F.A.Q
EnerBOOST is a multivitamin packed with Vitamin B vitamins and guarana to help boost mental performance and physical energy.
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enerBOOST contains the vitamin B vitamins blended with Guarana, magnesium, zinc and vitamin C.
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MagBOOST is a multivitamin packed with magnesium citrate, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin K, to boost recovery after exercise, relieve muscle cramps and fight fatigue.
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dailyBOOST is a complete multivitamin supplement which contains calcium, iron, folic acid and vitamins A, B, C, D and E needed for good bone, skin, muscle and heart health.
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Magnesium is an essential mineral responsible for hundreds of enzymic processes in the body, playing a role in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, heart health and bone health.
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The role of magnesium in digestion: Just as your heart muscles need magnesium for proper function, so does the peristaltic movement that moves and digests food as it moves along the gut. Insufficient magnesium can cause your bowels to become sluggish and you may become constipated or get painful stomach cramps.
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What is folic acid? Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate or vitamin B9. This is what manufacturers add to fortify foods, and what is added to multivitamins, B-complex vitamins, and multi-nutrient supplements. Folate or vitamin B9 is what occurs naturally in certain foods.
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There are categories of people for whom supplementation will not only benefit but for whom it’s outwardly recommended. If you fall into any of these categories, consider taking an appropriate supplement to ensure that you’re getting all vitamins and minerals your body needs:
- Pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant (or who may become pregnant). It’s recommended that they take folic acid (folate) supplements to prevent neural tube birth defects.
- Breastfeeding women who can’t meet their nutrient needs with food.
- People who drink too much alcohol, smoke or use illegal drugs.
- The elderly, especially those who are disabled or chronically ill.
- People who follow a special diet, such as lactose-free, vegan, or strict vegetarian diets who have limited dietary options for vitamin B12.
- People on low-calorie diets that limit the amount of vitamins and minerals they can consume through food.
- Women with heavy periods.
- People with food allergies, e.g. a calcium supplement would be helpful for those who are lactose intolerant.
- People with medical conditions, such as intestinal disorders, or malabsorption problems, such as diarrhea, coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis, or pancreatitis.
- People who take medications that may increase their need for certain vitamins.
- People who are food insecure and who are eliminating food groups from their diet.
- People who have a specific condition, and the specific nutrient remedies the problem, e.g. a doctor may prescribe iron supplements to an anaemic, or extra calcium to a woman with weak bones.
- People at risk for a deficiency, e.g. a doctor may prescribe vitamin D to an older person with dark skin who is not getting enough vitamin D from the sun.
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What are micronutrients? Micronutrients are nutrients needed in small quantities. They are also known as trace elements. They assist as cofactors or coenzymes in various bodily processes and are essential for disease prevention and promoting quality health.
Macronutrients are nutrients which are needed in large quantities for normal growth and development. The macronutrients, carbohydrates, proteins and fats, provide energy (calories). Macronutrients are essential for the growth, repair and development of new tissues (carbohydrates), maintaining body temperature (fats), conducting nerve impulses, and regulating life processes. A unit of measurement of food energy is the calorie.
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The macronutrient, water, which is essential for cell and organ function, serves as a lubricant, regulates body temperature, helps dissolve minerals and other nutrients to make them accessible to the body, flushes out waste products and carries nutrients and oxygen to cells.
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Macronutrients that provide energy (caloric): Carbohydrates – Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred energy source. Made up of chains of sugar molecules, carbohydrates contain about 4 calories per gram. A monosaccharide is the simplest form of sugar. Protein – Proteins contain 4 calories per gram and are the building blocks of human and animal structure.
Fats – The most energy-dense of the macronutrients, fat provides 9 calories per gram.
Macronutrients that don’t provide energy (non-caloric): Water
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Our micronutrient needs vary based on age, gender, amount of physical activity, and other factors.Multivitamins therefore provide baseline nutritional support, and supplement manufacturers offer targeted multivitamin formulations for various specific subpopulations. However, if you have a specific vitamin or mineral deficiency, or have an increased need due to lifestyle or health factors, then individual vitamin and mineral supplements may be more suited than a one-size-fits-all multivitamin. Both options have their pros and cons, depending on your needs.
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When choosing a supplement, always read the product label – “Supplement Facts” – to ensure you get the one best for your needs. Check the label to ensure that you’re not taking over the recommended daily amount, unless instructed by your physician. For those on chronic medication, or starting medication, inform your doctor or pharmacist about your supplementation regimen. When purchasing a particular brand, always check if there is a full list of ingredients on the product, a package insert, a valid company address with contact details and compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which is a prerequisite for health product manufacturing.
