The Infinity is packed full of different types of antioxidants and contains prebiotic inulin to support gut health and toxin clearance from the body. Telomere health is compromised by oxidation, toxins and inflammation in the body. The guanine nucleic acid component of telomeres is particularly susceptible to oxidation hence the need for specific antioxidants to protect the telomeres. Rosemary, beetroot, acerola and seabuckthorn are powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients plus we use Vitelomere, a  specialised complex that contains ingredients that have been tested for their efficacy on telomere length. – Grape seed, Terminalia chebula, uncaria sinesis, camellia sinensis and vitamin D. - Fiona

Spring is now in full swing, the days are longer and the sun is brighter, but are you finding that your mood does not match this sunny season?

We promote the use of prebiotics in the Vita-sol powders over prebiotics. Prebiotics help the colonisation of your own microbiome and are really important when it comes to gut health. The microbiome is so unique each person will need specific probiotic strains and recent studies from The Weizmann Institute of Science are showing that generalised probiotics may not be that effective.  Most probiotic strains are heat and moisture sensitive and so the likelihood of them surviving to be of benefit  in a powder format is very low therefore we do not use them as we only promote ingredients that we are 100% confident in. There is a blog going through which probiotics are the most sensitive and which must be refrigerated (pre and post opening). In regards to our products, they are designed to support skin, gut and liver health.   - Fiona Tuck

We know that the health of our body relies heavily on our diet. The intake of fresh fruits and vegetable is the traditional way to gain vital minerals and nutrients to power our cells. Fruits and vegetables absorb minerals from the surrounding soil, so the richer the soil is in these elements, the more nutrient dense our food will be. Commercial farming methods deplete our soil of these elements and as result we are experiencing an increased risk  of mineral deficiency related health conditions.  We are now turning to alternative sources of mineral dense food and as such marine plants have seen a steady increase in consumption, and for good reason too. Aquamin  on its own is a complete and bio-available nutrient source that is sustainable and requires no additives in the manufacturing process. Aquamin is a natural, marine-sourced multi-mineral, which is derived from the cytoskeleton of the red algal Lithothamnion spp. Over the course of the aquatic plant’s life, minerals are accumulated from the crystal clear waters of Iceland, and stored as carbonate salts in the plant. 74 components have been identified in total! Independent studies on Aquamin has amounted to 15 years of research from a variety of disciplines ranging from osteo and neuron health to the effects on inflammatory skin disorders. And the research continues to grow as the role of Aquamin in healthy ageing is grounded in science and demonstrates real effects on modern disease and an ageing population.  A result of this amounting research led Aquamin to win the healthy ageing ingredient of the year at the 2016 European NutraIngredients Awards. So what can Aquamin do for you? Skin Health  Aquamin has been shown to reduce the symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions such as ulcerative dermatitis. Its anti-inflammatory, cell repairing, and anti-oxidant properties make it a suitable nutrient for skin concerns such as ageing, scarring, acne, rosacea and psoriasis. The effects on skin health does not stop there, Aquamin also increase lipids in the cell membrane leading to plumper, more hydrated skin that glows. Brain Health Inflammation not only wreaks havoc on the skin, it also can have detrimental effects on the brain leading to brain ageing and a reduction in cognition. Aquamin has been shown to prevent the harmful effects that excessive inflammation has on the brain by reducing the secretion of negative toxins within the brain cells. Bone Health Professional athletes are reported to have lower bone mineral density due to a disruption of calcium metabolism caused from excessive exercise. It is proposed that Aquamin reduces the exercise – associated negative impact on calcium metabolism and prevents reduced bone mineral density. Taking Aquamin before and after exercise is recommended. Peri-menopausal women are most at risk of osteoarthritis. Aquamin has shown to support the health of bone cells and increase the rate of bone growth in women, reducing the risks of weakening and thinning bones. Reports have shown that the effect on bones was even better when vitamin D was added (are you Vitamin D deficient? Find our here). Joint Health Aquamin is well known for its effects on joint health. It has been shown to reduce the painful symptoms associated with osteoarthritis and helps to cushion the joints. As such the need for pain medication was significantly decreased. In double blind studies Aquamin decreased stiffness and increased mobility in those with osteoarthritis, helping to improve patients to walk further with less difficulty. Digestive Health Healthier cells that line the gut and reduced intestinal inflammation has been reported with the intake of Aquamin.  The multi-faceted benefits of Aquamin make it one of the hero ingredients found Vita-sol wholefood powders. Aquamin improves the function of your skin, bones, joints and gut plus the sustainability of efficacy mean that it can be taken long term. Aquamin can be found in Vita-sol Flexibility Wholefood powder. Take just two teaspoons a day to attain the incredible benefits of this humble marine plant. --- References Aquamin. (2018). Aquamin wins "Ingredient of the Year" - Aquamin. [online] Available at: http://aquamin.com/ingredient-of-the-year/ [Accessed 11 Sep. 2018].Deltagen.com.au. (2018). [online] Available at: http://deltagen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Aquamin_booklet_singlepage_D1V8.pdf [Accessed 13 Aug. 2018].O'Callaghan, Y., Drummond, E., O'Gorman, D. and O'Brien, N. (2013). Antioxidant and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Marine-Derived, Multi-Mineral Aquamin Supplemented with a Pine Bark Extract, Enzogenol, and a Green Tea Extract, Sunphenon. Journal of Medicinal Food, 16(10), pp.920-926.Ryan, S., O'Gorman, D. and Nolan, Y. (2010). Evidence that the marine-derived multi-mineral aquamin has anti-inflammatory effects on cortical glial-enriched cultures. Phytotherapy Research, 25(5), pp.765-767.Topics, S. (2018). Aquamin and Osteoarthritis. [online] Disabled World. Available at: https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/alternative/aquamin.php [Accessed 13 Aug. 2018].

