Page 44 - RPA May 2020

42 VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS FROM PAGE 40
She adds that, due to the specific, individualised needs of children,
rather than a general multivitamin, “they’ll usually require specific nutrient supplements”, depending on “a range of factors such as the age of the child, their dietary intake and whether or not they have a deficiency”.
An area where plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular is among endurance and weightlifting athletes, according to Accredited Practising Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist Christie Johnson of SportsDietitian.com.
“I think nine out of 10 athletes I’ve
seen in the past three months have said they’re trying to eat more plants and less meat, for various reasons like health, ethics and the environment,” she said.
According to Ms Johnson, athletes on a plant-based diet should consider five key nutrients.
“Apart from overall energy and protein, which is essential for recovery from sport and exercise to facilitate a lot of fundamental processes, we then need to consider vitamin B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids,” she said. “Vegetarian and vegan [athletes] should be taking a blue-green algae supplement to meet their requirements.”
Ms Johnson adds that regular routine blood tests are important for athletes on a plant-based diet, as they may not be aware “of what nutrients and foods they need to be having”, which may increase their “risk of developing deficiencies like iron, zinc and vitamin B12, because they break down red blood cells quicker and their bodies are under a state of stress more often and for longer periods of time, which impacts iron metabolism”.
“Similarly, if athletes don’t eat dairy or calcium and vitamin D fortified foods ... they may experience more bone stress, injuries, fractures and breaks, or develop osteopenia or osteoporosis earlier,”
she said.
Mr Webster says a complexity arises,
though, when it comes to stocking supplements such as vitamin B12 that
are suitable for, in particular, vegans
– complexities that pharmacists and pharmacy assistants need to be mindful of.
“There’s a number of issues around vitamin B12,” he said. “The first thing is the source of the B12. For somebody that doesn’t have any animal products, their sources of B12 ... you know, they need to be really mindful of that.
“There are some [product] ranges that guarantee they’re vegan or vegetarian, but you pay a high premium for those products, because those companies
have taken huge steps to ensure minimal or no contamination.”
Ultimately ...
While the VMS space is “very complex” and can be “very confusing for the consumer” due to “misinformation on
all sides”, Mr Webster says that if a retail pharmacy wants to include supplements, “then go do it”.
Although education and professional development are important, he
adds that overthinking can lead to “analysis paralysis”.
Mr Webster advises that instead of focusing on what you don’t know, pharmacists and pharmacy assistants should look at an area they already know something about – that they are passionate about and have a basic knowledge of and start there.
Reference:
1. Roy Morgan, 2019. ‘Rise in vegetarianism not halting the march of obesity’. Article no. 7944: www. roymorgan.com/findings/7944-vegetarianism-in-2018- april-2018-201904120608 [accessed 24/1/20].
RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2020
For more information, visit: youtube.com/watch?v=DMfAR-fUyus or visit the journal club: nutritionplus.com.au/health-care- professionals/