As part of our Ask Your Pharmacist series, we sat down with Dhashnie Pather and Kasavan Naicker, pharmacists at Day-Nite Pharmacy, to unpack some of the most common questions around vitamins and supplements.
From immunity and energy to sleep, stress and gut health, supplements have become part of everyday life for many people. But with so many products available, it can be difficult to know what’s genuinely helpful — and what may simply be unnecessary.
Should everybody be taking supplements?
According to the pharmacists, not necessarily.
While supplements can play an important role in certain situations — such as diagnosed deficiencies, pregnancy, restricted diets, recovery after illness or certain chronic conditions — they are not automatically necessary for everyone.
“Supplements can be very beneficial when there’s an actual need for them. The problem is that many people start taking products without understanding what they’re taking or why.”
— Dhashnie Pather
Can you overdose on supplements?
Yes — and it’s more common than many people realise.
The pharmacists explained that they often see patients taking multiple products containing overlapping ingredients, sometimes leading to excessive intake or interactions with medication.
Fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamins A, D, E and K can accumulate in the body over time, while too much iron or stimulant-based supplements may also cause unwanted side effects.
“One good-quality product is often more useful than four or five products taken randomly together.”
— Kasavan Naicker
Are natural supplements always safe?
Not necessarily.
Many herbal or natural products can still affect blood pressure, anxiety, sleep, blood sugar levels or chronic medication.
“If you’re taking chronic medication, it’s always worth checking with your pharmacist before adding supplements or herbal products.”
— Kasavan Naicker
What’s the best approach?
Instead of following trends or buying products based on marketing claims, speak to a healthcare professional about what is actually appropriate for your body and health needs.
Sometimes the smartest approach is not adding more — but understanding what your body truly needs.