Frequently asked questions
- Don’t I get all the nutrients I need from my diet?
- What are antioxidants?
- How do antioxidants work and How are free radicals formed?
- Why are free radicals harmful?
- What are phytonutrients?
- When is the best time to take my dietary supplements?
- Where should I store my dietary supplements?
- When the directions say take 2 or more tablets daily can I take them all at once?
- Why are dietary supplements important?
- Is it OK to take dietary supplements with medication?
- If I can't swallow tablets can I crush them?
- Are dietary supplements best taken with food or can I use water to swallow?
- How long should I take dietary supplements for?
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Plants can make carbohydrates, enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, fibre, fatty acids etc. yet they can not make minerals. Minerals exist in the soil and must come to us from the soil. A plant draws minerals up through its root system and delivers it to us in a colloidal, organically bound form. Unfortunately, due in part by the way in which agriculture has been practiced the past hundred years or so, the mineral content of our range and crop soils is at an all time low. Farmers can grow millions of bushels of corn by applying the fertilizer, NPK (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus) to their fields. However, after five to seven years of harvesting crop after crop from the same field most of the minerals, especially the trace minerals and rare earths, are virtually 'strip mined' from the soil. The poverty of our soils translates into a lack of minerals in our diets and also may well diminish the plants own ability to manufacture other nutrients we need like vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids. Besides poor soils other factors contribute to malnourishment. More and more of our foods are now highly processed or manipulated to achieve a certain look or taste or convenience of preparation. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE SUPPLEMENT...
Antioxidants are natural substances that fight harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are a normal byproduct of living things creating energy. They are also produced from smoking, radiation, sunlight, high sugar diets, polyunsaturated and trans fats, and chemical pollutants. Even exercising causes free radicals! If well nourished and not over stressed, our bodies create their own antioxidants, but never enough to prevent the slow but steady "burning up" of our tissues..
- How do antioxidants work and How are free radicals formed?
To understand the benefits of antioxidants, you need to know how they fight free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are created by your body through the normal activities of digestion and respiration. Due to their chemical structure (a free radical lacks an electron), they are very unstable. So they seek out other molecules to steal electrons from them, which starts a chain reaction of molecular damage. There are several sources that generate free radicals, including your own body, which creates them during normal metabolic function. They are also triggered by environmental sources including air pollution, tobacco smoke, pesticides, toxic waste and drugs. Factors such as aging, disease, medications and stress itself promote your body's free radical production. .
- Why are free radicals harmful?
Free radicals constantly attack other molecules in a process known as oxidative stress. In the perfect situation, your body's normal cellular repair functions would be able to repair the damage created by oxidative stress. However, if you have an elevated level of free radicals and not enough antioxidants to balance them, cellular damage results. There are serious consequences. A single free radical can set off a chain reaction that can destroy an enzyme, a strand of DNA, or even an entire cell. Ongoing free radical damage leads to destruction of organ tissues and artery walls, and may be a contributing factor in the production of cancer cells. More than 100 disorders of the eyes, brain, muscles, lungs, kidneys, liver, digestive system, cardiovascular system and immune system have been associated with oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has also been implicated in accelerated aging - its ongoing damage gradually alters how organs function, resulting in a variety of degenerative disorders that impair health and well-being.
- What are phytonutrients?
Phytonutrients are chemicals from plants. These chemicals act as antioxidants and detoxifiers that protect the plants from oxidants and toxins, both present externally and internally generated, that would rob vitality, and sooner or later cause the plant to suffer sickness and premature death. There are many different kinds of phytonutrients. When we include an abundant wide variety of these plant nutrients in our diets, we get some of the very same protection and benefits! This is why safe, consumable plants high in phytonutrients are called super foods.
- When is the best time to take my dietary supplements?
Most supplements are best taken straight after a meal. Because they are concentrated they should be mixed with food in your stomach. Herbs are best taken 20 minutes before a meal if taken to improve digestion or otherwise 20 minutes after meals.
