How to Order Food Supplements from the UK

While a balanced diet is the best way to get all the necessary nutrients your body needs, it can be challenging to achieve in today's fast-paced world. Busy schedules, personal preferences, and dietary restrictions can all make it difficult to get all the required nutrients from food alone. Taking food supplements can help fill in the gaps, ensuring you get the necessary vitamins and minerals.

As the wellness industry continues to grow, the use of dietary suplements has also been on the rise over the last couple of decades. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 58% of adults in the USA aged 20 and older take food supplements, while in Europe, almost nine in ten adults aged 18 or over have used a food supplement at some point in their lives. According to surveys carried out by the Food Standard Agency in the UK and National Center for Health Statistics in the USA, people who use supplements are more health-conscious overall and are more likely to have a higher level of education and income, a healthier lifestyle, and a greater likelihood to eat a healthy diet and exercise. 

The studies have also shown that the most common reasons why people take food supplements are to maintain their overall health, boost their immune system, and to have more energy. Respondents in these surveys have also pointed out filling nutrient gaps due to dietary restrictions and targeting health issues such as heart, digestive, and joint health as reasons to take supplements. Healthy aging and skin, hair, and nails are also among the top reasons for taking vitamins, minerals, collagen, and other supplements. 

TOP REASONS FOR TAKING FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

There are different types of food supplements available, including vitamins and minerals, herbals and botanicals, and protein supplements. Vitamins and minerals are perhaps the most common type of supplement, and they come in different dosages and combinations, such as a multivitamin, which provides a combination of essential vitamins and minerals.

Herbals and botanicals supplements are derived from plants and include products such as echinacea to support a healthy immune system, milk thistle to promote liver health, and turmeric containing powerful antioxidants to reduce inflammation in the body.

Protein supplements, on the other hand, are popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to increase their protein intake to support muscle growth and repair. These supplements come in various forms like whey, casein, or soy protein.

If there’s one supplement you probably already take, it’s a multivitamin; and there’s good reason for that. According to nutritionists, everyone can benefit from a multivitamin. Considering how hardly anybody manages to eat a perfectly balanced diet, a multivitamin can fill in nutrition gaps by providing the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals to support the proper functioning of the body.

Since the human body uses vitamins and minerals for such a wide variety of different processes, failing to supply the proper amounts of them can affect everything from focus and mood to energy levels. Some of these nutrients also fight against free radicals that contribute to a wide range of health concerns related to heart health, metabolic health, cognition, and more. 

MOST POPULAR FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

Vitamin D is gaining a lot of attention these days. And rightly so; an estimated one billion people in the world have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Considering all of the important roles it plays in our health, from immune function to mood support to bone health, vitamin D deficiency is a rather big concern. A number of factors contribute to Vitamin D deficiency being so widespread such as people spending more time indoors or wearing sunscreen. 

When it comes to choosing a food supplement, there are several factors you need to consider. Firstly, you need to make sure you choose a reputable brand from a reliable supplier, and it's essential to check the label to ensure it's free from any harmful additives or fillers.

The regulation of food supplements in Asia varies from country to country. Some countries have strict regulations, while others have minimal regulations, making the control of the quality of food supplements in the region a challenge.

In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) regulates dietary supplements under the “Foods with Health Claims” system that categorizes supplements based on the level of scientific evidence available to support claims made about their health benefits.

In China, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) regulates dietary supplements. Manufacturers of supplement products must obtain a “Production License for Health Food” from the SAMR to comply with government regulations.

In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates food supplements under the “Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.” This act lays down the criteria for the safety and quality of food supplements.

In the Philippines, dietary supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of food supplements sold in the country.

In general, Asian countries prioritize the safety and quality of food supplements. As such, they require manufacturers to comply with specific criteria before their products are released into the market.  However, there are still challenges in enforcing regulations in some countries with less established regulatory systems.

The USA regulates food supplements through the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA ensures that food supplements are safe, properly labeled, and manufactured in a way that meets strict quality standards. The FDA also regulates the marketing and advertising of food supplement products to ensure that they are not misleading or untrue to consumers.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) governs the regulation of food supplements in the USA and requires manufacturers to label their products appropriately and refrain from making health claims that are not supported by scientific evidence. The FDA has the power to remove any unsafe food supplements from the market and can issue warnings to manufacturers who violate regulations. 

The European Union regulates food supplements through various laws and regulations, including:
The Food Supplements Directive (2002/46/EC): This directive provides a framework for the regulation of vitamins and minerals used in food supplements.

• The Novel Foods Regulation (EU) 2015/2283: This regulation establishes procedures for the authorization of novel foods, including supplements that were not previously consumed to a significant degree in the EU.
• The Health Claims Regulation (EU) 1924/2006: This regulation sets out rules for the use of nutrition and health claims on food supplements and other food products.
• The Maximum Levels Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006: This regulation provides maximum levels for certain contaminants and additives in food supplements.
• The Good Manufacturing Practice Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006: This regulation sets out requirements for the manufacturing, packaging, and labeling of food supplements to ensure their safety and quality.

Overall, the EU's regulatory approach to food supplements is aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of these products while also allowing consumers to make informed choices about their use.

Check the bioavailability
Bioavailability is the proportion of a substance that is able to enter the body's systemic circulation and produce an active effect. In other words, it refers to the amount of a substance that is able to reach the target site in the body and exert its intended effect. For example, magnesium is available in many different forms, like magnesium chloride, sulfate, bisglycinate, taurate, or citrate, and each have different benefits depending on how well it's absorbed. 

Consider the cost
High-quality supplements made with responsibly sourced ingredients can be on the expensive side. Considering the fact that they take time to show results, it's important to opt for products at price points that you can afford long-term. 

With numerous UK sites offering various types of food supplements, there are a number of considerations to be made so before you purchase any vitamins, minerals, oils, or other supplements. In order to be sure that you're buying products that are safe, high-quality and deliver proven health benefits, only buy from a company that works within the UK law and choose supplements that are made to GMP pharmaceutical standards as they will have undergone stringent testing prior to being packed.

The GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) is a system designed to ensure that products are produced according to quality standards that apply to all stages of production, including materials, premises, and equipment and even the training and personal hygiene of staff.

Please note that in the UK, food supplements are regulated as foodstuffs so there may be shipping restrictions depending on the destination. Some countries may require specific documentation, permits or certifications for food supplements. It is important to check with the relevant authorities and follow their guidelines and regulations to avoid any legal issues.

Additionally, some countries may have restrictions on certain ingredients, such as herbal supplements or vitamins, which may be prohibited or restricted. It is essential to research and understand the regulations before attempting to ship food supplements internationally.