Winter has well and truly arrived. If you are feeling the winter blues you may need a bit more than getting snug in your winter woollies with a cup of warm chai. With the lack of golden summer rays our vitamin D levels can fall by up to a massive 30% in winter. When our vitamin D levels drop so can our mood. If you have been feeling flat, depressed or a little more sensitive than usual it may well be worth getting your G.P. to check your Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is mainly produced when our skin is exposed to ultra-violet light (UVB) from sunshine. We are therefore more prone to Vitamin D deficiency in winter or if we hardly ever expose our skin to UVB rays. Vitamin D is an important vitamin (sometimes also referred to as a hormone) for our general health and well-being, it helps the body absorb calcium and maintains strong teeth and bones. It also plays a crucial role in keeping our immune system strong and is thought to assist prevention of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis and even some cancers. The best source of Vitamin D is daily exposure to sunlight. Just twenty minutes of winter sunshine is enough to keep our vitamin D levels in check but if our vitamin D levels are already low it is likely that our levels will drop further during the cooler months and supplementation may be required. Small amounts of vitamin D can be obtained through the diet. The following foods contain vitamin D: Cod liver oil Salmon (with bones) Sardines Mushrooms Dairy – Milk, cheese Egg yolks Foods fortified with vitamin D such as  some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals. If your vitamin D is low and you have been diagnosed with a clinical deficiency then extra support via supplementation is the best way to levels back up to a satisfactory level. Top tip -  If you store your mushrooms in a sunny spot after purchasing this can help to increase their vitamin D content! The only way to accurately diagnose a vitamin D deficiency is via a simple blood test however there are some subtle signs and symptoms to be aware of. If any of these seem familiar it may be wise to get your vitamin D levels tested. Signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency: A low fat dietVitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means if you do not include fats in your diet you will absorb less fat soluble vitamins. Malabsorption gut conditions This includes gut conditions like Crohn's, IBS and celiac disease can also result in vitamin D deficiency. Dark skin toneThe pigment in your skin acts as a natural sunscreen. The skin requires sunlight to manufacture Vitamin D so if your skin has more pigment, the more your skin is protected from the sun and the longer you need in the sun to make adequate amounts of vitamin D. Flat or depressed moodLow levels of vitamin D have been associated with a low mood and depression. When vitamin D levels drop we can feel flat and sometimes even more teary or emotional than usual. The brain chemical Serotonin that helps us to feel good increases with exposure to sunlight and decreases when there is a lack of sunlight. This may be why many people feel sad in winter and happier in summer. Aching bonesChronic fatigue and fibromyalgia type symptoms such as tiredness, aching bones and muscles can be symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.Vitamin D helps the bones absorb calcium. If there is a deficiency of vitamin D the bones can become weak resulting in aching bones. Excess sweating A classic sign of vitamin D deficiency is excess sweating, particularly a sweaty head or hands. This can occur in children and adults. Low Vitamin D levels can be hard to detect as deficiency signs are easily missed, a blood test is the  the best way to check Vitamin D levels. If low, a supplement may be recommended until your levels raise to an optimal level (usually the ideal range is 80 mmol/l). Drops or sublingual sprays tend to be more easily absorbed and my preferred from of supplementation. Most Vitamin D supplements are animal derived so if you are vegan speak to your healthcare professional or local pharmacist for a vegan friendly alternative. Vita-sol uses vegan friendly vitamin D in our Flexibility powder sourced from fortified mushrooms. Take daily every day to support healthy skin, joints, hair and nails.