Multi Vitamin Question

sunshinel397

Hi. I was wondering if I should still take a multi vitamin if I am eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and a variety of food. I know it is bad to over do it on certain vitamins so I wanted to be sure. Thanks.

Gorger

There is a recent breast cancer study (35000 woman). Woman who took vitamins had MORE breast cancer than those who did not. It's apparently the B vitamins that they are thinking contribute. So maybe have one once or twice a week while you are dieting? Also, Aspirins and anti-inflammitory foods also diminish breast cancer. Being over weight contributes to breast cancer too, so all the more reason to keep dieting. I look at the foods that people have in their diaries and I am shocked that no one seems to eat any real food these days (fruit, vegetables, whole grains and beans).

rsparks38

You can look at the nutrition breakdown under settings and it should break down your vitamin A, C, Iron and some others. You could decide if you want to, using that info. It's easier to look at on the iphone mobile app than on the website, because it's all on one report. However, I believe you can look at each thing individually on the website. I take vitamins and I eat a lot more fruits and veggies than I used to. I eat 1300-1500 calories a day. After 4 months of this my hair is falling out a lot more than it used to, so I started taking time released B vitamins and a Multi. I have lost about 23 pounds now.

adross3

I prefer my vitamins naturally. Stop putting things in your mouth that are man made. STOP IT!!! Clean eating is the only way to give your body what it needs for a healthy existence. Clean eating gives you more nutriants and micronutriants. You eat more and feel better.

cramernh

In addition to adross' comment...
Even if after reviewing the report on your intake...if it still doesnt look right... always talk with your doctor before taking anything over the counter.

megan6709

Vitamins are generally inert. As to the one quoting a study about increased risk of breast cancer with B-vitamins, I'd like to see it.

That said, you are likely getting enough vitamins if you eat a balanced diet because our food is so over-supplemented. Calcium is usually a problem, because dieters tend to avoid dairy because of the fat. The calcium you get in vegetables is NOT a form your body can use, i.e. calcium oxalate, which is abundant in cruciferous vegetables, gives you zero benefit in terms of calcium intake.

The vitamins you CAN get too much of: A, D, E, K. These are stored in the body (in fat), but when you eat a low fat diet, you tend to not absorb them as much because there isn't a vehicle in which to move them across the intestine.

A = good for the eyes, high amount is several times RDA
D = good for energy, sometimes wound healing, and a multitude of other things. If you live in a nice northern state like I do, chances are you aren't getting enough, especially in the winter. 2,000 IU per day generally considered safe; I know a pharmacist who says she has NEVER seen someone with too much vitamin D although they were touting 5,000 IU per day here a while ago.
E = too much can be risky for the heart.
K = again risky for the heart - too much vitamin K can cause excess coagulation -- but this is NOT likely unless you have some underlying health condition.

Multivitamins are not harmful in almost any case, unless you have kidney or liver disease, in which case they make special multivitamins. See the trend there? LOL.

Becky99504

I have MS and kidney disease and all of my Doctors tell me to take Vit D3, Calcium and a multivitamin. I also see a dietitan who recommends all the same vitamins and minerals.

cramernh

That's right, because there are some vitamins and minerals that require being broken down/absorbed/dumped by the kidneys which would explain why you need the otc's... they probably dont work efficiently as they used to...

Im a very restricted dairy-gal (very limited) so D3 and Calcium Citrate are MD-ordered for me... man.. that Calcium citrate is a dang HORSE PILL! LOL