From the Mailbag: Olive Oil-Based Supplements and Why You Should Take Zinc With Copper

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.

Natalie Moore

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

Nightly "Brainwashing" Protects Your Memory

Think skipping sleep is no big deal? Think again. Groundbreaking research reveals that deep sleep does more than just help you feel refreshed. Another CRITICAL memory-preserving process is taking place behind the scenes. But here’s the concerning part… If you’re taking a sleeping pill, you might be blocking this crucial step. Here’s what you need...

Read This

The “Harmless” Additive DESTROYS Your Brain

Ever wonder why ice cream stays creamy in the freezer? Or why peanut butter doesn’t separate? The answer is emulsifiers—common food additives that manufacturers love. However, new research suggests these “harmless” ingredients could be causing serious brain damage. And they’re hiding in more foods than you can imagine… A disturbing new study published in Brain,...

Read This

One Move Adds 5 YEARS to Your Life

Believe it or not, the fountain of youth might be closer than you think… A groundbreaking study reveals that a simple activity you’ve been doing since you were a toddler could add YEARS to your life. And the best part? It won’t cost you a dime… New research published in the British Journal of Sports...

Read This

Walking Trick Reveals Your Fitness Level

We count on doctors to tell us how healthy we are. They take our blood pressure, listen to our hearts, and send us out for blood work to get the answer. But there’s something else you can do anytime you want to know your fitness level: walk a mile. That’s right, this simple activity you...

Read This

This Diet Trick Could Protect Your Brain for LIFE

You know the saying, “You are what you eat”? Well, when it comes to your brain, it’s more accurate than you think… New research suggests that a Mediterranean diet—an ancient way of eating that prioritizes whole, nutrient-dense foods—may protect your brain’s white matter. And that’s a big deal because white matter is critical in keeping...

Read This

Mailbag: The REAL Reason You Can’t Lose Weight

“Why can’t I lose 10 pounds? I tried many versions of diets. Low Carb, intermittent fasting, etc.” Struggling to Slim Down Dear Struggling, Losing weight, especially when we’re past our 20s, can be frustrating. A muscle mass issue is most likely the culprit behind those struggles to slim down. You see, as we age, we...

Read This

Can Eating at the RIGHT Time Protect You from Diabetes?

When it comes to managing your health, when you eat may be just as important as what you eat. Now, a growing body of research shows that time-restricted eating (TRE), or intermittent fasting, may improve several markers of health… Particularly for people with metabolic syndrome. Before we dive into the benefits of time-restricted eating, let’s...

Read This

Could This Gut Bug Help Curb Your Sweet Tooth?

Yesterday, I warned you about the devastating health impact of sugary drinks (if you missed that, CLICK HERE to catch up). Well, in honor of Groundhog’s Day, I will to talk about sugar AGAIN today. Because if you’ve ever found yourself unable to resist that second (or third) cookie, you’re not alone. Our bodies are...

Read This

Sugary Drinks Fuel a Global Health Crisis

I don’t need to tell you that sugary drinks are the opposite of a health food. However, new research reveals just how harmful they really are. In fact, millions are being affected in disturbing ways that might shock you… A disturbing new study published in Nature Medicine has uncovered the devastating toll of sugar-sweetened beverages....

Read This

The Cancer-Fighting Superstar in Your Kitchen

Believe it or not, a health hero could be hiding in plain sight in your pantry right now. According to exciting new research, ordinary red onions are far more than just flavor boosters for your favorite soups, salads, and Mediterranean-inspired meals. Scientists uncovered evidence that this humble vegetable is packing some serious cancer-fighting power… The...

Read This