Text by Jo Ward
Why should you take vitamins? You should get all the vitamins and minerals you need by eating a healthy, balanced diet, but vitamin and mineral supplements can be extremely helpful in filling nutritional gaps in your diet, and there is evidence that some supplements can benefit your overall well-being.
There are vitamins that will benefit all age groups, so if you want to keep your family healthy, take a look at some suggestions from Holland & Barrett
Children
From fetus to breastfeeding, toddler to adolescence and beyond, omega-3s are critical for growth, brain development and can even influence behavior.
Omega-3s are fatty acids, which are vital components of your and your child's cell membranes. Taking omega-3s can help children with concentration, may improve brain function, improve mood, help their immune system, may reduce asthma symptoms and help with sleep problems.
Try Holland and Barrett Kids Omega-3 Chewable Capsules chewable capsules, which have a delicious black currant flavor suitable for your little ones ages 3+ and up. These chewable capsules contain omega-3 with vitamins A, C, D and E, and help support brain, heart and vision health. Alternatively, Holland and Barrett Multivitamins and Omega-3s - Gummies are juicy, chewy soft chews with Omega-3 and vitamins D, A, B6, B12, E and C.
Vegan
If you are already vegetarian or flexitarian, there may be one question that keeps you from going vegan: will I get enough vitamins and minerals? Having a vegan diet has many health benefits, including being low in saturated fat, lower in sugar and having higher levels of antioxidants. However, excluding certain food groups can cause deficiencies in certain nutrients and minerals.
Nutrients you may be short on include: protein; zinc; vitamin B12; iron; vitamin d; calcium; omega-3; selenium; iodine. For non-vegans, most of these nutrients come from meat, fish and dairy products, so as a vegan, it is important to find alternatives to meet your needs.
Holland & Barrett ABC to Z Vegan Multivitamins has been specially formulated to support a vegan lifestyle. The enhanced formulation provides all the essential vitamins and minerals, including additional vitamin B12, as it is an essential vitamin that cannot be obtained from a vegan diet.
Vitamin D
Regardless of the season, a daily dose of vitamin D is always important to stay healthy. Vitamin D's main job is to regulate our calcium and phosphate levels, which keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A vitamin D deficiency can cause some people to develop bone deformities, so it's natural to want to replenish.
Take one tablet a day of Holland & Barrett Vitamin D3 contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, muscle function and the immune system.
Iron supplements
Iron isn't just good for you. As the mineral responsible for healthy blood production, it is essential for your basic bodily functions. How much iron do you need? The average adult male (ages 19 to 50) generally needs 8.7 mg of iron per day. For women in the same age range, the recommended daily intake is 14.8 mg and for women over 50 the recommended level is 8.7 mg per day. It is not always possible to maintain healthy iron levels simply by following an iron-rich diet. Sometimes our bodies need a boost and that is where iron supplements can be valuable. They can help particularly if an iron deficiency is something you need to manage.
Holland Vegan Capsules & Barrett Iron capsules offer the benefits of iron while being gentle on the stomach, or try Spatone Natural Liquid Iron Supplement which comes in convenient once-a-day sachets filled with the flavor of juicy, ripe apples to make iron supplementation not only easy but tasty, too.
Immune system
One of the best ways to support your natural immunity is to nourish your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive (the ones your body cannot produce on its own). It's worth noting that you need a dose of some water-soluble vitamins and minerals every day, as your body can't store them, e.g., you can't eat 20 oranges one day or take a load of vitamin C pills and be covered for a few weeks; you need vitamin C every day. Holland & Barrett Elderberry Immune Gummies with Vitamin C and Zinc (containing 2,400mg of black elderberry) supports normal immune system function.
Advisory information:
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication or under medical supervision, consult a doctor or health care professional and always read the label before use.
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