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Good nutrition is vital to being healthy. Even if you think you have a healthy diet, you may well be missing out on some vital vitamins and minerals.
EyesWe have one pair of eyes to last our lifetime, so it's vital to look after them.
Studies show that eating lutein, an antioxidant found in all dark green, leafy vegetables, can help maintain healthy eyes.
As well as lutein, Vitamin A also helps keep eyes healthy. It's vital for visual adaptation to darkness.
Why do you need lutein?
Lutein is a natural pigment, which deposits itself in the retina where it provides protection for our eyes from harmful blue light, the most damaging light in the colour spectrum. There is evidence from more that 115 clinical trials and studies suggesting it may benefit the eyes.
Are you getting enough lutein?
Lutein cannot be made by our bodies and so we are dependant on our diet for it.
Recent research shows that only one in five people in the UK are aware of lutein. Yet just knowing about lutein is not enough. Lutein is only found in certain foods and without them your diet could be lacking. The list of lutein-rich foods, which is led by kale and spinach, also includes broccoli, peas, brussel sprouts, sweetcorn, green beans and egg yolk.
Blood is pumped around the body by the heart via a network of blood vessels that range in size.
Sufficient intake of Vitamin B12, folic acid and iron is essential to help maintain healthy blood cells. Calcium may also have a role in regulating blood pressure.
Why do you need vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is essential to help maintain the health of blood, nerves and other cells.
Are you getting enough vitamin B12?
B vitamins can't be stored in the body so you need to keep them topped up. Most people need 1µg daily of vitamin B12 to stay healthy. This equates to 2oz of beef or pork or one egg every day.
Since Vitamin B12 is not found in plant foods unless fortified (as in breakfast cereals), vegetarians and vegans are likely to benefit from supplementation.
Good food sources of Vitamin B12 include liver, kidneys, venison, lean beef, lamb, salmon, cod, milk, cheese, eggs and yeast extract.
The heart is a powerful muscle that pumps the body's blood supply (about five litres/8.8 pints) around the entire body once a minute.
Folic acid, combined with other B vitamins, helps to reduce high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid. This reduction may help maintain a healthy heart.
Are you getting enough folic acid?
Most people need 200µg daily, which can be obtained from 8oz of spinach or brussel sprouts to help maintain good health.
Folic acid is found in varying amounts in broccoli, brussel sprouts, beans, yeast extract, wholegrain cereals, oranges and green leafy vegetables.
Centrum Cardio also contains Plant Sterols which are scientifically proven to help maintain a healthy cholesterol and a healthy heart.
To get the necessary dietry intake of plant sterols one would need to consume huge amounts of vegetables daily, however with Centrum Cardio you can get the plant sterols from just 2 tablets once a day.
Vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, iron, copper, zinc and selenium can all help to maintain a healthy immune system.
Vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants can neutralise potentially harmful free radical molecules that are generated in our bodies by sunlight, pollution and smoking.
Why do you need vitamin C?
Vitamin C helps the immune system work properly and is essential for wound healing. It's also needed for healthy skin, and for the formation of bones, teeth and capillaries (small blood vessels) and can aid the absorption of iron from plant foods like spinach.
Are you getting enough vitamin C?
Most people need 60mg of vitamin C daily to help maintain good health. This equates to half a large orange or a small portion of broccoli every day.
Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, kiwis, strawberries, potatoes, tomatoes, blackcurrants, broccoli and peppers.
This website can help you understand how to make sure that your diet meets all your body's nutritional needs.
As we go through life there are periods when our bodies require additional amounts of particular nutrients. For example, girls can lack iron as they start to have periods; people over 65 years old may need more vitamin D. Taking a multivitamin supplement can help to see us through these times and keep our bodies healthy.
