Helpful Supplements or vitamins to focus on

wiggawaggle

Are there any particular vitamins you focus on making sure you get enough of, or supplements that you take?

I take a B12 supplement most days, to try and help prevent the metformin B12 deficiency. I occasionally taking an iron supplement at heavy times of month.

What do others do?

KnitOrMiss

Inositol is a good one for general stuff. Just beware if you're on birth control. It will try to fix it. 500 mg is a mostly safe dose. I didn't hit problems until I upped my dose.

I take another medicine for thyroid support but my levels are high right now, so trying to balance out. It's an iodine thing.

I take Cranberry capsules to aid B12 absorption, though my doc recently said I need to take a B-Complex or B-150 because supplementing only B12 will drain the other B vitamins. I haven't found any corroboration, but plan to get one when I can afford it. (I was hugely deficient, but have gotten this up to the lower end of acceptable range)

I take Vitamin D3 because I have a deficiency, and is now in normal ranges. I prefer the drops, though they taste terrible, because they absorb better. I take 7000 IU - 15000 IU depending on how little sunshine I've been around and my moods. These are better than an energy shot/drink because it is an instant boost.

I'm considering going back to cinnamon to help with insulin levels, since I've gotten off the Metformin, but am still insulin resistant. But, I had a rash last time I added this and another supplement, so I'm still undecided on this.

I'm also wanting to stay Hylauranic Acid (@Dragonwolf can give more info) for joint support, as I've got horrible problems in this arena.

Otherwise, that's about it for me. There are others I've considered adding or would like to, like Fermented Cod Liver Oil with Butter, as it has some good stuff in it for PCOS and thyroid issues, but not in the cards at the moment.

Dragonwolf

I've found that I don't need to supplement iron since I quit eating grains. It seems that something in the grains interfered with my absorption.

I do Hyaluronic Acid (what @KnitOrMiss mentioned) for my degenerative disc disease. It's a hydrating compound that the body usually makes, but in people with DDD, osteoarthritis, or other "wear and tear"/trauma-based issues or injuries, the body may not be able to keep up. It doesn't work in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammation-based issues, though, and can even backfire with them, so it's a good idea to know what you have before starting it (or stop immediately if your pain increases).

I also take Phosphatidyl Serine, which is a natural supplement that reduces cortisol. I was having some issues with elevated cortisol levels, so started taking it regularly. It's great for that low-level stress or anxiety that is still subclinical, but enough to interfere with everyday life.

I take D3 sometimes, particularly over the winter. I prefer getting that via the sun in the summer though. The supplement I use is Ortho Molecular Products Liquid Vitamin D3. It's suspended in MCT oil, so it tastes like coconut oil. It's also something like 5000IU per drop, which is nice.

I take magnesium periodically, when I feel the need for it. That's not very often, though.

Finally, I take Inositol, because it gives me my period and makes it regular (for @KnitOrMiss, this isn't a good thing, because it's undermining the kind of birth control she's on, which she's taking for the purpose of not having a period; I'm not on that kind of birth control, so having a period -- and having it regular -- is a good thing).

My husband takes the Fermented Cod Liver Oil with High Vitamin Butter Oil that @KnitOrMiss mentions. It probably wouldn't be bad for me to take, but it's pretty expensive for two people to be taking (it's about $50 a bottle; it's a 2-month supply for one person, which isn't too bad, considering, but that becomes a 1-month supply if two start, which gets pricey, especially for nebulous benefits on my part). He's taking it for dental health (it's healing his teeth and potentially saving us a few grand).