Ever wondered where we source the water that goes into every bottle of Get More Vits? Well, we have the answer.
To get maximum nutritional bang for your buck, we believe that provenance is not to be underestimated, and with growing awareness of the importance of what we put in our bodies and the impact on our health, we thought we would let you in on our sourcing secrets. Our spring water is drawn directly from Hadrian’s Spring in the north of England, close to the Scottish border. With its’ own dedicated boreholes and on-site spring, our manufacturers extract water straight from Hadrian’s Well in the Cheviot Hills. Found within the Northumberland National Park, water here is filtered through limestone rock, providing us with water which tastes crisp and clear and is naturally rich in important minerals including higher levels of calcium and magnesium than most other bottled waters.
Here’s how we compare:
So next time you enjoy a bottle of Get More Vits, you can rest assured that you’re drinking some of the best water available in the UK, as well as getting a boost of essential vitamins.
Here are a couple of photos taken by Ant from our sales team on his last visit to the Spring in Northumbria.
A view from Hadrian’s Well from the bankWalking the Cheviot Hills
The winter blues can be hard to shake off but if you’re ready to spring forward full of beans into a new season, we’ve put together our 5 top nutrition tips to help boost your energy.
Kick the habit – it’s tempting to reach for stimulants like caffeine and sugar for a quick fix when low energy strikes but unfortunately these will leave you flagging. Although they provide an instant boost, this is often followed by a crash which leaves you feeling worse. This is due to the disruptive effect on blood glucose levels and stress hormones. Stay balanced by choosing slow energy releasing foods like wholegrains and fibre-rich fresh fruit and vegetables, and combine with a source of protein - meat, fish, eggs, or a simple handful of nuts and seeds can help to keep energy levels steady.
Soothe your stresses – stress is demanding on our bodies by using up important nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium. Many of us are exposed to long-term chronic stress, which over time can deplete our stores and take its toll on energy levels. It’s important to recognise that stress is not always emotional or mental, but other factors such as a diet high in processed foods or even a lack of sleep can be stressful for the body. Exercise is a great tool to combat stress but don’t overdo it and deplete yourself further, try yoga or get outdoors and boost your immune system by being in nature.
Magnesium – is one of the most important minerals in our body, not only is it essential for energy production, it is actually a component of every single cell and involved in over 600 chemical reactions - so it’s understandable how feelings of low energy may indicate that you’re not getting enough. As well as this magnesium, is also known as ‘nature’s relaxant’ and can help to ease feelings of stress and anxiety.
Load up on dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, avocados, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds and wholegrains and treat yourself to some dark chocolate! It’s packed with magnesium (and a host of other minerals and antioxidants), even better enjoy a few squares in the bath - bathing in magnesium salts is one of the best ways to absorb this vital mineral.
Switch on your energy ‘powerhouse’ – mitochondria are tiny structures found inside every single one of our cells and are known as our very own energy production factories. When we eat, food is broken down into its constituent parts, and through a process called the ‘Krebs Cycle’ provides us with ‘ATP’ - our energy currency. There are many different nutrient co-factors required at each step, including B vitamins (animal products and wholegrains), co-enzyme Q 10 (primarily meat and fish), l-carnitine (meat), malic acid (fruit), lipoic acid (spinach, broccoli, meat), magnesium (green leafy veg) and taurine (animal products), you might also like to top up with some Get More Vits goodness.
Up your antioxidants – to function as best they can your mitochondria need protecting! Churning out energy for us every day results in potentially damaging by-products, so make sure your diet contains lots of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables which are naturally packed with antioxidants – the more richly pigmented the better, eat a rainbow!
Fend off those spring sniffles' with some great advice from our resident nutritionist, The Healthy Hedonist, Becky Graham...
As winter turns into spring here in the UK, we can finally welcome lighter, longer days and warmer months. However, less welcome for many is the extra pollen in the air, so if you suffer with seasonal allergies it’s time to get ahead of the game and arm yourself against symptom flare ups with some nutritional know how.
Why do some of us suffer more than others?
Allergies occur for a variety of reasons, they can be inherited or linked to the way we were born, for example infants delivered by C-section are not exposed to the same antibodies from their mothers as those delivered naturally, and as a result the immune system can take longer to mature and defend itself appropriately.
We can also develop allergies in later life, this occurs when the immune system becomes hypersensitive to substances that are normally harmless like certain proteins in foods, pollen or dust mites. The onset of symptoms may be caused by compromised digestion, poor diet, climate or exposure to pollution. Unfortunately, if you are susceptible to one‘atopic’ condition like asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis or hay fever,you are often sensitive to others.
Hay fever is one of the most common allergies, the NHS estimates around 10 million sufferers in the UK, and that figure is on the up - within the next 20 years it’s expected torise to 30 million. Symptoms are generally brought on by inhaling pollen, which encourages the white blood cells of our immune system to respond by producing antibodies. This triggers the release of a hormone called histamine causing inflammation and manifesting in the classic runny nose, itchy watery eyes, and sneezing.
There are a few ways you can help to reduce the impact of annoying allergies. Follow these 10 practical tips and tricks to support your health during allergy season:
Keep your digestive system happy and healthy. 70-80% of the immune system is located in our gut, so feed friendly bacteria with pre and probiotic-rich foods like onions and garlic, leeks, artichoke, yoghurt, sauerkraut, kefir, miso and kombucha.
