Are vitamins worth it? We say yes – as long as they are formulated for maximum efficiency. Supplements are the foundation of a well-balanced vegan lifestyle. However, we can’t gloss over the fact that some supplements are built differently than others. Along with other factors, the structure of the supplement itself and its ingredients affect the bioavailability or effectiveness of the vitamins you’re taking each day.
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What is Bioavailability?
When we talk about bioavailability, we mean the percentage of a substance that enters the bloodstream upon being ingested. You want the supplements you take to allow for easy and maximum absorption into the bloodstream while minimizing the percentage of nutrients flushed out through the digestive system.
Many supplement brands will promote a high Daily Value (DV) of their vitamins, knowing fully well that the way they’ve either sourced or combined those nutrients don’t actually provide the best bioavailability. This is why reading the label on your vitamins and understanding the fine print is so important – especially when it comes to vegan, plant-based products.
What Types of Vitamins Have the Best Bioavailability?
Bioavailable Ingredients
A prime example of the importance of bioavailability is the difference between Vitamin D3 and Vitamin D2.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes calcium absorption, regulates bone growth, and plays a role in immune function. Vitamin D deficiencies come from a lack of exposure to sunlight and can lead to some serious health concerns. Traditionally, Vitamin D2 comes from plants, and D3 supplements come from animals. However, here at Vegan Life Nutrition, we source our Vitamin D3 products from lichen.
The other major difference between the two is that we produce Vitamin D3 naturally in our bodies, while we don’t produce Vitamin D2. Our bodies are more likely to accept something it’s already used to, which means that Vitamin D3 is more likely to have a stronger impact on our bodies.
Supplement Forms with High Bioavailability
The delivery method of supplements also plays a role in bioavailability. A liquid vitamin, such as one that comes in a spray, is ideal because liquid has a higher bioavailability percentage than traditional capsules or gummies.
However, for those who don’t want liquid, we also offer our vegan D3 vitamins in gel capsules and gummy forms – perfect for people who don’t prefer liquid vitamins but still want the bioavailability of vitamin D3 over vitamin D2.
How Do You Know if Your Supplements Are Bioavailable?
When assessing your vitamins, it’s essential to ask yourself the following questions to determine if your supplements are worth taking:
- What’s the most absorbable form of a supplement?
- What’s the purest form of the nutrients I need with the least amount of filler?
- Do I take the supplement with or without food?
- Do I have to take the supplement apart from other supplements that might interact poorly or take it at certain times of the day?
At Vegan Life Nutrition, we choose to harness our powerful ingredients from natural plant sources. Our science team works with cutting-edge health and supplement technology to bring you plant-based formulations calibrated for maximum efficacy and absorption.
Learn more about the importance of vegan vitamins.
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