A new MyUpLift public petition by Health Stores Ireland, “Save Our Supplements,” is calling on Irish public representatives to scrutinise proposed EU regulations that campaigners argue could significantly reduce the permitted strength of many vitamin and mineral supplements currently available in Ireland. The campaign highlights concerns about potential restrictions on products such as Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Vitamin B6, and the impact this could have on consumer choice and access.
At Mad in Ireland, we are interested in conversations that challenge narrow biomedical approaches to health and wellbeing and that recognise people’s right to make informed choices about how they support their own health. While views on supplementation differ, questions about autonomy, access, prevention, and the role of communities in supporting wellbeing deserve public discussion.
For Mad in Ireland readers, this conversation connects with an earlier article on nutrient therapy and mental distress, nutrient-therapy-and-mental-distress-nourishing-wellbeing/. The article highlighted the experiences of people who found value in nutritional approaches that sat outside mainstream psychiatric frameworks. The article emphasised the importance of hope, choice, and access to practitioners willing to explore broader understandings of distress and wellbeing.
The petition organisers argue that proposed EU maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals could reduce the availability of higher-strength supplements currently used by many people in Ireland. They are calling on TDs, Senators and MEPs to engage with the issue before any changes are implemented.
Those wishing to learn more or support the campaign can view the petition here:
It is known and yet not promoted well enough that our nutritional health is vital for our mood. Magnesium, omega 3, vitamin d, zinc, and the b vitamins in particular b12 are helpful for our mood.
The supplements industry/ ‘wellness’ industry has an agenda in promoting this pushback. It is a very profitable industry. Medical professional influencers too jump on this promoting their astronomically expensive supplements, which is unethical. Own brand options in chemists, low cost health food stores, and supermarkets are as effective and cheaper than expensive Irish brands.
Some supplements are sold at too high a strength. The strength of some doses can effect one’s organs and lead to simply expensive urine.
The EU regulation has a benefit as the vitamins and minerals it is targeting at the high doses have serious effects. The vitamins and minerals will still be available.
Supplements are meant to be a supplement. With everything we need to question both the EU initiative and the push back against it.
I’d welcome if this industry push back caused GPs to take nutritional health more seriously.
If a blood test does show low levels of vitamin d, then a GP can prescribe higher dose for a period of time and then one can continue with the standard maintenance dose.
Also, psychiatric hospitals need to have better nutritious meals and snacks. More fruit and vegetables, plant based protein and a bit less pushing of the processed cheap biscuits throughout the day. Is it really care that every service solely puts out biscuits, why not also lay out nuts, rice cakes, and fruit etc?