Supplements and vitamins

HeatherLW32

My questions is regarding supplements and vitamins. I've been trying to do research on all this fitness stuff and wanted some real people thoughts.

Do you do the supplements? If so what and why?

I take my daily multi vitamin, Iron (I'm anemic so I gotta), and Green tea extract (for the health benefits...it's supposed to be a good "natural" thing for depression, concentration, and what have you. Dr recommended so I said sure, why not)

Are there some things you absolutely MUST have? Are there some that are a huge no-no for you? I'm still new to all this and I'm trying to just figure out what would not just help me lose weight but also be healthy.

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janejellyroll

I do supplements because -- in combination with my personal research and consultation with my doctor -- I know there are some specific things I need or am likely to need that I'm not getting consistently through my diet.

For me, that's B12, vitamin D, DHA, and iodine. I used to take iron, but my last blood test results were good enough that my doctor recommended that I stop.

My "must haves," in a dire situation, would be the B12 and the vitamin D.

I don't know if anyone else's choices will necessarily help you figure out what you need to take.

HeatherLW32

She's one that prefers natural remedies to the pharmaceutical ones. I have noticed it does help with my concentrations and energy throughout the day. Especially since I gave up the Mt Dew (And all sugary drinks) a few months ago.

janejellyroll

HeatherLW32 wrote: »

She's one that prefers natural remedies to the pharmaceutical ones. I have noticed it does help with my concentrations and energy throughout the day. Especially since I gave up the Mt Dew (And all sugary drinks) a few months ago.

She can *prefer* whatever she wants, but before I accepted something like green tea extract as a treatment for depression, I'd want to know what clinical evidence supports that it's an effective treatment for the condition.

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ruqayyahsmum

I take a multi vitamin, Adcal (calcium and vitamin d) and iron as per my gp's prescription (malabsorption issue)
I have bow injections 12 weekly as I'm unable to absorb it via my stomach

ruqayyahsmum

B12 injections. Stupid auto correct
I also take flaxseed and brewers yeast as I'm breastfeeding

HeatherLW32

Do you like your multi vitamin? I take One A Day and it's okay as long as I eat something before hand, otherwise I get an upset stomach.

RoxieDawn

If you are looking on fitness sites they are going to tell you all kinds of supplements and vitamins you should be taking so they can take your money. All you need is the medically necessary supplements/vitamins referred to you by your doctor because they have determined you deficient.

I do not take any vitamins other than Calcium+D and magnesium. I do not even take a multivitamin.

middlehaitch

I take B12 and D because I live in the pacific northwest and sunlight can be hidden by rain.

A multi Vit just cos I'm old and want to make sure I'm covered.

(I have recently been considering adding calcium as a bit of protection for my bones, but I think my dairy intake and lifting heavy things are probably doing a good job)

Cheers, h.

jjpptt2

I do the following... most of it I take pretty regularly, but ultimately it's all done on an as needed basis -

• Whey protein shakes - Convenient protein source. Also allows me to be a bit more flexible with the rest of my foods, which is easier with/for/on my family.
• Multivitamin - Easy insurance for my unbalanced diet (I don't eat fruit or veggies).
• Vitamin D - We get about 4 minutes of sun per year where I live.
• Advil - I'm old and something always hurts.
• Caffeine - I need a kick in the butt most mornings.
• Magnesium - helps with sleep.

HeatherLW32

I have heard that fish oil is really good.

Does magnesium really help with sleep? That's definitely an area I need help with.

jjpptt2

HeatherLW32 wrote: »

I have heard that fish oil is really good.

Does magnesium really help with sleep? That's definitely an area I need help with.

The oversimplified take-away from my reading has been that it basically works like a muscular and neurological relaxant... so it help you relax and "turn off" at night, making it easier to fall asleep.

I'd do your own research though, or at the very least ask your GP first.

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aeloine

I take a Vitamin C/Vitamin B combo when I feel like I'm getting sick.

maura_tasi

I take a multi vitamin and a fish oil every day (per my doctors approval). I'll take extra vitamin C and suck on zinc lozenges when I'm feeling a cold coming on. I think it's totally fine to take any supplement/vitamin your body needs, however, I do think they need to be cleared with your doctor first to confirm you actually need them. I know far too many people who take an excess amount of vitamins/supplements simply because they tell themselves they'll be healthier and need them without consulting their doctor first.

katnadreau

I do a women's multivitamin every day. I do a decent job of getting most of what I need through food. It's mostly a habit thing now, I've spent so much of the past 12 years taking prenatals it felt weird not taking anything lol

msdemmie

Multivitamin every day and Cartisil ( Glucosamine complex ) for degenerative arthritis, twice a day - DR prescribed.

vingogly

I take a multivitamin every day, and an extra vitamin D capsule (2000 IUs). I also take a couple of tart cherry extract caps because some studies suggest it's good for gout, and I've had fewer attacks and less severe ones since starting the tart cherry caps (I get attacks because of the meds I'm on). I take a couple of pomegranate extract caps as well, because I have prostate cancer and some research suggests it can slow the progression of prostate cancer. I take the cherry and pomegranate in caps because of the calories -- when I eventually reach my maintenance weight, I'll switch to a tart cherry/pomegranate juice "cocktail" with breakfast. The vitamin D is for the cancer, too. When I have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, I'll use melatonin or valerian as a sleep aid. I used fish oil long ago, but it's a no no with the coumadin I'm on. What do my doctors say? They roll their eyes and tell me I'm wasting my money.

fuzzylop72

I take b12, vitamin d, iodine (i dont use table salt much), and a dha supplement

kshama2001

HeatherLW32 wrote: »

I have heard that fish oil is really good.

