Multivitamin Supplement

After years of saying we didn't really need vitamins if we ate a healthy diet, mainstream medicine has finally decided we do. According to recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 'suboptimal vitamin intake' is common, especially among older adults, and is linked to chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis.

However, with so many multivitamin supplements and mineral supplements on the market, choosing the right product can be extremely confusing. Here at HSI we're often asked for advice on which type is best to take for maintaining good health.
That's why HSI Panel member and nutritionist, Paula Bartimeus, has been investigating this on your behalf. She says it's important to be aware that not all multivitamin supplements and mineral supplements are created equal and many popular once-a-day formulas often fall short. They often contain cheap ingredients that are poorly absorbed by the body and the dosage amounts are normally far too low to provide any real therapeutic value.

That's why Paula is delighted to bring you this report about a brand-new formula - the 'British Multi'. It has been developed, following extensive research, by leading UK nutritional therapist and biochemist, Dr Lawrence Plaskett, and is designed to deliver optimal amounts of the vitamins and minerals that are all too often lacking in the average British diet.

So how does this multivitamin supplement differ?
Dr Lawrence Plaskett has based the dosage amounts in the British Multi on optimal, safe levels (levels set for supplements for long-term use in addition to amounts obtained in the typical UK diet). By contrast, most multivitamin supplements and mineral supplements are formulated using minimal reference nutrient intakes (RNIs) that are set by the UK government.

RNIs are based on the amount of a nutrient that is believed to be enough to meet the dietary needs of the majority of the population. However, many nutritionists believe that the levels set are far too low.

Dr Lawrence Plaskett has conducted rigorous research to determine exactly which nutrients should be present in the new formula - taking into account factors such as mineral levels in British soil (as mentioned in the editorial letter, important minerals like selenium have become severely depleted in our soil), published figures of nutritional status in the UK, and what foods constitute the nation's diet (to assess common nutritional deficiencies) - in order to develop a multivitamin and mineral supplement that offers optimal protection for health.1, 2, 3

Dr Plaskett says: 'The commonest idea about nutritional supplements is to provide everything i.e. all the known vitamins and minerals known to be essential to health. The fact is that the diet - yes even the average British diet - can provide sufficient of many of them to avoid deficiency.'

The British Multi has therefore been designed as a 'nutritional antidote' to the British diet and contains the nutrients that are most likely to be lacking or in short supply. Of course, minority groups may require specific nutrients in larger quantities. For example, pregnant women require extra folic acid.

The active ingredients that help protect your health
Based on a dose of one capsule taken twice a day, the vitamins and minerals included in the British Multi (dosages amounts listed are per capsule) are:

Vitamin C (25mg) The UK RNI for vitamin C is 40mg. Although the average UK diet meets this figure, nutritional therapists believe extra is needed (a minimum of 50mg a day) - particularly among those who smoke and drink alcohol, as both destroy levels of this vitamin in the body. Vitamin C has potent antioxidant and immune-boosting properties.

Vitamin K (15mcg) and Vitamin E (10mg) Due to the lack of green leafy vegetables (a rich source of vitamin K) consumed in the average UK diet, this vitamin has been included in the British Multi. It is needed for proper bone formation and blood clotting. There is currently no RNI set for vitamin E. However, taking extra is highly recommended for its powerful antioxidant activity.

B Vitamins: B5 (2.5mg), B6 (2.5mg), folic acid (50mcg) Vitamins B5, B6 and folic acid have been added to the formula as they are considered to be the most lacking of all the B vitamins in our diets. Vitamin B5 plays an important role in the assimilation of fats and carbohydrates and in the manufacture of adrenal hormones. Vitamin B6 is essential for protein and fat assimilation and for the manufacture of certain hormones. Folic acid is necessary for cell replication and growth.

Magnesium (50mg) Many nutritional therapists believe that extra magnesium is needed for optimum health. Magnesium is necessary for muscle relaxation, bone formation, blood clotting and B vitamin activation.

Potassium (50mg) Potassium works with sodium in the body to regulate the body's water balance and blood pressure. Figures from the National Food Survey shows that there is a clear sodium and potassium imbalance, with far too much sodium being consumed at the expense of potassium.1 Besides reducing dietary salt (sodium) intake, extra potassium can be obtained from the British Multi supplement.

Zinc (3.5mg) Many nutritional experts believe that zinc should be supplemented - it is lost during food processing and due to our nutrient-poor soil. Zinc is a component of more than 300 enzymes and is needed for normal growth, fertility, mental alertness, skin health, immune function and cell reproduction.

Iron (2mg) and Manganese (2.5mg) Iron supplementation is advised, especially among women in their menstrual years. It is required for the production of haemoglobin, a major constituent of red blood cells. There is no RNI set for manganese, but it has been added to the British Multi because it is essential for normal bone structure and helps activate enzymes.

Copper (500mcg) In the last 25 years the copper content of crops has dropped, probably due to modern agricultural practices. Copper-dependent functions include hormone synthesis, collagen (the 'glue' that holds connective tissue together) synthesis, and its role as part of the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Selenium (25mcg) Several reports suggest that considerably higher levels of selenium are needed than are currently set, in order to protect the body against diseases associated with free radical damage, such as cancer.

Chromium (50mcg) An RNI hasn't been set for chromium but the government proposes rather vaguely that the safe adult intake is above 25mcg a day. With a number of research studies suggesting that a dietary intake of 200mcg or more is beneficial, Dr Plaskett believes that 100mcg a day via a supplement is prudent. Chromium is essential for regulating blood sugar levels.

Boron (1mg) and Silicon (25mg) As boron and silica are obtained mostly from fresh fruit and vegetables, and many people in the UK do not eat enough of these food groups, these minerals have been added to the formula. Silicon is required for connective tissue maintenance and bone function, while boron is known to influence the retention of calcium in bone.

As already mentioned, the recommended dosage is two British Multi capsules a day.

1. The National Food Survey, report on food expenditure, consumption and nutrient intakes, DEFRA, 1990.
2. McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, Royal Society of Chemistry, sixth summary edition 2002.
3. Department of Health Reports on Health and Social Subjects, number 41. Dietary Reference Values for Food, Energy and Nutrients for the UK, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1991.