What kind of supplements r u taking & why?

bethinagain

I'm curious to see what kind of supplements people on MFP are taking and why? I've recently been looking into supplements and found that each one is good for a certain thing such as joints, muscle, bones, organs, skin tissue etc.....

I'd just like to see what people are taking and for what reason. Maybe I can learn something from all of you! Thanks!:flowerforyou:

smae1980

A multi for women and vitamin D because I live in New York and most Northerners are D deficient

kcdrake

I just take a general woman's multivitamin. I don't feel the need for specific body-part supplements.
I just like knowing that I have a jump-start on my total vitamins for the day. I also find that it helps with food cravings. I assume that by ensuring my body is getting a good portion of what it needs, I don't have insane cravings for the foods that supply it.

I'm by no means advocating replacing foods with a multivitamin. I'm just saying what works for me.

KiriKiriKiri

Ok, where to begin?! Hehehehe...

I take a multivitamin (as I believe everyone should).
Vitamin D (most people are deficient and my levels were within normals limits, but on the lower side).
Calcium (again within lower limits but still on the lower side. I also take this WITH the D but not at the same time as my multivit).
B Complex (weight loss, migraine prevention, overall health).
Niacin (there is mixed studies on this...the flush associated with niacin is great for detoxifying the body which is why I take it).
Folic Acid (preventative health)
Acidophilus (probiotic)
Vitamin C (preventative health)
Omega-3 (preventative health)
Bee Pollen (weight loss)
Aloe (weight loss, detoxification purposes, immune booster, multitude of reasons)

XFitMojoMom

Calcium/magnesium and vitamin D - bone health and I am Canadian, so ditto *iamladybird*'s comment
Chromium 500 mcg - to assist in metabolizing glucose
Vitamin C 1000 mg - cell repair
StressPlex - 2 kids, 19 months apart... okay, so it's not 5 kids, but you get it, right?

*when I remember - I take Omega 3's, but I tend to forget those often since they are kept in the fridge.

slieber

Get ready for this list!

Multivitamin - Centrum A-Z
Green tea capsules (2 per day - can't remember the dosage) with Hoodia
Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Osteo-Bioflex - best I've had so far and YES, I DO feel a difference when I'm not on it!)
Calcium and Vitamin D - have to get calcium extra because I can't have dairy products
B-complex (due to blood disorder - this is supposedly the treatment)
Fish Oil Capsules (Omega 3s only)
L-Carnitine (fat burning supplement)

All of the above is essentially what I'd read about as beneficial to losing weight, maintaining reasonable blood sugar and building muscle tissue.

At the gym, before my workout, I drink an Energize Fat Burner smoothie (has some of the above, plus gingko and a few other things I can't remember, along with real banana and strawberry).

I get blood work done every year, and every year pass with a clean bill of health apart from the one year when the blood disorder issue was found. Doctor wasn't concerned - just said take B12. But I figured I may as well take the whole B complex to be safe.

I FEEL a big difference in my joints if I don't use the joint stuff. Have tried Move Free, Elations (yuck) and just am on OsteoBioflex and found of those three I like the Osteo best.

That's my story! :-)

peart47

I take the Vitalizer with Iron from Shaklee. All six pills come in a little pack that you grab each day. They have vitamins, minerals, omega's, and probiotics in them. I also take their mood lift supplement which I can say really works for me. I like their products alot.

AndriaLL

One A Day Women’s (multi)—chose this over Centrum this time for the higher iron as I was borderline the last time I donated blood.
Triple Flex (glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid)—joint pain (Lupus)
Hydraplenish (more hyaluronic acid)—noticed my skin was looking better from Triple Flex, doc told me it was the HA, so I added this
Flax, Fish & Borage oil (omega 3, 6 and 9s)—for the anti-inflammatory properties (Lupus) and general heart and skin health.
Vitamin D-3—because I am deficient
Arnica—because I had a run-in with a deer on my bike and it makes the bruises go away faster!
Psyllium Husk—fiber. Not only for digestive health, but it makes me feel fuller.
Various sleeping herbs (chamomile, valerian, etc.) as I have chronic insomnia, but they don't seem to help really.
Calcarea fluorica--a mineral to help increase tissue flexibility in my feet and ankles after many surgeries, stress fractures, ankle sprains, etc.

