Why do we need supplements?  

Here at The Naked Pharmacy, we always support a food-first approach. However, research has shown that even following a healthy, organic and balanced diet may not be enough to get all the nutrients our bodies need to function. This is simply because our food contains fewer nutrients today - up to 38% lower when compared to the 1950’s. This is due to declining soil conditions, increased food processing practices and climate change. The UN has reported that over 40% of the world’s soil is degraded leading to less fertile soil.

A study has highlighted that the average magnesium content in our fruits and vegetables has declined by 24%. It is, therefore, no surprise that many of us are nutrient deficient. These nutrient deficiencies can manifest themselves as symptoms of tiredness, fatigue, brain fog, a weakened immune system and even impact our metabolism and cardiovascular health.

Our bodies do not produce all the nutrients that we need and if we are not getting adequate quantities from our diet, many of us turn to supplements to help bridge the gap.

In Britain, we spend almost £500 million a year on vitamins and supplements* but have you stopped to consider what is actually in these supplements?

As a nation, we are all getting better at checking what’s in the food that we eat but do we extend the same due diligence to our supplements?

*Mintel

Natural vs synthetic supplements

You are what you eat – this applies to supplements too! There is a vast difference between natural, food-sourced supplements and synthetic supplements. Synthetic supplements often lack the purity, efficacy and full nutrient profile found in truly natural supplements.

Where do the nutrients come from?

Synthetic supplements are manufactured via industrial processes that utilise petrochemical solvents such as ammonia, chloroacetic acid and acetone in an attempt to replicate the nutrients that exist in nature. These chemical solvents cannot be completely removed, and the end product is prone to containing impurities which can accumulate within our bodies over time leading to unwanted side effects and in some cases, health concerns.

Natural supplements are made using nutrients sourced from food sources such as plants, fruit and vegetables. They are dried and concentrated and their nutrients are extracted to form a nutritional supplement. In this way, the bioactive compounds remain in their natural form at high concentrations.

Nutrient profile

Natural supplements harness the full nutrient profile found in whole foods and botanical sources. They provide a broader range of nutrients than just an isolated vitamin or mineral as often found in synthetic supplements.

Bioactive compounds exist naturally in botanicals and include polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These compounds work synergistically to enhance the bioavailability of naturally occurring nutrients by enhancing absorption by the body and minimising the risk of side effects. 

In comparison, synthetic supplements often fall short in capturing the full spectrum of compounds present in nature. They are not recognised by our bodies in the same way. This inevitably leads to reduced absorption rates and bioavailability, potentially making them ineffective at achieving the desired health outcome. 

Purity

Next time you’re looking at your supplement bottle, take a minute to have a read of the ingredient list – do you recognise all the ingredients listed? Or worse still, can you pronounce the name? Synthetic supplements are full of unnecessary bulking agents, preservatives, and additives.

In comparison, all of The Naked Pharmacy supplements contain only natural, food-sourced ingredients and are free from unnecessary additives. Even our capsule shells are made of tapioca – derived from the cassava plant. 

Safety

The potential for long-term risks to health and the environment far outweighs any health benefits or cost savings associated with consuming synthetic vitamins.

These supplements often contain very high amounts of nutrients to make up for the body's inability to absorb them; these high dosages could lead to health issues due to overdosing.

Science

We specialise in creating natural remedies, using premium grade food-sourced ingredients that are scientifically proven to work. Each of our ingredients is thoroughly researched and tested to ensure our supplements contain the correct strength and quantity of bioactives proven to have a health benefit.

We use data from published human clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy whilst adhering to pharmaceutical standards. Each batch of our supplements is quality tested by our team of pharmacists to ensure you receive high quality, evidence based and pure supplements.

What is the Nutritional Reference Value?

The Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) is the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals that the average adult needs to prevent deficiency. The NRV is set for 13 vitamins and 14 minerals. Supplement usually display the NRV as a percentage so we can quickly determine how much of the nutrient we are getting per dose.

Most vitamin C in supplements on the market are synthetic, and as such are listed as ascorbic acid on the label. Vitamin C in a natural supplement will be listed in the supplement ingredient list purely as vitamin C and often the source will be identified. For example, our Immune Hero supplement contains vitamin C sourced from the amla berry.

The dose of vitamin C in synthetic supplements is also exceptionally high, often 1000% of the NRV. This excessive dose also helps identify it as synthetic as it’s almost difficult to get much more than 100 mg of vitamin C from food into a tablet or capsule. The NRV for vitamin C is 80mg for adults – this is what our body’s daily need. So, ask yourself, why would you need to take a supplement containing 1000mg as is often found in synthetic supplements?

Choose Naked

We endeavour to bring to you the purest natural supplements with strength, purity and science are at the heart of our business.

Our ethos is to use only the highest quality ingredients sourced ethically and sustainably to bring you our naturally intelligent supplements. Our range of supplements is much more than just a list of vitamins and minerals. They contain an orchestra of compounds found in nature to bring you supplements that will enhance your health in a way intended by nature – through food. 

Speak to our expert pharmacists today

A key element of our vision is accessibility to our expert advice service; allowing customers to make a personalised and considered decision when it comes to their health. 

Our pharmacists are on hand Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm. Book your free consultation today!

Dimple Varu

Dimple is a pharmacist with 12 years of experience working in retail and general practice and now specialises in providing education and advice on natural supplements.

She believes in the power of nature and using natural existing compounds to enhance our health, whether that’s treating pain or helping to prevent long-term conditions. Mum of 1, living a busy life, loves reading and baking when she has the time.

We are all guilty of over indulging at certain times of year, over eating, drinking too much or consuming too much sugar.

However, as you get older you may find that it is taking longer to bounce back and you may become intolerant to certain types of foods and alcohol.

If you suffer from headaches and migraines you may be reaching for painkillers such as Ibuprofen which, although an effective anti-inflammatory, has long term side effects including increasing cardiovascular risks and damaging the protective lining of the gut. Ibuprofen is only effective for up to 6 hours, so you may need to take repeated doses!

Did you know that Turmeric with the correct range and strength of 7 curcuminoids, has multiple anti-inflammatory benefits, works just as well as Ibuprofen or aspirin and actually improves gut health.

Scientific research (ref see below) has demonstrated that curcuminoinds, the active compounds in turmeric, are effective at removing both the cause and symptoms of a hangover.

Curcuminoids are potent antioxidants. Alcohol consumption can cause oxidative stress that damages your cells, so an effective antioxidant is vital before, during and after a heavy night.

So the perfect natural solution for hangovers should be taken before you go out and again when you wake up:

Natruflex Turmeric: We recommend that you take Natruflex Turmeric 1-2 capsules BEFORE you go out and when required during the next day. 

Gut Love: Containing, 21 probiotics and 2 organic prebiotics. take 1 capsule daily to settle the digestion and improve the excretion of toxins for a minimum of 14 days.

Marine Magnesium: Take 1 capsule at night to restore healthy nerve and muscle function for a minimum of 7 days.

Vitamin D3: Take 2 capsule daily for at least 30 days

How can Metabolic Gold help?

Metabolic Gold contains Bergamot fruit extract and Artichoke leaf extract. It is the perfect blend of naturally sourced, high strength ingredients that work together synergistically to help reduce sugar levels, improve insulin resistance, balance cholesterol, reduce fat around the waistline and reduce fatty liver.

In a recent trial of 60 patients who were overweight and had high cholesterol, subjects were treated with a combination of bergamot extract and artichoke leaf extract for 2 months and compared to a group that received a placebo for the same amount of time. The results showed a significant decrease in total and LDL cholesterol as well as a significant reduction in waist circumference.

When combined with lifestyle efforts focusing on diet, exercise, sleep and stress, the combination of bergamot fruit and artichoke leaf extracts can provide significant health benefits.

We recommend this supplement is taken for at least 3-4 months at a dose of one capsule twice a day with or after food.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH:

Dinkova-Kostova A. Relation of structure of curcumin analogs to their potencies as inducers of Phase 2 detoxification enzymes. Carcinogenesis. 1999;20(5):911-914.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35070194/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35668500/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30395947/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36370961/

An increase in fat around the waistline during our 40's is common even if there has been no change in your diet or lifestyle and can lead you to feeling frustrated that your previously successful weight-loss tactics are no longer effective.

