Clear. Measured. Considered.
Every capsule of Elderberry Zinc is built from five ingredients, each included at a specific, published amount. This page sets out exactly what goes into the formula, why each nutrient was chosen, how the amounts compare with UK Nutrient Reference Values, and where the raw materials come from. We have written it in plain language deliberately, because we think a food supplement should be as easy to understand as the label on a jar of jam.
1. The complete dosage table
The table below lists every active ingredient in a single capsule of Elderberry Zinc, the specific chemical or botanical form used, the amount per capsule, and the percentage of the UK Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) that amount represents where an NRV has been established. One capsule is the full daily dose; the formula has not been split across multiple capsules, so there is nothing to calculate and nothing to combine.
| Nutrient | Form | Per capsule | % NRV* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elderberry Extract | Sambucus nigra 10:1 | 400 mg | — |
| Zinc | Zinc picolinate | 15 mg | 150% |
| Vitamin C | Ascorbic acid | 500 mg | 625% |
| Vitamin D3 | Cholecalciferol | 20 µg | 400% |
| Selenium | Sodium selenite | 55 µg | 100% |
*NRV = Nutrient Reference Value as established by EU Regulation (EC) No 1169/2011 as retained in UK law. Daily dose = 1 capsule. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. This product is a food supplement, not a medicine. Nutrient function claims are made in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 as retained in UK law and refer to the individual nutrients listed, not to Elderberry Zinc as a whole.
2. Elderberry extract: what it is and why the ratio matters
The elderberry used in Elderberry Zinc is Sambucus nigra, the black elderberry native to much of Europe, supplied as a 10:1 extract. A 10:1 ratio means that, broadly speaking, ten units of raw dried berry were concentrated down to produce one unit of the finished extract, which is a common and transparent way for suppliers to describe extract strength. We specify the ratio on this page, and on the product packaging, because we think "elderberry extract" on its own tells you very little — the concentration is what actually determines how much berry material sits inside each capsule. Botanical extracts of this kind are not covered by the list of authorised nutrient function claims under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, so we describe elderberry factually, as an included ingredient, rather than attaching a health claim to it.
The elderberries themselves are sourced from established European growing regions with a long history of supplying the food and drink industry, and the raw material is tested by our supplier before extraction. We do not operate our own extraction facility; Talvena is a formulation and retail business, and we work with UK-based contract manufacturers who hold the relevant food safety certifications for supplement production.
3. Zinc picolinate: the chosen form and the amount
Zinc is included as zinc picolinate, one of several zinc salts commonly used in food supplements. We selected picolinate over less expensive alternatives such as zinc oxide because picolinate is generally considered easier for the digestive system to absorb, although individual absorption varies from person to person and depends on overall diet. Each capsule provides 15 mg of elemental zinc, equivalent to 150% of the UK Nutrient Reference Value. Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system and contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress — both are authorised nutrient function claims under retained EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, and both apply specifically to zinc as a nutrient rather than to the Elderberry Zinc formula as a combined product.
- Zinc is one of several trace minerals the body cannot produce on its own and must obtain from diet or supplementation.
- The 15 mg included here sits above the 100% NRV baseline but remains within the safe upper levels commonly referenced for adult daily intake.
- Zinc picolinate is a stable, low-odour salt that is straightforward to encapsulate alongside the other ingredients in this formula.
4. Vitamin C: dose, form and rationale
Vitamin C is included as ascorbic acid at 500 mg per capsule, equivalent to 625% of the UK NRV. This is a higher dose than many multivitamins provide, reflecting the formula's focus on seasonal immune support rather than baseline nutritional adequacy alone. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system, contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin — three separate authorised claims, each specific to vitamin C as a nutrient. Ascorbic acid is the most extensively studied and most widely used form of vitamin C in the global supplement industry, chosen here for its stability during capsule manufacture and its long shelf life under normal storage conditions.
