Dietary supplements are not a luxury, but a conscious decision to improve your quality of life. By carefully selecting vital substances, you are investing in your well-being – every day anew.
Dietary supplements – a guide to finding your way through the jungle of vital substances
18. December 2025
from Andrea Meppiel
The range on offer is huge and growing steadily. But with diversity comes uncertainty. What do I really need? What is superfluous? And what should I look out for when making my selection?
The modern approach to healthcare – staying healthy before illness strikes – is becoming increasingly important. Dietary supplements play a key role in this. They help to support our bodies, especially when everyday stresses, stress or dietary habits increase our need for vital substances. If you want to feel better, more energetic and more productive in the long term, high-quality dietary supplements can provide valuable support.
Dietary supplements – what are they for?
Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet, but rather a targeted aid for the body. They can help to close gaps in nutrition caused by lifestyle, modern eating habits, stress, sport, age, environmental pollution or increased demands on life.
Typical situations in which dietary supplements are particularly useful:
- Stressful everyday life and mental strain
- Physical strain in everyday working life
- Regular sport/fitness
- Increased requirements (pregnancy/breastfeeding, sport, illness, medication)
- Absorption problems (due to intestinal disorders or age)
- Environmental factors (smoking, alcohol, stress, environmental toxins)
- Low nutrient density in food (industrial agriculture, ready-made products, fast food, poor food quality)
- Vegan or vegetarian diet
- Unbalanced diet (e.g. fast food, diets)
- Desire for beautiful skin, stronger hair or more energy
A classic example: vitamin D. In our latitudes, there is not enough sunlight in the winter months to ensure the body's own production of vitamin D. Supplementation from October to May is therefore recommended.
Do I need vital substances?
Tailor vital substances to your life situation
Dietary supplements are particularly effective when they are tailored to your individual lifestyle. Whether it's your immune system, energy levels, concentration or skin health – modern products offer a carefully considered combination of vital substances for almost every need.
Some examples:
- Want to strengthen your immune system? Vitamin C, D, zinc and secondary plant substances help to strengthen your defences.
- Want to combat fatigue? Coenzyme Q10, ashwagandha, magnesium, B vitamins and iron restore energy.
- Supporting digestion? Prebiotics and dietary fibre promote healthy gut flora.
- Optimise your figure and metabolism? Chromium, konjac glucomannan and protein can help you achieve your desired figure.
- Mood swings? Turmeric, astaxanthin, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, vitamin B complex and L-carnitine support mood and energy.
Whether as a morning ritual, for sport or as a targeted monthly treatment, high-quality supplements can be easily and efficiently integrated into everyday life. Many consumers report that with the right dietary supplements, they feel more focused, energetic and mentally stable.
Quality is crucial
Not every dietary supplement delivers what it promises. These quality criteria will help you choose:
- Transparent declaration
- Dosage according to scientific guidelines
- Free from unnecessary additives
- Manufactured in Switzerland
- Trustworthy advice in chemists or pharmacies
Tip: Be careful when buying online from abroad! Regulations there are often less strict than for products approved in Switzerland.
Seek expert advice
Dietary supplements are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. Anyone who takes medication regularly, suffers from chronic conditions or uses several products at the same time should consult a qualified specialist at a chemist's or drugstore or seek advice from their GP or nutritionist. This is particularly important in the case of:
- Thyroid disorders (e.g. iodine, selenium)
- Blood thinners (e.g. vitamin K)
- Kidney problems (e.g. magnesium, potassium)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Taking antidepressants or psychotropic drug
Tips for optimal effect
- Take with meals
- Watch out for nutrient robbers
- Cures recommended
- Take a sufficiently high dose
- Pay attention to quality
- Do not only use when ill
Tips for optimal effect
1. Take with a meal
Many micronutrients – especially fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), coenzyme Q10 and curcumin – are absorbed much better by the body when taken with a little fat rather than on an empty stomach. Tip: Take with your main meal or with a spoonful of rapeseed or olive oil (e.g. in a smoothie or yoghurt).
2. Avoid nutrient robbers
Coffee, black tea, oxalic acid and phytic acid are nutrient robbers and inhibit the absorption of vital substances. Tip: Take vital substances at intervals of approx. 30 minutes. More on this here: Blog article nutrient predators
3. Cures recommended
Most vital substances take several weeks to develop their full effect. The greatest success is achieved with regular use over at least 60 days. Long-term daily intake is recommended. Vital substances have a continuous effect – irregular intake is of little benefit. Tip: Integrate supplements into your daily routine (e.g. place them next to your toothbrush or teacup in the morning).
4. Dosage and preparation
Too low a dosage has little effect, while too high a dosage carries certain risks. Important: adhere to the recommended daily dose – or seek professional advice. Many vital substances are sensitive to heat, so water that is too hot will destroy them. Always prepare according to the recommendations and never heat above 40 °C.
5. Pay attention to quality
Cheap products often contain fillers or poorly absorbable vital substance compounds. Look for Swiss manufacturing and tested quality.
6. Don't just use them when you're ill
Most vital substances have a preventive effect. Their greatest power lies in regular use for long-term well-being – not just when symptoms appear.
7. Be aware of interactions with medication
Certain vital substances can influence the effect of medicines (e.g. magnesium with thyroid medication or vitamin K with blood thinners). Tip: Ask your chemist, drugstore or doctor if you are taking medication.
8. Storage
If stored incorrectly, many vital substances lose their effectiveness as they are sensitive to heat. Pay attention to the storage instructions in the package insert (max. 25 °C room temperature and no direct sunlight).
