If I eat my five-a-day, do I still need vitamin supplements?
It depends on your lifestyle. The recommended five-a-day is actually the bare minimum—an optimal intake is around eight to nine portions of fruit and vegetables daily.
There is also evidence to suggest that modern fruits and vegetables contain lower vitamin and mineral levels than they did in the past. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements is a safe and reliable way to ensure you are meeting your body’s nutritional needs, especially if you have a busy lifestyle that includes work, exercise, and other commitments.
Does it matter if I miss a day of taking my supplements?
Not at all! Nutritional supplements are flexible. Even if you take them only during the week and skip weekends, that’s fine.
Can I take my supplements with fruit juice?
We generally advise against taking supplements with fruit juice, particularly orange juice, due to its acidity. Water is the best option.
For probiotics, in particular, they should always be taken with a cold drink.
Where are your supplements manufactured?
All our supplements are manufactured in the UK at our ISO-approved and BRC-accredited facility. Certain probiotic products are also produced under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards.
This ensures our supplements are made in one of the highest-quality facilities in the UK and Europe.
Where do your probiotics come from?
Our probiotics are derived from human strains, then extracted and prepared in a specialist laboratory.
These strains have been developed over the last 30 years and have undergone over 13 clinical trials, including safety and toxicology studies.
Is the fish oil high-grade, and is it purified to remove heavy metals?
Yes, our fish oil is of extremely high quality and purity. If there were such a thing as pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, this would be it!
All the fish oil used in our products is independently tested for PCBs, dioxins, furans, PAHs, and to ensure the absence of detectable levels of mercury and other heavy metals.
Should I keep the probiotic in the fridge?
You can store probiotics in the fridge, and traditionally, we would have advised that all probiotics must be refrigerated. However, thanks to new strains and technology, we now offer shelf-stable probiotics that do not require refrigeration.
Additionally, we include an overage at manufacture, meaning we add more than the stated amount on the label to compensate for the natural ‘die-off’ phase of probiotic bacteria. This ensures there is enough probiotic present at the end of the product’s shelf life.
That said, if you choose to store your probiotic in the fridge, you may retain even more viable bacteria, as refrigeration slows down the ‘die-off’ process.
Can’t I just drink yoghurt to get enough probiotics?
You can, but the amount of probiotic in each yoghurt is minimal. You would likely need to consume between 10 and 20 yoghurt drinks to obtain the equivalent probiotic dose found in one of our capsules.
Additionally, many yoghurt drinks contain flavours and sweeteners, which you may prefer to avoid.
What is the fish oil capsule shell made from?
The shell is made from fish gelatin, typically derived from a combination of different fish, including catfish.
How many fish oil capsules can I take per day?
You can safely take relatively high doses of fish oil—unless you are on warfarin or blood-thinning medication. Usually, between one and five capsules per day is sufficient, unless advised otherwise by a nutritionist or doctor.
Should I take the probiotic or other supplements on an empty stomach?
Absolutely not! Probiotics, more than any other supplement, should ALWAYS be taken with food.
An empty stomach is highly acidic (around pH 2), which would dissolve the capsule shell and destroy the probiotic before it reaches the intestine. Eating food buffers stomach acid, making it less harsh and allowing the probiotic to pass through to the intestine, where it needs to be to be effective.
This principle also applies to other supplements.
Do I need extra fish oil if I am already taking supplements?
If you exercise regularly, train frequently, or have additional health demands, extra fish oil may be beneficial. Fish oil is known as nature’s anti-inflammatory and has been shown to offer various health benefits.
Can I take supplements if I am on other medication?
Generally, there are no contraindications with nutritional supplements. However, if you are on medication or under medical supervision, we always recommend consulting your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements.
Do I have to swallow the tablets and capsules whole?
No, you can open the capsules, break the tablets in half, or take only the powder inside the probiotic capsule if preferred.
Do I have to take supplements with water?
No, you can take them with juice, although we generally advise against orange juice due to its acidity.
For probiotics, in particular, they should always be taken with a cold drink, not a hot one.
What does RDA mean?
RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance—the minimum amount of a nutrient needed to avoid deficiency.
However, labelling regulations have changed, and we now display NRV (Nutrient Reference Value) instead. This is a similar concept but reflects updated nutritional guidelines.
How much Vitamin D should I take?
At the end of 2017, the government recommended that everyone supplement with at least 400 IU of Vitamin D.
This is the suggested minimum amount, but it may not be the optimal level. We offer three different strengths in our range, all in the form of chewable tablets:
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400 IU – Our lowest strength, for those who only want a basic level of Vitamin D.
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1000 IU – Our most popular option, providing a good daily dose while remaining affordable. It also allows flexibility to take more if needed.
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2000 IU – A higher dose, ideal for those with increased requirements, such as frequent exercisers, individuals with health concerns, or those who don’t get much sun exposure.
As a general rule, most people need more Vitamin D than they realise.
Do I need to take fish oil in addition to The Four Essentials?
It depends on your needs. The Four Essentials were designed to ensure your basic nutritional requirements are met. However, if you train regularly or want additional support for flexibility, skin, and hair health, taking extra fish oil is a great option.
Are your packing chips biodegradable?
Yes, they are! Most of our pots and bottles are recyclable, and our brown cardboard outer boxes are reusable or recyclable.
Can I take my supplements with fruit juice?
We generally advise against taking supplements with fruit juice, particularly orange juice, due to its acidity. Water is the best option.
For probiotics, in particular, they should always be taken with a cold drink.
Where do your probiotics come from?
Our probiotics are derived from human strains, then extracted and prepared in a specialist laboratory.
These strains have been developed over the last 30 years and have undergone over 13 clinical trials, including safety and toxicology studies.
When is the best time of day to take supplements?
There’s no strict rule—you can take them at a time that fits your daily routine.
However, it’s important to take most supplements with or after a meal. If you are taking antibiotics and probiotics, leave at least a one-hour gap before or after taking the antibiotic, as antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria.
For example, if you take antibiotics in the morning and evening, take your probiotic at lunchtime.
What is the difference between Omega Plus Finest Fish Oil Capsules and Liquid?
Both are made from the same high-quality fish oil. We simply offer them in two formats to suit different preferences.
One teaspoon of the liquid is equivalent to approximately four capsules.
What does HPMC mean?
HPMC stands for Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose—the material used to make the capsule shell.
It may sound technical, but HPMC is simply a type of cellulose derived from wood. In nutrition, it serves as a structural material to encapsulate active ingredients, transporting them safely through stomach acid and into the gut.
