The right vitamins and minerals in the right quantities are vital to maintain good health
Getting enough vitamins and minerals is essential for a healthy body and mind. There are 13 vitamins and a number of minerals, including magnesium, sodium, and iron. Minerals and vitamins are essential nutrients that the body requires, in small amounts, to remain in good health. They are necessary for building strong bones and teeth, healthy cells, and turning consumed food into energy. They are found in a range of foods such as meat, cereals, bread, fish, milk and dairy foods, vegetables, fruit, especially dried fruit, and nuts. In the case of vitamin D, sunlight is the best way to obtain this nutrient.
There are many different types of vitamin B, including thiamin or vitamin B1, riboflavin or vitamin B2, niacin (vitamin B3) and folate and folic acid.
Vitamin B1 helps the body break down and release energy from food and helps to keep the nervous system healthy. This should be available from eating a varied and balanced diet. Vitamin B2 or riboflavin helps to keep skin, eyes and the nervous system healthy. As well as other vitamins, riboflavin can be found in everyday foods such as milk, eggs, mushrooms, and plain yoghurt.
A deficiency in vitamins can cause a number of health problems, including osteoporosis or anaemia, and it can be difficult to ensure that a healthy amount of vitamins and minerals is achieved. Fortunately, the local pharmacy is a great source of both advice and supplements to help customers to be at their best.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, one of the best known vitamins, has several important functions. It helps protect cells and keeps them healthy, and is necessary for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue. It also plays an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system.
As the body does not produce or store vitamin C, it is important to include the vitamin in a diet. Fortunately, vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, such as peppers, oranges, and kiwi fruit, as well as numerous trusted supplements.
Beeline Vitamin C 1000mg + Zinc Effervescent Tablets are an ideal way to replace vitamin C lost through colds and flu. Each tablet contains as much vitamin C as 20 freshly pressed oranges. Berocca Orange Effervescent Tablets are also available. Berocca tablets are full of vitamins and minerals, including B1, B2, B12, vitamin C and zinc.
Revive is another trusted range. Revive Active is a Super Supplement with 26 active ingredients including 11 vitamins, seven minerals, and six amino acids all in one daily sachet. Taken once a day, its ingredients include vitamins B6, B12, C and D , minerals, copper, zinc and selenium, as well as amino acids such as L-arginine, laurine, and citrulline and 150mg of CoEnzyme Q10. These ingredients are scientifically selected to support adults from 35 years of age as they progress in life. It supports energy levels, reduction in fatigue, and the immune and nervous systems. There is also a range of products from the Zooki range.
Bone health
As we grow older, maintaining bone health is one of the most important things a person can do. Given its importance in calcium absorption, a lack of vitamin D can have consequences for skeletal integrity at any stage of life, but it can have a very negative impact on bone development and growth in key life stages, such as childhood and adolescence. It can cause conditions such as rickets and osteoporosis and increase the risk of breaking a bone from a fall later in life. Protein is also very important in maintaining muscle, which is an intrinsic part of good bone health.
As we grow older, maintaining bone health is one of the most important things a person can do
One of the best known minerals, calcium is key to maintaining good bone health and general health. It has several important functions including building strong bones and teeth, regulating muscle contractions, and ensuring blood clots normally. It is obtained through a varied, balanced diet, and sources of calcium in food include milk, cheese and other dairy foods.
A lack of calcium could lead to rickets in children, while adults can develop osteomalacia or osteoporosis in later life. Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. In Ireland, it is estimated that 300,000 people suffer from osteoporosis and that one-in-four men and one-in-two women over 50 will develop a fracture due to the condition during their life.
Unfortunately, low levels of vitamin D were widespread in the general population in Ireland, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). One of the reasons for this is that Ireland experiences a ‘vitamin D winter’ that stretches from the end of October to late March.
“In fact, studies in Ireland show that vitamin D status plummets over this wintertime period. So, if people have a blood test to assess their vitamin D status in March, it will generally show a lower vitamin D status compared with having the same blood test in September,” it said. Furthermore, vitamin D is only naturally available in a few foods eaten in Ireland.
“Currently, 94 per cent of children, 94 per cent of teenagers and 90 per cent of adults on the island of Ireland have inadequate vitamin D intakes. Therefore, almost everybody in Ireland needs a supplement of vitamin D,” the FSAI continued.
Fortunately, there are a plethora of over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements available from respected brands.
Supplements
Centrum Advance is a daily multivitamin supplement packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin D and zinc to help support a person’s nutritional needs. Its high-quality ingredients are backed by over 40 years of nutritional science from Centrum. A complete daily multivitamin formulated with individual vitamins and minerals, including all essential vitamins, it helps to support daily energy release, normal immune function, and assist in the body’s metabolism of macronutrients. It is also high in vitamin D.
