Vitamins. Are you taking them?

tsdsign

Hello MFP people -

For the past few months I've been putting a lot of emphasis on fitness. I try to stick to working out 4-5 times a week. Just this week after my brutal workout on Monday (Zumba + Extreme Cycling), my body felt soOo drained. Which is expected after all of that -- but on Wednesday I was still drained. And I'm not referring to soreness or fatigue of the body... it just felt like I had no "GET UP AND GO" about me. Which make me believe I should be taking vitamins. I used to take them a couple years ago, but stopped. Crazy (I know) especially with all this exercising I've been doing. So, what type of multi-vitamin do you suggest I take? Something that's good for women (of course).

Thanks,

UponThisRock

There's no real proof that vitamins do anything beneficial.

My suggestion is to figure out whether or not your diet is deficient, and fix it. If you can't realistically correct any deficiency through diet, then think about supplements.

lifeskittles

I take a one a day women's active multi, a calcium tablet with vitamin d, coromega omega 3 (its a packet you squeeze), and 2 billion count acidophilus for digestion... I start my day at 4 am every day and don't get to go to bed until 9 or 10 so I know what you mean by drained. The omegas do wonders though. I workout every morning and I know when I skip my vitamins I feel like crap. :P

melsinct

There's no real proof that vitamins do anything beneficial.

I disagree, blood work can prove it. I am a meat eater but still deficient in B12 even when taking a multivitamin, as I found out during routine blood work at my doctors. I now take B12 plus a multi that has B12 and test at normal levels. Bottom line is if you are deficient in something, you won't know without blood work. My doctor goes by the rule of thumb that everyone should at least take a multi, as very few people have such perfect diets that their needs are met 100% through eating a varied diet.

UponThisRock

There's no real proof that vitamins do anything beneficial.

I disagree, blood work can prove it. I am a meat eater but still deficient in B12 even when taking a multivitamin, as I found out during routine blood work at my doctors. I now take B12 plus a multi that has B12 and test at normal levels. Bottom line is if you are deficient in something, you won't know without blood work. My doctor goes by the rule of thumb that everyone should at least take a multi, as very few people have such perfect diets that their needs are met 100% through eating a varied diet.

Disagree with what? I never said that nutrient deficiencies are impossible. All I am saying is that multivitamins are often recommended as "nutritional insurance," but no studies have actually proven that make people healthier. And getting too much of a vitamin or mineral through supplementation is not unheard of.

IMO, the safest and most reasonable course of action is to try and fix your diet first, and then figure out if you're still coming up short in any area.

lukeout007

Regardless of the arguement at hand there's really no drawbacks to taking a multivitamin as far as I can tell.

I take the gummy kind because they actually taste decent and I hate the giant pills you have to swallow. The gummies are the first ones I've actually taken every single day without fail for more than a few days. In fact its been nearly a month now probably.

lelasutt

If you are going to take a multivitamin, don't waste your money on the typical cheap one-a-day you'd find at the grocery store or pharmacy. Order a good one online or go to the health food store. I take Rainbow Light women's multivitamin. I also take vitamin D3 and probiotics.

0PhAtDaDdY

Here is some of mine:

Natural Omega-3 Flaxseed (Linseed) Oil 1000 mg
Probiotic Acidophilus with Pectin
L-Carnitine 500 mg
Cayenne 450 mg
High Potency Ultra Vita Man™ Time Release
Pure Whey Protein Stack Vanilla
Astaxanthin 10 mg
Vitamin D
Flax Seed

69sweetness

Why is it every time I take vitamins I get headaches and fatigue? If that's the case I rather not take anything.

ItsMeRebekah

Yes, I take a ladies one.

ItsMeRebekah

Why is it every time I take vitamins I get headaches and fatigue? If that's the case I rather not take anything.

Prob not enough food in your stomach or not enough fluids.

brittanyjeanxo

There's no real proof that vitamins do anything beneficial.

My suggestion is to figure out whether or not your diet is deficient, and fix it. If you can't realistically correct any deficiency through diet, then think about supplements.

...really?

0PhAtDaDdY

There's no real proof that vitamins do anything beneficial.

My suggestion is to figure out whether or not your diet is deficient, and fix it. If you can't realistically correct any deficiency through diet, then think about supplements.

My skin looks 10 years younger than a year ago it's hard for me and the wife to take it all in, it seems I have backed up time....
I'm almost 56 yo....

brittanyjeanxo

If you are going to take a multivitamin, don't waste your money on the typical cheap one-a-day you'd find at the grocery store or pharmacy. Order a good one online or go to the health food store. I take Rainbow Light women's multivitamin. I also take vitamin D3 and probiotics.

Actually, those are just as good as any, provided you get the actual pill and not the gummy. They have just about everything in them that one needs to fill in the "gaps", especially iron, which as we all know, women tend to not have enough of.

I take and recommend the Women's One-A-Day formula. I take them every night. Just be sure not to take them on a completely empty stomach. Since they have 100% of your DV of iron, they can be kind of tough on the tummy.

Allyson1985

I didn't take vitamins before I was pregnant, I just adjusted my food intake to make sure I hit nutrients that were at a deficit.

springermad

I take multi vitamins every morning and feel better for taking them. I get the one with added iron.