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Nutrient synergy refers to how two or more nutrients work together to have a greater physiological impact on the body than when each nutrient is consumed individually.
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Water-soluble vitamins are vitamins that need water for absorption. The body does not produce and store these vitamins, so we need to get them from food. This type includes the B vitamins and Vitamin C. There are eight B-vitamins, and people tend to supplement with them to boost cognitive and physical energy; they can generally be taken at any time, although vitamin B6 could potentially interfere with sleep if taken at night. It’s recommended that water-soluble vitamins should be taken on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning, with a glass of water.
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Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins that need fat for absorption. They include vitamins A, D, E, and K. It’s recommended that fat-soluble vitamins should be taken after eating foods that contain fat such as a meal cooked in oil, a scoop of peanut butter, or even small amounts of whole-fat milk or yogurt.
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There is no scientific evidence that suggests that taking a vitamin at a particular time of day will enhance its effectiveness. However, there are recommendations that may help with absorption and reduce the risk of adverse effects. To get the best out of your vitamins or supplements, take them consistently especially when you have a deficiency. Whether you take the vitamins/minerals with food is more important than getting the timing right.
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Yes, zinc is important for healthy-looking skin.
• It helps protect against harmful UV rays.
• It serves as an antioxidant, protecting skin from damage caused by a UV light-induced increase in free radical levels.
• It has anti-inflammatory properties.
• It has antimicrobial properties. As a co-treatment with vitamin C, it exhibits antimicrobial activity that helps to clear bacteria in acne, and when taken orally, it can decrease the severity of acne. It also works with other vitamins and minerals to help treat skin lesions.
• It assists in collagen synthesis.
Zinc, elemental or in its various forms, can be used, both topically and orally for a large number of skin disorders.
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Our skin is the body’s largest organ – adults carry about 3.6 kg and 2 m² of skin! Each 2.54cm (one inch) of skin has about 19 million skin cells and 60,000 melanocytes (cells that make melanin). It also contains 1,000 nerve endings and 20 blood vessels. Amazingly, we shed about 40,000 old skin cells every day, which means that we have new skin every 30 days. Our skin is part of the body’s immune system, acting as a protective barrier against damaging UV light, microbes and other elements, it maintains body temperature, grows hair, helps the blood vessels and nerves, and gives us our skin colour.
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Here are three reasons why you need to keep magnesium in your medicine cabinet this winter:
1. Magnesium activates vitamin D.
2. Magnesium affects your mood.
3. Magnesium has anti-inflammatory effects.
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7 Tips to beat the winter blues.
1. Spend time in the sun.
2. Regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
3. Regular, light to moderate exercise.
4. Add fermented foods and probiotics to your diet.
5. Consider supplementing with vitamin D and magnesium.
6. Connect with friends and family.
7. Go forest bathing.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression known as major depressive disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern, occurring during the same season each year. It’s characterised by overwhelming feelings of sadness that can interfere with daily functioning. Symptoms of SAD can be severe and debilitating in comparison to the “winter blues”.
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Are you suffering from burnout? Ask yourself:
• Have you become cynical or critical at work?
• Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started?
• Have you become irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers or clients?
• Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?
• Do you find it hard to concentrate?
• Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements?
• Do you feel disillusioned about your job?
• Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel?
• Have your sleep habits changed?
• Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be experiencing job burnout.
Source: Mayo Clinic
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In the latest edition of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (2022), ICD-11, burnout is defined as a syndrome that results from unmanaged chronic (workplace) stress with distinct symptoms:
• energy depletion or exhaustion
• a sense of mental distance from one’s work
• a feeling of ineffectiveness or lack of accomplishment
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Vitamins and nutrients can be used as a support therapy for recovering from burnout. Lack of the following vitamins and micronutrients affects cognitive functioning and impacts your body’s ability to cope effectively with stress, so ensure that you are getting enough of these nutrients through diet or supplementation:
1. Vitamin B
2. Vitamin C.
3. Magnesium.
4. Zinc.
5. Vitamin D.
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Nutrient density refers to the amount of nutrients per calorie – the higher the amount of health-promoting nutrients per calorie, coupled with low amounts of fats, added sugars and salt (sodium), determines how nutrient-dense a food is. The nutrient density, and so the overall nutritional value of the food, is affected by the way the food is prepared, cooked or processed.
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To determine nutrient density, nutrient-profiling methods are used. It measures how much specific nutrients are contained in a particular food per 100g, per 100 kcal or per serving. This is compared to the dietary recommendations, and sometimes assigned a score. Nutrient profiling methods rank foods, meals and diets.
