From digestion to intimate health, these are the supplements you didn’t know you needed

If your medicine cabinet is already brimming with the basics (we’re talking vitamin D, multivitamins, magnesium, and all the gummies) it might be time to step up your supplement game. I caught up with registered nutritionist Ella Kaur Maan to hear her top supplements for health concerns you might be ignoring

Words: Amy Dowrick | Images: Shuttertock & DR.VEGAN

“When people think of supplements, they often think of the basics – vitamin D, magnesium, or a general multivitamin,” says Ella, who is Practitioner Lead at supplement brand, DR.VEGAN.

“But in practice, many of the most disruptive health concerns are not the ‘headline’ ones. They’re the quieter, everyday issues that affect energy, mood, digestion, hormones, cognition and long-term wellbeing,” she adds.

From hormonal fluctuations to bloating, metabolic balance and cognitive performance, Ella delves into the targeted formulations designed to support these more specific needs.

Overlooked health concerns

“Many people live with persistent symptoms without realising they may be linked to underlying imbalances or nutritional gaps,” says Ella.

“These are often normalised, dismissed as “just stress”, or attributed to ageing or lifestyle, when in reality, they can often be supported more effectively.”

Intimate health

According to a recent study commissioned by DR.VEGAN, which surveyed over 1,200 women, 58% reported that their sex life felt impacted by poor vaginal health – and learning to support your microbiome is one of the most important ways to regulate this.

“The vaginal microbiome refers to the community of beneficial bacteria that naturally live within the vagina and play an important role in maintaining a healthy, slightly acidic environment that helps protect against irritation and unwanted bacterial overgrowth,” says Ella.

While particularly sensitive to hormonal shifts, stress and antibiotics, she suggests a targeted supplement, such as DR.VEGAN’s pH Hero, to support vaginal microbiome balance with active bacterial strains and botanicals that support intimate and urinary tract health.

pH Hero

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Metabolic health

Metabolic health is another typically overlooked area, and Ella suggests looking out for these signs to know whether yours needs improving.

“Many people experience energy dips, cravings and fluctuations in blood sugar without recognising the underlying pattern, often describing feeling “tired but wired” or needing frequent snacks to maintain energy levels,” she says. “These shifts can affect not only physical energy but also mood and concentration throughout the day.”

She suggests a targeted formula that includes nutrients like chromium, cinnamon and inositol, such as DR.VEGAN’s GlucoBalance, to support healthy glucose metabolism and more stable energy balance.

GlucoBalance

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Digestive health

While digestive discomfort is extremely common, it’s become very normalised, despite its impact on daily comfort and wellbeing.

“Symptoms such as bloating, reflux, fullness after meals or irregular digestion are frequently accepted as routine rather than addressed,” says Ella. “Over time, this can affect nutrient absorption and overall energy levels, which can have an enormous impact on quality of life.”

“A formulation such as DR.VEGAN’s GastroAid, which includes ingredients such as chamomile and betaine, can support digestive enzyme activity and gut comfort, contribute to more comfortable digestion,” she adds.

GastroAid

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Brain health

“Cognitive strain and mental fatigue are increasingly common in a fast-paced, screen-heavy world,” says Ella, who sees reduced concentration, slower recall, and difficulty staying focused as a sign that you might need extra support.

“A general sense of mental overload, particularly during periods of sustained multitasking or information-heavy work, calls for supplements such as DR.VEGAN’s Brain Fuel,” she adds. “It combines targeted ingredients that support cognitive function, including compounds such as Bacopa monnieri, which has been studied for its role in memory and information processing, alongside key nutrients that support focus, mental clarity and overall brain performance, particularly during periods of high demand or prolonged concentration.”

Brain Fuel

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Lifestyle

Ella recommends using supplements alongside consistent, supportive lifestyle habits – rather than being relied on in isolation.

“This includes a balanced, wholefood-based diet with a wide variety of nutrients, regular meals to support stable energy levels throughout the day, adequate hydration, and sufficient fibre intake to support healthy digestion and gut function,” she says.

She also stresses that good sleep quality is essential, as it underpins hormonal balance, cognitive performance and physical recovery, while effective stress management plays a key role in maintaining energy, mood and overall resilience.

“Regular movement, including a mix of daily activity and structured exercise, supports metabolism, circulation, mood regulation and long-term overall wellbeing,” she adds.

DR.VEGAN have developed a range of targeted supplements designed to support health concerns that often go overlooked. Each product is developed by practitioners and grounded in science, offering more tailored support beyond general multivitamins. Find out more at drvegan.com