Nutritional Supplements

1. Nutritional Supplements What to look for before buying

2. Read and understand the label • What form is the mineral in? Citrate, acetate, gluconate, oxide, etc • Organic forms (citrates, acetates etc) generally better than inorganic forms (oxides, carbonates etc) • How many capsules / tablets are there? • What is the potency per tablet? • What are the additional (non-active) ingredients?

3. Which is better value for money? ZINC CITRATE 15mg 100 capsules 15mg Zinc as Citrate 60 capsules £4.99 £6.99

4. Additional Ingredients • Fillers, binders, lubricants, emulsifiers, preservatives, coating agents, anti-caking agents • eg, Lactose, sucrose, corn starch, sodium chloride, talc, soap, waxes, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, microcrystalline cellulose, etc • Introduces undesirable substances into the body • Can upset the mineral balance of the prescription • May be difficult for the digestive system to break down and obtain the nutrients • Capsules have less additional ingredients • Capsules easier broken down by digestive system

5. Beware of Marketing • Marketing literature may not be written by qualified nutritionists • Clever wording designed to sell / make profit • Beware of vague wording such as “complex” “formula” or “blend” • Patented products not necessarily effective • Several companies may buy products from the same manufacturer and repackage

6. Other Types of Supplements Timed Release Supplements • May be useful for water soluble vitamins • Coatings may hinder absorption • Generally more expensive and benefits not always clear Food Form • Mineral is delivered with natural co-factors to enhance absorption and utilisation • Scientific evidence is lacking in this area • No clear evidence that these can outperform citrates. Chelated minerals • Metallic minerals usually chelated with an amino acid • Better absorbed within the body than inorganic minerals • Scientific evidence comparing them to organic forms is lacking Liquid Supplements • Often low potency – poor value for money • Likely to be destroyed by stomach acids • May be beneficial to those who are unable to swallow tablets

7. Independent testing • Potency • Stability • Contamination (heavy metals) • Yeasts / Moulds / Bacteria • Chemical solvents / pesticide residues • If in doubt ask the company if they can provide independent test results for their products

8. Signs of a good company • Check the company website for details of manufacturing processes / quality assurance etc • Trained nutritionists will be available to answer any questions you have about their products • Products should have been independently tested and chemical assays available • A good company will provide scientific research to back up the claims for its products • Some companies run seminars or workshops which are educational – not just a sales technique

9. Problems with cheap products • Fillers and binders may upset the mineral balance or hinder absorption • Could contain impurities which result in allergic reactions • May contain heavy metals / chemicals which increase toxic load in the patient • May not contain as much of a particular nutrient as is stated on the label • Potency not adequate for therapy • Likely to use cheap forms of minerals with lower absorption • Storage may not be adequate eg for fish oils / probiotics

10. Implications for therapy • Lack of results reduce confidence in the practitioner • patient is less likely to stick to the diet or take further advice • Results may be slower than expected • the patient may become impatient, lose motivation and give up the treatment • Allergies may be triggered • Mineral imbalances may be caused or worsened • Toxic load may be increased

11. Multivitamin Tablet #1 Each tablet contains: VITAMINS Vitamin A ........................ 750µg (2500 I.U.) 94% Beta Carotene................... 3.144mg ** Vitamin D ......................... 10µg (400 I.U.) 200% Vitamin E.......................... 34mg (50 I.U.) 340% Vitamin C ......................... 150mg 250% Thiamin (Vitamin B1) ....... 39mg 2,786% Riboflavin (Vitamin B2).... 50mg 3,125% Niacin ............................... 50mg 278% Pantothenic Acid .............. 50mg 833% Vitamin B6 ....................... 41mg 2,050% Vitamin B12 ..................... 25µg 2,500% Folic Acid ......................... 200µg 100% Biotin................................ 50µg 33% MINERALS Calcium ............................ 158mg 20% Iodine ............................... 100µg 67% Iron .................................. 15mg 107% Magnesium ...................... 60mg 20% Zinc .................................. 10mg 67% Chromium ........................ 25µg ** Copper ............................. 1mg ** Manganese....................... 1mg ** Molybdenum .................... 25µg ** Selenium .......................... 32µg **