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In general, foods that are high in fibre, unsaturated fatty acids, potassium, calcium, iron, iodine and vitamin D3, score better than foods high in saturated fats, added sugars and salt.
Nutrient-dense foods include:
• Animal source foods: salmon, liver, sardines, egg yolks
• Plant-based foods: kale, garlic, potatoes, blueberries
As part of the overall quality of our diet, bear in mind other factors that influence our calorie and nutrient intake, such as portion sizes and how often we eat.
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The nutrient decline in food is affected by:
• Rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• The use of preferred cultivars* for higher yield
• Soil overuse, which leads to mineral depletion
• The use of agrochemicals – synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides
• People eating less local, seasonal foods, along with a global food system
• Food processing, preparation and storage
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Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a rainforest vine indigenous to the Amazonas and Bahia regions of Brazil. Guarana seeds contain more caffeine than any other plant in the world. Its caffeine levels range from 2 to 7.5%, or comparatively, four times as much caffeine as coffee. Its caffeine-rich fruit has long been used in Brazil as a fortifier, tonic, stimulant, aphrodisiac, and for its medicinal properties – as an antidote to fever, to prevent the hardening of arteries, to treat migraines and to treat diarrhoea and dysentery.
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Today, guarana is taken to boost energy, reduce fatigue, lose weight, aid learning and memory, and for athletic performance, even though there isn’t strong evidence to support the uses. It’s a popular ingredient in sports and energy drinks, and the seed powder is a popular dietary herb supplement.
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The risk profile for guarana consumption is linked to caffeine intake. In low-to-moderate doses, guarana has low toxicity and is well-tolerated. In high doses, its side effects may be similar to excessive caffeine intake: heart palpitations, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, nervousness, upset stomach and shakiness. Caffeine can be addictive when taken in high doses. Guarana may also affect your blood pressure or blood pressure medication, so consult with your health care professional before supplementing. It may also interact with stimulant medications and drugs.
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The immune system is the body’s natural defense system that critically identifies foreign invaders – the self from the non-self – and protects the body against cellular damage, infections and disease. It comprises of a complex network of organs, cells, proteins and chemicals that work together to defend against invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other pathogens.
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1. Innate immunity
2. Adaptive immunity
3. Passive immunity
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The B-complex of vitamins include thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin (vitamin B7), folate/ folic acid (vitamin B9) and cobalamin (vitamin B12).
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Food supplies us with the potential energy to power muscle contractions and cellular functions. The B-complex vitamins act as coenzymes in energy metabolism. Enzymes help speed up or catalyse chemical reactions, i.e. metabolism, in the body, and co-enzymes increase the enzyme’s ability to catalyse.
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The short answer is that it’s difficult to tell, as there are a host of variables to be considered:
1. Time of day and atmospheric conditions.
2. Skin exposure.
3. Skin pigmentation.
4. Sunscreen.
5. Geographical area.
6. Season.
7. Age.
8. Weight
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When you exercise, your body responds by distributing magnesium to areas of the body, i.e. the muscles, according to its metabolic needs. Magnesium fluxes occur during and after exercise as magnesium moves from the plasma in the blood, into fat cells (adipocytes) and skeletal muscle. The extent of the transfer of extracellular magnesium into their new locations depends on the level of aerobic energy produced and used. Immediately after aerobic exercise, magnesium is redistributed once again, this time from the tissues to the blood. Magnesium moves from bone, as well as soft tissues, muscle and fat (adipose) tissue, to restore magnesium in the plasma to its pre-exercise concentrations. The amount of magnesium released from skeletal muscle, though, depends on the degree of muscle damage, which in turn, is determined by the intensity and the duration of the exercise. The nutrient is also lost through sweat and urine.
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Once found that magnesium levels are low, you can increase your magnesium intake with:
• Magnesium-rich foods (nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and whole grains)
• Magnesium supplements
• Topical application in the form of sprays or balms which you can apply directly to the muscle cramp.
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Before supplementing, speak to a healthcare professional:
• If you’re on chronic or acute medication, such as heart medications, diuretics, blood thinners, aspirin, steroids, antiretrovirals and antibiotics.
• If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
• If you’re getting treatment for cancer or have had cancer, as some supplements can make treatments less effective.
• If you’re going to have surgery, because supplements such vitamin E, garlic, ginkgo biloba and ginseng, can cause bleeding. Supplements which act as sedatives, like kava and valerian, can increase the effects of the anaesthesia during surgery.
• If you’re younger than 18 or older than 65.
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