Eat foods high in quercetin. This antioxidant that has an anti-histamine effect. Apples, peppers, berries, cruciferous veg like broccoli and cabbage, leafy greens and lemons are all good sources.
Juice a pineapple. The tough core contains an enzyme called bromelain which can be effective for respiratory irritation and inflammation associated with allergies.
Limit foods that are high in histamine. Some foods are naturally high in histamine, so it may help to limit them to lower the load on your immune system. These include alcohol (particularly wine and beer), cured meats, vinegars, aged cheese and smoked fish.
Increase vitamin C fruit and vegetables. Pack your plate with an abundance of brightly coloured foods like spinach, kale, broccoli and red peppers, as well as citrus fruits and kiwi. If you struggle to get your 5 (or 10!) per day you may like to consider supplementing or stock up on GetMore Vitamin C for an extra boost.
Eat a rainbow to help manage flare ups, colourful foods contain protective antioxidants. The compound anthocyanin found in berries can help to manage inflammation in the skin and support natural defences. Beta-carotene, the orange pigment in carrots, squash and sweet potato is converted into Vitamin A, another essential skin nutrient.
Up your omega 3 for it’s natural anti-inflammatory properties. Include oily fish like mackerel or salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds several times a week.
Spend less time in damp environments. If you generally feel better in hotter, dryer climates, damp may be the problem. Check your home doesn’t have any mouldissues - it has been linked to the worsening of respiratory conditions like asthma.
Limit exposure to pollen. Simple tips like staying inside on windy days, keeping windows closed, taking a shower after being outside and removing shoes when you enter the house can be helpful at reducing contact with these problematic pollens
Top up with immune essential Vitamin D. Low levels are linked to the onset of allergies, and by February we are very much depleted in the UK. However, if spending time outdoors worsens your symptoms, you may want to think about adding a supplement, or get sipping our refreshing mango and passionfruit.
Finally, if you’re still struggling allergy testing can be helpful to determine foods or environmental allergens that may be causing an immune reaction, making your symptoms worse. Speak to your GP or a Nutritionist about blood tests that can measure IgE allergic reactions, which once identified and removed can reduce the burden on your immune system both during allergy season and beyond.
This year the focus for Mental
Health Awareness Week is body image, and these days with perfect ideals
continually streamed through our social media feeds, it’s almost impossible not
to feel the pressure.
It’s not uncommon to go to extreme lengths to try and change
our external appearance with the hope of improving how we feel on the inside,
despite the fact we know it doesn’t work.
Diet culture is everywhere and while it’s hard to let go of
body hang ups and external pressures, it’s important to remember just how
incredible the human body is. It’s far more interesting and a much more
positive mindset to think about all the incredible things our bodies can do,
rather than how they look.
Running marathons, giving birth, emotional intelligence and our
capacity for rational thinking are just a few examples of our capabilities. As
a human being I naturally have my own hang ups, but as Nutritionist, I like to
remind myself of this and shift focus to nourishing my body with the food it
needs and steering well clear of restrictive diets - which in turn helps to
ease the mind.
Top 5 tips tips to
nourish your body and ease your mind:
Eat
yourself happy – choose foods that boost ‘happy hormones’. Protein contains
amino acids that form the building blocks of neurotransmitters, including serotonin
which encourages feelings of calm, well-being, optimism and happiness. Meat, fish,
eggs, dairy, nuts and seeds, beans and pulses are all good sources.
Choose healthy
fats – our brain is around 60% fat and to make sure it’s in good working
order choose those that are rich in omega 3 which is also important for the
production of dopamine and linked to mental wellbeing. Oily fish is the best complete
source, so try to eat salmon, mackerel, tuna or herring 3-4 times per week. Too
fishy? Add flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts to your meals, or try flax and
walnut oils for salad dressings.
Stay hydrated – if you don’t drink enough, you might find it difficult to concentrate. Aim for approximately 2 litres per day, water is your best option. Tea and coffee also count but if you’re particularly sensitive to caffeine limit to 1-2 cups per day as too much may cause feelings of anxiety and disrupt sleep.
Balance
blood sugar – our brains’ preferred source of fuel is glucose, most readily
obtained from carbohydrates. Cravings for stodgy comfort foods or sugary snacks
are completely natural in response to stress, it’s our body’s way of getting a
quick boost. There’s nothing better than a cup of tea or coffee with a slice of
cake but while the sugar/caffeine combo helps lift us out of an energy rut, it can
be short lived and leave us tired and irritable, with cravings for more of the
same. If this ‘blood sugar rollercoaster’ sounds familiar aim for regular meals
and snacks (every 3-4 hours) to help keep you on an even keel.
Combine carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats - which work to slow digestion and the release of sugar into our blood. Whole grains are broken down gradually, providing a steady stream of glucose for the brain and B vitamins for energy. At breakfast, top porridge and fruit (carbs) with Greek yoghurt (protein), nuts and seeds (fats). Snack on oatcakes (carbs) with houmous (protein) or nut butter (protein/fats) or an apple with a handful of nuts, then include fish, meat or pulses (protein/fats) at lunch and dinner.
Image courtesy of the Mental Health Foundation
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