In conversation with founder Laura from L-Complex
Regular kombucha consumption can help you compensate for various nutrient deficiencies and, thanks to the many probiotic kombucha cultures and beneficial acids, keep your intestinal environment in balance.
Should you have an explicit deficiency of a certain nutrient, it is recommended to take a dietary supplement in addition to specifically replenish your stores.
In the jungle of many dietary supplements, Laura stands out with her young startup L-COMPLEX. Her preparations are made exclusively from natural ingredients, are 100% tested for purity, and are largely vegan. In an interview, Laura reveals interesting facts about nutrients and why little stress, a healthy gut, and a balanced microbiome are so important for a healthy body!
"Food is no longer as nutrient-rich as it used to be. Furthermore, our digitized and fast-paced society lives with an entirely abnormal stress level that prevents our bodies from properly absorbing and storing nutrients."
1. Please briefly introduce yourself and L-COMPLEX. Why the name and how did you come up with the idea to found L-COMPLEX?
I'm Laura and I founded L-COMPLEX at the beginning of 2019 alongside my then job at a Berlin startup. I have always been interested in healthy eating. I only found my way to dietary supplements after a long health struggle. My realization: We live in a world full of new stressors that make healthy eating, enough exercise, and sufficient relaxation difficult. Chronic ailments such as migraines, intolerances, or fatigue are now part of everyday life for most people. But we can actively do something about it! I want to help people better understand their bodies and help them achieve more joy and health in life through a holistic approach. The right dietary supplements are the most important first step.
2. Dietary supplements are trending: What distinguishes your products from others?
The dietary supplement market is very intransparent and now flooded with products and various promises of healing. However, most products contain many synthetic and animal ingredients and additives that the body does not need and can even burden it. The products are barely tested for purity, so they can be contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxins. Our products are all based on natural ingredients, are 100% tested for purity, and are largely vegan. We produce in Germany according to the highest EU guidelines, for short delivery routes and full control over the supply chain and quality. Instead of plastic, we use recycled glass as packaging. We strive to work and produce as CO2-neutral as possible. Our formulations are specially created together with our biochemists. We exclusively use ingredients that are scientifically proven to have a function/benefit in the body without burdening it. Through our experts, we can also react quickly to new research results.
3. Why do so many people in a developed society like ours need additional supplements?
Shouldn't a conscious diet be enough to provide the body with the necessary nutrients? One would think so. Unfortunately, our developed society is precisely the problem: our soils are completely overstressed by agriculture, the earth can no longer properly recover. The result: food is no longer as nutrient-rich as it used to be. Furthermore, our digitized and fast-paced society lives with an entirely abnormal stress level that prevents our bodies from properly absorbing and storing nutrients. One has to imagine it like this: In the past, we ran away from lions, and for that, all other organs, including our digestion, were shut down so that we could survive. Today, we have a high pulse due to the various media we consume daily, as well as daily professional, family, and leisure stress. At the same time, we sleep even less, and targeted relaxation phases are neglected. The result is the same. Hardly anyone today achieves the necessary nutrient intake to remain healthy in the long term. This is clearly reflected, among other things, in the increase in chronic physical and mental illnesses. And let's be honest? Who feels 100% today? Hardly anyone! Optimized nutrient intake helps with this.
4. On your blog, you write that "emotional stress and anxieties are more prevalent than before and that these can significantly impair health in the long run." How can your dietary supplements help with that?
The psyche and our physical well-being are closely linked and behave symbiotically. A weak psyche influences nutrient absorption and the immune system, just as diet and the immune system also influence the psyche. Those who suffer from stress and anxieties should focus on nutrients that support the immune system and normal psychological function. Since our nutrient absorption mainly takes place in the gut and 70% of our immune system is located in the gut, we always recommend, as a first step, gut restoration by taking our Active Cultures. Additionally, Vitamin B Complex is recommended. B vitamins are involved in almost every metabolic process in the body and not only boost immune defense (B6, B12) but also have a direct influence on the psyche (B1) and nervous system (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B12).
5. Do you have a tip on how best to support your immune system during the cold season?
If you aren't already, you should definitely supplement with Vitamin D in winter. Vitamin D is absorbed exclusively through sunlight and cannot be produced by the body itself. It is therefore not surprising that up to 90% of Germans have a deficiency. Good to know: Vitamin D is actually a hormone and therefore also has an indirect influence on, for example, other hormones such as serotonin or our reproductive hormones. Women in particular should pay attention to a good level here. Additional antioxidants like Vitamin C and Zinc support our immune defense against pathogens, which are particularly prevalent in winter. Otherwise, we recommend paying attention to sufficient intake of green vegetables, as these contain many valuable nutrients and are often neglected in winter.
6. In your opinion, how important are the microbiome and a healthy gut for nutrient absorption?
As previously mentioned, the microbiome is incredibly important. Nutrient absorption mainly takes place in the small intestine and can only function if our gut is in balance. It is therefore worthwhile to invest in a healthy intestinal environment, for example, through the right diet and additional nutrients that keep our gut flora in balance.
7. As Kombucha lovers, we are particularly excited about L-Complex's Active Cultures. Tell us more about them. How valuable do you consider probiotic bacterial cultures in nutrition?
A balanced gut flora is the be-all and end-all for our general well-being. That's why it's worth actively doing something for our gut health. Our Active Cultures contain 14 of the most important bacterial strains and 10.65 billion germs, which are essential for a good intestinal environment. Especially when we feel bloated, have digestive difficulties, or even suffer from intolerances, this is usually a sign that we don't have enough good gut bacteria. Our intestinal wall may already be permeable and susceptible to pathogens ("Leaky Gut"). At this point, probiotics like our Active Cultures can help and replenish the good bacteria in the gut. It's also generally worthwhile to integrate probiotic foods into your diet to additionally support our gut with good bacteria daily. Particularly recommended are: Kimchi, yogurt, kombucha, miso, tofu, and sauerkraut.
8. Please give us a little outlook into the future, what else do you have planned on your journey with L-COMPLEX?
With L-COMPLEX, I want to create a place where I empower customers to actively take charge of their own health. Through the right tips and products, I want to help people develop routines that lay the foundation for a long and fulfilling life – despite stress. I am aiming for a holistic approach that goes far beyond micronutrients. So, many exciting projects await you next year.
With the voucher code: LCOMPLEX10 you get 10% off at https://l-complex.com.
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