Diet supplements and winter remedies are poorly and misleadingly labelled, according to a survey. A study of common high street products found that some failed to declare all their ingredients, particularly sweeteners and additives. Some contained unexpected ingredients such as lead and arsenic and high levels of sodium. Others failed to make clear that they contained animal and insect products such as gelatine and cochineal. The survey was conducted by the Food Commission and its results were published in the Food Magazine. Dr Tim Lobstein, co-director of the commission, said: "We found some companies hide the information in small print while others do not declare their full ingredient list at all, and some make you open the packet to find out what you've been sold." He added: "We found vitamin pills containing colouring agents that have been banned from virtually all foods." An example of this, he said, was Redoxen slow-release vitamin C pills. They contained E104 and E127 (erythrosine).
The survey found evidence of "poor and inconsistent labelling". It said many companies "give only the legal minimum indication" of what the active ingredient in the product is. It also found sweeteners in "a wide range of products". Not all companies specified which sweetener was used. In the case of a vitamin supplement designed for children, Sanatogen Children's Gold, it found three sweeteners - sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol. Sorbitol and mannitol are sugars derived from alcohol. They are slowly absorbed from the intestines and may produce a laxative or gaseous effect. But xylitol has been found to have unusual properties, such as reducing the incidence of earache in children and improving oral hygiene. "It is not always obvious when food supplements are suitable for vegetarians," the survey said. Most commonly used was gelatine, which comes from the skin, bones and connective tissue of cattle and pigs. The survey said there was no evidence that gelatine from cattle bones could transmit BSE or nvCJD, the human version of the disease, but the European Scientific Steering Committee has placed restrictions on its use as a precautionary measure.
Stearic acid and magnesium stearate - both animal products - were also used to prevent tablets clumping together. The report said: "These additives can be derived from animal or vegetable sources and manufacturers rarely say which source they have used." The survey found additives derived from insect secretions and carcasses in several products. Bee products are also popular in supplementsOne such was E120, or cochineal. This is a red dye made from dead cactus beetles and was found in Bassett's Soft and Chewy Vitamins and Sanatogen's one-a-day range. Additives made from insects have been in use for some years, the survey said. Shellac is used to add a shine to pills and is made from resinous secretions of tree-dwelling insects in India. It was found in Minadex chewable children's vitamins, Redoxen slow-release vitamin C, Kwai garlic capsules, Hofels Cardiomax garlic tablets and Seven Seas one-a-day minerals for bones. High sodium levels were found in many products to make them fizz.
"Some products, such as the anti-hangover Resolve, warn in the small print that they are unsuitable for sodium-restricted diets, but others, including Boots effervescent vitamin C, give no such warning," the report said. It also referred to a study performed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which found eight supplements with more than 1mg of lead per kilogram. It also found two products - Hofels one-a-day garlic with parsley tablets and Wassen's one-a-day garlic tablets - that contained more than 1mg of arsenic per kilogram. They had 2.2 and 2.1 mg/kg respectively. The government said it did not believe there was any significant health risk posed by higher than average lead and arsenic levels, but nonetheless asked manufacturers to review their use. Arsenic is best known as a deadly poison but research published in November showed that it could be useful in cancer treatment.Home > Types of Vitamins > Getting the Right Amount of Vitamin C
Vitamins are molecules that the body needs in order to carry out certain reactions and because your body can’t create vitamin molecules for itself, you have to get them via food and drink. So to stay fit, healthy and strong, the human body needs to eat and drink a wide variety of vitamins every day. But there’s no doubt that some vitamins seem to get more of the spotlight than others. Probably the vitamin you’ve heard most about is vitamin C. So why is it so important?The Functions of Vitamin CVitamin C is essential for the smooth running of a variety of functions in the body. It helps with metabolic functions, promotes healthy cells and blood vessels, extends the life of cells, helps with the healing of wounds, and may help boost our immune system and protect us from viral infections and bacteria. It even acts as a natural laxative. Getting Your Vitamin C Every DayVitamin C is important to many animals, but unlike most other creatures, we human beings can’t make vitamin C for ourselves, we have to get it from our food and drink.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and, as such, we can’t store it in our bodies either. So it’s no good eating well in fits and starts and thinking you have a ‘bank’ of vitamin C – you don’t. You have to replenish your vitamin C supplies every day to get the health benefits it provides. Signs of vitamin C deficiency include tiredness, bleeding gums and wounds that are slow to heal. Lack of vitamin C can also ultimately lead to the debilitating disease known as scurvy. Vitamin C as an AntioxidantOne reason that vitamin C is so well known and is so often taken as a supplement, is that it’s an antioxidant. As we age, cells in our bodies break down, causing everything from wrinkles to cancer. But what causes our bodies to break down in this way? One of the key factors is the presence in our bodies of free radicals. The human body naturally produces free radicals, and we tend to make more of them when we’re subjected to stress, when we eat poorly, or when we’re exposed to pollution or cigarette smoke.
These free radicals damage our cells and contribute to the ageing of our organs, the visible ageing of our skin and can even trigger disease. So where does vitamin C come in? Antioxidants destroy free radicals, and vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. So getting enough vitamin C in your diet may help you to stay looking and feeling younger for longer. Vitamin C and the Immune SystemNo doubt you’ve heard people talking about upping their intake of vitamin C as winter draws in, with the intention of helping to keep coughs and colds at bay. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C are believed, by many, to help boost the immune system. But the scientific jury is still out on this. Nonetheless, as long as you’re planning to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables and drink more lovely fresh juices, you’re not going to do yourself any harm anyway, so eat up! High dose vitamin C supplements on the other hand should be treated with caution. How Much Vitamin C Do I Need?The recommended daily amount of vitamin C for adults is 40mg.
If you’re interested in nutrition and like to read up on latest theories and research, you will probably realise though, that experts disagree on the ideal amount of vitamin C we should all be eating. It’s best to eat a wide variety of the right fruits and vegetables to get a good supply of vitamin C. But if you do decide to take a supplement, don’t take it on an empty stomach. As a water-soluble vitamin, if taken without food, the vitamin C will go straight into your urine without doing you any good. Beware of overdoing the vitamin C – as a natural laxative you could end up with flatulence, stomachache and diarrhoea. Getting Vitamin C From FoodThere are loads of delicious ways to make sure you get enough vitamin C in your diet. Great sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits and juices, kiwi fruit, strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes and peppers. But remember that boiling and heat destroy vitamin C. So for maximum health benefits try to eat your fruits and vegetables raw, or lightly steamed whenever possible.