Frequently Asked Questions
- I already eat a healthy diet, so do I still need a multivitamin?
- Is Centrum® suitable for men and women?
- How does Centrum® Select vary from Centrum®?
With today’s hectic lifestyle (poor food choices or skipping meals) eating a well balanced diet is not always possible. Certain lifestyle choices, stress, excessive exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking and even taking certain medications, all impact on our nutrient levels. Also, the quality and quantity of vitamins in food are affected by the nutrient content of soil; processing of foods and irradiation of crops; storage of foods for convenience (ie. refrigeration) and the loss of nutrients through cooking and reheating. So day-to-day, you may not be getting all the nutrients you need to maintain good health. This is where a daily multivitamin such as Centrum® can help.
The purpose of a multivitamin and mineral supplement is to supplement the diet, not replace it. A multivitamin and mineral supplement is convenient and it provides peace of mind that you are achieving the nutrient reference values of essential vitamins and minerals every day.
Importantly, it must be remembered that without food, vitamins are ineffective. Vitamins and minerals don’t provide energy, healthy food does, but supplements assist in food absorption and conversion to energy.
A healthy, varied and balanced diet is equally important as there are components in food which cannot be replaced by supplements – such as carbohydrate, fat, protein and fibre.
YES. Centrum®, Centrum® Active and Centrum® Select 50+ are suitable for both men and women. Centrum® is a balanced formula containing 26 essential vitamins and minerals to help meet your bodies’ nutritional needs. It is a multivitamin supplement for men and women, helping to fill the nutritional gaps that may result from various factors such as inadequate diet resulting from a busy lifestyle. Centrum® can be taken from age 10 years and older.
Centum® Active is a scientifically formulated multivitamin with elevated levels of B vitamins (compared to Centrum® regular formulation), iron, antioxidants and Ginseng to support a healthy, active body and mind. Suitable for adults 18 years and older.
Centrum® Select 50+ is a balanced multivitamin specially formulated to meet the changing nutrient requirements of people 50 years and older.
Centrum® Select 50+ varies from Centrum® in that it has been specifically formulated to meet the changing nutritional needs of men and women aged 50 years and over. It contains 30 essential vitamins and minerals specially adjusted to help meet your body’s nutritional needs. Compared with Centrum®, Centrum® Select has higher levels of some B-group vitamins to meet increased energy requirements and increased levels of the antioxidants, vitamins C and E to help support immunity activity.
- Where can I purchase Centrum®?
- What sizes are available to purchase?
- I am looking for Materna (previously marketed as Centrum® Materna) and am unable to find it in store?
Centrum® is available from major retail outlets and pharmacies nationwide.
Centrum® & Centrum® Select are available in 30's; 60's (2 month supply) and 90's (value pack).
Centrum® Kids is available in a 30’s and 60’s pack size.
Centrum® Active is available in a 30’s pack size.
Materna was purchased by Nestlé in 2013 i.e. is now fully owned and marketed by them (as a result, the brand no longer forms part of the Centrum® franchise at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare). As part of the sale, Nestlé were permitted to continue using the brand name ‘Centrum® Materna’ for an interim period, which lapsed at the end of November 2014.
Given the above, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare is no longer involved in the marketing or distribution of the brand (which has now been re-named Nestlé Materna). We regret the difficulty currently being experienced trying to find the brand, but would suggest that contact be made directly with Nestlé, on the following:
E-mail address: [email protected]
Tel. no: 086 009 6789 / 011 514 6116.
- Why is there gelatin in Centrum® and what is the gelatin source?
- What is the carbohydrate content in Centrum®?
- How many kilojoules does a Centrum® tablet contain?
- Are Centrum® multivitamins derived from a natural or synthetic source? Which source is more easily absorbed by the body?
The Centrum® range of multivitamin tablets in South Africa currently contain small amounts of hydrolysed bovine, poultry and porcine gelatin, as well as lactose, as part of the raw material composition and subsequent formulation. The gelatin in the South Africa Centrum® product line is a processing aid and stabilizing agent used in the production of some of the active ingredients, such as vitamins A, D and E, beta-carotene and lutein. This agent results in stable active ingredients, which can be then manufactured into solid dosage forms such as tablets. The animal source of gelatin used varies and may include porcine, poultry or bovine gelatin.
We have been working with our suppliers to find alternative sources of our raw materials that do not require gelatin in their production. However it is not an easy task to find stable replacements for all ingredients.
Centrum® = 148mg.
Centrum® Select 50+ = 184,4 mg.
Centrum® Kids = 1489 mg.
Centrum® Active = 409 mg.
Centrum® = 1,4kJ.
Centrum® Select 50+ = 2,5kJ.
Centrum® Kids = 18kJ.
Centrum® Active = 6,27kJ.
The majority of Centrum® vitamins are derived from synthetically sourced ingredients. Vitamin and mineral supplements can be "synthetic," derived through chemical processes or "natural," derived directly from plants or other materials. Synthetic and natural vitamins are chemically identical and in many instances the body cannot differentiate. In fact, the synthetic form of folate, known as folic acid and also vitamin B12, are actually better absorbed by the body than the natural counterpart.
NO. The expiry date on the product reflects the stability of the active ingredients in Centrum®. So, we do not recommend use of an expired product.
Centrum® products are safe to consume on a long-term basis. Centrum® is a multivitamin product intended to supplement the diet and help fill any nutritional gaps. All ingredient levels are scientifically formulated to supplement a healthy diet.
Centrum® brings you a range of targeted nutritional support supplements, designed to work with your multivitamin. They are complementary, and very specific.
Omega 3 essential fatty acids are necessary for human health, but cannot be produced by your body. Centrum® MyNutrients™ Omega 3 provides you with this essential fatty acid which supports heart, brain and eye health, all encapsulated in a taste-controlled MiniGel.
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