While we worry about protecting our skin from UV-related damage in the summer, or bringing back balance to our mood and sleep cycles due to the seasonal changes, there are some essential processes of our body that go on no matter what the weather is like outside. The formation of red blood cells, the daily energy production and toxin elimination are all processes that are not affected by seasonal variations.
The general health or all-in-one supplements outlined in this article can provide the support that your body needs all year round.
Omega 3 fatty acids support several bodily functions
Omega-3 fatty acids are important components of our body’s cell membranes. Falling under the class of polyunsaturated fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are its most common supplementation forms (1).
Omega-3 fatty acids have wide-ranging functions in the body’s cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, and endocrine systems. For example, higher serum concentrations of EPA and DHA have been associated with less inflammatory activity (1). Omega-3s also act as fuel for energy-intensive tissues such as skeletal and heart muscles.
For all these reasons, omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most recommended general health supplements.
Why is omega-3 supplementation necessary?
The EFSA recommends a daily intake of 250 mg of EPA and DHA to maintain normal cardiac function (2). The habitual use of fish oil containing omega-3s may also be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality (3).
Although our livers can convert ALA into EPA and then to DHA, the conversion rate is less than 15% (1). Furthermore, ALA can only be obtained from the diet. Consuming ALA, EPA and DHA directly from foods and/or dietary supplements is therefore, the only way to increase their levels in the body.
Iron supplementation is not just for anaemia
Iron is a micronutrient that has macro-consequences on our health. It contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and thus to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue (2). It is also important for the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Through this, iron contributes to oxygen transport in the body.
In addition, iron contributes to normal cognitive function, function of the immune system and has a role in cell division.
It is notable that meat, fish or vitamin C contributes to the improvement of iron absorption (2).
Why liposomal iron supplementation?
PlantaCorp’s liquid liposomal iron supplement is 398-times more bioavailable than traditional non-liposomal iron (the form that comes in tablets or pills). Further, our iron formulation was found to be 9-times more bioavailable than a competitor’s non-liposomal, high-dose iron bisgluconate-vitamin C combination product.
Contact us today to find out more about our White Label Iron formulation.
You can also read our blog post here to find out why liposomal supplements are a better alternative to traditional food supplements.
Ashwagandha for the strength of a horse
Commonly referred to as Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha is a trending ingredient that can help your body adjust to physical, chemical, or biological stress (4). One way that it may do this is by reducing the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in your body.
We’ve included Ashwagandha in our list of general health supplements because it has the ability to make one feel strong, sturdy, and focused (4). It has also been traditionally used to improve muscle mass and increase overall strength. Ashwagandha is also recommended for both men and women as a reproductive tonic- increasing libido in both sexes. Finally, this herb can also be used to treat iron-deficient anemia and to relax the digestive tract (4).
Why do you recommend liposomal ashwagandha?
Traditionally, ashwagandha suffers from poor oral bioavailability. However, scientific studies have proven that the encapsulation of ashwagandha in liposomes or starch may overcome this barrier (5,6).
Contact our Business Development team today to find out how you can harness the health benefits of liposomal ashwagandha supplements.
You can read more about Ashwagandha and other botanical supplements here.
All-in-one quercetin
Quercetin is a plant-derived chemical presumed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoprotective, and even anticarcinogenic effects (7).
Although quercetin is naturally found in a number of vegetables and fruits, we lack the enzymes needed to metabolize it (8). Other problems associated with quercetin consumption include poor solubility and oral absorption. As a result, the bioavailability of quercetin is very low.
Is dietary supplementation of quercetin recommended?
In general, the oral intake of quercetin in humans seems to be well tolerated (7). Up to 200 mg high-purity quercetin supplements are safe to consume daily, according to the USFDA and Italian regulations (7).
Recent clinical studies using the liposomal supplementation of quercetin have shown promise (9).
Test our white label quercetin today and find out for your own!
Vitamin B complex takes care of complex bodily functions
A well-balanced blend of vital B-vitamins helps to control essential processes in our energy metabolism, nervous system, and our blood (2). This is because B vitamins play a significant role in several body functions including cellular activities, the immune system and our psyche.
Our liposomal vitamin B complex supplement contains the following B vitamins:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Thiamine plays an essential role in metabolism. It helps convert nutrients into energy.
