Evidence-based information about vitamins and supplements
In a digital landscape where supplement information can be confusing and marketing claims are often stronger than the evidence behind them, iVitamin was created to provide clear, practical and evidence-based information about vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements.
iVitamin is a pharmacist-led educational website, clinically informed by professional experience in pharmacy and NHS primary care.
Our aim is simple: to help readers understand what the evidence actually shows, where uncertainty remains, and what safety considerations are worth knowing before using a supplement.
iVitamin is not a pharmacy, GP practice or clinical consultation service. We do not provide personalised diagnosis, treatment or prescribing through this website.
Meet the Clinical Pharmacist Behind iVitamin
Sohaib Ahmed, MPharm | Clinical Pharmacist | Independent Prescriber
GPhC Registration Number: 221931
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I am a UK-registered Clinical Pharmacist with over eight years of experience across pharmacy and primary care. My professional experience includes community pharmacy and my current role within NHS General Practice,.
I am also a qualified Independent Prescriber and work within my professional scope of competence.
Wthin NHS General Practice, I work as part of a multidisciplinary team supporting medicines optimisation, medication safety and the effective use of medicines.
My role includes conducting medication reviews, supporting appropriate monitoring, identifying potentially problematic or unnecessary medicines, and considering deprescribing where clinically appropriate.
I also contribute to the management and optimisation of long-term conditions, including cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and undertake medication reviews involving higher-risk medicines where appropriate.
A significant part of my work involves reviewing prescribing, identifying potential medication-related risks, supporting safe and cost-effective prescribing, and ensuring that relevant monitoring and safety requirements are addressed.
I also contribute to medicines reconciliation following hospital discharge and support the safe implementation and monitoring of treatment recommendations where appropriate.
My clinical background informs the way I approach iVitamin. However, iVitamin is an educational resource rather than a clinical service. The purpose of the website is to explain evidence, safety considerations and the practical context around supplementation, rather than provide individual medical advice.
How I Approach Supplement Information
My approach is straightforward: look at what the evidence actually shows, explain it in practical terms, and be clear when the evidence is limited or uncertain.
When reviewing vitamins, minerals and other supplement ingredients, I consider several factors.
Evidence
I look at relevant clinical research and reliable sources of information rather than relying solely on manufacturer claims or marketing material.
Safety
Where appropriate, I consider established safety information, recognised guidance and factors that may affect whether a supplement is suitable for particular groups.
Dosage
Where doses are discussed, I distinguish between the amount contained in a product, recommended nutrient intakes, recognised upper levels where applicable, and doses used in research.
Interactions
Some supplements can interact with medicines or affect how medicines are absorbed or processed. Where relevant, I consider the available evidence concerning potential drug–nutrient interactions.
If you have any medical conditions, take prescription medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting any supplement.
Quality of evidence
Not every supplement claim has the same level of supporting evidence. Laboratory studies, observational research and clinical trials provide different levels of evidence, and I aim to make those distinctions clear rather than presenting preliminary findings as established fact.
The goal is not to make every supplement sound beneficial. If evidence is weak, inconsistent or does not support a commonly repeated claim, iVitamin should say so.
Clinical Experience in Primary Care
My work within NHS General Practice has given me experience of medicines optimisation and the management of patients taking multiple medicines for long-term conditions.
Clinical practice also involves considering information such as renal and liver function when assessing medicines and their safety. These considerations can be relevant to supplements too, because certain health conditions and medicines can affect how substances are absorbed, metabolised or eliminated.
This is one reason iVitamin aims to highlight situations where readers should speak to a GP or pharmacist before starting a supplement rather than assuming that a product is automatically safe because it is available without a prescription.
This information explains general principles only. It should not be used for individual diagnosis, treatment or medication decisions.
Our Editorial Approach
iVitamin aims to prioritise reliable information over supplement trends.
Where appropriate, articles may draw on:
- UK clinical and government guidance
- NHS information
- Medicines and healthcare regulatory information
- The British National Formulary (BNF)
- Peer-reviewed scientific research
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- Established nutritional reference information
- Relevant safety and regulatory information
Sources are selected according to their relevance and reliability. Where evidence is limited or conflicting, this should be reflected in the article rather than presenting a definitive conclusion where one cannot reasonably be made.
Our content is written primarily for a UK audience, taking account of UK guidance and regulatory requirements where these are relevant.
Ownership, Affiliates and Product Relationships
iVitamin is a trading name of Vitaness Ltd, which also operates the Vitaness supplement brand.
We disclose this relationship because it may be relevant when iVitamin publishes educational or product-related content concerning ingredients or supplement categories in which Vitaness products are also sold.
Where an article discusses a product, ingredient or category that directly relates to or competes with a Vitaness-branded product, the relationship will be disclosed where relevant.
The ownership relationship does not mean that products are automatically recommended or endorsed by iVitamin. Product-related content should distinguish between evidence about an ingredient and claims made by a particular manufacturer or retailer. Where evidence is weak, a product is poorly formulated, or a claim is not adequately supported, this should be made clear regardless of the brand involved.
Some pages on iVitamin may also contain affiliate links, including links to retailers such as Amazon. If a reader purchases a product through an affiliate link, iVitamin may receive a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
Affiliate relationships and product ownership are disclosed so that readers can take these factors into account when evaluating our content.
A product being featured on iVitamin should not be interpreted as a personalised recommendation or an indication that it is suitable for every reader.
About Vitaness Ltd
iVitamin is a trading name of Vitaness Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales.
Company number: 16716541
Registered office:
60 Tottenham Court Road, Suite 6580a
Fitzrovia
London
United Kingdom
W1T 2EW
For general enquiries, please use our Contact Us page.
Important Information
iVitamin provides general educational and informational content about vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements.
The information on this website does not constitute personalised medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or prescribing and should not be used as a substitute for advice from your GP, pharmacist or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, have kidney or liver problems, or take prescription or other medicines, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional before starting a new supplement where you are unsure about its suitability.
Never stop or change prescribed medication because of information you have read on iVitamin.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Read our full Medical Disclaimer →
Editorial Review
Content on iVitamin is clinically informed and editorially reviewed by Sohaib Ahmed, MPharm, GPhC-registered Clinical Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber.
Editorial review is intended to support the accuracy, clarity and safety of educational content. It does not create a pharmacist–patient relationship or turn website content into a personal medical consultation.
Individual articles should state when they were last reviewed or updated where appropriate.
About page last reviewed: 20 August 2026