However the good news is that our bodies undergo changes in hormone levels, muscle mass, etc. that require us to rethink our relationship with our diet, lifestyle, exercise and levels of stress.

Why does this happen in women? 

Oestrogen and Insulin

HOW NAKED ARE YOUR SUPPLEMENTS? 

We all know about junk food, but what about junk supplements? Have you ever considered the quality and transparency of the supplements you choose?

In a world where health and well-being have taken centre stage, many of us are turning to supplements to support our overall vitality. With an abundance of choice available, it's essential to navigate the world of dietary supplements wisely. 

We aren’t what we eat... We are what we digest, absorb and utilise!

Naturally sourced supplements harness the complex synergy of bioactive compounds found in whole foods and botanical sources. These supplements provide a holistic approach to nourishing the body, delivering a comprehensive blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. 

Supplements sourced from nature are easily recognised by the body leading to high nutrient absorption and utilisation whilst minimising any side effects or potential medication interactions.

CAN SYNTHETIC SUPPLEMENTS MIMIC NATURE'S DESIGN?

The truth is, synthetic supplements attempt to replicate the benefits of their natural counterparts through laboratory processes. However, they often fall short in capturing the full spectrum of compounds present in nature. 

Synthetic supplements also behave differently to naturally occurring nutrients and therefore, they are not recognised by our bodies in the same way. This inevitably leads to reduced absorption rates and bioavailability, potentially making them ineffective.  

WHAT ABOUT SAFETY?

The potential for long-term risks to health far outweighs any health benefits or cost savings associated with consuming synthetic vitamins.   

Synthetic supplements are often made using industrial petrochemicals and solvents, which can increase the toxic load on the body. Worse yet, the body may not recognise the isolated nutrient, consider it a foreign body, and target it for removal!

These supplements often contain very high amounts of nutrients to make up for the body's inability to absorb them; these high dosages could lead to health issues due to overdosing.

So Choose Naked safe in the knowledge that we have formulated a supplement that is the best in its class.

Poor metabolic health affects one in four UK adults in the UK and is the leading cause of an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

The risk factors for poor metabolic health are:

• high sugar levels
• Insulin resistance
• abnormal cholesterol levels
• excess fat around the waistline
• fatty liver
• elevated blood pressure

Symptoms

Most of the conditions associated with metabolic health don't have obvious signs or symptoms and require a blood test to determine (such as cholesterol levels). However, a large waist circumference is something  that you would visibly notice and if your sugar levels are high, you might notice the signs and symptoms of diabetes — such as increased thirst and urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.

Preventing or reversing poor metabolic health 

The risk factors listed above are all modifiable with adopting a healthy lifestyle which should include:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, whole grains (brown rice), proteins (pulses such as lentil) and avoiding over processed and refined foods such as microwave meals and sugary treats is key.
• Exercising regularly. Undertaking a minimum of 30 mins of physical activity a day 5 days a week. 
• Cutting back on alcohol and smoking can be a really effective way to improve your metabolic health, boost your energy, lose weight and save money. 

How can Metabolic Gold help?

Metabolic Gold contains Bergamot fruit extract and Artichoke leaf extract. It is the perfect blend of naturally sourced, high strength ingredients that work together synergistically to help reduce sugar levels, improve insulin resistance, balance cholesterol, reduce fat around the waistline and improve fatty liver.

In a recent trial of 60 patients who were overweight and had high cholesterol, subjects were treated with a combination of bergamot extract and artichoke leaf extract for 2 months and compared to a group that received a placebo for the same amount of time. The results showed a significant decrease in total and LDL cholesterol as well as a significant reduction in waist circumference. 

When combined with lifestyle efforts focusing on diet, exercise, sleep and stress, the combination of bergamot fruit and artichoke leaf extracts can provide significant health benefits.

We recommend this supplement is taken for at least 3-4 months at a dose of one capsule twice a day after food

Introducing our new formula containing pharmaceutical strength bergamot and artichoke extracts. Metabolic Gold has been over two years in research and developement.

Bergamot may sound familiar as the peel of this unique citrus fruit is used for teas, perfumes and essential oils.

