Frequently Asked Questions About Dietary Supplements
Do you have questions about dietary supplements? We’ve put together a list of the questions we get asked most often. Perhaps your question is among them. In this article we cover frequenlty asked questions about dietary supplements and how to use them.
1. What is the best time of day to take a supplement?
Most supplements are best taken with a meal. Some nutrients, such as the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and certain minerals, are better absorbed when taken with food. In addition, some supplements may cause gastrointestinal discomfort when taken on an empty stomach.
Tip: Make taking your supplements a regular habit, for example during breakfast. This makes them easier to remember and helps you stick to your daily routine.
2. How do I know exactly what is in a supplement?
You can find out what a supplement contains by checking the ingredient list on the packaging. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, meaning the ingredient present in the largest amount is listed first.
If you come across an ingredient you are unfamiliar with and would like to know more about it, feel free to contact us by email or ask your question via the chat function on our website. We’re happy to explain what our ingredients do and why we use them.
3. Can I combine multiple supplements?
The Virtuoos product range is designed so that our supplements can generally be combined without any issues. However, keep in mind that the recommended time of intake may vary from one supplement to another.
There is one exception: Immune Vitamine C & Zinc Gold contains both vitamin C and zinc. This product is an alternative to the individual supplements Vitamin C1000 Gold and Zinc Gold. Therefore, you do not need to take all three products alongside each other to get the same nutrients. Simply choose the option that best suits your needs.
4. What does ‘NRV’ on the packaging actually mean?
NRV stands for ‘Nutrient Reference Value’. This is a guideline established by the European Commission that indicates the average daily amount of vitamins and minerals an adult needs.
That is why the amount of vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements is also listed as a percentage of the NRV on the packaging. This makes it easy to see what proportion of the reference intake you get from a supplement.
5. What does IU mean when referring to vitamin D3?
IU stands for International Units. It is also sometimes abbreviated as IE in Dutch (Internationale Eenheden). Both terms refer to the same unit of measurement.
To give you an idea: 400–600 IU is equivalent to 10–15 micrograms of vitamin D.
6. What are the capsules made of?
The capsule shells used in our supplements are made from hypromellose, also known as HPMC. This substance is derived from cellulose, which comes from wood pulp.
Hypromellose is tasteless, is broken down by the body and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. This means that people who prefer not to use animal-derived gelatin can also take our capsules.
7. What does the NZVT logo on the packaging mean?
All our products are manufactured in accordance with the standards of the NZVT system and therefore carry the NZVT logo. The Dutch Anti-Doping Assurance System for Dietary Supplements (NZVT) is designed to minimise the risk of doping contamination in dietary supplements. We have every batch of products independently tested. You can find the certificate of analysis on each product page.
This is particularly important for elite athletes, who need to be extra careful about the products they use. But whether you are a recreational athlete or simply choose high-quality, pure supplements, you naturally want to know exactly what you are taking.
Tip: Find out more about NZVT and how we ensure the quality of our products.
8. Why do you use blister packs instead of jars?
We deliberately choose blister packs because each supplement is individually packaged. This helps protect the contents and makes it easy to take your supplements with you wherever you go. You can also easily see whether a capsule has already been removed from the packaging, making it simple to keep track of how many you have taken.
This way, we combine convenience with packaging that reflects our commitment to quality.
9. How do I know which supplements are best suited to my goals?
The supplements that are right for you depend on several personal factors, including your age, lifestyle and (sporting) goals. What may be a useful addition for one person may not necessarily be the right choice for someone else.
To help you get started, we have developed a supplement test. Simply answer a series of carefully selected questions and you will receive personalised advice on which supplements best suit your individual needs.
Have questions after completing the test, or would you like to discuss your recommendations in more detail? You can request a free personal consultation with our Performance Nutritionist, Daan Boersma.
