Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins and minerals are nutrients which are food in foods. They are essential for our bodies to grow and function properly. Eating a varied and balanced diet helps ensure we get all the vitamins and minerals we need to keep us healthy.

If you are unable to eat a varied diet then it can be helpful to take a multivitamin supplement. These are readily available to buy over the counter from pharmacies or most supermarkets.

Intravenous (IV) vitamin infusions are becoming increasingly popular in the media. This is where a vitamin, or sometimes other nutrients, are given directly into the blood stream. They are promoted to improve health and wellbeing. Unless you are deficient in a particular nutrient, however, there is limited evidence that these provide any benefit. There are some associated risks such as infection and blood clots. There is also a risk of toxicity, particularly if you have an underlying medical condition. If you are considering a vitamin infusion make sure you speak to a doctor to ensure it is the right decision for you.