Vitamins & Supplements

What are vitamins and mineral supplements?

Vitamins and minerals are essential to ensure our bodies remain healthy, they contribute to functions such as maintaining a strong immune system, energy-yielding metabolism and the nervous system. We are usually able to gain a daily intake of them through food sources but can sometimes struggle to get all that we need.

With research showing that in 2018, only 28% of adults ate their recommended portion of fruit and vegetables every day, it is more important than ever to find other ways to replenish these vitamins and minerals. That is where vitamin and mineral supplements come in.

These supplements can come in three different forms, tablets, powder or liquid. They can be formulated with a number of different vitamins and minerals, with the most popular being vitamin C, B6, D and zinc.

Should I be taking a vitamin and mineral supplement?

There are many reasons why you many need to seek additional vitamins and minerals. Some individuals prefer to take supplements for the peace of mind that if they are not getting all the nourishment they need from their diet, they are still covered but there are some other special circumstances too.

Certain individuals have an increased need to take daily supplements. They are:

• People who are recovering from a recent injury or illness
• People who are pregnant, have just given birth or are pregnant
• Individuals who have certain dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan or low-carb
• Older people over 50 (this is especially true in regard to vitamin D)
• Infants who are breastfed

What are the benefits?

It is well-known that vitamins and minerals are important aspects in our diet, but what exactly do they help with? Here are a few of the benefits of taking vitamin and mineral supplements.

There are 13 essential vitamins that our bodies need to remain as healthy as possible. They are used within numerous vital processes so that means we need to replenish them daily in order for these processes to keep running adequately.

Here are just a few benefits of vitamins and minerals:

Builds and repairs proteins

Specific vitamins and minerals (B6, B12 and folic acid) help to metabolise amino acids. This is so important because amino acids are often referred to as the ‘building blocks’ of protein and play a role in almost every single part of your body. They are involved in the forming of muscles, maintaining tissue strength and healing any damage.

Forms collagen

Vitamin C is vital in the creation of collagen around the body. Collagen is essential in repairing wounds, forming a base for healthy teeth and gums, and creating strong walls for blood vessels.

Prevents diseases

Often referred to as ‘micronutrients’ because you only need a small amount, vitamins and minerals pack a powerful punch. Even though your body only needs a tiny dosage, without them you could be prone to a number of different diseases.

Some of these include scurvy, rickets and visual impairment.

Produces and releases energy

One of main responsibilities of vitamins and minerals is contributing to the process of metabolising energy. The key players in this are biotin, niacin, thiamin and riboflavin.

What vitamin and mineral supplements do Drugscope stock?

Drugscope stocks a vast range of different vitamin and mineral supplements that can help you in different ways. Take a look at just a small selection of our offerings.

Acai Immuno Defence – This supplement has the main ingredient of acai berries which are a powerful source of antioxidants. It also contains zinc, biotin and vitamin B6 that help to prevent diseases and support your overall well being.

Ashwagandha Botanical Complex – This formula supports your body’s ability to manage physical and mental stress. It is packed with vitamins such as B3, B5, B6 and B12.

Cherrybeet – This supplement is made up of a unique blend of cherry and beetroot that aims to help boost your energy levels. Vitamin B6 is great for contributing to a healthy brain, reducing fatigue and releasing energy from food.

Happy Flex Combination – Containing vitamin C, this formula looks to support your bones and collagen to offer long-term vibrancy.

Vitamin and mineral FAQ

What are the 13 essential vitamins?

The 13 essential vitamins are A, C, D, E, K along with B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12. your body needs all of these vitamins in order to function optimally. Most of these you can derive from a diet that is high in vegetables and fruits, but when you are not able to do so there are supplements.

What do vitamins and minerals do?

When working together, vitamins and minerals contribute to many bodily functions. Just a few of their responsibilities are:

• Supporting your immune system
• Repairing muscles and bones
• Forming collagen
• Healing wounds
• Being a part of energy-yielding metabolism

What is the difference between vitamins and minerals?

There is a simple difference between vitamins and minerals in that vitamins are organic and minerals are inorganic. This means that while you can find vitamins in plants and animals, minerals are inorganic substances and come from soil or land.

The way our bodies use them is different too as differing minerals and vitamins are needed for separate processes.

Are all vitamins and minerals vegetarian/vegan?

Not all vitamins and minerals are suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Vitamin A, D3 and B12 often come from animal sources such as egg yolk or fish-liver oil.

Drugscope has a range of vitamin supplements that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans such as Acai Immuno Defence, NaturaC and Advanced Immunity Spectrum.

What foods contain vitamins and minerals?

Through eating a balanced diet, you are able to get the vitamins and minerals you need, but you need to ensure you have the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables.

There are two types of vitamins, water-soluble and fat-soluble. You need to eat different types of food in order to derive both types of vitamins.

Here are some foods you can eat to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need:

• Animal fats
• Cereals
• Milk and other dairy-rich foods
• Liver
• Oily fish
• Fruit and vegetables
• Grains
• Vegetable oils
• Meat

If this does not seem possible for you and your lifestyle, then you can always take additional supplements to ensure you are still able to feel the benefits of them.