By Belinda Castles
Researcher | Kairangahau
This article appeared in the spring 2026 issue of Consumer magazine.
Wellness supplements are being sold as shortcuts to stress management, mood balance, healthy ageing and more. Before you add another bottle to your bathroom cabinet, it’s worth asking whether the evidence matches the marketing.
On a recent stroll through Chemist Warehouse, I was bamboozled by supplements. For example:
Radiance Bio-Age NMN made claims about “healthy biological ageing”
Goli Nutrition ashwagandha gummies offered to help me “relax, restore, unwind”
Good Health Creatine Chewables claim to help with “healthy brain function”.
My social media is also flooded with posts trying to persuade me I’m missing out on these “life-changing” products.
We looked at three supplements Consumer NZ members told us they’re taking and spoke to experts about the issues.
Creatine
NMN
Ashwagandha
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Time to overhaul regulations
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