Sarandipity

I take:
- 1 a day women's multivitamin
- Calcia (500calcium, 400 Vit D in one pill) - Dr required due to a medication I am on, but was told it was a good idea for women to take a calcuim suppliment.
- Biotin - I had been loosing hair, this suppliment has helped it start to grow again

melodyg

I'm taking a prenatal vitamin (I'm not pregnant... just wanting to be!) . That's it for now. (Also not to make up for a bad diet... just because it seems a good idea for now!)

I'm thinking about taking some Omega-3 or fish oil supplements as well..

somigliana

Just omega 3 fish oil capsules when I remember (although I do try to eat LSA and salmon often)
and a prescribed iron supplement because my blood tests show I have very low ferritin (leading to iron deficiency anemia).

selbyhutch

Mutlivitamin
Potassium - I'm prone to low potassium
Cranberry - preventative UTI/kidney stones
B-12 - fatigue

Thinking about taking fish oil & dropping B-12... B-12 is a recent addition & I haven't noticed a difference.

YogaRunner

I HATE taking pills. When I read the posts above, I gag just thinking about all the pills you guys have to swallow each day LOL. I use Shakeology. It is a nutrition shake that has all the vitamins and minerals plus probiotics, a superfruit blend and all of the items mentioned above by others and then some. They say it is like making 5 trips to the salad bar. I get to drink a chocolate shake instead of taking all of those pills:drinker: Usually, I make mine into a Raspbery mocha shake
I can send you the list of ingredients if interested.

tattereds

Usually just Mega B, which is a vit B all rounder, for energy & metabolism boost.

Have recently added Vit D also. My BF has chrohn's and I've been having some tummy troubles for a few months too (ongoing tests :frown: ) so we have been keeping on top of all the research... New studies are popping up everywhere atm to suggest a correlation between vit D deficiency and chrohn's disease as well as other digestive disorders. It's only been a week or so and we havn't seen much change except a slight increase in David's appetite, but time will tell I guess! It's definitely worth a shot.

lilmissy2

I don't take any. I just try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. In particular I make sure I get the correct amount of dairy and vegetables and eat plenty of wholegrains.

I would take folate if I were pregnant (to prevent neural tube defects) and anything else only if I was diagnosed with a deficiency or had a severe health problem.

KarenECunningham

I take a generic Centrum Silver because I am 57:noway: and it has vitamins that support heart health. It is a pretty good multi vitamin. I take a calcium with D supplement (1500 mg. a day) because again, I am 57.:sad:

KarenECunningham

Another bit of info: I was out of vitamins for three weeks and didn't take any. I noticed a big difference in my energy and fatigue level. So even though I eat very healthy my body apparently needs the extra boost.

angela75022

I take a multi and Vit D... I notice the difference when I don't take them

365healthchallenge

I take a multivitamin
Calcium
Potassium

Those three were all recommended by my Endocrinologist

These next ones I'm taking based off my own research

Chia seeds (great source of Omega-3s) for more info check out http://chiaforhealth.com/

Marine Phytoplankton (supports cellular health, promotes energy and vitality, contains micro nutrients) for more info go here http://www.whyplankton.com/healthbenefits.html I take this one in the form of drops, I can either take it straight or add it to my smoothies

I also occasionally will use whey protein in my post workout smoothies, or if I'm low on my protein for the day.

Mirlyn

I take B12 and a women's multi-vitamin every day for energy and a boost in metabolism.

Michellerw1

I take a multivitamin with folic acid (for hair and nails , b-12, and zyrtec (lol stupid allergies).

KiriKiriKiri

Mutlivitamin
Potassium - I'm prone to low potassium
Cranberry - preventative UTI/kidney stones
B-12 - fatigue

Thinking about taking fish oil & dropping B-12... B-12 is a recent addition & I haven't noticed a difference.

