FAQ
Ingredients & Quality
What goes into KOSI products?
The KOSI team works by a basic principle: the simpler, the better. It guides us as we choose ingredients and formulas for our supplements. The wellness industry is saturated with unnatural fillers, but we know nothing can replace the elements found in fruits, veggies, and meats. In short, pure vitamins and minerals are in KOSI products. We use vitamin-rich foods as the building blocks for each product to ensure our customers balance their diets naturally, rather than taking synthetic (and pointless) additives.
There are so many wellness brands out there. Why KOSI?
Our team has been taking supplements for years, but it took actually becoming producers and researchers of vitamins and minerals to realize that wellness doesn’t have to be expensive. We’ll be the first to admit it: the most reliable, quality supplement products contain similar ingredients. After all, a vitamin is a vitamin. But we know natural, clean components don’t need to break the bank. We believe well-being is for everyone, so KOSI champions quality and affordability.
How do you produce your supplements?
All KOSI Wellness products are produced in facilities certified by WHO Good Manufacturing Practices standards in each manufacturing process area.
Our facilities use top-of-the-line machinery, and a mix of linear material movement and separate man and material movement processes to ensure all our products are as traceable and clean as we say they are.
How do you ensure your products are clean and traceable?
KOSI believes quality is the core foundation of our supplements. Our comprehensive quality systems ensure that we meet the standards implemented in our facilities’ processes and materials.
To achieve this, every material, process, procedure and activity is standardized, validated & documented by our Quality Assurance and Quality Control departments, the heart of KOSI’s operations.
Are KOSI vitamins vegan and vegetarian-friendly?
We ensure that all our products are vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, non-GMO, yeast free, and have no artificial colours or flavours. Often, people with dietary restrictions find it challenging to get enough vitamins and minerals naturally and are more likely to experience deficiencies. We offer solutions for everyone, regardless of diet habits or limitations.
Taking KOSI Wellness Products
What supplements should I be taking?
We get most of our vitamins and minerals from healthy foods such as meats, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. But sometimes, it’s hard to maintain a healthy diet. Many people need a little help ensuring balance; some are more at risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies than others.
Dietary restrictions: If you are vegan, vegetarian, or dairy intolerant, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics warns about vitamin B12 deficiency, a nutrient found in dairy, meat, and egg products that are essential to brain and nervous system function as well as the formation of red blood cells. People on a plant-based diet also need to be more conscious of their iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin D intake.
Young children: Kids generally do not naturally get enough vitamin D or iron. Talk to your healthcare provider about giving your child a vitamin or mineral supplement to maintain healthy body function.
Over 50 years old: As you age, the body absorbs less vitamin D, B12, and calcium. Vitamin D is required to retain calcium properly, so we suggest that older adults take both in tandem.
We recommend talking to your healthcare practitioner before starting a new wellness routine. Check out our blog for more detailed information on vitamin and mineral benefits.
What if I take more than the recommended dose? Can taking vitamins be dangerous?
A common misconception about vitamins and minerals is that taking more than the recommended amount will bolster their benefits. However, you should not exceed recommended doses. Almost all supplement packages come with a “usage” label (or equivalent) which provides safe guidelines on how and when to take them. You don’t have to worry about ‘overdoing it’ when combining a supplement with vitamin or mineral-rich foods. KOSI supplements, like most others, use “buffer” quantities of medical ingredients, and it is nearly impossible to over-consume vitamins through un-fortified foods. But, surpassing the recommended supplement intake while eating high quantities of fortified foods, for instance, could result in nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and other side effects, depending on the vitamin.
What's the difference between a vitamin and a mineral?
Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that support health and play a vital role in regulating normal bodily functions. Since they are not produced by the body naturally, we need to get them (in relatively small quantities) from healthy foods and supplements.
Vitamins: Organic compounds made from animals or plants that can be broken down naturally. Typically, vitamins are categorized as either water-soluble (vitamin Bs & C) or fat-soluble (vitamin A, E, D, & K). Water soluble vitamins are easily absorbed in the body, and excess amounts are removed naturally. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed in the body using high-fat foods, such as olive oil. Since vitamins are organic, they can be broken down and rendered ineffective through processes like cooking (in the case of water-soluble vitamins). When that happens, it is crucial to supplement your vitamin intake to reach the recommended amount.
Minerals: Inorganic compounds found in soil and water that are absorbed by plants or consumed by animals. While people need a significantly lower quantity of minerals than vitamins, calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium are critical to energy production, developing strong bones, and controlling other internal processes.
I'm taking other medications. Can I still take vitamins?
Most likely, yes. But you should always talk to a healthcare practitioner before doing so. There can be dangers associated with combining vitamins or minerals with over-the-counter medications (OTC). Certain supplements change absorption rates in the body, so you could potentially get too much or too little of your OTC medication. Or, there could be minor or dangerous chemical interactions between supplements and medications that may result in adverse effects. For example, Warfarin (a prescription blood thinner), aspirin, and vitamin E are all blood thinners. Taken together, they could increase the risk of internal bleeding or stroke. For these reasons, we strongly recommend consulting a healthcare practitioner before mixing supplements with medications.
When should I take vitamins?
Multi-Vitamins: can be taken at any point throughout the day, but taking them in the morning optimizes absorption rates. Since KOSI’s multi contains fat-soluble vitamins (A, E) and minerals that absorb better when combined with fat, it is best to take them with a snack or meal to boost benefits and avoid an upset stomach.
Vitamin B: is water-soluble, so it will absorb in the body with or without food. Some research suggests that vitamin B can affect sleep when taken in the afternoon, so it is best to take it right when you wake up. Likewise, most people take vitamin B in the morning to maximize energy-boosting benefits.
Vitamin D: is fat-soluble, meaning it’s best to pair it with a full meal and fatty foods, such as whole fat milk, nuts, avocado, and olive oil. Since most foods we consume are not vitamin D-rich, getting enough in our system is challenging. For that reason, vitamin D is one of the most common deficiencies. But, supplementing is an easy and efficient way to avoid potential health problems.
Calcium: Timing is important when taking calcium, but it depends on what type your supplement contains. You can take it on an empty stomach if it has calcium citrate. At KOSI, we use calcium carbonate, which supports healthy bones, muscles, nervous system, and heart health. Supplements containing calcium carbonate require stomach acid for proper absorption, so you should take it with a snack or a full meal.
Do I need to refrigerate vitamins?
While it’s best to store your vitamins in a cool place, you also want to keep them dry. Moisture in the refrigerator can decrease the potency of your vitamins and supplements. The same goes for the medicine cabinet in your bathroom, a space that is routinely exposed to steam and humidity. Instead, keep them in a kitchen cabinet, ideally far away from the stove and oven.
Getting Your Supplements
Where can I buy KOSI products?
You can order KOSI products from our website or on Amazon. We will also be available in pharmacies and other retail stores beginning soon.
Can I return a product after it’s open?
Yes, if you are experiencing a problem with the product or have not broken the seal, returns can be processed within 30 days of the original purchase date.
My order hasn’t arrived yet, what should I do?
If your shipment is running late, send us an email at info@kosiwellness.com, and we will do our best to expedite the shipment and provide you with an update.
Do you ship outside of Canada?
Currently, we do not ship outside of Canada, but we plan to expand in the near future!