Beyond the Plastic Bottle: Zero-Waste Vegan Supplements

If you take a supplement, here are some good brands in sustainable packaging. Also read of NHS tips for good health.

Check with your GP before supplements if on medication (or if pregnant/nursing). Keep them away from children and pets, and recycle unused supplements/medicines at pharmacies (never flush them down the loo).

Together Health Women’s Multi is specifically formulated to improve women’s health, with higher levels of iron, biotin, chromium and copper. Packed with 22 essential nutrients.

The capsules are made from plant cellulose from the Pinus Elliottii tree, and can be separated and the contents mixed with food or drink if preferred.

The supplements are sold in easy to recycle pouches that are plastic-free and contain a protective film made from wood pulp. All layers are home compostible.

Subscribe online for big savings, and get double rewards cash on orders, you can pause or cancel anytime.

It contains:

• Vitamins B6 and B12 for energy release
• Iron for formation of red blood cells
• Vitamin B6 to regulate hormonal activity
• Zinc for immunity

Together Health Men’s Multivitamin (in eco packs)

Together Health Men’s Multivitamin has been formulated by experts to provide complete nutrients alongside powerful natural food compounds. It includes higher levels of B vitamins, zinc and selenium. Altogether there are 22 essential nutrients.

It includes:

• Vitamins B1 and B6 for energy
• Magnesium and iron to reduce fatigue
• Vitamin D for immunity
• Vitamins B9 and B12 for red blood cell formation
• Zinc for normal testerone levels in blood

Vegums Vegan Multivitamins (including for children)

Vegums vegan multivitamins are by a brand founded by two pharmacists, and sold as easy-to-chew flavoured gummy sweets, to get your nutrition. Also in a child’s version (age 3 to 11 – after 12 take the adult version). They are sold in tins with compostable refill pouches.

These multivitamins contain six nutrients that vegans actually need, for energy, mood and immunity. Sold in a delicious strawberry flavour. Each pack contains:

• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D3
• Folic acid
• Vitamin B6
• Iodine
• Selenium

Also in sugar-free versions

The sugar-free version (also for children) is in a raspberry flavour.

Whereas the main versions are sweetened with glucose syrup, these are sweetened with maltitol syrup (this is still a carb not recommended for diabetics and could cause tummy issues and laxative in some people, but unlikely at these doses unless for very sensitive stomachs – check with your GP before use if unsure).

Dr.Vegan Men’s Promulti Supplement

Dr.Vegan Men’s Promulti is a quality supplement, the first order is sold in a refillable metal tin. You then just order refills in eco-friendly pouches after that, to save on waste and save money. Subscribe online for big savings, once you have the first order with the tin.

The supplement is formulated by nutritional experts, and includes 31 active ingredients to support overall good health for men.

Check with GP before taking supplements if on medication. Keep supplements away from children and pets and recycle unused ones at pharmacies (never flush down the loo).

What does this supplement help?

• Brain and cognitive function (brain fog!)
• Prostate & testosterone support
• Energy, immunity and mood
• Gut health (has 5 billion live cultures)
• Stronger hair, skin and nails

When to expect improvements

• In 1 month (better gut health, energy and brain health)
• In 2 months (better mental performance, stronger hair/skin/nails)
• In 3 months (healthier testosterone, circulation, mood & sleep)
• In 4 months (balanced hormones, healthier prostate)

Dr.Vegan Women’s Promulti is a quality supplement, the first order is sold in a refillable metal tin. You then just order refills in eco-friendly pouches after that, to save on waste and save money. Subscribe online for big savings, once you have the first order with the tin.

Powered by 29 active ingredients and supported by over 500 peer-reviewed clinical trials.

• Brain and cognitive function (brain fog!)
• Hormone regulation & better mood
• Energy, immunity and mood
• Gut health (has 5 billion live cultures)
• Stronger hair, skin and nails

When to expect improvements

• In 2 weeks (better energy and daily recovery)
• In 1 month (better immunity, mood, focus, digestion)
• In 2 months (healthy hormones, better sleep, improved hair, skin & nails)
• In 3 months (better heart health and overall wellbeing)

Dr.Vegan Multi Vitamin is a quality supplement, the first order is sold in a refillable metal tin. You then just order refills in eco-friendly pouches after that, to save on waste and save money. Subscribe online for big savings, once you have the first order with the tin.

Powered by 29 active ingredients and supported by over 500 peer-reviewed clinical trials, just take 2 capsules per day (morning or evening, with or without food – take at least 20 minutes before or after hot food or drink).

98% of people find this supplement effective for good overall health, including immunity and better mood. It contains 26 essential nutrients at optimal doses. To help everything from sleep and metabolism, to hair, skin and nails.

Take 2 capsules daily, with or without food, ideally in the morning. Do not exceed recommended dose.

When to expect improvements

• 1 month (better energy and focus)
• 2 months (stronger hair/skin/nails, better immunity)
• 3 months (better mood, immunity, sleep, metabolism & digestion)

Dr.Vegan (multivitamin supplement for children)

Dr.Vegan Kids Promulti is a quality supplement, the first order is sold in a refillable metal tin. You then just order refills in eco-friendly pouches after that, to save on waste and save money. Subscribe online for big savings, once you have the first order with the tin.

Designed to help overall health, these tiny capsules support bone, teeth and muscles, healthy immunity and good cognitive and brain development. Contain 25 active ingredients and 2 billion CFU live cultures.

