I’m now 41 years old and I’ve noticed quite a few things that have changed over the past few years. Some aches and pains seem to hang around uninvited for a few days longer. My eyes can also feel tired and heavy towards the end of a day.

My plans this year are like all my previous ones, they’ll be centered around a regular gym routine and healthy home-made meals.

Amy received several cook books from Santa and we’ve already had a blast in the kitchen making some of the meals. One other thing I’m going to focus on this year is making sure I’m taking on the recommended level of vitamins and minerals.

This can be done using only food but combined with a busy lifestyle, it can sometimes be challenging. I therefore believe a fail safe option is now best for me, like a safety net.

This is where multi-vitamins come in and I’m delighted to be teaming up with Solgar for this post. Solgar is the result of over 70 years of commitment to quality and when it comes to quality, Solgar is the gold standard. To find out more about Solgar, click here.

One of the other reasons you may turn to supplements is if you are deficient in a certain type of vitamin. Some common symptoms include:

• Hair loss / brittle hair and nails
• Mouth ulcers or cracks in the corners of the mouth – I’ve personally had an issue with cracks in the corners of my mouth. I remember the issue well as it was stopping me eating food, as it was so painful
• Bleeding gums
• Poor night vision
• Scaly patches and dandruff

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are two of the main types of nutrients that your body needs to survive and stay healthy. Vitamins help your body grow and have different jobs.

Reina Marino, MD a physician at Jefferson Health’s Marcus Institute of Integrative Health says:

People who are undernourished or have vitamin deficiencies may be more susceptible to contracting infections.

The immune system is a complex collection of cells and proteins that defends your body against infection. The immune system is exactly that, a system. To function well, it requires harmony and balance. Over wintertime, our bodies can be more susceptible to bugs and viruses, so we should all be focusing on how to maintain a healthy immune system.

As a qualified personal trainer, I know how important it is to get regular exercise but I also did extensive research into nutrition and what roles each one has. I’m now going to explain some of the main ones in more detail.

Vitamin A

Helps your body’s natural defence against illness and infection. Also helps vision in dim light and keeps skin and the lining of some parts of the body healthy. Good sources of vitamin A include: cheese, eggs and oily fish.

Vitamin C

Helps to protect cells and keep them healthy. Also helps maintain healthy skin, bones and wound healing. Good sources of vitamin C include: citrus fruit, peppers and broccoli. Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, so you need it in your diet every day.

Vitamin C is one of the biggest immune system boosters of all. The Solgar Ester-C is a high strength formula and delivers a gentler, more easily digested form of vitamin C. This in turn has a positive effect on the levels of vitamin C retention in the body’s immune cells, giving you superior immune support.

Vitamin D

Helps to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Good sources of vitamin D include: oily fish, red meat and egg yolks. It’s important to take vitamin D as you may have been indoors more than usual during the pandemic!

Solgar Vitamin D3 delivers vitamin D in the form that is easiest to use by the body. Labelled the “sunshine vitamin,” it works particularly for immune and bone health.

Vitamin E

Helps maintain healthy skin and eyes. Also strengthens the body’s natural defence against illness and infection. Good sources of vitamin E include: plant oils, nuts and seeds.

Vitamin K

Is a group of vitamins that the body needs for blood clotting, helping wounds to heal. Good sources of vitamin K include: green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils and cereal grains.

B Vitamins

There are many different types of B vitamins. It’s probably best for me to point you straight to the NHS website so if you’d like to know more about B vitamins and folic acid, please click here.

Calcium

Has several important functions! These include: helping build strong bones and teeth, regulating muscle contractions, including your heartbeat and also making sure blood clots normally. A lack of calcium could lead to a condition called rickets in children, and osteoporosis in later life. Good sources of calcium include: milk, cheese and other dairy foods.

Iron

Important in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Good sources of iron include: red meat, beans, and dried fruit.

Thanks for reading this post. I hope you found it useful and has helped you towards identifying your own vitamin needs. If you are considering a multi-vitamin like me or you’re deficient in a certain type, I’d look no further than Solgar. When it comes to quality, Solgar is the gold standard!

Wishing you all the best for the year ahead.

* Disclaimer: This was a collaborative post with Solgar. All words and opinions are my own.