Background

BioCare

BioCare is an independent, privately owned science based company founded in the United Kingdom by practitioners with many years experience in biological science and nutrition. BioCare's emphasis is on quality and innovation in both product development and manufacturing techniques. 

Over the years, BioCare has been the first to introduce into the United Kingdom, and in some cases the world, a number of new and exciting nutrition ingredients, products and manufacturing processes.

BioCare uses the purest raw materials available in their manufacturing and wherever possible, produce their own ingredients, thus enabling them to maintain greater control over what goes into their products. The entire BioCare product range is designed to be hypoallergenic.

BioCare and its products are highly respected by British Nutrition Practitioners.

Antioxidants
If you’ve noticed how an apple turns brown when it’s cut or how iron rusts when exposed to the elements, you’ve seen the effects of oxidation. Oxidation causes similar damage to the cells of the body. But unless you have discovered how to live without breathing, you cannot escape the consequences of oxidation. It takes place whenever you breathe, digest food, exercise, or even sleep – and produces potentially harmful agents called free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that trigger chain reactions that eat away at the cells of the body and damage the genetic material they contain. Countless free-radical chain reactions take place in the body each day. In addition, emotional stress, ultraviolet light, air pollution, and cigarette smoke also generate free radicals that can put your health at risk.

Fortunately, nature provides antioxidants – factors which have been shown to be helpful in minimizing the effects of free radicals. The most important antioxidants include:

• Certain vitamins and carotenoids

• Glutathione, L-cysteine, alpha lipoic acid

• Certain minerals such as Zinc and Selenium

• Components found in plants, such as ginkgo biloba, bilberry, resveratrol and green tea

While fruits and vegetables provide a source of natural antioxidants in the diet, in this modern age additional supplementation is desirable to help achieve optimal intake.

Recent research suggests that combinations of antioxidants work better than isolated antioxidants, and that alpha lipoic acid in particular helps to recycle the antioxidants.

Vitamins
Vitamins are vital for human life because they play integral roles in hundreds of life-sustaining biochemical reactions. Vitamins are the catalysts for all reactions using proteins, fats and carbohydrates for energy, growth and cell maintenance. Certain nutrients are required in excess of the typical amounts supplied in the diet depending on specific nutritional needs. Consuming dietary vitamin and mineral supplements may help play an important role in maintaining good health. For the most part, vitamins cannot be produced in the body and must be supplied through the diet or vitamin and mineral supplements.

Vitamin C / Bioflavonoids
Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid and is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin that plays a role in more than 300 bodily functions. It is essential to help support health and wellness and requires daily replenishment.

Unfortunately, human beings - unlike most other animals - cannot manufacture vitamin C. Nor can they store vitamin C to any appreciable amount. Instead, the kidneys, acting as regulators, excrete vitamin C causing the need for regular replenishment. In addition, vitamin C is destroyed during food preparation.

Vitamin C's primary function is to help maintain collagen, a protein necessary for forming skin, ligaments, bones and teeth and for helping to maintain the strength of blood vessel walls. High levels of vitamin C are also essential for the metabolism of white blood cells, which are critical components of the immune system. In addition, vitamin C plays an important role in the absorption of iron, which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells and in the utilization of folic acid, one of the B-complex vitamins.

Bioflavonoids work together with vitamin C to build strong capillaries and serve as antioxidants and as anti-inflammatory agents.

Minerals
Minerals are the inorganic elements which comprise part of the body. They contribute from 60% to 80% of all the inorganic material in the human body. The trace elements make up the remainder. Minerals and trace elements serve as vital catalysts for the biological reactions that take place within the body. They are found, for example, in bones, teeth and soft tissues. They are needed for the production of blood, hormones and enzymes, thus serving a life sustaining function.

The absorption of minerals and trace elements (excluding electrolytes) is generally less efficient than that of other nutrients. The term “bioavailability” refers to the degree to which a particular nutrient is available for use in the body. There are many factors which influence bioavailability including the compound form of the mineral or trace element.

Magnesium is involved in muscle contraction and nerve function. At least half of the magnesium in the body is combined with calcium and phosphorus in bones. The remainder is in soft tissues including red blood cells and muscles.
Manganese is an important activator of enzyme systems. It is involved in protein synthesis and fatty acid metabolism. Manganese is also necessary for normal skeletal development and pituitary gland activity.

Sodium and potassium are involved in the process of balancing fluid within the body. Sodium is found predominantly in fluids outside the cells, while potassium is found inside the cells. The balance of these two electrolytes – along with calcium and magnesium – plays a vital role in helping to maintain cardiovascular function.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral, important to help support the immune system. It is also a component of insulin, body fluids, and many enzyme systems.