Does magnesium really help with sleep? That's definitely an area I need help with.

There are several different forms of magnesium. I've heard magnesium oxide is good for constipation. Not sure which one was helpful for sleep, but magnesium aspartate does nothing for me.

I'd start with melatonin. The sub-lingual type helps me get to sleep fast, and the slower release can help people stay asleep (but not me so much anymore. Still, I swore by melatonin for decades.)

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KarenSmith2018

I take a womens multivitamin which has extra iron mainly. I take green tea as well because for me i find it does increase energy and concentration. I used to take fish oil and found it didn't do much. Same with BCAAs. I take Creatine with my Whey Protein. Whey protein to ensure i hit my protein target, creatine to help my push during workouts.

stanmann571

B12/D3-because I work inside
Glucosamine/Boswellia/Turmeric/Cinnamon/DHA/EPA-Because It seems to help with pain management(I'm "allergic" to NSAIDS)
Multivitamin-Justin Case

Beta-Alanine/Creatine/Citrulline/BCAAs-Because I have observed performance/training benefits.

Examine.com-Because you need to do your own research

KendraS74

I have to have Vitamin D and Biotin. The Biotin has helped me lose less hair. I have always shed hair, but this stuff really works for skin, nails, and hair. I take my usual multi and fish oil as well.

fuzzylop72

thecharon wrote: »

@fuzzylop72 Be careful with iodine. It can be harmful if taken in larger quantities. My walmart does not carry iodine which makes me uneasy. They do sell one online which contains 20,000% of RDA. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Thyroid-Care-by-Terry-Naturally-60-Tablets/195764435 My multivitamin contains a small amount which is just right. Tell your doctor about your intake of iodine.

Like many vegans, there's very little iodine in my diet (since I don't consume sea vegetables on a regular basis, nor iodized table salt). My doctor is aware of all my supplementation, though, and they're all pretty standard in terms of vegan supplementation.

Fitnessmom82

HeatherLW32 wrote: »

My questions is regarding supplements and vitamins. I've been trying to do research on all this fitness stuff and wanted some real people thoughts.

Do you do the supplements? If so what and why?

I take my daily multi vitamin, Iron (I'm anemic so I gotta), and Green tea extract (for the health benefits...it's supposed to be a good "natural" thing for depression, concentration, and what have you. Dr recommended so I said sure, why not)

Are there some things you absolutely MUST have? Are there some that are a huge no-no for you? I'm still new to all this and I'm trying to just figure out what would not just help me lose weight but also be healthy.

I take a multivitamin, fish oil and vitamin d every day (thyroid issues and my doc wants me on vitamin d). I also throw in vitamin c if it's cold and flu season.

janejellyroll

fuzzylop72 wrote: »

thecharon wrote: »

@fuzzylop72 Be careful with iodine. It can be harmful if taken in larger quantities. My walmart does not carry iodine which makes me uneasy. They do sell one online which contains 20,000% of RDA. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Thyroid-Care-by-Terry-Naturally-60-Tablets/195764435 My multivitamin contains a small amount which is just right. Tell your doctor about your intake of iodine.

Like many vegans, there's very little iodine in my diet (since I don't consume sea vegetables on a regular basis, nor iodized table salt). My doctor is aware of all my supplementation, though, and they're all pretty standard in terms of vegan supplementation.

Yep, here is the recommendation from a reliable source for vegan nutritional information: "North American vegans should take a modest iodine supplement; 75-150 µg every few days." (http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/iodine)

@thecharon , supplementation isn't one-size-fits-all. Sometimes people have special needs or lifestyle factors that make a certain supplementation decision the best call for them even though it may not be a good idea for someone else.

CSARdiver

I take a multivitamin due to diagnosed deficiencies - B6, folic acid, B12

Fish Oil as a precaution and Glucosamine/Chondroitin.


I'm always cautious around green tea. I had a case where a patient was on a "Green Tea regimen" for weight loss (no idea how much she was actually drinking). The treating physician performed an injection into the nasolabial folds and could not stop the bleeding from a 26 ga needle stick. The massive amounts of green tea she was ingesting dramatically inhibited her clotting factors.

Christine_72

I used to take swag of supplements.

Multi vitamin
Fish oil
Vit D
Vit C
Vit B
co enzyme Q10

It was costing me a fortune! I felt no difference when taking them, and no different when i stopped taking them.