Supporting vegetarian and vegan diets with Lamberts Healthcare
Supporting vegetarian and vegan diets with Lamberts Healthcare
In the coming years, it is expected that many will limit or completely cut their meat intake, with motives relating to animal welfare, personal wellbeing and environmental protection contributing to the popularity of both veganism and vegetarianism. Coupled with the fact that plant-based eating is observed across many different faith groups, it is unsurprising that many of us are now substituting our animal-based foods for plant-based alternatives, which can be equally as flavoursome and fulfilling to the palate.
Whilst both vegetarian and vegan diets confer many benefits, it is important to be mindful of the potential pitfalls. As with any diet that limits the intake of certain food groups, it is important to ensure that we are receiving the correct balance of nutrients through the foods we consume on a day-to-day basis. Supplementing the diet with a high-quality multivitamin and mineral formula can help to bridge some of the nutritional gaps for vegetarians and vegans alike.
Which formula is right for me?
With the Lamberts product range, there are no added barriers to obtaining the best nutrients for your health, with a large range of multivitamin and mineral formulas suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. Of course, it is always important to check the label to determine whether a specific multiple formula is suitable for vegetarians and/or vegans. Here at Dennis Gore Pharmacy, we have rounded up some of our top picks in the Lamberts Range for supporting vegan and vegetarian diets.
Our top picks
Frequently coined the ‘practitioner’s multi’, Lamberts Multi-Guard provides a comprehensive spectrum of nutrients at relevant potencies, with the addition of plant antioxidants. Suitable for vegan consumption, what sets this product aside is the inclusion of algal-origin vitamin D3. This source of vitamin D3 has exactly the same bioavailability as vitamin D3 from lanolin – the traditional source of vitamin D3, found in most multiple formulas. This formula includes relevant levels of vitamin B12 and D, iron and zinc. Research indicates that many plant-focused eaters would benefit from the consumption of these key nutrients, given they can be difficult to obtain without the inclusion of animal-based foods.
Whilst an iron deficiency is certainly not exclusive to a vegetarian or vegan diet, ensuring a sufficient dietary intake is still fundamental. Florisene is a vegan formula that provides a highly absorbable form of iron alongside the essential amino acid, L-lysine. Research indicates that a low L-lysine intake may exacerbate a reduced ferritin level, and that for some women, ferritin levels will not improve without L-lysine. With rich sources of l-lysine including meat and poultry, vegans and vegetarians may struggle with their dietary intake of this amino acid, which is where a supplement can help.
Menopause can put a lot of demand on your body, increasing the likelihood of developing nutrient deficiencies. FEMA45+, suitable for vegetarians, has been formulated specially for women during and after the menopause, providing 28 nutrients at relevant levels, including the trace minerals and plenty of antioxidants. What sets FEMA45+ aside is that it provides excellent levels of magnesium and calcium, as well as vitamins D and K to reflect the current thinking on bone health.
Whilst a well-planned vegetarian diet can provide sufficient levels of the nutrients needed for pregnancy, the NHS states that it is important to be mindful of your vitamin B12 and D, iron and iodine intake if you’re pregnant and vegetarian. StrongStart MVM is a vegetarian formula that has been developed to support the nutritional requirements of women during preconception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Carefully formulated by experts in the field, StrongStart MVM provides all of the nutrients above, alongside 400µg of folic acid which contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.
This vegetarian formula provides 25 nutrients, including 200µg of chromium, plus 300mg of magnesium since it is a component of many enzymes involved in the breakdown of blood sugar, and tends to be deficient in diets based on refined carbohydrates. This product also provides a concentrated extract of cinnamon which is included at a level that reflects the research carried out on this spice and its influence on blood sugar levels.
Suitable for vegetarians, A to Z is a broad-spectrum multivitamin that supplies the most important micronutrients at a minimum of 100% of the Nutrient Reference Value (NRV). This formula can be taken by all adult age groups and is best recommended as a good insurance policy for teenagers (13 years+) and young adults.
Conclusion
As we have seen, taking a multiple formula can be very helpful when ensuring that all nutritional bases are covered, especially when following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Given that certain groups of people share common micronutrient requirements, choosing the correct formula is key. Please contact a member of the team for further information on which formula is right for you, as well as information on the full range of Lamberts Multiple Formulas that we stock.