These capsules can be opened and sprinkled into food or drink. How many to take depends on age (from 3 to 14, see site for details). Do not exceed recommended dose.

When to expect improvements

• 2 to 3 weeks (reduced fatigue due to live cultures)
• 1 month (better mood and focus at school)
• 2 months (better immunity – fewer sniffles!)
• 3 months (better digestion)
• 4 months (better mood and resilience during growth spurts)

Feel Multivitamin Supplement (in sustainable pack)

Feel multivitamin is a quality supplement of 32 premium ingredients with 100 distinct health benefits, and up to 3 times better absorption than regular multivitamins. Backed by over 120 nutrition experts and 500 clinical papers. And results in 90 days.

Use discount code WELCOME_20 for 20% off first subscription order (not for bundles nor combined with other discount codes). 

• Month 1 – B vitamins are absorbed within hours, so expect more energy and focus.
• Month 2 – Continued energy and less brain fog, plus selenium, zincand biotin lead to better hair, skin and nails.
• Month 3 – ccontinued improvements including better immunity
• 1 year and after – optimal nutritional status with noticeable differences in hair, skin and nails. There are also vitamins for bone and muscle health, heart health and red blood formulatino and hormone balance.

The Sunshine Vitamin: Plant-Based D3

Together Health Vitamin D3 is ideal for people who don’t get out in the sun, during winter months and people who don’t benefit from sunshine on their skin to a sensible level (for instance, people in care homes and women who cover their faces for religious reasons).

Many people are low in vitamin D due to not being outside or eating animal products. But don’t take more than the recommended dose, as this can cause vomiting or kidney stones. Always check with your doctor before taking supplements if on medication (or pregnant/nursing).

Why choose vegan vitamin D3?

This supplement is not made from lanolin (sheep fat) but instead dfrom sustainably-harvested D3 in the better-absorbed version than D2, in a base of coconut oil. This is one of the only plant-based sources of the body’s preferred biologically active form of vitamin D (cholecalciferol).

Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluable vitamin, so our bodies absorb it more easily with fat. Hence why it’s in a base of coconut oil.

Nothing Fishy is a brand of plant-based vitamin d3, sold in glass jars with compostable refills. For best results, take two soft gel capsules per day, and store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

Use code ENGNF15 for 15% off first purchase.

Inspiration from Abroad: Futurekind Vegan Supplements

Futurekind is an inspirational supplement company that could give many big supplement companies a run for their money, in how they operate.

Not only is everything vegan and in sustainable packaging, but a portion of all sales help animal sanctuaries worldwide. You can earn Kind Coins to redeem against orders, or donate them to help animal sanctuaries.

Always check with doctor before taking supplements if pregnant/nursing or on medication.

And the staff all work remotely, so people from many countries work for this company, without having to commute to an office, offering a better life-work balance.

You can’t order this brand from the UK, but if you’re visiting from over the pond, you can!

Founded by two Aussie nutritionists, the range includes:

• Essential vegan multivitamin
• Vegan collagen beauty booster
• Probiotic gummies for tummy relief
• Vegan omega 3 (fish-free)
• Sleep Aid supplements

Join the transparent label campaign

The transparent label campaign is a worldwide petition to ask governments to mandate clear labels on supplements, to show if they contain animal ingredients. Many contain ‘hidden’ ingredients like gelatine (animal bones), fish, collagen, creatine and magnesium stearate, which collectively kills billions of creatures).

The campaign is run by Terraseed, a fantastic nutritional supplement company in Colorado, USA which offers vegan supplements for adults and children.

It says that wording is often deliberating misleading, as it does not want consumers to know the ingredients that are put in most supplements, to make more profits (factory-farmed animals are cheaper to them, than quality alternatives).

Many supplements in our health stores contain ingredients you would not take, if you knew what they were. For instance, krill supplements are from the food that whales and other marine creatures rely on. And all campaigners say they should not be sold (Holland and Barratt have stopped their sale, but Boots have not).

Sign the petition online, and if it changes the US law, then hopefully the same will happen elsewhere.

Terraseed (USA) is a fab supplement brand from Colorado, offering vitamins for adults and children, sold in plastic-free packs. The founder (a runner) has created a brand endorsed by medical doctors to nurse practitioners.

The pill bottle is made from cellulose and fully biodegradable. The refill pouches are made from paper, the stickers are made from paper, and the inks are non-toxic.

Some pots include plantable seed paper. Be sure to avoid planting this near pets, as some wildflowers are not safe near animal friends. Gift it to a pet-free home or volunteers planting wildflowers for pollinators!

The adult multivitamin delivers a high-quality combination of nutrients for health and energy. It provides 10 essential vitamins and minerals (including potent levels of vitamins B12 and D3) along with iron and omega 3 fatty acids.

All the ingredients are sustainably-sourced (the vitamin D3 is from algae within a controlled environment) and the omega acids are from sustainably-grown hemp. The iodine is from kelp from a controlled environment in Nova Scotia, Canada.

You can subscribe online for regular deliveries, just recycle the packaging after use.

Terraseed Multivitamin for kids

The multivitamin for kids has been formulated by doctors and scientists. In a cherry-orange flavour, it contains 18 essential nutrients to support growth and development, including high doses of omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins B12 and D3. The gummies are ideal for older children, and are low in sugar.