IT·Science Talk

The supplement questions I get every single week at the pharmacy

I've worked in a community pharmacy in Valencia for almost twenty years, and certain questions come back like the seasons. Autumn is vitamin D and 'something for my immune system'. January is weight loss. Exam season is anything that promises focus.

What I try to explain, gently, is that most people eating a reasonable diet don't need most supplements, but some people really do: certain groups need vitamin D, folic acid matters before and during early pregnancy, B12 for people on some long-term medicines or strict vegan diets. The trouble is that the marketing does not separate those groups; it speaks to everyone.

The other thing I check every time is interactions. Some herbal products interfere with common prescription medicines, and people often don't mention them because 'it's natural'.

Curious what supplements people here take, and whether anyone actually asked a pharmacist or doctor first.