Genetic Nutrition Laboratories Base Powder Electrolyte 250g

Potassium and electrolytes

Potassium, sodium and other electrolytes regulate fluid balance, nerve signalling and muscle contraction.

Calcium

Calcium is the main mineral of bones and teeth and is needed for muscle and nerve function. EFSA based its adult reference values on calcium balance studies¹.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of enzyme reactions, including energy metabolism, muscle contraction and nerve function².

EFSA set adequate intakes of 350 mg a day for men and 300 mg a day for women, from all sources³. Supplements supply magnesium bound to different partners, such as oxide, citrate or glycinate. Labels should state the amount of elemental magnesium, which is lower than the weight of the compound.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace element for enzymes, immune function and protein synthesis. EFSA set population reference intakes of 9.4–16.3 mg a day for men and 7.5–12.7 mg a day for women, depending on dietary phytate⁴.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Vitamin D is made in the skin in sunlight and is found in a few foods. It is needed for calcium absorption and bone health. EFSA set an adequate intake of 15 µg (600 IU) a day for adults⁵. 1 µg equals 40 IU.

Potassium and electrolytes

Authorised EU claims include that potassium contributes to normal muscle function and the maintenance of normal blood pressure⁶.

Calcium

Authorised EU claims include that calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth and contributes to normal muscle function⁶.

Magnesium

Authorised EU claims include that magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue, to normal muscle function and to normal functioning of the nervous system, for foods that are a source of magnesium⁶.

For exercise performance, a review found that supplementation may help people with low magnesium status or older adults, but found no clear benefit in people who already have enough magnesium⁷.

Zinc

Authorised EU claims include that zinc contributes to normal immune function, normal fertility and reproduction, and the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood⁶. These claims do not mean that extra zinc raises testosterone in people with adequate zinc.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Authorised EU claims include that vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, muscle function and immune function⁶.

In the large VITAL trial, 2000 IU (50 µg) a day of vitamin D3 did not lower the incidence of invasive cancer or major cardiovascular events compared with placebo⁸. A meta-analysis found that vitamin D supplements did not prevent fractures or falls, or have clinically meaningful effects on bone density⁹.

Potassium and electrolytes

Electrolyte supplements are mainly relevant for prolonged exercise in the heat or large sweat losses.

Calcium

Benefits beyond adequate intake are not established.

Magnesium

Many studies on magnesium and health are observational or involve people with low magnesium status, so their findings do not show that extra magnesium helps people who are not deficient⁷².

Zinc

Effects beyond correcting low zinc status are not established.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Benefits are clearest for correcting deficiency. Trials in people with adequate vitamin D status show little benefit for bone, cancer or heart outcomes⁸⁹.

• Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
• Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
• Keep out of the reach of young children.

Potassium and electrolytes

People with kidney disease, or taking blood-pressure medicines that raise potassium (such as ACE inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics), should not take potassium supplements without medical advice.

Calcium

The EU Scientific Committee on Food set an upper level of 2500 mg a day from all sources¹⁰.

Magnesium

The EU Scientific Committee on Food set a tolerable upper intake level of 250 mg a day for magnesium from supplements and fortified foods (readily dissociable salts and compounds such as magnesium oxide), based on mild, reversible diarrhoea as the most sensitive effect. Magnesium in normal food is not included¹⁰.

People with impaired kidney function can accumulate magnesium and should only supplement under medical advice. Magnesium can reduce the absorption of some antibiotics and osteoporosis medicines, so separate them by several hours or ask a pharmacist².

Zinc

The EU Scientific Committee on Food set a tolerable upper intake level of 25 mg a day for adults; long-term excess can cause copper deficiency¹⁰.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

EFSA set a tolerable upper intake level of 100 µg (4000 IU) a day for adults, based on persistent hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine) as an early sign of excess vitamin D¹¹. Long-term intakes above this level can raise blood calcium and harm the kidneys. High-dose products should only be used on medical advice.

Sold as a food supplement. No health claims are made for this product.

Potassium and electrolytes

It is a permitted nutrient in EU food supplements¹²; authorised claims may only be used in their approved wording⁶.

Calcium

It is a permitted nutrient in EU food supplements¹²; authorised claims may only be used in their approved wording⁶.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a permitted mineral in EU food supplements¹². Authorised claims may only be used in their approved wording⁶.

Zinc

It is a permitted nutrient in EU food supplements¹²; authorised claims may only be used in their approved wording and when the product is at least a source of the nutrient⁶.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

It is a permitted nutrient in EU food supplements¹²; authorised claims may only be used in their approved wording and when the product is at least a source of the nutrient⁶.