Healthy vegetarian eating with Platinum Naturals

If you’re vegetarian, you are part of a growing trend in Canada. According to a poll commissioned by the Vancouver Humane Society in 2015, vegetarianism is common in Canada. A third of Canadians are either already vegetarian or are eating less meat!

Compared to meat eaters, vegetarians tend to consume less saturated fat and cholesterol. They consume more vitamins C and E, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, and phytochemicals (plant chemicals), such as carotenoids and flavonoids. As a result, they're likely to have lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and lower body mass index (BMI), all of which are associated with longevity and a reduced risk for many chronic diseases.

But it can also be challenging to get enough of certain nutrients. Supplementing your diet with Platinum Naturals’ Easymulti Vegan and EasyIron can help give your body what it needs to stay healthy and strong.

The iron in plant sources (non-heme iron) can be hard to absorb, especially since it’s often bound to phytates, anti-nutrients that prevent absorption. If you think you might be deficient, it’s worth a trip to the doctor to get your levels checked, especially if you have symptoms of iron deficiency such as:

• tiredness
• hair loss
• bruising
• pale skin
• lightheadedness
• cold hands and feet

The iron found in EasyIron and Easymulti Vegan is iron bisglycinate, the best-absorbed vegan iron available. In fact, iron bisglycinate is absorbed 4.5 times better than other vegan forms of iron.

To further improve absorption, the iron in Platinum Naturals supplements is suspended in oil through their award-winning Omega Suspension Technology. This takes advantage of your body’s natural ability to absorb oils. In fact, a clinical study found that iron (bisglycinate) suspended in oil had 3 times higher overall absorption than the same form of iron not suspended in oil. Normally iron can only be absorbed in the upper intestine. But when suspended in oil, iron can be absorbed anywhere within the digestive tract, resulting in maximum absorption and is therefore much less likely to cause constipation.

Vitamin B12 is often lacking in a vegetarian diet, since most sources of vitamin B12 are from animal products. B12 deficiency leads to pernicious anemia, which is a type of anemia you can get even if you eat enough iron. Also, elevated levels of homocysteine (a marker for heart disease) have been observed in vegans. Supplementation with B12 has been shown to effectively reduce homocysteine blood levels. To support proper absorption, EasyIron and Easymulti Vegan contain methylcobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12.

Vitamin D is important for bone health, immune function and a healthy cardiovascular system. But most vitamin D3 is animal-sourced. Easymulti Vegan provides a full recommended daily dose of vitamin D2 to help ensure adequate intake of vitamin D, even in the winter months.

Because vegetarian diets don’t include fish, they lack DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), the two omega-3 fatty acids needed to develop and maintain the brain, retina and cell membranes. Flax oil is an excellent source of the omega 3 ALA, which the body converts to EPA and DHA. Omega 3’s help calm inflammation and are an important building block for glowing skin, a healthy heart and an active brain.

Platinum Naturals’ Easymulti Vegan is designed to complement a vegetarian or vegan diet and provide full-spectrum nutritional support. Easymulti Vegan contains healthy omega-3 from flax oil as well as highly bio-available forms of vitamin B12 and iron. Easymulti Vegan is formulated without any animal products and none of our products are tested on animals.

Platinum Naturals’ EasyIron is a fast-acting, gentle and non-constipating iron supplement. It’s formulated with the essential cofactor vitamins to support blood-building and is suitable for vegetarians.

Whatever your motivation, eating vegetarian can be a great way to take care of your health, your furry friends and your environment, as long as you’re sure to get the nutritional support you need!