Have you had kidney stones before? I used to get kidney infections and bladder infections and have had stones in the past... when I was younger. I was diagnosed with what is called urinary reflux and you typically outgrow it as your body grows and sure enough, I outgrew it and my body developed and corrected itself on it's own. I no longer have problems. One thing I did take when I had these problems was Hydrangea and it worked SIGNIFICANTLY!!! The Cranberry was also amazing!!! You can "Google" the info on Hydrangea drops if you are interested... good luck

bethinagain

Wow! I am so pleased with all the responses. I'm learning alot! I'll keep checking this thread for new posts. Thanks everyone for sharing!

YogaRunner

Maca powder, Sacha inchi meal, Yacon powder, Flax seed meal, Chia seed meal, chlorella, Spirulina, MSM, Quinoa (sprouted), Barley grass, Kamut grass, oat grass, wheat grass, grape seen extract, decaf green tea extract., whey protein......yummy! I have tons of energy and after having one shake a day for 90 days my husbands cholesterol was lower by 20%. No joke. His doc was shocked.

selbyhutch

Mutlivitamin
Potassium - I'm prone to low potassium
Cranberry - preventative UTI/kidney stones
B-12 - fatigue

Thinking about taking fish oil & dropping B-12... B-12 is a recent addition & I haven't noticed a difference.

Have you had kidney stones before? I used to get kidney infections and bladder infections and have had stones in the past... when I was younger. I was diagnosed with what is called urinary reflux and you typically outgrow it as your body grows and sure enough, I outgrew it and my body developed and corrected itself on it's own. I no longer have problems. One thing I did take when I had these problems was Hydrangea and it worked SIGNIFICANTLY!!! The Cranberry was also amazing!!! You can "Google" the info on Hydrangea drops if you are interested... good luck

Yes... kidney stones. Worst. Pain. Ever. I even had to have lithotripsy. That was over 5 years ago without a relapse. Thanks for the info on Hydrangea... I will definitely look it up.

kspeach

Flintstone's Vitamin....it's the only chewable I could find at the store, and my doc said it was fine...and doesn't recommend the gummies.

Prescribed (higher levels, better absorbed by me)
Folic acid daily...dangerously low
Vitamin D...also dangerously low
Monthly shot of B12...also dangerously low.

Thinking about adding something like Osteo Bioflex, as my knees are taking it out on me from walking on the sidewalks.

623Hernandez

Multi - all purpose
B complex - energy
Magnesium, Calcium, & Zinc - headaches, bones, skin
chromium - insulin
C - all purpose

Well this is what I would like to take but I have never been consistent.

GREAT TOPIC!

Barneystinson

I take one Nutrilite multi pack in the morning:
Women's multi
Cal-Mag-D
Hair Skin & Nails formula (Biotin, acerola cherry)
Fish oil

Then I take these later in the day:
Carlson's or Barlean's Fish Oil (2 daily, one with lunch, one with dinner - unless those dinners contain salmon or fatty fish)
2000 IU Vitamin D soft gel (1x daily in summer, winter I take 2 of these)

Not a supplement, per se, but 1 tbsp ground flax daily in some form of food, and one tsp. of coconut oil with my vitamin D softgel to aid absorption.

headstoes

Centrum multivitamin---to ensure I get all the vitamins and minerals which I don't get from the food I eat, and for general well-being and energy.

2 Metamucil Fibrecaps---I don't have bowel problems as such, but it's supposed to keep you regular. I also take it to keep me full and add bulk the stuff inside.

Centrum Recharge B-group vitamins---metabolism and energy boost.

I take all these daily in the morning in one big gulp. I'm not too sure how I'd be without them, I've made it such a habit. I can definitely vouch for the multivitamins---I haven't been sick in a very long time. I only recently started taking the B-group vitamins, no noticable difference? I just stick with it, I'm sure it's working on the inside. We all need a bit of help now don't we?

raindancer

I take
Centrum silver
Omega 3
calcium w/ vit D
81 mg asprin

I work outside so I really don't need the extra D but I still take it.

SarahAlt

I take a prenatal vitamin as well as an iron supplement. I'm a nursing mother and I'm trying to shed the marital/baby weight. These two help with my energy and ensure that my milk provides the nutrition my baby needs without robbing me of what I need. My doctor actually recommends that I take a prenatal vitamin for the rest of my life. I wouldn't mind as it plus the iron supplement really help with my energy level. The iron supplement has been added to my routine because I was anemic through both of my pregnancies and it just stuck.