However, we only utilise the fruit sourced from trees found in the coastal areas of Calabria, Southern Italy as it's unique combination of five polyphenol bioactives reduce the levels of unhealthy fats in a similar manner to statin medications, without the side effects.

Bergamot fruit polyphenols have been scientifically proven to improve levels of good cholesterol, reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel elasticity.

Bergamot fruit extract

Artichoke leaf extract

Artichoke leaf is one of the world's oldest natural remedies to improve digestion and blood sugar balance.

It boosts your liver’s production of bile. Bile is a natural compound that digests and uses fats so they don’t accumulate in your liver or in your body.

 

At pharmaceutical strength, the bioactives in Artichoke inhibit alpha-glucosidase which in turn reduces sugar levels and insulin resistance.  

How do you take Metabolic Gold? 

Each capsule contains 500mg bergamot and 100mg artichoke leaf extract, in a tapioca capsule.

 

Take ONE capsule twice a day, ideally with your largest daily meals.

A randomized placebo-controlled study with 60 overweight adults showed that supplementing with 600mg bergamot and 100mg artichoke leaf resulted in a reduction in LDL cholesterol, significant reduction in waist circumference and visceral adipose tissue in 2 months – even in participants who did not follow a low-calorie diet.

Concerned about side effects?

Metabolic Gold has no harsh side effects and does not block co Q10 production.

 

Statins can block coenzyme Q10 – a nutrient that’s needed for our cells to make energy.

 

If you have taken statins, you may be familiar with their side effects such as fatigue and muscle weakness…..that’s because they can block healthy bile flow which is needed by your liver to digest fats and fat soluble vitamins A, D and E.

The natural formulation of Metabolic Gold means that you can take it alongside most medications, however we recommend that you take a few minutes to call us, or write to us and get some friendly pharmacist advice if you have any questions about your current regime.

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"Metabolic Gold is effective because of the botanical sources, strength of the bioactives, scientific research and pharmaceutical quality of the formulation. The unique combination of the artichoke plus bergamot extracts will help so many people who have a sluggish metabolism, and fatty liver alongside problems of sugar and cholesterol balance."

Kevin Leivers,
Founder of The Naked Pharmacy
Chief Pharmacist and Formulator

It turns out that we really are ‘the sum total of our experiences.’ Had I known then the impact of many of my decisions, I may have made changes earlier, but it turns out that we must live life to truly understand it.  

I was definitely living life. Perceived invincibility provided me with the tunnel vision which enabled me to dash from one task to another, ticking off one more achievement, adventure and accolade.

Of course you can’t sustain this symphonic level of intensity without topping up the tank with quick access fuel, mine came in the form of sugar- packets of delicious sweets and finely baked biscuits.

I also gradually began to neglect my regular exercise regimen in exchange for a membership in the weekend warrior club. Gut irritation and a little extra weight accumulated, but, as far as I was concerned, I felt normal for a 40-something professional.

‘That’ evening, the one that irreversibly shook up my life, Thursday 3 December, I found myself staring eternity squarely in the face. I had returned home from work with my two girls. It had been a stressful day capped by a suitably heated, hard-hitting quarrel that left me trembling. 

 I did not generally consider my life stressful, and yet I knew that I ran at a pretty high-octane pace. But that was OK, because, despite warnings from others, I was, or believed I was, bulletproof.  

I wore my intensity like a shiny badge of honour. On that evening, however, the engine said ‘no more’; you can’t drive even the most brilliantly engineered sports cars at 5000 RPM indefinitely. 

 It took my mum, who spotted me bent over, clutching my chest, rubbing my arms on FaceTime and my daughter's subsequent fear-filled plea to get help for me to make the medical call. Reluctantly, in a haze of pain, I did make the call. In minutes an ambulance was there. 

Pride masking the danger, I couldn’t help, but feel that all this commotion was quite unnecessary. The seasoned paramedics quickly assessed my traumatised frame, blood pressure surging through my veins like a blocked firehose. They looked me straight in the eyes, piercing my vanity, and said, “We are taking you to hospital. Now.” 

