I get sometimes asked, why our supplements are different to online/amazon supplements or shop bought stuff.
The answer is the forms, doses and scientific evidence, which can be a nuanced thing (especially for patients).
Whenever we can, we use patented ingredients with published evidence to prove they work – results not theory.
That is why we use PYHTOSOMAL turmeric (Curcumin), which is the most scientifically tested turmeric on the planet.
It works, we can prove it.
But that costs more than the standard tumeric and black pepper.
We talked about why taking piperine the active extract from black pepper, is not a good idea here:
Piperine inhibits a key liver enzyme.
We have recently switched to using the most researched METHYL-FOLATES (5MTHF) in the world:
You will start seeing the logo on the One a Day Multi Essential, Methyl B Hero, and already on the Optimal Pregnancy Multi.
When we sell a multi for pregnancy, I want to know the METHYL-FOLATE is proven to work.
Just one example, the folate used in this study is QUATREFOLIC.
Proven to work.
Note the doses, 400 mcg of QUATREFOLIC vs 5000 mg (5mg) of folic acid, and we win.
Remember folic acid is inactive, it does nothing and must be converted by DHFR enzyme, and it is saturated at 200 mcg.
So, yes, folic acid increases the active form METHYL FOLATE at the end, but over 200 mcg, you also start building up UNMETABOLISED folic acid in your blood and cells.
And UNMETABOLISED folic acid will dock onto the receptor for methyl folate and thus block the active form working – this is a big deal.
The very thing you want is more active METHYL folate docking onto the receptor, allowing new cells to be built (like a baby), and the inactive folic acid is blocking it, how painfully ironic.
You can grab a simple video here that is only 2 minutes long, click it 👇️:
And the active vs inactive isn’t limited to folate; not all vitamin A is the same.
In fact, people frequently refer to beta-carotene as vitamin A, but this is a mistake.
Beta-carotene is a precursor to the active form, retinol.
Here is the issue: If you have a defect for the enzyme that converts beta-carotene to retinol, you are going to be low in active vitamin A.
Retinol is needed for a healthy skin, healthy immune system, thyroid function, hormones and growth (beta-carotene is not involved at all).
If you are the holder ++ duff copy of the BCMO gene…..🙄
Then you might get up to 59% less conversion of beta-carotene to retinol.
Note retinol is only found in animal foods, none is present in plants, so if you are a vegan and are +/+ for BCMO, you are going to slowly have issues in those systems.
If you have bumps of the backs of your arms, known as keratosis pilaris (or chicken skin), then you may well be low in retinol.
Now, here is the nuance, 99% of supplements with “vitamin A” actually are using 100% beta-carotene, as it is cheaper.
In our One a Day Essential Multi, we have 2000 iu or 600 mcg of vitamin A, but 80% of that is preformed ACTIVE RETINOL, 20% beta-carotene.
If you are using another brand of multi, I invite you to look at the ingredients section (not nutritional information as that has to list vitamin A), and look for retinol, rather than beta-carotene.
This is the difference that makes a difference, and that is why we are clinical grade, with optimal doses for optimal results, and we can prove it.