From the Mailbag: Olive Oil-Based Supplements and Why You Should Take Zinc With Copper
By
Natalie Moore
Posted October 20, 2016
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You’ve got questions…
We’ve got answers!
Today we are going to tell you how to find olive oil-based supplements and discuss the relationship between two vital minerals — zinc and copper.
Let’s dive in…
Olive Oil-Based Supplements
Hey, Natalie,
I would like to find vitamin softgels that contain olive oil, since it is fat soluble. To date, I’ve only found softgels that use soybean oil. Since most soybean oil is made from GMO crops, I want to avoid it entirely. Do you know where can I find supplements that use olive oil as a base?
Looking forward to your answer,
Carl P.
Thanks for writing in, Carl.
Many vitamins, like vitamins D3 and K2, are better absorbed when they’re taken in oil form. So it’s important to take them in this form to get the maximum health benefits.
And you’re right, most soybean oil is made from GMO ingredients. If you’re avoiding soy or GMO ingredients, then you’re going to want avoid supplements made with soybean oil.
Fortunately, Living Well offers olive oil-based softgels for our D3K2 supplement. Not only is this product made with GMO-free olive oil, but the softgel casing is also GMO-free.
Plus, Living Well demands the highest standards from manufacturers. We partner only with select supplement manufacturers who pass the most strict quality assurance standards to produce our high-quality products. Each manufacturer that we work with has been certified by either NSF or the Natural Products Association to ensure that they meet or exceed the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) for dietary supplements.
But this isn’t just for our oil-based supplements. It’s for all of our supplements.
Click here to check out our line of top-notch supplement.
If we don’t have the supplement you’re looking for, you can look for olive-oil based supplements through online retailers like vitacost.com. Just be sure to check the ingredients for olive oil, and look at the labeling for GMO information before purchasing. If you can’t find the information you’re searching for, reach out to the company.
Why You Should Take Zinc With Copper
Hi Natalie,
I really liked your article about zinc last week, but it raised a couple questions for me.
I’ve heard that if you take zinc, you should also take copper with it. Is this true? Do you know why zinc and copper should be taken together?
Thanks,
Bev K.
Great question, Bev. My apologies for not touching on this last week.
As we discussed in last week’s article, zinc is a mineral that can help boost your immune system. In fact, zinc can even help you ward deadly infections like pneumonia. Copper, also a mineral, is vital for heart, brain and bone health.
Zinc and copper have a complicated relationship. When you take one of these minerals, it causes you to have a deficiency of the other. For example, if you’re taking a zinc supplement during cold season, there’s a good chance your copper levels are plummeting, and vice versa. A deficiency of either mineral can put your health in jeopardy.
This means you should be taking these two powerful elements together.
The standard ratio is 15-to-1 zinc to copper. You can take zinc and copper separately or choose a supplement that has already combined them for you. These supplements are available most places that sell supplements and through online retailers. A 100-capsule bottle typically costs about $5.
Do you have any health questions you want answered? Drop me a line nmoore@lfb.org
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Unlikely Duo Naturally SLASHES High Blood Pressure
Some things just naturally belong together—such as peanut butter and jelly, salsa and chips, or two peas in a pod. But there’s an unlikely pair that researchers say could do wonders for your heart health. A comprehensive new study from the University of Surrey has revealed that compounds found naturally in tea and chocolate can...
The Surprising Link Between Jaw Tension and Anxiety
Ever catch yourself clenching your jaw when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for an important phone call? Well, it might tell you something important about what’s happening “upstairs.” Turns out, that jaw tension isn’t just annoying—it’s a direct hotline to your anxiety levels. And most of us don’t even realize we’re doing it. I’ve...
Could Poor Sleep Be Hurting Your Brain?
If you’ve ever woken up groggy, unable to shake the brain fog, or struggling to focus, it might be more than just a bad night’s sleep. Sleep apnea—a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep—affects nearly 936 million people globally. But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. New research shows...
Mailbag: Inflammation-Fighting Protocol Clears Clogged Arteries
“I’m 70 years young and I would like to know if there is a natural treatment for clean arteries to prevent heart attack and cardiac problems. Thanks for your reply!” -Change of Heart Dear Change, I love how proactive you’re being about your heart health! Nature offers powerful solutions for keeping arteries clear and healthy....
Why Your Tech Troubles Might SAVE Your Brain
Ever feel like your smartphone is too smart for you? Or maybe you’ve struggled to figure out that new streaming device your kids gave you? Well, take heart. Those technology headaches are saving your brain cells. A groundbreaking new study suggests that spending hours figuring out your gadgets could be your best defense against cognitive...
Study Reveals the Dark Side of Sleep Meds
I’m sure you know by now that quality sleep is crucial for good health. Poor sleep, on the other hand, is linked to all kinds of health hazards, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety. It’s the primary reason people opt to take sleep medications. But what if the pills you’re taking to...
Ancient Food Eases Modern Digestive Woes
If you turn up your nose at the pungent aroma of sauerkraut, you might want to reconsider. Because that tangy, fermented cabbage could be exactly what your gut needs to fight off inflammation and heal digestive issues. Research reveals that this humble food, enjoyed for centuries across the world, contains potent compounds that could shield...
One-Third of Dementia Cases Linked to This Treatable Condition
Dementia is on the rise—and the number of cases is expected to double by 2060. Most people focus on common risk factors like diet, exercise, or genetics. But one of the biggest threats to your brain health is something most of us take for granted… Until it starts to fade away. Worse yet, research shows...
Medications That Don't Mix Well with Coffee
If you’re a regular Living Well Daily Reader (and I certainly hope you are), I probably don’t need to tell you I’m a coffee fan. I regularly share information on coffee’s many health benefits—from boosting metabolism to reducing disease risk. But many don’t realize that cup of Joe can interact with common medications, sometimes reducing...
Invisible Microplastics Trigger Serious Health Concerns
We often joke about living in a plastic-covered world these days. But the reality is far more concerning than most realize. Tiny plastic particles—or microplastics—have infiltrated nearly every corner of our environment, from the deepest ocean trenches to the air we breathe. And now, alarming research reveals these microscopic menaces aren’t just polluting our planet—they’re...