Vitamins
Vitamin A
Why?
It's needed for growth and development and essential for normal vision. It also helps to keep skin healthy and protect linings of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs.
Found in:
Red, orange or yellow veg like carrots and tomatoes, leafy green vegetables and fruits like apricots and peaches, egg yolk, liver and fatty fish.
Vitamin C
Why?
It's needed for growth and maintenance of healthy bones, teeth, gums, ligaments and blood vessels. It is also important as it helps the healing of wounds.
Found in:
Fresh fruit especially citrus fruit, tomatoes, spinach, potatoes and broccoli.
Other info:
Taking high doses of vitamin C has been claimed to reduce your chances of catching the common cold. However taking too much vitamin C can also be harmful. For further information contact your doctor.
Vitamin D
Why?
Maintains blood levels of calcium, also essential for bones and teeth.
Found in:
Fatty fish, such as pilchards, sardines, mackerel and tuna and egg yolk and butter.
Vitamin E
Why?
Vital for healthy cell structure, for slowing down the signs of ageing. Protects the lungs and other tissues from damage as well as maintaining healthy red blood cells.
Found in:
Vegetable oil, nuts, vegetables and cereals.
Vitamin K
Why?
Is involved in blood clotting and a deficiency will lead to bruising and excessive bleeding.
Found in:
Dark green leafy vegetables, for example, cabbage, brussel sprouts and spinach.
Other info:
Bacteria in your gut can also make vitamin K, which is absorbed into your blood.
Reproduced with kind permission of NHS Direct Wales - www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
