What is the best supplement for sleep?
There is no shop-bought one that may claim it. The GB register holds one sleep claim, melatonin contributes to the reduction of time taken to fall asleep, but the NHS says melatonin is available on prescription only. No vitamin or mineral has a sleep claim, and VH Life makes none. The NHS advice is to wake at the same time every day, keep the bedroom dark and quiet, and avoid alcohol, tea and coffee for at least 6 hours before bed. The nearest authorised claims VH Life carries are for the nervous system and psychological function, which are not sleep claims.
What does the NHS say?
The NHS says adults need 7 to 9 hours on average, to get up at the same time every day and relax for at least 1 hour before bed, and to see a GP if changing your sleeping habits has not helped or you have had trouble sleeping for months. Source: NHS: Insomnia.
Which authorised claims come closest?
In Great Britain a food or supplement may only make health claims that are on the GB register, worded as registered, for nutrients at 15% of the NRV or more per portion. These are the registered claims that touch this question and apply to VH Life:
| Nutrient, in one sachet | Authorised claim, as registered |
|---|---|
| Biotin, 1,000µg, 2,000% NRV | Biotin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system Biotin contributes to normal psychological function |
| Copper, 1mg, 100% NRV | Copper contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system |
| Folate, 400µg, 200% NRV | Folate contributes to normal psychological function |
| Iodine, 150µg, 100% NRV | Iodine contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system |
| Magnesium, 65mg, 17.3% NRV | Magnesium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function |
| Niacin, 16mg, 100% NRV | Niacin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system Niacin contributes to normal psychological function |
| Potassium, 470mg, 23.5% NRV | Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system |
| Riboflavin, 1.4mg, 100% NRV | Riboflavin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system |
| Thiamine, 1.1mg, 100% NRV | Thiamine contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system Thiamine contributes to normal psychological function |
| Vitamin B12, 250µg, well above 15% NRV | Vitamin B12 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system Vitamin B12 contributes to normal psychological function |
| Vitamin B6, 1.4mg, 100% NRV | Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function |
| Vitamin C, 900mg, 1,125% NRV | Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function |
Health claims apply as part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle; the pattern of use is one sachet a day.
Where does VH Life fit?
VH Life is a UK-made food supplement: one 11.8g berry sachet a day in cold water, with 87 active ingredients including 26 vitamins and minerals with declared amounts. It carries the claims above because it provides those nutrients at qualifying levels; it makes no claim beyond them. On subscription VH Life is £49.99 for 28 sachets every 4 weeks, which works out at £1.79 a day. There is also a 7-day trial (7 sachets, £12.99, one per customer) and one box of 14 sachets for £34.99, with free UK delivery. See the full label or the ingredients index.
If you take any medicine, ask your GP or pharmacist first. If you take warfarin, ask your anticoagulant clinic first: the sachet contains vitamin K, cranberry, co-enzyme Q10, ginkgo, turmeric and ginseng.
Questions people also ask
What is the best supplement for sleep in the UK?
There is not one you can buy off the shelf with a sleep claim. The only sleep claim on the GB register is for melatonin, and the NHS says melatonin is available on prescription only. Magnesium and B vitamins carry nervous-system and psychological-function claims, which are not the same thing.
Does VH Life help with sleep?
VH Life makes no sleep claim. One sachet is taken in the morning. It contains green tea leaf extract, which naturally has some caffeine, so it is not an evening drink.
Does magnesium help you sleep?
Magnesium's authorised claims are for normal functioning of the nervous system, normal psychological function and normal muscle function, among others. None mentions sleep. VH Life provides 65mg, 17.3% of the NRV.
Related
Sources
- Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register, 19 May 2026 edition.
- NHS: Insomnia, accessed 3 November 2026.
- The VH Life box, 7 October 2026 print.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. One sachet a day. Do not exceed the recommended intake. Not suitable for children, adolescents, or pregnant or breastfeeding women. VH Life is a food supplement, not a medicine. If symptoms persist, see your GP or pharmacist.