Vitamin B2: Also known as riboflavin, it helps convert food into energy. Vitamin B2 also acts as an antioxidant.
Vitamin B3 (niacin): Niacin is important for cellular signalling, metabolism, and DNA production and repair.
Vitamin B5: Pantothenic acid helps our bodies obtain energy from food. This B vitamin is also involved in hormone and cholesterol production.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Vitamin B6 is involved in amino acid metabolism, red blood cell production, and the creation of neurotransmitters.
Vitamin B7: Biotin is essential for carbohydrate and fat metabolism. It also regulates gene expression.
Vitamin B9 (folate): Vitamin B9 is needed for cell growth, amino acid metabolism, the formation of red and white blood cells, and proper cell division.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin): B12 is vital for neurological function, DNA production, and red blood cell development.
Who is B-complex supplementation recommended for?
The body’s ability to absorb some of the B vitamins decreases above the age of 50 years (10). Additionally, some medical conditions such as alcoholism, cancer and anorexia can lead to deficiencies in certain B vitamins. Finally, since some of the B vitamins can only be obtained from animal sources, vegans and vegetarians can benefit from vitamin B-complex supplementation.
Market information on general health supplements
In 2020, it was found that 30% of Germans consume food supplements (11). This trend is fuelled by health and fitness trends and also by diet trends. About 5% of the German population is vegetarian while 1% is vegan.
Elsewhere, about 43% of consumers in the US, UK and China cited general health as a reason for consuming supplements (12). This has led to an increase in the trust in the dietary supplements industry by 5% points in the USA alone (13).
Talk to our Business Development Officers today to see how liposomal general health supplements can benefit you and your customers.
Key takeaways
- Omega-3 fatty acids support the body’s cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, and endocrine systems. ALA, an omega-3 fatty acid, can only be obtained from one’s diet or from dietary supplements.
- Iron plays several roles in energy-yielding metabolism, cognitive function, immune system function and in cell division.
- Ashwagandha provides both men and women with strength, vigour and sexual health.
- Quercetin may have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoprotective, and anticarcinogenic effects.
- A well-balanced blend of vital B-vitamins helps to control essential processes in our energy metabolism, nervous system, and our blood.
- 43% of consumers in the US, UK and China cited general health as a reason for consuming food supplements.
References
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids. NIH: Office of dietary supplements. [Online] [Cited: 11 10, 2021.] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/.
- EU Register of nutrition and health claims made on foods (v.3.6). EFSA. [Online] [Cited: 11 10, 2021.] https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/claims/register/public/?event=register.home.
- Associations of habitual fish oil supplementation with cardiovascular outcomes and all cause mortality: large population based cohort study. ZH, Li. s.l. : BMJ, 2020
- https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/product/Ashwagandha/88
- Neuro-protective potential of a vesicular system of a standardized extract of a new chemotype of Withania somnifera Dunal (NMITLI118RT+) against cerebral stroke in rats. Ahmad H, Khandelwal K, Samuel SS,….Dwivedi AK. 7, s.l. : Drug Delivery, 2016, Vol. 23
- Small-Intestine-Specific Delivery of Antidiabetic Extracts from Withania coagulans Using Polysaccharide-Based Enteric-Coated Nanoparticles. Sampathkumar K, Riyajan S, Tan CK, Demokritou P, Chudapongse N, Loo SCJ. 7, s.l. : ACS Omega., 2019, Vol. 4.
- Safety aspects of the use of Quercetin as a dietary supplement. Andres, S., Pevny, S., Ziegenhagen, R., Bakhiya, N., Schäfer, B., Hirsch-Ernst, K. I., Lampen, A. s.l. : Mol. Nutr. Food Res., 2018, Vol. 62.
- Dietary Quercetin and Kaempferol: Bioavailability and Potential Cardiovascular-Related Bioactivity in Humans. Dabeek WM, Marra MV. 10, s.l. : Nutrients, 2019, Vol. 11.
- Bioavailability of Quercetin: Problems and Promises. X. Cai, Z. Fang, J. Dou. s.l. : Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2013, Vol. 20
- B-Complex Vitamins: Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage (healthline.com)
- The Food Supplements Market in Germany (gtai.de)
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1262692/vitamins-minerals-and-supplements-consumed-globally/
- CRN Reveals Initial Data from 2021 Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements | Council for Responsible Nutrition (crnusa.org)