Why do Vegan diets benefit from supplements?

Vegan and Vegetarian diets are inherently incredibly healthy and provide the body with so much goodness, plus avoid many of the nasties. However, regardless of how varied a Vegan and Vegetarian diet, there are some nutrients that it is simply impossible obtain meaningful quantities of without supplementation.

• Omega-3 EPA & DHA
• Vitamin D3
• Vitamin B12
• Iodine
• Key minerals

We offer Omega-3, a high strength Omega-3 EPA & DHA supplement (with added Vitamin D3) plus MultiVit, which is a multivitamin and mineral supplement absolutely packed with nutrients that benefits everyone including Vegetarians and Vegans.

Let me briefly explain the significance of each:

Some people believe they can obtain Omega-3 from consuming seeds and seed oils such as Chia, Blackcurrant and Flax. The issue is very simple, the form of Omega-3 in these sources is only of value to the body if converted.

The two key forms of Omega-3 of use to the body are Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). Seeds and seed oils such as Flax contain Omega-3 in the form of Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA). Here is the math.. ALA needs to be converted by the body to EPA in order to be of value as an Omega-3, however at best that conversion rate is only 5%.

Our Omega-3 contains Omega-3 in the correct forms of EPA and DHA, making it immediately bioavailable for the body to utilise.

Traditional Vegan and Vegetarian supplements have used Vitamin D2, which is an inferior format and research has shown is not as useable and beneficial as Vitamin D3. In fact some research has questioned any benefit at all of supplementing with Vitamin D2.

Our Vit-D3 100% plant-source Vitamin D3 provided the first ever opportunity to get meaningful levels of Vitamin D3 into Vegan and Vegetarian-suitable supplements.

We all need Vitamin B12 and deficiency is unfortunately widespread, particularly in the Vegan and Vegetarian communities. Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to many health issues including anaemia, heart disease and is also problematic for conception and during pregnancy.

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble Vitamin and in MultiVit we use an elevated level (we do the same for some other B Vitamins). Why? The answer quite simply is that with the B Vitamins, your body will grab what it needs and simply excrete the rest. If you are deficient, it’s important to get a higher dose, but either way your body will not take more than you need.

We use B12 in the form of Cyanocobalamin, which is widely recognised as the most effect form.

We’ve been working on making it easier to get Vitamin B12 directly into your bloodstream, so we’ve created a Vit B12 sublingual version which offers fast-acting performance and benefits by combining three different forms of water-soluble Vitamin B12, methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. It boosts energy for up to 8 hours and is produced without harming any animals. This sublingual tablet is designed to dissolve under the tongue and deliver B12 straight to the bloodstream, bypassing the stomach.

Getting Iodine in the diet is vitally important, but so too is getting the right balance. The role of iodine is to support healthy thyroid function (the thyroid controls metabolism). MultiVit contains a very carefully selected, high purity algal extract with a standardised level of iodine. This allows to ensure bioavailability of the iodine but importantly also control the dose to ensure we’re providing just the right amount.

Vegetarians, and particularly Vegans, are at risk of being deficient in several key minerals. This includes Calcium, which is widely known as vital for bone health and general development. There are however several other key minerals that are often overlooked. Magnesium for instance is essential for normal muscle function as well as psychological processes. There are more obscure minerals such as Chromium, which is proven to help maintain blood glucose levels.

MultiVit contains a complex spectrum of key minerals. Not only that, the forms of the minerals are carefully balanced to ensure optimum absorption and bioavailability. This includes the use of ‘mineral chelates’ in many of the cases.

A combination of our Omega-3 (Omega-3 EPA & DHA) and MultiVit (multivitamin & mineral) provides a fantastic daily nutritional supplement regime.