Multivitamins.

I take vitamins, but there are no FDA regulations regarding their content (though if sold in California, they must carry a warning if they contain toxic metals), so it is hard to know what you're getting. Vitamins are supplements and should be used to supplement your normal diet, not substitute it.

I take several supplements; but the multivitamin I take is the one for prenatal and pregnancy. I recommend it for any woman because it is one of the most complete multivitamins for woman and it's economical. To get what is in the prenatal/pregnancy multivitamin, you would have to buy a "regular" multivitamin along with several others, so for convenience and economics, it is a better deal to get the prenatal multivitamin. I still take additional vitamin D3 drops, b12, vitamin e and sometimes b complex (if I am under more stress than usual); but they are associated with deficiencies I have had since having radiation and surgeries. Bloodwork would show if you are low or significantly low in anything. Take care

Theoretically, if you get a decent amount and variety of fruits and vegetables, you should be OK on vitamins. I know I fail at consistently getting enough F&V, so I do take a multivitamin as insurance. I've also been taking 1000 IU D3 on top of that.

I've never really understood the differences between Man/Woman vitamins. I would imagine they are mostly the same with a few tweaks on amounts. I take a Men's multi, but I honestly couldn't tell you why it's different than the woman version or how it's an advantage for me.

I know I don't eat enough fruits & veggies, so I take a women's multivitamin & a chewable vitamin c, & I also take a calcium chew since I very rarely drink milk.

mile626 wrote: »

30 years of evidence shows that, in general, Multivitamins are unnecessary and do nothing to improve health. http://hub.jhu.edu/2013/12/17/vitamins-might-be-harmful

In certain populations vitamins are helpful, but overwhelmingly for healthy people consuming a standard American diet, they do nothing.

I remember several years ago seeing Charles Krauthammer on the news go on a rant about multivitamins, essentially saying that patients waste their time and money on supplements that don't do anything. He evidently sees the vitamin industry as a big scam. But that one rant has stuck with me enough that whenever I happen across multivitamins at the store, I always end up putting the vitamins back on the shelf. I should look into the subject more, but I frankly hadn't and Krauthammer's rant has at the very least had the effect of making me go "Nah" at the idea of making any impulse purchases on vitamins.

Thanks for the link, interesting read.

I take the supplements recommended by my doctor: Multivitimin, Calcium plus vitaminD, Salmon or Red Krill oil, probiotic.

Everything I take is from Puritain's Pride because they're inexpensive and I trust them. For the Multi vitimin I get the Women's formula without iron.. It calls for TWO caplets a day. I take two when I'm eating at a severe deficit and only one when I'm in maintenance. I take Puritian's pride brand red Krill oil, Probiotic 10 and Calcium citrate with vitaminD.

Retinal tears/thin spots? I have that. I had some laser surgery a couple years ago and all's been well since then... guess I'll keep up my multi-vitamin with lutein in case it's working!

Multi-vitamins often only result in really expensive, and colorful, pee.
You should have a physical every year, with a full blood work pu. If you are lacking in a specific vitamin, you should take that specific vitamin, otherwise you should get all your necessary nutrients from your food.
Don't waste money on a bunch vitamins you aren't lacking.

I think multi-vitamins are very important. I take two high quality ones per day. Also take 4000mg of vitamin c