Multivitamins are used to provide vitamins and minerals that are not taken in through the diet. The United States National Library of Medicine describes Centrum Chewable multivitamin as a convenient tablet that can be chewed without water. They are designed specifically for people who have difficulty swallowing pills. The daily dosage is one tablet, which contains 13 vitamins and nine minerals, including iron, vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium and vitamin D.
Iron
Centrum Chewables contain 18 mg of iron, which is 100 percent of the Food and Drug Administration recommended daily value. The National Institutes of Health describes iron as essential to normal human physiology. Iron is essential for oxygen transport to tissues and to muscles. It is found in hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, and in myoglobin, a protein in muscles. A deficiency of iron limits oxygen delivery to cells, causing fatigue and decreased immunity.
Vitamin C
Centrum Chewables supply 60 mg of Vitamin C, 100 percent of the FDA recommended daily value. According to Mayo Clinic, vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water soluble vitamin necessary for forming collagen, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels. It also aids in the absorption of iron. A dietary deficiency of vitamin C is called scurvy, which is uncommon except in those who are malnourished.
B Vitamins
Medline Plus states that there are eight B vitamins, including B1 or thiamine, B2 or riboflavin, B3 or niacin, B5 or pantothenic acid, B6, B7 or biotin, B9 or folic acid and B12. These vitamins are water soluble, help the body use energy from foods and also help form red blood cells. Centrum Chewables contain 1.5 mg of thiamine, 1.7 mg of riboflavin, 20 mg of niacin, 10 mg of pantothenic acid, 2 mg of B6, 6 mcg of B12 and 400 mcg of folic acid, all of which are 100 percent of the FDA recommended daily values. There is 45 mcg of biotin, which is 15 percent of the FDA recommended daily value.
Calcium
Centrum Chewables contain 108 mg of calcium, which is 11 percent of the FDA recommended daily value. According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended value for adults is 1,000 to 1,200 mg per day. Calcium is required for muscle contraction, blood vessel flexibility, secretion of hormones, and transmission of impulses through the nervous system, with 99 percent of calcium being stored in the bones and teeth.
Vitamin D
Centrum Chewables provide 400 International Units of vitamin D, which is 100 percent of the FDA recommended daily value. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods. Most people meet their vitamin D needs through exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone growth. It also helps reduce inflammation and boost immune function. This vitamin works with calcium to prevent osteoporosis in adults.
Other Ingredients
Some other vitamins and minerals in Centrum Chewables include vitamins A, E, and K, as well as phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and copper.
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