‘That’ evening marked the beginning of a myriad of changes.  Naturally, and most significantly was that of my health, but also, running neatly alongside, compelling me, almost without choice, was my desire to capture the goodness in life around me. 

Being in hospital forced me to slow down and rest, my senses sharpened and my eyes opened to the subtleties in the world around me, to things I had not previously noticed before. 

I became acutely aware of nuances in conversation, of the sacrifices of those around me and of the delicacy of relationships. I was also painfully cognizant, in increasing measure, of the compounding effects of the bad choices I had made for my body- sugar addiction, stress, exercise withdrawal and sleep deprivation.

Buckminster Fuller once said, “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” So, that is what I did (and am doing), engineering a new, more tantalising model for life. 

My diet, for instance, has been transformed. The once glutinous intake has been replaced with cleaner foods, nutrition straight from the earth and, perhaps more importantly, I expunged sweets. 

Implored by the immediacy of the situation, I also instilled radical changes to my work routine and introduced regular, gentler exercises in the great outdoors. The list goes on, but I feel that, if indeed we are ‘the sum total of our experiences,’ I have been gifted a lifeline with which to significantly alter the outcome of my time here on earth. And, I must say, my heart feels good, very good indeed.

NOTE FROM THE NAKED PHARMACY

Jeff Schmidt is the Author/illustrator of the bestselling book: 

 HEART ATTACK- Finding hope, joy and inspiration through adversity. 

The number of vegans has been growing rapidly over recent years and the concept of vegetarianism is not new dating back as early as 500 BC, first mentioned by Pythagoras.

In Great Britain, the number of vegans is estimated to have quadrupled between 2014 and 2019. 

Famous vegans

Novak Djokovic, Venus and Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Mike Tyson, Martina Navratilova, David Haye are great examples that veganism offers one the potential to not only be healthy, but also for elite athletes to thrive.

Some key nutrients vegans should be aware of

Although there are health benefits to a vegan lifestyle, it is also important to recognise that, as with any diet, if not appropriately planned then it is easy to become nutritionally deficient as there are certain nutrients that are not available from plants.

Below are some of the 2 key nutrients that vegans need to be aware of to avoid deficiencies or imbalances.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient, which does not originate in plants, but from bacteria. 

In fact, B12 supplements are (for the most part) also given to farm animals, meaning even those on non-vegan diets are supplementing, but indirectly.

Symptoms of B12 deficiency may include:

• A pale yellow tinge to your skin
• A sore and red tongue (glossitis)
• Mouth ulcers
• Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
• Disturbed vision
• Irritability
• Unexplained sadness 
• A decline in your mental abilities, such as memory, understanding and judgement 

Due to B12 not being readily present in a vegan diet it’s recommended to supplement this, especially for strict vegans. 

Two tablets daily of our Saffrosun Calm offers 100% of the Nutritional Reference Value (NRV).

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is the “sunshine vitamin”, and although it is possible to obtain this through certain plant foods such as mushrooms, in general it is not broadly consumed on a vegan diet.

In fact, the NHS advises that "everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter” [Source [9]].

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency may include:

• Fatigue
• Not sleeping well
• Bone pain or achiness
• Feelings of sadness
• Hair loss
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Getting sick more easily

Again, it is good practice to use a supplement to ensure you are getting the recommend intake of Vitamin D, particularly in colder seasons with having less sun exposure. One capsule of our Vitamin D3 contains 100% NRV.

Probiotics

Probiotics promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, and studies suggest that taking probiotics are linked to a range of health benefits. These include benefits for gut function, immune function, respiratory tract infections, and duration of illness. 

Although vegans generally consume a diet rich in fibre, which is a key gut nutrient and it is possible to acquire probiotics from plant-based sources such as fermented foods (e.g. sourdough bread and tempeh), vegans don’t consume the most common probiotic rich foods such as yogurt and kefir.

Our Gut Love supplement contains 21 probiotics and prebiotics, and 19 billion good bacteria to support overall gut health including one probiotic which originates from soil. 

The Naked Pharmacy Supplements

All of The Naked Pharmacy’s own brand of supplements are entirely vegan and contain natural ingredients, meaning higher absorption and bioavailability than synthetic supplements.