Opti-mum

A Food State supplement formulated as a pregnancy multivitamin and breastfeeding supplement, and for growing youngsters and busy women up to about age 48 (this multivitamin contains iron and is not suited for post menopausal women). The tablets are relatively small and easy to take.

A Women’s Food State Multivitamin and Mineral

• A multivitamin formula rich in vitamins & minerals: This supplement includes B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K
• Elevated levels of beneficial nutrients such as vitamin D; Vitamin D3 is the most bioavailable form of this nutrient (Vitamin D) and this supplement contains Food State Vitamin D3
• Optimal levels of antioxidant minerals (150µg selenium and 7mg zinc) plus magnesium and 80µg of chromium
• Beneficially contains 400µg of Folic Acid (200% recommended daily allowance of Folic acid)
• Each multivitamin tablet contains 7.0mg of Iron (50% recommended daily allowance of iron).
• Opti-Mum also contains added 1-3, 1-6 beta glucans for enhanced immune support.
• A Food State supplement - The nutrients are in a Food State, and hence are gentle and highly bioavailable
• Uses vitamins and minerals combined in a probiotic culture to help give superior absorption and utilisation
• This supplement is suitable for Vegetarians and those with Candida and yeast sensitivities
• Free from wheat, starch, gluten, soy, added colourings, sweeteners  and preservatives
• Free from Genetically Modified Substances

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Vitamins - Folic Acid, Iron and Vitamin D

Folic Acid (Folate) is part of the water-soluble ‘B-Complex’ vitamins and Folate is necessary for proper brain function as it is concentrated in the spinal and extra cellular fluids. Folic acid plays an important role toward the production of RNA and DNA as it helps in the formation of red blood cells and nucleic acids. Folic acid is vital for the baby during early pregnancy not only is it needed by the baby for the development of the neural tubes, but also by the mother. Hence Opti-Mum is formulated as a pregnancy multivitamin and for breastfeeding too and contains 400µg of Folic Acid (200% of the recommended daily allowance of Folic acid).

The Department of Health have stated: “Women who are planning a pregnancy or might become pregnant, or who are already pregnant, should also take folic acid supplement and vitamin D supplements”

Iron intake is particularly relevant during pregnancy and for nursing mothers. Anaemia can be a problem during pregnancy regardless of diet because the developing foetus will draw on the mother’s iron stores to create stores of its own, required for the healthy formation of red blood cells. Also, maternal blood volume increases by 50%, therefore iron is needed in larger amounts, particularly in the later stages. Eat foods rich in iron, such as dark green leafy vegetables, dried beans, legumes and dried fruits. If you are a meat-eater you will find it easier to keep your iron levels topped up, as “haem iron” (Iron from blood in red meat) is much better absorbed than vegetable iron.

Vitamin D is mostly made in our skin by exposure to sunlight; Hence Vitamin D is termed ‘the sunshine vitamin’. Pregnant, breast-feeding women and Children all need extra vitamin D because it is a vitamin required for growth. Most of the foods we eat contain very little vitamin D, though more recently some makes of processed foods are fortified with added vitamin D. Vitamin D is vital for the proper absorption of calcium and the use of phosphorus and hence important for the maintenance of strong bones and teeth, helping support the functions of the immune system and contributing toward normal muscle functions. Vitamin D3 is the most bioavailable form of this nutrient.

In 2012 the chief medical officer for England recommending that all pregnant and breastfeeding women and children aged six months to five-years-old should take vitamin D supplements.

Nutritional recommendations during the early stages of breastfeeding are very much the same as during pregnancy. It is vital that you have a good level of intake of dietary and supplemental zinc and omega 3 chain essential fatty acids (e.g. fish oil). Zinc stores can rapidly be depleted during the tissue healing stage after the birth, and low zinc levels can trigger post natal depression. Similarly, omega 3 chain fatty acids are mood elevating and membrane stabilising, and intake levels are vital for mental well-being at all times, particularly post-partum.

If you do require further assistance in regards to nutrition and pregnancy/ breastfeeding or any other nutritional questions please do contact us by phone (01684 310022) or email our nutritional director Amanda Williams on amanda@natures-own.co.uk.

Food State Benefits

Nature's Own uniquely provide nutrients in the same form as those in food - Food State supplements - supplements that present vitamins and minerals in a format as close as possible to the foods where those micronutrients naturally occur.

Choosing Nature's Own

Nature's Own was born in 1979; the main difference between Nature's Own and other companies is that we sell our vitamin and mineral supplements in a Food State. This means they work in the body like food, which means the body knows how to use them to nourish whichever part of the body is in need.

Suggested Intake:
- Children aged from 8-11 years = 1 tablet daily.
- Adults less than 60kg = 1 tablet daily.
- People of over 11 years and adults over 61kg = 2 tablets daily.
N.B. You may notice a strong yellow colouration of your urine after taking the formula. It is perfectly normal and is due to the high level of riboflavin.
Suitable for: Vegetarians, and for people with Candida and yeast sensitivities.
Contraindications: None.
Non-Active Ingredients: Vegetable stearic acid, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, glycerine.
Non GM & Free From: Wheat; starch, gluten; soy, live yeast; added sugars, colourings, flavourings & preservatives.
Storage: Keep cool, dry & out of direct sunlight.

Ingredients: 1-3,1-6 beta glucan from saccharomyces cerevisiae, vitamin C incorporated in citrus pulp; lactobacillus bulgaricus* (from yoghurt) combined with vitamin D3, para amino benzoic acid, ferrous fumerate, magnesium citrate, potassium iodide, sodium borate, copper sulphate, manganese chloride, chromium III chloride and sodium molybdate; vitamin E combined in vegetable oil; niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, beta carotene combined in carrot concentrate; folic acid and vitamin K combined in alfalfa concentrate; mineral enhanced yeast providing selenium; biotin combined in corn meal concentrate; vitamin B12; vegetable stearic acid; tablet coating (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose).
*Beneficially combined in a base of lactobacillus bulgaricus. This probiotic species is a native inhabitant of the human GI tract.