The power of combinations of different ingredients in supplements that reinforce each other

Did you know that the right combination of vitamins, minerals, and herbs in your supplements can significantly support your health? With the growing popularity of supplements, it's not only important to get enough nutrients but also to understand how certain ingredients can enhance each other. By choosing the right combinations, you can maximize the effectiveness of your supplements and give your health a boost. Or, choose supplements that already combine these ingredients.

In this blog, you'll discover which vitamins and minerals work synergistically and which are best to combine. Whether you're already taking supplements or considering starting, this information will help you make smart choices.

Vitamin D and Calcium: The Perfect Duo for Strong Bones

For maintaining strong bones, the combination of vitamin D and calcium is indispensable. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium in your intestines, which is essential for building and maintaining bones. Without enough vitamin D, calcium cannot do its job effectively, even if you get enough of it.

Why They Complement Each Other:
Vitamin D ensures that your body can effectively absorb calcium, which is crucial for strong bones and teeth. This becomes especially important as you age because the risk of bone loss increases.

Recommendation:
Recent research shows that people who supplement with both vitamin D and calcium have a significantly lower risk of osteoporosis and fractures, especially in the elderly. This underscores the importance of combined intake to ensure bone health. It is therefore also recommended by health authorities for women over 50 who are in menopause to take supplements with vitamin D and calcium to prevent bone loss and support bone health.

Vitamin C and Iron: For Better Iron Absorption and More Energy

For those who struggle to absorb enough iron, especially vegetarians, the combination of vitamin C and iron is a solution. Vitamin C helps with the absorption of non-heme iron (plant-based iron), which can contribute to better energy levels.

Why They Complement Each Other:
Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen throughout your body. Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron, especially from plant-based sources, contributing to better energy management.

Recommendation:
Combine iron-rich foods or supplements with vitamin C, such as drinking orange juice with a meal. This helps your body absorb iron more effectively.

Magnesium and Vitamin B6: Together for Relaxation and Stress Reduction

Magnesium and vitamin B6 are a powerful duo for supporting your nervous system. Magnesium helps relax your muscles, while vitamin B6 stimulates the production of calming neurotransmitters.

Why They Complement Each Other:
Magnesium supports the relaxation of muscles and nerves, while vitamin B6 aids in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which promote mental calm.

Recommendation:
For those who struggle with stress or have difficulty sleeping, the combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 can be beneficial. Choose a supplement that contains both.

Omega-3 and Vitamin E: Protection and Support for Your Heart

The combination of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E is powerful for protecting your heart. Omega-3 supports normal heart function, while vitamin E protects these fatty acids from oxidation, as it is an antioxidant.

Why They Complement Each Other:
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for lowering triglycerides in the blood. Vitamin E protects these fatty acids from oxidation, preserving their beneficial effects longer.

Recommendation:
For optimal heart protection, it's wise to combine omega-3 supplements with vitamin E. This can help support your cardiovascular health.

Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2: Together for Strong Bones and a Healthy Heart

Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 are often seen together. While vitamin D3 ensures calcium absorption, vitamin K2 directs this calcium to the bones and keeps it out of the blood vessels.

Why They Complement Each Other:
Vitamin D3 promotes the absorption of calcium into the blood, while vitamin K2 ensures that this calcium goes to the right places in the body, such as the bones, and not the blood vessels. Without enough vitamin K2, calcium can accumulate in the arteries, leading to heart-related discomfort.

Recommendation:
If you supplement with vitamin K2, it’s advisable to also take vitamin D3. This ensures that calcium is used in the right places, contributing to strong bones and indirectly impacting your heart health.

Calcium and Magnesium: Synergy for Strong Bones and Smooth Muscles

Why They Complement Each Other:
Calcium and magnesium work together to support both bones and muscles. Calcium is essential for building and maintaining strong bones, while magnesium helps to effectively store calcium in the bones and prevent it from accumulating in soft tissues and blood vessels. Additionally, calcium plays a key role in muscle contractions, while magnesium ensures muscle relaxation. This balance between contraction and relaxation is crucial for maintaining healthy muscle function.

Recommendation:
Ensure an optimal balance between calcium and magnesium, which is essential for both strong bones and smooth muscles. By leveraging this synergy, you support a healthy mineral balance in the body.

Probiotics and Prebiotics: A Valuable Combination

By taking probiotics and prebiotics together, you give your microorganisms the support they need. Prebiotics serve as a food source for probiotics, helping to maintain a balanced gut flora. This combination can be a valuable addition to a varied and healthy diet.

Why They Complement Each Other:
Probiotics and prebiotics can together be a valuable addition to your daily diet. Probiotics are living microorganisms, while prebiotics serve as food for these microorganisms. By taking these two together, you support the balance of microorganisms in your gut.

Recommendation:
Consider combining probiotics and prebiotics in your daily routine, for example, by choosing foods that contain both, such as certain fermented products, or by opting for supplements that contain both probiotics and prebiotics.

Note: Not All Combinations Work Optimally Together

While some nutrients can inhibit each other's absorption, there are ways to minimize these interactions and maximize the effectiveness of your supplements. When developing our supplements, we consider these factors to ensure you experience the best possible benefits.

Calcium and Iron:
It's known that calcium and iron can compete in the intestines for absorption. To minimize this issue, we use a specific form of iron in our supplements that is less sensitive to this interaction, such as iron bisglycinate. Additionally, we ensure a balanced dosage of calcium so that both minerals can be effectively absorbed. For those looking to further optimize their absorption, it may be helpful to take these minerals at different times of the day.

Magnesium and Zinc:
Like calcium and iron, magnesium and zinc can affect each other's absorption when taken in high doses simultaneously. Our supplements are carefully formulated with a balanced ratio of magnesium and zinc, so your body can utilize both minerals effectively. We often use magnesium in the form of magnesium bisglycinate and zinc in the form of zinc citrate, known for their high bioavailability.

Vitamin K and Vitamin E:
High doses of vitamin E can affect the action of vitamin K. To prevent this, our supplements contain a carefully calibrated dose of vitamins E and K. We opt for vitamin K2, which is better absorbed by the body and works in synergy with other nutrients. If you are taking blood thinners, it's advisable to consult with a specialist.

Coffee, Tea, and Supplements:
Both regular (black) tea and green tea, as well as coffee, contain substances like tannins and polyphenols that can reduce the absorption of certain minerals, such as iron and calcium. To optimize the absorbability of your supplements, it's recommended not to combine these drinks directly with your supplements but instead to choose water or a meal as an accompaniment.

Getting the Most Out of Your Supplements: Synergy and Timing
To fully benefit from the synergy between the vitamins and minerals in your supplements, it's important to pay attention to the timing of intake. Many nutrients are best absorbed when taken with meals. For example, fat-soluble vitamins like D and K are better absorbed when taken with a meal that contains healthy fats, enhancing their effectiveness. Minerals like calcium and magnesium also benefit from well-timed intake to increase their effectiveness. By taking your supplements during a meal, you can improve absorbability and enhance their effects.

With this knowledge, you are now well-equipped to make informed choices when combining your supplements, so you can fully benefit from their combined effects for better health.