Are all supplements the same? Put simply … no, they’re not.
Questions we’re often asked; “Will these [cheap] supplements I bought on the high street do?”, “There are so many supplements out there – they’re all the same, aren’t they?”
People often think they’re doing the right thing taking a supplement, but not all supplements are equal.
In order to encourage the body to absorb these synthetic nutrients they’re often mixed with plant or food extracts. Although this may improve some absorption, this still doesn’t ensure maximum absorption as the body still recognises the synthetic isolates as foreign. When the body sees the synthetic substances as ‘foreign’ it then must detoxify them before getting rid of them as waste. Yes, waste – in either urine or faecal matter. In some cases, you can literally be throwing your money down the toilet!
Even more worryingly, in some cases synthetic forms of certain nutrients such as Folic Acid (B9) which is commonly added to fortified bread and breakfast cereals blocks our body’s B9 receptors stopping the natural form the body recognises (Folate) entering the body’s cells. B9 is crucial for many important functions within the body such as energy production, helping the body create new red blood cells and avoiding neural tube abnormalities in pregnant women. OUR TIP – Always look for “folate” and not “folic acid” on any supplements or fortified foods you consume.
Not only does the body not fully absorb these isolates, but they often contain fillers.
Fillers are not active ingredients but are only there to “bulk” or “stabilise” other ingredients.
As our bodies often only need trace amounts of a nutrient bulking agents are added to literally bulk out a capsule or tablet for you to consume orally. These come in various forms such as:
Magnesium stearate – this can have a laxative effect on the digestive system
Silicon dioxide – absorbs moisture and stops the ingredients solidifying. There is currently insufficient evidence to point towards this being toxic but it is reported to cause some allergic reactions and digestive issues in some people
Titanium dioxide – some studies have shown that this can have the capacity to be toxic
Stearic acid, simethicone – made from a fatty acid found in meat, eggs and butter. In its isolated form it has been linked to skin and eye irritation
Carrageenan – from seaweed is a thickening agent but has been linked to gastrointestinal disturbances*
Maltodextrin – used as a sweetener, thickener and extends a food’s shelf-life, this can negatively affect your gut bacteria leading to inflammation and other health issues*
Propylene glycol – has many uses including anti-caking agent, stabiliser and thickener – high doses pose a risk to people with kidney or liver issues*Now imagine staying sober, not necessarily forever, but at least more often: Alcohol-induced sleep is not refreshing. Sober sleep is. You’d wake up without a hangover, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and ready to face the day. Going out and staying sober means you can drive yourself home after a night out and can give late-night public transport a miss, trying to get a taxi or walking – staggering home. The next day, you’ll remember exactly who you talked to and what you said – even with the menopausal memory loss - Your mood will be stable (alcohol is a depressant, as you know) and you’ll be able to focus and concentrate, perform better at work, as a mum, when exercising, and in anything else you are striving to achieve.
Whilst we would always recommend you try and gain as many nutrients as possible from a healthy diet, ideally from organically grown food wherever possible, the reality is we live in a world where the quality of our soil isn’t what it was 50 years ago. In some areas, the soil is so severely depleted of certain nutrients especially minerals such as selenium, which is crucial for immune function, we often have no choice other than to top-up our intake through good quality supplements.
SUPPLEMENTS WE LIKE
www. Wildnutrition.co.uk
Why?:
· They select organic high quality natural ingredients from food which the body recognises and happily absorbs. No solvents or chemicals are used
· You can shop by range or health concern
· You can schedule an appointment with a nutritionist for any advice regarding your needs
Why?
· Their ingredients all come from food grown it in rich organic non-GMO soil.
· Their products are developed around the latest science and research around what our bodies need to stay healthy
· Traceability – they know where all ingredients are grown and what farming practices are utilised. Their mykind Organics range is USDA Organic and Non-GMO verified
· You can shop by needs or products
· Option to subscribe and save