Page 35 - Cosmopolitan - UK (April 2020)

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bunnies forever sick you’re down

The supplement: The supplement: The supplement:
POTASSIUM VITAMIN C ST JOHN’S WORT
Yep, the one in bananas. You should The body can’t produce vitamin C, so we SJW is a low-level, natural alternative
already get enough in your diet to support need to get it from our diet. It’s touted as to standard antidepressants. Research
your blood pressure, bone and muscle a cold cure, but the expert verdict is mixed. suggests it can increase the activity of
strength and heart health, and regulate There’s little evidence to say it can prevent feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin.
your fluid balance. You might need more if a cold, but it may help shorten the duration.

you’ve had sickness, tummy troubles, or if Need-to-know:
you’re sweating it out regularly in the gym. Need-to-know: This plant-based remedy can play havoc
Adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg of with prescribed medications, including
Need-to-know: vitamin C a day so a single serving of the contraceptive pill, sleeping pills and,

“If you’re a regular user of ibuprofen or orange juice or broccoli is enough to hit ironically, anti-depressants. Steer clear until
anxiety-controlling beta-blockers, be careful your RDA. “Supplementing more than that you’ve spoken to a doctor or pharmacist.
taking potassium,” says Alistair Murray, lead through the winter can be pro-inflammatory,
pharmacist at Echo. These drugs cause the potentially causing diarrhoea and making Stock up:
body to retain potassium, meaning levels you feel worse,” explains Professor Greg On vitamin D. Studies have shown links
can rise too steeply. Too much potassium Whyte, director at London’s Centre For between low levels of the sunshine vitamin
can cause your heart to beat irregularly. Health & Human Performance. Fizzy vitamin and depression. And a spokesperson from
C tablets can contain up to 1⁄6 of your Public Health England has advised that UK
Stock up: RDA of salt, while some contain caffeine. residents may not get enough vitamin D
Got the OK from your GP? MyVitamins from sunlight (and diet) in winter, so should
Electrolyte Plus (£9.99, Myvitamins. Stock up: consider a supplement. Vitamin D comes
com) has potassium, chloride, magnesium, Try Fast-C With Bio-Quercetin without the drawbacks of SJW, but the NHS
calcium and sodium to keep you hydrated. Phytosome (£25, Victoriahealth.com). advises taking no more than 1,000mg daily
This formula is alkalising, so it’s gentler – and be particularly cautious if you’re
on your stomach. pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18.

1 2 3 4
When visiting your Should your levels of You get what you Try to take any
BY GP or pharmacist the vitamins you’re pay for. Cheap medication at least
STUDY
NUTRITION- NEW THE IN ‡ IN Vitamin and medications you supplementing return supplements might two hours before or
bring a list of all the
to normal, review
contain small
after supplements
dietary supplements
2013
to avoid negative
them with your
amounts or low-
A
PHOTOGRAPHS LEO ACKER. LYMA.LIFE; ROCKS.CO.UK. *MINTEL. † PUBLISHED MEDICINE. OF JOURNAL ENGLAND PERMANENTE tips their supplements and illness, pregnancy or – or both. A cheaper herbal supplements
take, including the
doctor or pharmacist
interactions. Take
quality ingredients
N
dosages and how
and, if advised, stop
your vitamins and
100mg vitamin C
often you take them.
taking them. Always
minerals with
food, but take
tablet may have
Some people find it
tell them if your
lower-quality vitamin
health status has
easier to bring all
changed through
C in than a more
away from food
medications along in
for optimal
expensive one of
a sandwich bag.
breastfeeding.
the same weight.
absorption. ◆
KAISER
COSMOPOLITAN · 35