UponThisRock

There's no real proof that vitamins do anything beneficial.

My suggestion is to figure out whether or not your diet is deficient, and fix it. If you can't realistically correct any deficiency through diet, then think about supplements.

My skin looks 10 years younger than a year ago it's hard for me and the wife to take it all in, it seems I have backed up time....
I'm almost 56 yo....

While the results of your n=1 study are intriguing, they don't change my opinion.

mommypennylane

There's no real proof that vitamins do anything beneficial.

My suggestion is to figure out whether or not your diet is deficient, and fix it. If you can't realistically correct any deficiency through diet, then think about supplements.

Agree! I well balanced diet actually provides all the average person needs. Just like any other flaw a person can have though, a person can have a deficit even while eating healthy. The typical average person though doesn't need any vitamins as long as they eat healthy. And yes it has been proven.

gillybumbler

Why is it every time I take vitamins I get headaches and fatigue? If that's the case I rather not take anything.

It may be the quality of the vitamin. Most are cheap and full of fillers. I like Source Naturals, Carlsons, Rainbo Light, NOW, Nature's Way, Kal, Garden of Life, and others that i can't think of at this moment.

mcg6242

I take GNC Women's Ultra Mega Energy, I absolutly love it.I feel like I have more energy when I am taking them. They have a bit of a werid smell at first, but you get use to it.

hotrodrachel

I take a women's multi as well as fish oil pills & a B-Complex. Basically, your body will absorb/use what it needs and you will excrete the rest so, in my opinion, vitamins can't hurt. I will say, though, that I've taken this combo for nearly 2 years now and if I miss a day I feel the difference.

shira324

Taking vitamins can be very important, especially for women. I had my doctor do a blood work-up, and she found that I'm Vitamin D deficient. So I take that as well as folic acid, since I'm trying to get pregnant. Most women also need to add calcium to their diet as well.

Multi-vitamins do have value, but I would check with your doctor, there may be specific things your body needs.

andreacord

I supplement but I get a broad array from the foods I eat too. Currently I'm taking a liquid Vitamin B sublingual, GTF Chromium, Women's Multi and Apple Cidar Vinegar.

TeeferTiger

I don't take any fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E or K. I only take anything my body can get rid of easily in urine and doesn't store in fat such as B, C and minerals.

katcassidy

In nursing school we learned that you take a glass of vinegar and put your vitamin in it. After 17 minutes if the pill is still intact (like a gel cap) youre probably going to pass it completely and not get anything of whats inside.

If the pill is disintegrated completely you know the nutrients will be free to be absorbed as it hits the upper part of the small intestine.

My auntie works at a water treatment plant and they have to stop production every hour or so to SCRAPE the build up of gel capsules off the filters because a lot of people don't break them down.

something to think about before you decide on a vitamin.

But I also agree with probiotics- I take one called GoodBelly Shot that has your day's supplies of vitamins in it.

Tiffany919

If you are going to take a multivitamin, don't waste your money on the typical cheap one-a-day you'd find at the grocery store or pharmacy. Order a good one online or go to the health food store. I take Rainbow Light women's multivitamin. I also take vitamin D3 and probiotics.

+1. i also take these (never upset my stomach) and i'm switching to the new chapter women's one. rainbow has the iron (and calcium), but iron can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in the vitamin. so i'm going to try and get the iron and calcium in my diet separately either by food or supplement later in the day.

gillybumbler

I take Carlson's Cod Liver Oil, Kal Probiotics, Source Naturals D-3 (only in the winter), and Nature's Way B-Complex (because I had a B deficiency...which this vitamin helped)

NeverGivesUp

I just got a full blood workup. Found out that I am severely lacking in iron my level was 3.5 and I should be between 9-35. The iron is causing me to be anemic which I also was not aware of and I am also low on vitamin B12. I would get a full blood work up if you are worried so you can pinpoint the reason for your lack of energy. If you are just lacking in vitamins, it is easy to fix.

gillybumbler

If you are going to take a multivitamin, don't waste your money on the typical cheap one-a-day you'd find at the grocery store or pharmacy. Order a good one online or go to the health food store. I take Rainbow Light women's multivitamin. I also take vitamin D3 and probiotics.

I agree with you! Fillers and toxic additives are bad! We also make sure that our vitamins don't contain things we are allergic to (gluten, soy, eggs etc) I love Rainbow Light! My son takes their nutri stars. It is a very good product.

debstanley4

There's no real proof that vitamins do anything beneficial.

My suggestion is to figure out whether or not your diet is deficient, and fix it. If you can't realistically correct any deficiency through diet, then think about supplements.

Agree! I well balanced diet actually provides all the average person needs. Just like any other flaw a person can have though, a person can have a deficit even while eating healthy. The typical average person though doesn't need any vitamins as long as they eat healthy. And yes it has been proven.

This is no longer true there is less vitamins in our food as we have depleated our soil and such. Even if we eat totally organic everything we couldn't get all we need.

0PhAtDaDdY

While the results of your n=1 study are intriguing, they don't change my opinion.

Not trying to change anyone's opinion just saying this old man is looking younger, I'm Glad!..........