Some supplements contain ingredients that support a range of benefits. Absolut Gold Capsules boost immune support and energy levels with ingredients such as vitamin C, zinc, and tulasi, while providing nutritional balance and energy and vitality. They also help as an antioxidant, with ingredients like resveratrol, curcumin, astaxanthin, and green tea extract. Ingredients like lycopene, lutein, and vitamin E are also included to help support skin health and cellular function, and it is designed to help strengthen the immune system in high-risk people, such as those with metabolic diseases, the elderly, and people with poor nutritional intake.
Ingredients like lycopene, lutein, and vitamin E are also included to help support skin health and cellular function
Another proven product that helps boost the immune system is Citravite XT Tablets. This supplement is a special blend of blend of vitamin C, botanical extracts, essential minerals, and amino acids to boost general wellbeing, the immune system, and it also works as an antioxidant. It also help support skin and tissue health and is designed to meet everyday micronutrient needs. The handy chewable format makes these tablets easy to take for daily support.
For people with musculoskeletal disorders, metabolic diseases and pregnancy complications, MGD3 60K Capsules are an effective supplement to support bone strength, muscle function, and nutrient absorption. Many of these people suffer with vitamin D deficiency and this product also supports the immune system and overall metabolic balance. The tablets come in a convenient dual-tablet format with vitamin D and magnesium to help support absorption and efficacy.
Pharmaton is another trusted brand, with numerous brands, including Pharmaton Advance Fizz Multipack. It is high in vitamins A, C and D, which each help to support the normal function of the immune system.
Pharmaton Vitality 11 capsules are also available. These are a multivitamin, mineral and ginseng supplement. Each capsule contains standardised ginseng extract G115 with vitamins A, B group, C, D, E, nicotinamide, folic acid, biotin, and minerals iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. It helps relieve daily fatigue associated with a busy, hectic lifestyle, and ill-balanced or deficient nutrition. It contains ginseng G115, which works by enhancing mental and physical performance. Pharmaton Capsules are suitable for adult men and women, but not for children.
For kids, there is Pharmaton Kiddi. This contains a unique blend of vitamins and minerals with added L-lysine. Suitable for children of age three years-plus, it is specifically designed for children for stronger immunity and stronger bones. Another product is Pharmaton Immuno10, which is high in vitamin B-complex with added vitamin D.
Another well-known brand, Seven Seas, has a range of supplements to promote bone and joint care. This range supports an active lifestyle focusing on the health of a person’s bones, cartilage, muscles, and connective tissue. All these products start with omega-3 and glucosamine plus the addition of chondroitin, calcium and turmeric. One of these is Jointcare Supplex & Turmeric, which has been specifically formulated to support an active lifestyle. It supports cartilage, bones, muscles and connective tissue. One of the most famous supplements is Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil. It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and is also a reliable source of important nutrients including vitamin A and D.
In terms of effervescent tablets, there are Berocca Immuno Effervescent Tablets. These are packed with 11 vitamins and minerals, including high-strength vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B9, zinc, copper, iron and selenium, which help support the immune system. It also contains vitamins B6 and B12 to help support energy release and reduce tiredness and fatigue, as well as vitamin E, an antioxidant, to help protect cells from oxidative stress.
One tablet of Berocca Immuno is packed with 11 vitamins and minerals, including high-strength vitamin C and vitamin D, as well as vitamins B6 and B12 to support energy release. It contains the HSE recommended amount of vitamin D.
Caltrate 600+D3 Tablets provide a high level of vitamin D3 to help maximise calcium absorption and support healthy bones, joints and muscles. The advanced levels of vitamin D3 in Caltrate help maximise calcium absorption and maintain healthy bones. Another product is Solgar Vitamin D3 Tablets. This supplement may be beneficial for those at risk of deficiency, including people aged 65 and over or those who are not able to spend time outdoors.
Sona, another trusted brand, also provides supplements, including Sona D 1000. This provides vitamin D3, which is important for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, cell division, and normal muscle function.
Vitabiotics Osteocare is scientifically developed to complement a person’s dietary intake at any age. Based on the latest research, it is developed with an optimum level of vitamin D3. It provides 100 per cent of a person’s calcium, zinc and copper requirements. It also contains calcium and magnesium.
Nutri Advanced vitamin D3 supports a healthy immune system as well as healthy bones, muscles and teeth. It is designed to offer an easy way to supplement with vitamin D, which is important for our bones, muscles and teeth as well as our immune system.
