From the 23rd to the 31st of October, the week-long campaign – launched by leading ethical vitamin company Viridian Nutrition – will celebrate the nation’s independent health stores, honouring their contribution as a first line of defence in keeping us well.

Like all health stores, B.Green, Healthy & Wise and Healthy Stuff Stores have long championed the importance of self-care in body and mind; the abundance of pure, health-giving ingredients that our planet provides – and the need to work in harmony with nature.  

The campaign is backed by three-time London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe MBE, who has been a lifelong advocate of independent health food stores.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be involved in Indy Health Week and supporting local independent health stores. Over the past 18 months, I think people have become more invested than ever in supporting their health through the right diet and supplementation, quality sleep and by making positive lifestyle choices – all things which are championed by independent health stores.

Paula said

“It was through advice from local health stores that I learned the vital components of a healthy diet to support my lifestyle, especially in the areas of sport, studying and recovery.”

As part of the campaign, people can download a voucher from the Indy Health Week website (www.indyhealthweek.com) and visit their local independent health food store to get a free ‘Foundations of Nutrition’ sample pack worth over £20. Supplied by Viridian Nutrition, the packs include 3 supplements and a book written by qualified nutritionist Jenny Carson. They will be available to collect at B.Green, Healthy & Wise and Healthy Stuff Stores from 23^rd to 31^st October.

Harpenden and Marlow of B.Green Store, Healthy & Wise Store and Healthy Stuff Store said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to join the Indy Health Week campaign to support people in the community with achieving their healthier lifestyle goals.

“Indy Health Week is a great opportunity to come in and learn how making positive lifestyle adjustments to diet, exercise and sleep can help with long-term health and wellbeing, an area we feel very passionate about.

“It also serves as an introduction to everything healthy, sustainable and planet-friendly from wholefoods, vitamins, organics to Fairtrade, vegan, cruelty-free products and much more. Above all, the campaign highlights that health food stores can work alongside the healthcare system and provide personalised solutions for people’s specific needs.”

Cheryl Thallon, Founder and Managing Director of Viridian Nutrition, said: “After the last 18 months and the increased focus on health, the campaign will raise awareness of how health stores can support the work of the NHS and help people to reach better health through diet, exercise, sleep and lifestyle interventions that can make a proactive difference. 

“Shockingly, data shows that many people use Google to learn about their health and they go online to research conditions affecting them. This information can be incorrect and unreliable so Indy Health Week will promote independent health food stores and the expertise they can offer.”

Indy Health Week was created to encourage people to visit the UK’s independent health stores to aid healthy lifestyles: many chronic health conditions can be improved or even avoided through lifestyle adjustments with diet, exercise, and sleep. These stores promote self-care, offering a first point of call for a range of ailments, and have become increasingly vital as the healthcare system continues to deal with the effects of the pandemic. To discover more about Indy Health week, find your nearest store and pick up your free seven-day Foundations of Nutrition pack, head to www.indyhealthweek.com

It’s hard to talk about Vitamin C without mentioning Immunity. But did you know the power of vitamin C goes beyond strengthening the immune function and its health benefits are well-recognised by the scientific community? Find out more about this invaluable nutrient from Viridian’s Director of Nutrition Aimee Benbow. 

Vitamin C for Immunity
Vitamin C, probably one of the most notable vitamins, is an essential nutrient for the immune system. Proven to support the body in fighting off pathogens like colds and flu, It has been shown to inhibit viral replication and can have a beneficial impact when taken at high doses at the start of a virus to reduce the duration of symptoms.¹

Vitamin C works in 3 ways to support the immune system:
1) It boosts collagen synthesis to strengthen skin and tissue membranes (so the virus can’t enter as easily)
2) it increases and specifies white blood cells and antibodies to target the virus
3) it helps clear spent white blood cells to maintain tissue health.

Vitamin C boosts skin strength; increases white blood cells & antibodies; helps to maintain tissue health

Vitamin C – additional health benefits
It is not just needed for immunity though. As mentioned above, Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation. Collagen, often trumpeted with beauty benefits, keeps skin looking good by maintaining its structure. It also provides cardiovascular protection by helping arteries stay strong which are vital to get oxygenated blood around the body. A high dietary intake of vitamin C has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of death from heart attacks and strokes in numerous population studies². The health of your cardiovascular system may not be easily noted but signs of weakened collagen structures include bruising, muscle weakness, gum deterioration, and poor wound healing.

Vitamin C is, additionally, a powerful antioxidant, protecting cellular structures from free radicals which can be caused by environmental impacts, toxins, ageing and lifestyle. Smoking in particular has a negative impact and the National Institutes of Health in the US recommend an additional intake of 35mg/day for those who smoke.³

Lifestyle factors which may mean the body needs higher levels of vitamin C include high alcohol intake; stress; smoking; pollution; high levels of exercise

So vitamin C is a crucial nutrient but how do we ensure we get the right amount? Humans, unlike almost all animals, can’t make vitamin C, so we have to get it from our diet. Animals can synthesise ascorbic acid from glucose whereas a genetic change which occurred centuries ago in humans prevents us from making it. The food that is famously known as a good source of vitamin C is oranges. Whilst they do contain vitamin C and are a great source of other nutrients as well, you would have to eat around 17 oranges to get 1000mg of Vitamin C!

Interestingly there are other foods that are much more nutrient dense in this vitamin. Acerola Cherry for example is one of the richest known natural sources of vitamin C. In comparison, 100g of orange provides approx. 55mg of Vitamin C, whereas 100g of acerola cherries provides 1680mg of Vitamin C – that’s 30 times more.⁴ Leafy green vegetables are also another rich source so filling your plate with these will definitely increase your vitamin C intake.

Top sources of vitamin C include Broccoli; Red Pepper and Acerola Cherry

If you feel you can’t get enough vitamin C easily from your diet, you might consider supplementation. As vitamin C is water soluble, your body excretes any excess it doesn’t need although if you do consume an excessive amount, you might notice some laxative effects. Taking a buffered vitamin C can help avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by the acidity of standard ascorbic acid.

For more information come into store or contact us 0208 343 1002

 References
1, Van Straten M, Josling P.  Herbal Health Centre, Battle, East Sussex, United Kingdom.  Preventing the common cold with a vitamin C supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey.  Adv Ther 2002 May-Jun;19(3):151-9

2, Ness, A.R., Powles, J.W. and Khaw, K.T., 1996. Vitamin C and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. Journal of cardiovascular risk, 3(6), pp.513-521.

3, Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Dietary Antioxidants and Related Compounds. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2000.5, Vitamin C. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225480/

4, U.S Department of Agriculture. Food Data Central. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html. 
The information contained in this article is not intended to treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a health practitioner. Please consult a qualified health practitioner if you have a pre-existing health condition or are currently taking medication. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet.