Who am I, a retired nobody with no medical qualifications but well-read on health problems, to tell the medical people they are wrong about vitamin and mineral pills?

Of course, any of their patients who are not deficient in vitamin C would not benefit from taking vitamin C tablets and the same is true of all the other supplements.

Anyone deficient in zinc or selenium would benefit enormously from zinc supplement. In the case of selenium, two Brazil nuts a day would make up for its lack.

If you are a vegetarian, a smoker, a drinker, are elderly or take certain medication, a sportsman or have a food allergy, you need to take supplements to maintain your immune system and a healthy life.

These are your body's needs -

1Antioxidants to protect the body against harmful invaders and cancers.

2Five portions of vegetables and fruit daily.

3Flavonoids for anti-inflammatory protection.

4Omega 3 capsules to protect against heart disease.

5Isoflavones to prevent cancerous cells in the bloodstream from developing initially.

6Betaine (B vitamin group) for increased body resistance to toxins, infections and carcinogens.

7Co-enzyme Q10 to support the mitochondria, the bodies energy cells, which maintain the heart and other organs.

8Glucosamine to strengthen the connective tissue in the joints and prevent arthritis.

The body itself produces certain nutrients but with age it is less efficient and eventually needs help.

Ignore these needs at your peril. But if you want to maintain a fit and healthy life into old age without the usual degenerative diseases of later life as I have at 84, you should do as I do and take daily supplements along with all your fruit and vegetables.

-Doug Streeter, Brighton