Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus
Immunity on-trend: Selenium and zinc’s time to shine
Founder of the Irish immunity and gut health focused supplement startup company Every Body Nutrition, Luke Teeling launched his company one year ago, just before the pandemic hit the UK.
His startup sells a range of ‘Foritified Immunity’ capsules including Vitamin D, C, Selenium, zinc, as well as a ‘complete defence’ drink sachet mix of all four ingredients.
The capsules offer a patented timing release which ensure the functional ingredients are released slowly over six to nine hours to help the body to absorb the full dose stated on the packaging.
While Teeling points out the timing of the launch was unplanned as he could not have foreseen the explosion in interest in immunity in 2020, the range has of course benefited from this trend and he expects that it won't only be Vitamins C and D that are in high demand in 2021.
“Of course the ingredients that is gaining the most attention in the press at the moment is Vitamin D and at the moment practically no-one mentions selenium or zinc but I feel that we will see these two ingredients become more prevalent as this year continues, especially with the vaccines being rolled out.
"I think people will become more aware of the ‘acquired’ or ‘adaptive’ immune system and the importance of selenium and zinc when it comes to vaccine success."
Teeling explains that our adaptive immune response is what provides the immune system with the ability to recognise and remember specific pathogens to generate immunity and mount stronger attacks each time the pathogen is encountered.
Selenium and zinc supplementation have been found to offer significant protection against colds and respiratory tract infections after vaccination.
Teeling adds: “Chronic Zinc deficiency can also lead to a consistently heightened immune response when there is no actual threat present which can reduce the immune systems’ effectiveness when an actual threat does present itself.”
The entrepreneur says many people’s diets may not provide enough of either of these essential minerals.
“Selenium is largely found in nuts, especially brazil nuts, while zinc is found in fish and meat. Many people either cut out these food groups or don’t consume enough of them, whether is be due to ethical reasons, taste, allergies, or the cost.
"Also, because our bodies don’t naturally produce zinc, it is important for us to obtain it through food or supplements. So I can see that these are two ingredients many people will benefit from supplementation.”
His range also includes a ‘Life Fibre’ powdered supplement providing prebiotic Organic Acacia Fibre Glutamine, plus seven other functional ingredients all targeting optimal digestive health, including: vitamin B6, magnesium, and niacin to provide the intestinal cells with energy to absorb nutrients and prevent the absorption of harmful substances, plus the magnesium helps counteract stress; Vitamin C for its anti-oxidant benefits; Glutamine, niacin (vitamin B3), and zinc for cell regeneration and Vitamin B6 to help break down toxic substances that can trigger inflammation.
