Why Your Natural Supplements Aren’t Working (And How to Fix It)

You Might Not Be Taking Enough (Or You're Taking Too Much)

Dosage confusion is real. There's the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) - daily bare minimum for not falling apart and the UL (Daily Upper Limit for optimal health) - before your body starts waving a red flag.

But here's the kicker: if you're stressed, sick, or under physical strain, your body's nutrient demands go up—sometimes dramatically. For example, studies in primates show that vitamin C needs can increase 2–5x during illness. So, don't be afraid to temporarily scale up (within safe limits) when your body's fighting something.

We get a lot of questions about this for products on this site, so we made Dosage cards in Files section of our Facebook group: 👉 Check Product Dosage Info

Here's a peek at some essential nutrients, based on European guidelines. 

Some Nutrients Love Each Other. Others Need Space.

Not everything plays nicely in your belly.

• Bad Combos (space them out):
• Calcium can inhibit non-heme iron absorption—space by 2 hours.
• Zinc can crowd out copper if taken in high doses over time.
• Too much vitamin E can mess with vitamin K and blood clotting.
• Iron hates being taken with antacids or some antibiotics.
• Excess folic acid can mask B12 deficiency—better to use methylfolate.
• Power Pairs (take together):
• Iron + Vitamin C for better absorption
• Magnesium + B6 for muscle & nerve support
• D3 + K2 for calcium regulation
• Omega-3 + fat for absorption

✅ Bonus: Our products already include bioavailable forms and helpful co-factors. So unless you're licking random chalky tablets off the pharmacy shelf, you're probably good here.

You Might Be Taking Them at the Wrong Time (Or With the Wrong Snack)

Timing is everything. That includes when you take your probiotics or pop that fish oil.

Supplement / When & How to Take:

• Probiotics  - Empty stomach, 2–3 hrs from antibiotics
• Omega-3 - With meals (skip during sickness or acute inflammation)
• Vitamin D3 - With a fatty meal
• Magnesium - Anytime; evening for sleep support
• Iron - Empty stomach, no dairy/calcium (or small snack if tummy issues)
• Vitamin C - Any time; split doses ideal, especially when sick
• B-complex - Morning or early afternoon
• Multivitamins - With food
• Herbal blends - Depends on herb (e.g. Ashwagandha = AM, Valerian = PM)

More timing tips? Read our Dosage cards in Files section of our Facebook group. 

Quality Matters (Duh, That's Why You're Here)

Not all supplements are created equal. Some are made in dusty warehouses with ingredients that sound like rejected Star Wars characters.

We make sure you get:

• Active forms (like methylfolate, not folic acid)
• Bioavailable minerals (like magnesium glycinate, not oxide)
• Clean labels without junk

We talk more about choosing quality supplements here:
👉 How to Choose the Right Health Supplement (Without Losing Your Mind)

✅ Bonus: Our formulas already feature the most absorbable, effective versions of nutrients. No decoder ring required.

Gut Trouble = Absorption Trouble

You could be swallowing gold-plated pills, but if your gut's a mess, they're not getting in.

Support gut health with:

• Cutting out irritants (gluten, dairy, alcohol, ultra-processed stuff)
• Trying a low-carb or anti-inflammatory diet
• Adding gut-friendly foods (fermented veg, bone broth, aloe vera)
• Taking quality probiotics & enzymes (timed right!)
• Managing stress (your gut feels your vibes)
• check out Nutri-absorb supplement, to enhance the body's absorption of essential nutrients like amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.  

Healing your gut is a marathon, not a juice cleanse.

You Might Just Need to Chill (and Wait)

Supplements aren't magic beans. They take time. Weeks, sometimes months.

• Vitamin D: 6–12 weeks
• Magnesium: 2–4 weeks
• Probiotics: 2–8 weeks
• Adaptogens: 4+ weeks

Track your progress. Tiny shifts matter.

You Can't Supplement Away a Bad Diet (Sorry, Not Sorry)

If you're still eating inflammatory junk, bathing in seed oils, or skipping sleep like it's a competitive sport… well, even the fanciest supplement has limits.

Try:

• Eliminating common triggers (gluten, dairy, sugar)
• Testing low-carb or anti-inflammatory diets
• Getting serious about sleep
• Moving your body daily (even just stretching counts)

You Are Not a Multivitamin Commercial

One-size-fits-all rarely fits anyone. Your genes, microbiome, hormones, and lifestyle all shape how your body reacts. That's why we formulate with real people in mind, not lab rats. If something isn't working, don't give up—adjust.

Wrap-Up: Supplements Do Work — But Only If You Work With Them

If your supplements aren't doing their job, it's probably not their fault. The magic is in the details: are you taking the right stuff, at the right time, in the right way?

✅ Re-check your dosage — especially when you're sick or stressed (your body might need more than the bare minimum).
✅ Watch out for timing and bad combos (calcium vs. iron, we're looking at you).
✅ Make friends with your gut—because a leaky, inflamed digestive tract won't absorb the good stuff.
✅ Be patient—some nutrients take weeks to show effects.
✅ And remember: no supplement can outwork a bad diet or lifestyle.

Give your body the environment it needs to thrive. Your supplements will thank you—with results.

Need help? We're here.
✅ Join Our Facebook Group
✅ Explore Our Bioavailable Products
✅ Ask Us Anything (Really)

No health claims here. Just real talk, good products, and a sprinkle of humour. Always consult your healthcare provider.