25th April 2019
Claire Baseley

The truth about protein supplements

You can’t move in health food shops, supermarkets, sports shops and definitely not on Instagram for people shoving protein powder at you from every angle. From bodybuilders and fitspo queens to endurance athletes and over 50s, it would seem that everyone can benefit from protein supplements. Or can they? What’s the truth behind the hype? Does anyone really need a protein supplement? I’ll level with you, I do use a protein supplement but I will be the first to tell you that you don’t need one. Sound contradictory? Well maybe but hear me out first. Supplements are just that. If you eat a reasonably balanced diet, you don’t need supplements (apart from maybe a vitamin D supplement in winter). But, […]
20th February 2017
Vitamin D

Ain’t no sunshine. Better take vitamin D?

Vitamin D hit the headlines last week following the publication of a new review that revealed the supplements of the so-called sunshine vitamin can help to reduce the risk of colds and flu.  While the benefits of vitamin D for bone and muscle health are indisputable, could supplements potentially ward off the winter sniffles as well?   What is vitamin D? Rather than a true vitamin, vitamin D is actually a pro-hormone.  When it is converted to its active form in the liver and kidney, it acts as a hormone to regulate the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body.  Both these minerals are important in keeping bones healthy and calcium also plays a role in muscle contraction, so […]
18th May 2016

Too much of a good thing? Supplement cautions.

We are all aware that we’re eating too much sugar, saturates and salt as a nation – but how are we doing on the vitamins and minerals front? Should we take a supplement? Can you have too much of a seemingly good thing?  Read on to sort the myths from the sensible advice. Many product labels display claims that they provide a source of various vitamins and minerals and that these can benefit health.  For example, foods providing a source of calcium can support bone and muscle health; foods rich in iron can help maintain the function of the immune system or help prevent fatigue.  These claims are regulated and food and supplement manufacturers are not permitted to make misleading […]