3 NUTRITION GETS PATCHED UP

In an ideal world, we’d all be absorbing the vitamin D we need directly from the sun, and the right amount of vitamin C from fruit and veg. But given that the UK supplements market is expected to reach £13billion by 2023, it’s clear many of us need a little help on the nutrition front. Now, two alternative ways of getting vitamins into your body are set to hit the mainstream. The first are dermal patches – applied to the skin, bypassing your gut and going straight into the bloodstream. The second, liposomal supplements, are taken through the oral mucosal lining in the mouth and lymphatic system, rather than broken down in the stomach. They may sound a little faffy, but both are becoming the norm in wellness-loving California. And for good reason, says Megan Retterath, nurse practitioner and chief medical officer at health optimisation and longevity centre Next Health. ‘Patients consume supplements in this way to increase the effectiveness of absorption,’ she says. ‘Vitamins taken the conventional way are broken down in your stomach, metabolised in the liver, then sent to your small intestine for absorption. But many people suffer Gi-related disturbances such as bloating, cramping or belching, which would indicate poor absorption.’ Sana Khan, nutritionist and founder of London-based Avicenna Wellbeing, agrees that capsules and tablets don’t work for everyone. ‘Absorption rates vary depending on one’s digestive health, and formulations within them will affect the bioavailability of nutrients,’ she says. ‘There’s some evidence that dermal patches can provide a more sustained and slow release of nutrients, and that liposomal supps can be effective alongside meals including good fats.’ So, where to start? Check out Livon Labs and Quicksilver Scientific, which both ship to the UK.