Skin health from the inside
Sue McGarrigle ND DipION CNHC mBANT NNA
It is always preferable to get the nutrients we need from whole foods, as found in nature, rather than from isolated, synthetic sources. But who these days eats the correct diet. In a perfect world, you’d get everything you need from a balanced diet full of whole foods, such as lean protein, whole grains and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Further to this biologically speaking we are all different, our nutrient status affected by many aspects of our daily life as well as how and what we eat, how well we digest our food and furthermore how we assimilate it; within us is a world less understood than the universe, a diverse mmicrobiological miasma that varies from person to person.
We have strayed away from our dietary roots with skipped meals and fast foods and when problems arise seek either modern medicine with its quick fix and potential side effects or try and buck the trend with more natural solutions. All too often our approach to nutritional deficiency has been to overwhelm the system with a synthetic nutrient, giving our internal system little choice but take it on.
Unfortunately, modern medicine is obsessed with isolated, synthetic nutrients believing they have the same beneficial properties as nutrients found in whole foods. But this approach can be at the expense of other vital nutrients and whilst it may temporarily mask the deficiency it does nothing for the overall nutritional dysfunction. If everyone followed the standard rules for dietary intakes which strangely varies throughout Europe then optimal health is doubtful. Sadly in the UK many people do not even meet the minimum requirements for certain vitamins and minerals and arguing the case for a balanced wholefood diet as the solution can fall wide of the mark due to cost, compliance and other factors.
Without the synergistic and coordinated balance and benefits of nature’s key nutrients in food as well as trying to take the guesswork out of shortfalls many people turn to the standard multivitamin and mineral complex as their safety net to give them the important nutrients that are missed on a regular basis. So applying the argument for using a supplement alongside food comes much evidence that certain key nutrients are sorely needed and there is a wealth of supporting evidence. Oversimplifying our needs and underestimating the concept of food mynergy is based on how significant the interrelations between food constituents are, as well as how nutrients survive digestion, and the extent to which they appear biologically active at the cellular level.
Our system is accustomed to the synergistic relationship between nutrients in wholefoods and their corresponding phytochemicals whose role in buffering, assimilating and opening up pathways to nutrients can be paramount. So for individuals who wish to take a multivitamin and mineral the question arises-what to look for that will satisfy requirements alongside a reasonable diet. Food as we have said is a complex source of nutrients which all work together. In some multis the source and quality of the ingredients can differ. Minerals as an example are either attached to organic or inorganic substances which can make a difference to their absorption and bioavailability and the type of attachment can influence a variety of biological functions.
Using organically bound forms of minerals with less tightly packed bonds may be more beneficial in many individuals particularly when stomach acid balance is an issue. Bionutri’s aim is to nourish and as such we wish look to follow the lead laid down by our foods; we use both organic bonds and specific food bases to assist the assimilation and compliment the metabolism of both vitamins and minerals. After all foods are more than the sum of their individual vitamins and minerals.
Accepting that many people choose to take a multi vitamin and mineral daily as a conscientious health choice, Bionutri’s John Stirling has taken on certain challenges in formulating such a supplement. He has produced an advanced, innovative and comprehensive formulation offering a full spectrum of nutrients fit for optimal nutrition without overwhelming the body with unnecessary doses of synthetic isolates and supported by the added benefits of meaningful levels of nutritional co-factors.
Bionutri’s Multi Vitamin Plus & Mineral Plus divides the vitamin formulation and mineral formulation into separate breakable high potency caplets removing antagonisms inherent in a single dose multi. By taking the vitamin caplet with the morning meal and the mineral caplet with the evening meal this best exploits the stimulative aspects of vitamins in the morning and the sedating effects of minerals in the evening, working with the metabolic process as opposed to the standard multi approach. What is also important is further nutrients aside from the vitamins and minerals which are added to both multi caplets which not only have diverse roles in health but contribute further to the synergy of the ingredients and nutritional needs in various body systems, now much needed in this modern age.
One example is Lactoferrin, a multifunctional protein of the transferrin family to help facilitate the proper usage of iron. Lack of energy, the impact of stress (often multifactorial), infections and the routine use of medication are key concerns within the population. Bionutri has utilised buffered forms of vitamins which occur in nature supported by plant substances and organically bound forms of minerals. The nutrients are presented in a base containing foods relevant to their varied metabolic purpose such as Pomegranate and Aronia Berry. The combination of these two fruits provide a broad spectrum of polyphenols and anthocyanins whilst supporting the anti-oxidant properties of vitamin C, and the gut mucosal layer, a key foundation to the absorption of water-soluble nutrients.
Similarly the mineral tablet is provided in a base that mcontains Plum, a welcome addition not only as a highly bioavailable source of many minerals but also support for the function of the digestive tract. The polyphenol content of plums is also beneficial for to the encouragement of bone formation. Minerals can be deficient in food and water due to poor soil content, natural erosion and pollution. Mineral ratios are very important as they contribute to homeostatic balance. Imbalanced interactions cause many problems when we consistently consume single processed or refined minerals that are out of proportion with the other minerals and trace elements.
Mineral relationships can, have a profound benefit on human health when minerals are consumed in proportionate ratios. Certain combinations of minerals and trace minerals, in balance, can serve additional roles such as acting as antioxidants. Minerals and trace minerals can be mutually supportive in the process of assimilation and provide natural safety buffers against minerals that have the potential of being toxic to human health. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements should be a short term measure while tackling the problems of diet and lifestyle. However some groups may benefit from taking a multivitamin and mineral at certain times of life or for specific reasons. These include people on diets particularly low calorie diets, women who are breastfeeding, the elderly, cigarette smokers, people with allergies to particular foods and some vegetarians and vegans.
The safety net of a good multi may go further than correcting deficiencies. For further details on individual ingredients and their relationships within this product: please contact Sue McGarrigle suem@bionutri.co.uk or 01905 345235.
