Ask a friend “What foods do you get your Vitamin C from and why do you need it?” and they’ll probably tell you. Ask them what foods they get their zinc, magnesium, choline, vitamin k and most other essential vitamins and minerals from and why they’re important, and they might struggle.

The sad truth is nutrition education in the UK is very poor. Less than one in five people get the recommended five a day of their fruit and veg, and large portions of the UK are receiving too few essential nutrients in their diet, such as B Vitamins, Vitamin B12, Magnesium and Iron, impacting their lifestyle at home and work, from a lack of energy to poor focus, stress, lower productivity, and much more. Even for those who do eat a varied and balanced diet, many of the foods we’re eating contain up to 40% less nutrients than they did 30 years ago due to how we’ve farmed the land.

When it comes to supplements, there are common misconceptions. Surveys show that most people believe NRVs (nutrient reference values) are a target level of a particular nutrient they need – in fact, NRVs are the absolute minimum you need through your diet or supplements to avoid a health condition caused by a deficiency. It is also a common misconception that the more you pay the better the quality of your supplement.

Check the labels of your supplements for nasty additives including Titanium Dioxide, Talc (yes, as in Talcum Powder), Palm Oil and Magnesium Stearate – you’ll discover them in some of the most popular, expensive (and cheapest) supplement brands sold in health food stores and online.

A healthy, varied and balanced diet is always the best start place for your health, which is why DR.VEGAN’s expert nutritionists created the Diet Profile, a FREE online tool that provides a window into your diet – whatever diet you’re on (two thirds of DR.VEGAN’s customers are not vegan). DR.VEGAN’s Diet Profile is a ‘triage for nutrition’ – it only takes 3 minutes to answer a few questions about your diet and lifestyle, and will show you the nutrients you’re getting in your diet, how they support your body’s needs and where they don’t.

If you need them, your Diet Profile will suggest vitamins and minerals from DR.VEGAN’s acclaimed range of ethical, sustainable and more absorbable supplements. More than half the UK adult population take a Daily Multi-Vitamin which is often the best place to start. However, there are many factors in addition to diet that affect what supplements you might need – your gender, age, weight, the amount of exercise you do, your sleep, stress level, alcohol consumption, and more – which may mean you require particular nutrients instead of or in addition to a Daily Multi, or a specialist formula to address a particular need.

Try the Diet Profile here and discover your body’s needs.

Get 25% off at drvegan.com and FREE UK Delivery on all orders. Add code HUB25 at checkout. Offer applies to our range of acclaimed, ethical and more absorbable supplements, including Magnesium, Ashwagandha, Turmeric, MenoFriend, Stay Calm for stress & anxiety and Vegan Nights, for a better night’s sleep. Better Me. Better Planet.

Learn more at www.drvegan.com. Follow on Instagram @drveganco and Facebook @drveganco

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