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The power of nature
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does Biover use extracts instead of plant powders and which impact does this have on quality?
- Are vitamin and mineral supplements really necessary?
- Is it possible to combine the use of more than one supplement?
- Can nutritional supplements be combined with more traditional medicines?
- Can Biover products be used by children?
- What is the optimum vitamin A intake during pregnancy?
- Can Biover products be used during pregnancy and breast-feeding?
- Why do some products advise that excessive use can result in a laxative effect?
- Are Biover products gluten free?
- Do Biover herbal infusions contain any theine or caffeine?
- What do all those strange substances in the list of ingredients of Biover products stand for?
- What types of fish are used for the production of fish oil (EPA omega 3)?
- What’s a standardised plant extract?
- What’s a tincture?
- What’s a phytoplex?
- What are essential fatty acids?
- What’s a 100% natural essential oil?
- How to use essential oils (safely)?
- Can essential oils and bath oils be used in a sauna, bubble baths (Jacuzzis) and steam cabins?
There is a qualitative difference between a powder and an extract.
A plant powder is made by first drying a plant and then grinding the dried plant. Plants contain a relatively large amount of structural substances (which give the plant its shape). Because the production of a powder does not involve operations which concentrate active substances, a plant powder will always contain low concentrations of active substances.
Vitamins and minerals are essential foodstuffs which our bodies are unable to produce for themselves. They must be obtained via the food that we eat and they are indispensable for the proper development of the bodily organism. Although a vitamin deficiency can have a negative influence on general health, it is also important to note that high doses of certain vitamins (e.g. A, E, D, K) and minerals (e.g. selenium) can have a harmful effect. It is therefore vital to take these vitamins and minerals in the right quantities.
As a general rule, we do not advise the simultaneous use of more than three products at any one time. Try to leave a pause of at least an hour between the ingestion of the different preparations.
It is advisable to inform your doctor of the supplements you are taking, even if they are only vitamins. Just as certain foodstuffs can have an effect on some medicines (e.g. grapefruit juice on heart medicines), so it is also possible for vitamins, minerals and plants to have a similar effect. For most supplements, however, there is no problem. An exception to this rule is St John’s wort. If you are using one of the medicines listed below and if you have been using St John’s wort for some time, DO NOT STOP your use of the St John’s wort before first consulting with your doctor.
The products which are suitable for use from a specific age (18 months, 3, 6 or 12 years) are marked by a pictogram.
During pregnancy the body has an increased need for vitamins and minerals. As vitamin A plays an essential role in the growth and development of the embryo, it is very important for pregnant women to take the right dosage. However, excessive or insufficient intake of vitamin A can be harmful to the embryo. To avoid excessive intake it is recommended to avoid eating liver and liver products (cod liver oil!) throughout pregnancy. To reach the daily requirement of 800 μg/day it is important for pregnant women to eat lots of vegetables like red peppers, carrots, spinach and beans.
For pregnant women, the following general rule applies: only use products after consultation with your doctor. For many plants and essential oils, the effect on the unborn foetus is still unknown. For this reason, it is best not to take any unnecessary risks. Consequently, most of our products carry the pictogram
The packaging always clearly states 'Not to be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding'.
This notification is legally required for any product which contains more than 10% sorbitol, glycerol or any other product of a similar type. This does not, however, mean that you will automatically experience a laxative effect if you take more than the recommended dose.
If the products of Biover contain allergens, this must always be stated on the packaging in compliance with the European legislation. Therefore, if there is no information about gluten-containing cereals on the packaging (list of ingredients) of our products this means they do not contain any and you may therefore be certain there is no real risk of an allergic reaction.
Biover herbal infusions combine great taste with good health. All the infusions are biological and contain no added aromas, flavourings or preservatives.
If you are sensitive to the stimulating effect of caffeine, you should first check whether or not the relevant infusion contains green tea (Camellia sinensis). This plant, whose active ingredient includes caffeine, helps neutralise free radicals and supports a good cholesterol level. Within the range of Biover infusions only four references contain green tea: Beautiful skin, Cholesterol, Green tea and iSlim.
The list of ingredients on the packaging of dietary supplements must comply with both the European and Belgian legislation. All the ingredients used must be stated on the list of ingredients. You can rest assured that the relevant product does not contain any other ‘hidden, unnatural additions’ that are not mentioned on the list. The list of ingredients not only lists all the ingredients; the constituents are also ordered in decreasing sequence of the weights in which they are used in the product.
Several different types of ‘fatty’ fish (such as salmon and herring) are used for the production of EPA omega 3. The oils used are made from the flesh of the fish and not from the liver. The different oils are mixed with each other to provide a constant level and a constant ratio of EPA and DHA.
Residues in fish oil
The fish oils used in Biover products comply with the standards set down by the relevant legislation.
In contrast with ordinary plant powders, standardised plant extracts contain specific quantities of active ingredients. In order to manufacture a supplement based on plants, it is not sufficient to simply grind down just any part of the plant.
How are standardised plant extracts obtained?
Tinctures are concentrated hydro-alcoholic plant extracts which contain very high levels of active ingredients.
How are tinctures obtained?
Biover phytoplexes contain mother tinctures and gemmo-extracts. Mother tinctures are hydro-alcoholic plant extracts (see ‘What’s a tincture?’). Gemmo-extracts are concentrated macerations made from the fresh buds and young shoots of plants and trees. A gemmo-extract is obtained by macerating buds and young shoots in a mixture of glycerine, alcohol and possibly water.
Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats, together with glycerol. Fat is formed by combining glycerol with three fatty acids. Fats are an important part of our diet. Fatty acids are crucial for the normal functioning of our body. Fatty acids are important as a source of energy (fuel for the body), component elements in cell membranes ans stimulators for many other beneficial substances which ensure the good functioning of cells and tissue.
Fatty acids that are not produced by the human body are called essential fatty acids.
A 100% natural essential oil is:
- not chemically treated in any way
- unadulterated (i.e. not mixed with other essential oils)
- not diluted
- not rectified (i.e. not altered to conform to a standard chemical composition by means of additives or re-distillation)
- not ‘deterpenated’ (i.e. no component elements have been removed)
In contrast with synthetic or artificial oils, 100% natural essential oils don’t lose their therapeutic and healing qualities.
The use of essential oils is not new. Essential oils are easy to use and are a source of pleasure and wellbeing. Since ancient times, essential oils have been used because of their beneficial effect on both body and mind. Essential oils have several powerful qualities. They can offer calm, relaxation and harmony, but they can also stimulate and invigorate. In aromatherapy, these powerful and naturally pure essential oils are absorbed into the body by inhalation or via the skin, allowing them to restore a harmonious balance between body, mind and emotions.
- You can certainly use Biover essential oils for diffusion in the sauna. However, as a general rule you must never use excessive dosages of essential oils as they are 100% pure and highly concentrated. Essential oils must always be diluted in water, you must never pour them directly onto the fire. Use no more than 10 drops of essential oil per bucket of water.
- In general, the use of strongly oiled products (e.g. bath oils) in bubble baths is not recommended.