12. Multivitamin Tablet #1 cont’d Ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid), Magnesium Hydroxide, Bulking Agent (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose), Choline Bitartrate, Calcium Carbonate, Soya Lecithin, Pantothenic Acid (as d-Calcium Pantothenate), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin (as Niacinamide), dl-Methionine, Inositol, PABA (ParaAminobenzoic Acid), Anti-Caking Agents (Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate), Ferrous Fumarate, Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acid Succinate), Natural Carotenoids, Citrus Bioflavonoids, L-Lysine Hydrochloride, Emulsifier (Acacia Gum), Beta Carotene, Zinc Oxide, Betaine Hydrochloride, Hesperidin Complex, Glazing Agent (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose), Vitamin A (as Retinyl Acetate), Potassium Iodide, Biotin (as d-Biotin), Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin), Manganese Sulphate, Cupric Sulphate, Folic Acid, Papain, Rutin, Sodium Selenate, Sodium Molybdate, L-Cysteine, Chromium Chloride.

13. Multivitamin Tablet #2 Amount Per 2 Tablets % Daily Value Vitamin A(as natural beta-carotene) 20000 IU 400% Vitamin C (as calcium ascorbate) 300 mg 500% Vitamin D(as ergocalciferol) 400 IU 100% Vitamin E (as D-alpha tocopheryl succinate) 200 IU 667% Thiamin (as thiamin mononitrate) 100 mg 6667% Riboflavin 100 mg 5882% Niacin (as niacinamide, niacin) 100 mg 500% Vitamin B6(as pyridoxine HCI) 90 mg 4500% Folic Acid 400 mcg 100% Vitamin B12(as cobalamin) 100 mcg 1667% Biotin 100 mcg 33% Pantothenic Acid (as D-Ca pantothenate) 100 mg 1000% Calcium (as calcium carbonate, glycinate amino acid chelate†) 50 mg 5% Iron(as ferrous sulfate, bisglycinate††) 10 mg 56% Iodine (as potassium iodide) 150 mcg 100% Magnesium (as magnesium oxide, glycinate amino acid chelate†) 30 mg 8% Zinc (as zinc oxide, glycinate amino acid chelate†) 15 mg 100% Selenium (as L-selenomethionine) 25 mcg 36% Copper (as copper gluconate, glycinate amino acid chelate†, copper oxide) 1.5 mg 75% Manganese (as manganese gluconate, glycinate amino acid chelate†) 2 mg 100% Chromium (as chromium picolinate, yeast-free) 25 mcg 21% Molybdenum (as glycinate amino acid chelate†) 50 mcg 67% Sodium††† 10 mg Potassium (as potassium chloride, glycinate amino acid complex) 10 mg

14. Multivitamin Tablet #2 contd Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Cellulose, Vegetable Stearic Acid, Silica, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Guar Gum, Citric Acid, Vegetable Glycerin, L-Aspartic Acid, Picolinic Acid, Carnauba Wax.

15. What do practitioners use? Brands / suppliers used by some of our practitioners include: • Metabolics • New Vistas • Nutri Ltd • Nutrigold • Positive Living UK (NATREN products) • Practitioner Supplies (herbal cleanse) • Dr Reckeweg • Savant (flax oil) • Solgar (selected products) • Specialist Herbal Supplies • Thorne Research • Allergy Research Group • Archturus Healthlink • Biocare • Bioforce (Herbal tinctures) • Biopathica (Homoeopathic remedies) • Biotics Research Corp (sublingual free-form amino acids) • Cytoplan • Enzyme Process • Garden of Life (PRIMAL DEFENSE) • Heels Remedies • Higher Nature (selected products) • Jarrow Formula • Lamberts Do not assume that all products from these companies would be suitable, it is up to your professional judgement to evaluate the products on the market and select which ones you are going to use in your practice!!

16. Summary • Check labels carefully • Use reputable suppliers • Beware of fillers and binders • Don’t be fooled by clever marketing • Beware of excessively cheap products • You generally get what you pay for • Ask for research to support claims for products • If in doubt ask for independent test results If it seems too good to be true it probably is!