If you are familiar with my reviews you will be aware that I suffer with an underlying medical condition that weakens my immune system and as a result, I am prone to picking up every cough and cold germ. Whilst I try my very hardest to eat a balanced diet and consume five portions of fruit and vegetables each day (although some experts now believe it should be nine!), I am still susceptible to picking up germs. As with most of us, I have an extremely busy lifestyle, both working and my home life and I frequently find myself feeling run down and out of sorts.

Over the years I have gone through phases where I would buy certain pills, which I would swallow on a daily basis in a bid to improve my health and give my immune system that much needed boost. There's been the vitamin D, Zinc, Echinacea, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Oil of Evening Primrose, garlic capsules and I'm sure there has been a whole load more. I would point out here that I didn't take all of these at the same time! As you are no doubt aware, there are certain brands of vitamins that cost an arm and a leg and I simply did not have the money to spare, so approximately a eight months ago I opted for a cheaper version, namely Tesco General Wellbeing Multivitamins and this review discusses my experience with using them.

APPEARANCE OF THE PRODUCT

The 60 multivitamins are provided to us in a rigid white plastic tub and it is only when I am now scrutinising it for the purpose of this review that I realise there is no weight. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought it was a requirement to provide this detail on these types of products. I cannot state that the packaging is eye-catching, as I found it considerably difficult to detect on the shelf in Tesco. I belong to a number of online surveys panels; a couple of which have sent me surveys to select the best packaging for different brands of vitamins and it is these surveys that I struggle with, as I always find all of the options somewhat bland and I am unsure what I would find eye catching on a product of this nature.

There is a large label on the front of the packaging where we see an image of a man and woman holding hands. We are advised that the vitamins are for everyday health and vitality and that they are one a day. This is a real positive as far as I am concerned as there has been many an occasion where I have purchased a tub of vitamins thinking I've bagged a bargain only to find that I need to take several of the tablets each day.

The large blue screw top lid is easily removed and what surprised me is that Tesco have failed to include a child lock and as far as I am concerned, the lid is too easily removed. Tesco really need to address this issue, which is obvious a safety hazard, as I am sure the contents would seem rather appealing to curious little ones. The pale yellow vitamins are fairly small and measure approximately 1 cm in diameter, which is a real bonus, particularly as I often experience difficulty with swallowing tablets. They are odourless unlike many others I have purchased, which often emit a rather overpowering and somewhat unpleasant aroma.

WHAT VITAMINS ARE CONTAINED WITHIN THE TUB?

Whilst I do not intend stating the role of each and every one of the vitamins or the weight contained within each tablet I would advise that they comprise of 11 different types, namely:-

Vitamin A, D, E, C, B1, B2, B6 and B12, niacin, folic acid and pantothenic acid. We are provided with an extensive list on the side of the label, which details the typical milogram content of each of the vitamins, together with the recommended daily allowance.

DOSAGE

The recommended dosage for adults and children over the age of 12 is to swallow one tablet daily preferably with a meal, so I tend to take my tablet just before I eat my breakfast. The tablets are easily swallowed and I like to take a few sips of water to assist it on its' journey, although my husband pushes his tablets to the back of his throat and simply swallows. A huge bonus with these is that there is no unpleasant aftertaste.

HAVE I NOTICED ANY IMPROVEMENT?

This is extremely difficult to answer, as I still tend to suffer with at least six viruses every year and have caught three cough and colds since I started taking them; all of which lasted well over a month. However, as previously stated, I have an underlying medical condition that weakens my immune system and consequently, I am prone to contracting coughs and colds and at this present moment in time I am suffering once again. Whether I would suffer with more viruses if I ceased with the vitamins I really do not know and it is always difficult to establish if a product such as this really works. I still feel just as tired as I did prior to starting the multivitamins. My husband takes the vitamins alongside me and he too has suffered two heavy coughs and colds, which no doubt he contracted from me.

Would I recommend these? Again, this is a difficult question to answer and although I continue to take these vitamins every morning I am reluctant to stop, as they may be helping me. Whilst I eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day I often find it difficult to manage five portions, particularly during the working week, so this was one of my reasons for taking a supplement. I pondered for a while before rating this product and would like to give Tesco Multivitamins 2½ stars, which is not possible, so I will go for 3 stars. Perhaps the vitamins are assisting in areas that I simply do not know about, such as skin and bones, so maybe I should return to this review in 40 years time and update! As for recommending them - this is the first time in any of my reviews that I am undecided.

OTHER INFORMATION

The vitamins are suitable for vegetarians and I would advise that they do not contain wheat, gluten, yeast, fish, milk, egg and salt. There is an extremely lengthy list of ingredients contained on the rear label and for obvious reasons I do not intend copying it into this review. The tablets should be stored in a cool dry place and kept out of sight and reach of children. We are advised that we should follow a balanced diet and not use the vitamins as a substitute. There is no recycling symbol on the container, but as it is made from plastic it would be suitable for your recycling bin.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

There are two sizes of Tesco Multivitamins - a tub containing 60, which will cost you 86p or a tub containing 240, which will cost you £3.09. The only reason I am currently using the smaller size is that at the time of replenishing my stock they were on offer in Tesco whereby I could purchase three for the price of two.

I hope you found my review useful and would thank you for reading.

This review will appear on both Dooyoo and Ciao under the same user names.