Important: these vitamins work together (synergy)

Synergy (Greek: synergia, cooperation) is a concept that describes a process in which the combination of parts yields more than the sum of the parts.

Which vitamins work together?

Vitamins work together in your body. Nutrient synergy between vitamins has the great advantage of having an enhancing effect. The right combinations help reduce the need for large quantities of a single nutrient. Moreover, it helps to perform all bodily processes as efficiently and with as little energy as possible. In essence, developing dietary supplements is not that different from cooking. What you need is a good recipe! And that takes into account all the benefits that synergy can offer. The most effective dietary supplements therefore contain very specific combinations of nutrients.

In essence, developing dietary supplements is not that different from cooking. What you need is a good recipe!

A great example is a multivitamin. This always contains a vitamin B complex. The B vitamins have various functions individually, but together, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, and B12 have the important task of extracting energy from food.

A multivitamin contains more synergies. The combination of vitamin B2, copper, and iron illustrates a nice 1+1=3 rule. Here's how it works: Vitamin B2 or riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal red blood cells. Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body, and iron is important for the formation of haemoglobin (your red blood cells are filled with haemoglobin). Haemoglobin is needed for oxygen transport in your blood. Through this cooperation, your entire body is optimally supplied with oxygen-rich blood.

Below are 5 examples of how vitamins and minerals work together in the body

Magnesium and vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 helps transport magnesium into your body cells, thereby improving the function of this mineral. Other synergists of magnesium include calcium, phosphorus, vitamins C and D.

Ester-C: This non-acidic form of vitamin C contains not only calcium-bound vitamin C but also threonic acid. Threonic acid enhances the absorption and utilisation of vitamin C in your body.

Vitamin C and iron: Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron from food. So ensure you have some vitamin C when eating foods rich in iron. For example, steak with bell peppers. The amount of iron your body absorbs can then be two to three times greater.

Herbal preparations: In addition to an extract of a known active ingredient, they usually also contain the herb in its raw form, ground into a powder. This powder contains various unknown substances that support and enhance the effect of the known substance.

Collagen and vitamin C: Collagen determines the structure of your skin. If the collagen fibres are firm, you will see this in your skin. Vitamin C plays a role at the cellular level in the production of these fibres and supports and enhances the function of collagen.

Author: Sanne van Rijt