bloom Nutrition
Colostrum
Whether or not you’ve had a baby, you may know about colostrum, the first “milk” made by the breasts after giving birth. Now, colostrum supplements are gaining traction, but they’re not made with human breast milk. Cows also produce colostrum, which can be sustainably sourced, turned into unflavored, shelf-stable powder and mixed into drinks. (It is a dairy ingredient, so avoid if you are allergic.)
“Colostrum is packed with antibodies, growth factors, vitamins and minerals, making it a crucial substance for immune system support,” says celebrity nutritionist Jennifer Hanway. “It helps defend against infections and diseases. Its growth factors support the development and repair of various tissues, contributing to overall well-being. Additionally, colostrum has been linked to improved gut health. It supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system.”
Corbin Hohl, director of research for BelliWelli, says many colostrum products undergo manufacturing modifications such as filtration and fractionation, and advises looking for one that is minimally processed. “We use minimally processed whole colostrum in our supplement [shown below] to maximize the original components from the source. We also preserve the temperature and physically sensitive components, which is key in delivering the highest quality and potency. Our formula contains over 200 bioactive nutrients, including immunoglobulins and growth factors for optimal gut and immune health.”
Wellness brand Bloom chose to mix its bovine colostrum powder with collagen peptides (shown below) for additional benefits. “Colostrum has been rising in popularity, with significant clinical studies to back its claims,” says Mari Llewellyn, co-CEO and founder of Bloom Nutrition. “Separately, collagen has long been one of the most popular supplements for its proven beauty benefits. We combined them so consumers can get the best of both worlds.”
Transdermal Vitamin Patches
For those who don’t like to swallow pills or mix powders into their morning smoothie, transdermal patches offer an easy alternative. Stickers that get applied to the skin—usually on the arm—transdermal patches are now being infused with vitamins and supplements to help with a full range of concerns, from better sleep to immune support.
Cleo Davis-Urman founded barrière, a new wellness brand offering patches in the form of fun stickers, after looking for an option to suit her own health needs. “My doctor explained that capsulized vitamins can lose as much as 90 percent of their efficacy in the digestive process. He suggested I try a transdermal vitamin patch instead, which bypasses the digestive tract and can be more effective for absorption.” The latest addition to barrière’s lineup is the Energy Boost patches (shown below), which are shaped like a lightning bolt and provide a daily dose of vitamin b12 and folate.
Other benefits of transdermal vitamin patches, says Urman, is that they deliver their ingredients gradually, so you don’t experience negative side effects, like nausea. Though this category is expanding quickly, Hanway cautions consumers to make sure the patches they are buying can effectively be delivered into the skin. “Vitamins need to be formulated as nanoparticles and encased in a lipophilic substance to penetrate the skin successfully,” she explains. “Brands should explain this in their marketing, but many don’t.”
Creatine
A daily staple for fitness buffs, creatine has long been revered for its ability to supply our muscles with more energy during exercise. It’s a compound that’s found naturally in our muscles, but you can also find it in some meat and fish. Though this supplement isn’t new, recent research supports new benefits, which appeal to others besides gym-goers.
“We are now seeing that creatine can also benefit women in perimenopause and menopause,” says Hanway. (Historically, most creatine studies have focused on men.) “A daily serving of 3 to 5 grams helps boost lean muscle mass, but also mental cognition—think brain health, bone health and energy production. I think more companies will begin making creatine supplements that are marketed toward these women, like this one [shown below]. It’s from The Pause Life, which was created by OB/GYN and certified menopause practitioner Dr. Mary Claire Haver.” A flavorless powder, it includes 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving. If you prefer flavor, another great option we like is mindbodygreen’s raspberry Creatine+ powder sticks (shown below).
*These supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
