How to Tell If Your Supplements Are Working (or a Waste of Money)
Let’s be real—buying supplements can feel like playing wellness roulette.
You’re told to take magnesium for sleep, B12 for energy, vitamin D for mood… and suddenly you’ve got a $300 cart of pills and powders that may or may not be helping.
So how do you know if your supplements are actually doing anything—or if you're just paying for expensive pee?
Here’s what to watch for, how to spot BS products, and how to get real results from your routine.
Signs Your Supplements Are Working
If your body needs the nutrients (you probably do) and you're taking a quality product, you may notice improvements in:
Energy levels (especially with B vitamins, iron, CoQ10, or adaptogens)
Sleep quality (magnesium glycinate and L-theanine are big players here)
Mood and focus (vitamin D, omega-3s, B-complex, and inositol)
PMS and hormone symptoms (magnesium, zinc, and targeted herbal blends)
Hair, skin, and nails (collagen, biotin, silica—but results take time)
The key? Give it time—at least 4–6 consistent weeks—and track symptoms, even the subtle ones. Look for patterns, not magic overnight.
Red Flags Your Supplements Aren’t Working (Or Are Low Quality)
You're taking them daily but feel no change after 6+ weeks
Your symptoms haven’t budged—or have worsened
You’re experiencing GI upset, headaches, or strange reactions
The ingredients list is vague, full of fillers, or has weird dyes
The brand isn’t third-party tested or transparent about sourcing
Pro tip: Just because it’s trending on TikTok doesn’t mean it’s worth your money. Use a more trusted, third-party source to help you navigate which ones are worth it. Try an app like Supp Co., which tests hundreds of supplements based on multiple qualities and gives them a trust score.
Why Your Body Might Not Be Absorbing Them
At the end of the day, it’s not about what supplements you take or food you eat, it’s about what your body does with them. Even the best supplements won’t help if you’re not absorbing them. Common reasons include:
Poor gut health (think bloating, IBS, leaky gut)
Low stomach acid (especially for minerals like iron and magnesium)
Genetic variations (like MTHFR, which impacts B-vitamin metabolism)
Medication interactions (like PPIs (anti-reflux meds, birth control, or metformin)
This is where testing and guidance come in. You don’t need to guess—we can help you adjust and build a plan that works with your body.
A Smarter Way to Supplement: Test, Don’t Guess
At Revive Wellness, we believe in targeted supplementation based on real data & YOU, not influencer hype. We offer:
Functional approach to symptoms & testing
High-quality supplements you can trust
IV and injection therapy for better absorption when needed
Expert guidance to simplify your protocol
Because nobody needs 16 different bottles on their counter.
Final Thoughts
Supplements can be a powerful part of your wellness routine—but only if they’re high quality, aligned with your body’s needs, and properly absorbed. If you’re feeling stuck, tired, or overwhelmed by what to take, we’re here to help you cut through the noise.
→ Book a consult or stop into Revive to talk about your personalized supplement strategy.