Important Notice Regarding Supplementation

For many people, nutritional supplementation can be an important and useful adjunct to a healthy diet. However, by no means should supplementation be a substitute for food and it should also be recognised that certain nutrients should be used within the recommended guidelines so as to reduce the possibility of toxicity or side effects.

This list is only offered as a general guide and is not to be viewed as a definitive statement on the subject of drug-nutrient interactions or toxicity.

Caution should always be used with individuals who are taking any form of drug therapy.

Ongoing research will no doubt turn up additional information on the relationship between optimum nutrient intake and overdose. If in doubt consult either an authoritative text such as Martindale, Merck Index or the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The following may serve as a useful guide to some of the more common contra-indications.

Vitamin A
Supplements containing above 2000i.u. (600mcg) should be avoided in pregnancy and also by women planning pregnancy unless clinically indicated and supervised by a healthcare professional.

Vitamin A may be contra-indicated in patients with kidney stones or a history of kidney stones.

Vitamin A should be avoided by individuals sensitive to vitamin A.

Vitamin B
Prolonged use of isolated B vitamins at high levels may induce a deficiency in some of the other B vitamins.

Individuals taking the drug L-Dopa should seek medical advice before taking B Complex.

High intakes of vitamin B Complex can cause stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhoea.

Vitamin B1 above 75mg daily must be supervised by a doctor in patients with diabetes and larger intakes (700-800mg) may cause drowsiness.

Vitamin B2 commonly causes a bright yellowing of the urine with larger intakes possibly affecting laboratory blood tests.

Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) intake above 100mg may aggravate stomach ulcers, glaucoma and diabetes with doses of one gram and above causing impairment of liver function in some individuals.

Niacin intake above 100mg daily may cause a temporary flushing sensation.

Vitamin B6 in large levels over 100mg daily for a long period may cause numbness in hands and feet together with headaches (peripheral neuritis)

Vitamin B6 above 20-30mg daily should be used only under supervision in pregnancy.

High intakes of folic acid may mask vitamin B12 deficiency and vice versa.

Individuals taking Methotrexate should avoid folic acid in doses of 1mg and above unless under supervision.

PABA (Para Amino Benzoic Acid) may interfere with the drug sulphonamide.

Vitamin B12 in high levels (mg doses) should be avoided in pregnancy and in children under the age of twelve unless clinically indicated.

Vitamin C
High intake can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps and flatulence.

Avoid supplementing over 1 gram of vitamin C daily if using the contraceptive pill.

Vitamin C as ascorbic acid may aggravate stomach ulcers if used in high levels.

Long-term use of ascorbic acid at high intake levels may deplete calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Potassium ascorbate is contra-indicated in kidney disease and hyperkalemia.

High intakes of vitamin C may interfere with some cytotoxic drugs used in cancer therapy.

Medical advice should be taken if individuals are on drug therapy before taking large doses of vitamin C and before blood tests.

Vitamin E
Intakes above 100i.u. in individuals with high blood pressure should initially be used with caution.

Individuals taking anticoagulant drugs such as Warfarin, Heparin and Coumarin should avoid vitamin E above 100mg daily unless supervised by a medical practitioner.

Individuals with a recent history of heart disease should avoid excessive intakes of vitamin E unless supervised by a medical practitioner.

Women with active breast, ovarian or hormonally dependent tumours should avoid high intakes of vitamin E presented in a base of wheatgerm, soy, corn oil or other polyunsaturated oils.

Boron

• Used in low levels appears to be well tolerated. Long-term use of higher levels may lead to accumulative risks.

Calcium

• Contra-indicated in some cases of kidney stone formation and renal disease and calcium channel blocker drugs.

Chromium

• Use with caution and only under medical supervision in cases of diabetes.

Iron

• Iron can accumulate in the system and long-term use should be monitored.
  Contra-indicated in cases of Addisons Disease.

• Inorganic iron supplements can cause diarrhoea alternating with constipation and stomach cramps.

• Inorganic iron supplements can cause dark brown to black bowel motions.

Magnesium

• Contra-indicated in kidney disease.

• Can cause diarrhoea, nausea and sometimes headaches when taken in large doses.

Manganese

• Generally regarded as safe to use at normal supplement levels.

Molybdenum

• Toxic doses can cause hair loss and headaches along with blurred vision.

• Moderate intakes are generally well tolerated.

Potassium

• Avoid use in cases of hyperkalemia (elevated blood potassium levels)

• Avoid supplementation in kidney disease.

Selenium

• Selenium toxicity can cause abnormal growth of the toe-nails and fingernails.

• Selenium levels above 400mcg daily are best avoided unless under medical supervision.

Zinc

• Prolonged intake of high levels of zinc can cause immuno-suppression.

• Long-term use of high intake zinc supplementation should be monitored.