Amino acids should be taken between meals for increased absorption.
Minerals such as Calcium and Magnesium, which have natural relaxing properties, are best taken with water or fruit juice on an empty stomach before bed.
If you require Calcium, Iron and Zinc, take all 3 at separate meals to avoid competition for absorption.- Where should I store my dietary supplements?
Store them in a cool dry place below 30°C. Do not refrigerate capsules as moisture can adversely affect stability of tablets and capsules. Do not throw away the moisture absorbing sachet present in the bottle until the product is finished.
- When the directions say take 2 or more tablets daily can I take them all at once?
Do not take them all at once. Take them in divided doses up to 3 times daily to ensure a regular level is present in the blood.
- Why are dietary supplements important?
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies adversely affect our health. Initially, the deficiency reduces our tissue stores leading to reduced enzyme activity and causing abnormal metabolism as vitamins and minerals are essential for enzyme activation. As the deficiency progresses there can be unspecific changes occurring such as reduced immunity, fatigue, or changes in behaviour such as irritability or depressed feelings. Ultimately classical deficiency signs and symptoms occur such as broken blood capillaries, easy bruising, bleeding gums (Vitamin C) and if deficiency continues physiological changes resulting in death can occur, as occurred in scurvy. Today it is rare to see cases of scurvy because most people get some Vitamin C in their diet. However, it is not uncommon to see clinical signs occurring as a result of insufficient Vitamin C as caused by reduced dietary intake of fresh fruit and vegetables or as a result of increased need for Vitamin C caused by smoking or medications such as Prednisone. Not only do our food choices affect our nutrient intake, but also agricultural methods, food storage, processing and meal preparation.
Our lifestyle choices e.g. smoking, alcohol or endurance sports as well as the presence of any health condition or regular use of medication, e.g. contraceptive pill, affect our particular need for specific vitamins and minerals.- Is it OK to take dietary supplements with medication?
Supplements provide vitamins and minerals normally found in food. Some medications increase the need for specific nutrients, particularly Vitamin C, folic acid or B Complex and liver supporting herbs such as Milk Thistle. There are occasions, however, when supplements interfere with some medications e.g. taking calcium, magnesium, iron or other minerals with the antibiotic tetracycline. You should also avoid nutrients or herbs that have blood thinning effects such as Vitamin E, Omega 3, Co Enzyme Q10, Horse chestnut, Sweet clover (mellifluous), Ginkgo biloba and high dose Garlic or Ginger, if taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin.
Adverse drug-nutrient interactions are actually quite rare and the over-whelming majority of interactions are positive. Drugs like sulfasalazine used to treat colitis or rheumatoid arthritis deplete folic acid. Aspirin depletes Vitamin C and folic acid, diuretics deplete minerals and the contraceptive pill depletes the B Complex vitamins and a range of minerals. The list is extensive so finding a doctor who can give you advice on both conventional and nutritional medicine, or seeing a naturopath or checking with your pharmacist that what you are taking wont interfere with your medication is advisable. If none of these options are helpful contact the company whose products you are taking and request the appropriate information.- If I can't swallow tablets can I crush them?
Tablets can be crushed and capsules can be cut, the contents squeezed out and blended with fruit juice and fruit if you have difficulty swallowing supplements.
- Are dietary supplements best taken with food or can I use water to swallow?
Dietary supplements are best taken just after a meal with either water or fruit juice.
- How long should I take dietary supplements for?
The length of time you will require dietary supplementation depends on the reason you are taking them, e.g. if your diet is deficient in iron, you will require iron supplementation until your blood tests are normal. After which time if you have increased your intake of iron containing foods, ongoing supplementation won't be necessary.
However, if you are on medication that effects nutrient levels or you have a specific health problem, ongoing supplementation maybe beneficial. If you have any doubts about what you are taking, we suggest you consult a naturopath or contact the company whose products you are taking.