5. Vitamin D3 and selenium: the supporting nutrients
Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is dosed at 20 micrograms per capsule (400% NRV) and contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamin D is notable in the UK context because Public Health England has long advised that many adults receive insufficient sunlight exposure, particularly between October and March, to maintain adequate levels through diet and skin synthesis alone; a daily supplement is one of the more straightforward ways to address that gap. Selenium is included as sodium selenite at 55 micrograms per capsule (100% NRV) and contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress and to the normal function of the immune system. Selenium is a trace mineral required only in small quantities, and 100% NRV was chosen deliberately as a conservative, food-equivalent level rather than a high-dose approach.
6. The capsule shell and excipients
Elderberry Zinc is encapsulated in an HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) shell, a plant-derived capsule material that does not contain gelatine, making the product suitable for vegetarians. The capsule shell itself contains no active ingredients and is designed simply to hold the powdered blend together until it is swallowed. Beyond the five listed nutrients and the capsule shell, the formula contains only the minimal excipients — such as a small quantity of anti-caking agent — needed to keep the powder blend free-flowing during the encapsulation process on manufacturing equipment. No added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or artificial colourings are used in this product.
7. Allergens and dietary considerations
| Consideration | Position |
|---|---|
| Gluten | Not an intentional ingredient; manufactured on lines that follow standard allergen-control procedures |
| Gelatine | Not present; capsule shell is HPMC, a plant-derived material |
| Dairy | Not an intentional ingredient |
| Suitable for vegetarians | Yes |
| Suitable for vegans | The formula itself contains no animal-derived ingredients, though we recommend checking with a healthcare professional regarding any personal dietary requirement |
If you have a diagnosed allergy or intolerance, please read the full ingredient list on the product packaging before use, since manufacturing sites can occasionally process multiple products and formulations change over time.
8. How this formula compares with a typical single-nutrient tablet
Many supplements on the UK market focus on a single nutrient, such as a standalone vitamin C tablet or a standalone zinc tablet. Elderberry Zinc was formulated instead as a combined seasonal routine, on the basis that immune-related nutrients are frequently recommended together rather than in isolation. Combining them into one capsule does not change how each nutrient functions individually, but it does mean fewer capsules to remember and a single, consistent daily habit rather than several separate ones.
"I used to take three different tablets each morning and kept forgetting the zinc. Having it all in one capsule made the habit much easier to keep." — feedback shared by a customer describing their experience of switching to a combined formula, included here to illustrate a common reason people choose combination supplements rather than as a claim about health outcomes.
9. Manufacturing standards and testing
Elderberry Zinc is manufactured in the United Kingdom at a facility operating to recognised food safety management standards. Each production batch is assigned a batch number, printed on the pack, which allows any query about a specific batch to be traced back through our manufacturing records. Raw materials are checked against supplier specifications before use, and finished batches undergo quality checks before release for sale. We do not describe this testing using medical or health language, because Elderberry Zinc is a food supplement and is tested against food safety and quality standards rather than medical-grade ones.
10. Storage and shelf life
- Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from direct sunlight.
- Keep the cap tightly closed between uses to protect the capsules from humidity.
- Keep out of reach of children at all times.
- Check the best-before date printed on the base of the pack before use.
- Do not use the product after the best-before date has passed.
Full guidance on daily use, including timing and who should seek advice before taking this product, is set out on our How to Use page.
11. Where the disclaimer language comes from
You will notice the same short disclaimer repeated near any dosage or nutrient information across this website. That repetition is intentional: UK food law requires that nutrient function claims are attributed to the specific nutrient responsible and are not implied to apply to a multi-ingredient product as a whole, and it requires that percentage NRV figures are clearly labelled as such. Rather than varying the wording from page to page, we use one consistent form throughout so that the same statement always means the same thing wherever you see it on talvena.world.
12. Questions we are frequently asked about the formula
Common questions include whether the ingredients can be taken alongside prescription medication, whether the capsule can be opened and the powder taken separately, and whether the formula changes between batches. In short: anyone taking prescription medication, who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or who has an existing medical condition should consult their GP or a qualified healthcare professional before taking any new food supplement, including this one. The capsule is designed to be swallowed whole with water. The formula and its exact per-capsule amounts do not change between batches; if we ever revised the recipe, we would update this page and the product packaging at the same time.
A fuller set of questions and answers, covering ordering and delivery as well as the product itself, is available on our FAQ page.
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