The ingredients in Centrum Cardio multivitamins are intended to promote heart health. Besides the usual vitamins and minerals found in Centrum multivitamins, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare's multivitamin cardio product includes extra B vitamins and other constituents that are intended to help lower cholesterol and support the cardiovascular system.
Typical Multivitamin Features
Taking two capsules per day of Centrum Cardio multivitamins provides you with 100 percent of the recommended daily values of the essential vitamins C, D, E, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid. Other vitamins added to the product at less than 100 percent of the recommended daily value are vitamins A, K and biotin. Important minerals included at 100 percent of the recommended daily value in Centrum Cardio are iodine, manganese, chromium and molybdenum. Lesser values of the minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, potassium and chloride are also incorporated. Additional minerals found in Centrum Cardio with no recommended daily allowance guidelines include baron, nickel, silicon, tin, vanadium and phytosterols.
On the ingredients listings, Wyeth calls special attention to the inclusion of vitamins C and E in Centrum Cardio, touting the vitamins' antioxidant protection against free radical damage. However, Centrum Cardio like many other multivitamin brands includes the typical amounts of vitamins C and E at 100 percent of the recommended daily value. No extra amounts of these vitamins are included.
Calcium and Folic Acid
The company also boasts about the inclusion of calcium and folic acid in Centrum Cardio for helping to maintain healthy blood pressure that's "already within normal range." However, while Centrum Cardio includes 100 percent of folic acid, the multivitamin contains less than 100 percent of the daily recommended amount of calcium -- 11 percent.
Extra Vitamins B-6 and B-12
Centrum Cardio contains higher levels of vitamins B-6 and B-12, which are added to support heart health. The multivitamin includes 250 percent of the recommended daily value of B-6 and 3,333 percent of the recommended daily value of B-12. While the American Heart Association recommends most people get their B vitamins through food, those currently with heart disease and those with a family history of heart problems can benefit from B vitamin supplementation, says the University of Maryland Medical Center .
Phytosterols
CoroWise phytosterols are a major cardio health-boosting ingredient found in Centrum Cardio multivitamins. Phytosterols are natural substances that are derived from soybeans or corn. The multivitamin contains 800 mg of phytosterols, which may help to lower LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, and minimize the risk for heart disease when taken regularly in supplement form, according to the Decrease Cholesterol website.
Additives
Centrum Cardio also includes a few preservatives, artificial colors and other additives, such as sodium benzoate, "FD&C Yellow no. 6 Aluminum Lake" and modified corn starch. Some additives such as sodium benzoate may be detrimental to your health, especially when combined with other ingredients such as vitamin C, according to the Eye on DNA website. However, small amounts of such additives, such as those found in Centrum Cardio, may not be significant enough to cause health problems, according to Sense About Science.
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