5 Tips for Effective Intake of Food Supplements

The global market for dietary supplements is growing rapidly. In Germany, more than half of the population reportedly takes dietary supplements. In the United States, nearly 70% of the population takes dietary supplements! Supplements are popular, but is there a right way to take them?

Below are 5 tips on how to develop a strategy for taking supplements and how to get the most benefit from your product.

1) Find out why you are taking food supplements

If you have never taken supplements before, you may be asking yourself, "Why should I? What benefits do these supplements have for me?" Supplements are there to supplement your diet. This means that they are taken in addition to a normal, balanced diet.

Many people take supplements because a nutrient is missing from their typical diet. This is often the case for people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. They take supplements to add extra nutrients to their diet. For example, a person who eats a balanced diet might take a vitamin C supplement to support their immune system and maintain healthy skin.

Another reason for taking supplements is that some nutrients cannot be adequately absorbed through food. For example, spinach contains iron, but studies show that only 1-2% of iron is absorbed by eating spinach [1]. Food supplements can increase the absorption of nutrients that are not adequately absorbed through food. Studies show that liquid liposomal supplements have higher nutrient bioavailability than conventional supplements.

Knowing why you are taking supplements will keep you motivated to improve your health.

2) Which vitamins you should not take together

It can be helpful to acquire a basic knowledge of nutrition in order to develop a strategy for taking vitamins, minerals & co. Many people are not aware that certain supplements can have a negative effect on each other.

Here are some dietary false friends to watch out for when taking supplements:

a) Iron and Zinc:

These two minerals are essential for the human body and deficiency is common worldwide. Zinc is known to negatively affect iron absorption [2]. If you take these two supplements at the same time, it is likely that you will not fully absorb your iron. Experts recommend taking these supplements at least 2 hours apart.

b) Calcium, Zinc and Magnesium:

If you take a calcium supplement, this may interfere with the absorption of zinc and magnesium. All three minerals can "compete" for absorption into the body. Experts recommend that zinc, magnesium and calcium should not be taken together, but should be spaced 2 hours apart.

c) Iron and Coffee:

Reconsider taking iron with your coffee or tea in the morning. Research has shown that caffeinated drinks like coffee and black or green tea can inhibit the body's absorption of iron. The tannins in particular can cause this inhibitory effect [3]. It is recommended to keep an interval of at least 2 hours between taking iron and drinking a coffee. Caffeine-free coffee has no negative effects on the absorption of iron in the body and can therefore be drunk directly after ingestion.

3) Apply the habit formation method

It is often said that it takes 21 days to develop a habit. New habits are hard to develop because they take time and effort!

Taking supplements is a habit. You will get the most benefit from your product if you take it regularly. Adding a dietary supplement to your current routine will help you maintain consistency.

Many experts recommend taking supplements before or during your morning breakfast. "Adding the habit of taking a dietary supplement to an existing morning habit can make taking the supplement more consistent".

Here's an example of habit stacking: When you brush your teeth every morning, put the supplement next to your toothbrush so you also remember to take it after you brush your teeth. Combining habits is a great way to maintain consistency and improve your daily wellness routine.

4) When your body needs food supplements

Most people get enough vitamins and minerals through their diet. Supplements are used to fill in the gaps. However, there are times when our bodies need a little extra "boost" of nutrients.

5) Choose natural food supplements

Food supplements are a wonderful addition to your diet. But if a food supplement is loaded with artificial sweeteners and preservatives, it is not the right choice for you. You should choose a supplement that does not contain too many ingredients.

The fewer ingredients, the more natural the supplement. If you want a sweeter supplement, look for brands that use a natural sweetener like glycerol. Overall, check the nutrition label of your supplement before you buy!

ActiNovo's liquid liposomal supplements offer you higher bioavailability than traditional supplements in pill or powder form. We offer ActiNovo PURE, without any flavours with a natural taste, or PLUS, which has some extra flavour added. On top, you can mix your favourite flavours on your own with our ActiFlavours in different varieties.

Would you like to learn more? Learn more about liposomes here and see our product range here.