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are vaccinated may be an effective way of boosting the effectiveness of Covid vaccines. European Food Safety Authority research has shown the vitamins A, B6, B9, B12, C and D and the minerals zinc, selenium, iron and copper are all necessary for effective functioning of the immune system.1 Each of these is known to play a role in supporting our immune response, thereby reducing risk of infection, and research2 has shown a link between people having an impaired immune system and having deficiency of various vitamins and minerals. When the immune system is suboptimal and not fed with the required vitamins and minerals, the likelihood of a poor vaccine response increases – as shown by a review of nine studies3 involving 2367 people and concluding that the individuals deficient in vitamin D had less protection against two flu strains after being vaccinated than those with sufficient levels of vitamin D. With this in mind, should pharmacists now be encouraging the elderly to consider boosting their vitamin intake in readiness to receive the Covid vaccination? At the very least, opening dialogue about vitamins and their benefits is likely to be a worthwhile step. HEALTH VITAMINS MINERALS AND SUPPLEMENTS 79 References 1. ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/ claims/register/public/?event=register.home 2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31963293/ 3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946194/ The common cold and vitamin C Vitamin C is among the most commonly purchased vitamins with many people believing it helps prevent the common cold. Despite continued global research, no clear evidence supports this. Some studies have shown that when cold symptoms first develop, taking continuous large doses of more than 1000mg of vitamin C a day may ease some of the symptoms, on average making the cold’s duration about half a day shorter. Patients should be told of the health risks associated with taking large doses of vitamin C, which may cause nausea, abdominal cramps, headaches, fatigue, kidney stones and diarrhoea. It may also interfere with the body’s ability to metabolise other nutrients – for example, it could lead to dangerously raised levels of iron. Excessive amounts of vitamin C in the body can also interfere with medical tests, such as those for diabetes, giving a false result. Adults need about 45mg of vitamin C a day. Any excess amount is gradually excreted. Vitamin E and heart disease Vitamin E is widely promoted as a beneficial antioxidant that can help prevent heart disease. Unfortunately, several large-scale reviews have conclusively found no evidence that vitamin E supplements prevent death from heart disease. In fact, there may be greater risk of all-cause death from taking such supplements. el in your element AVAILABLE NOW VIA ALL MAJOR WHOLESALERS To order or find out more, contact your Arrotex OTC Sales Representative directly or call 1300 927 769 Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. New therapeutic iron supplements for the prevention and treatment of medically diagnosed iron deficiency, iron deficiency anaemia and folic acid deficiency anaemia NEW Ferrous Sulfate Range Ferrous Fumarate Range RETAIL PHARMACY • MAY 2021