Supplements for Women

jumpybeans
jumpybeans Posts: 71 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Thought I'd throw this out there and see if anyone can give some advice.

I am at a loss when it comes to finding good supplements to my diet. I should probably be taking a multi vitamin, but I feel like I get a decent amount through my food anyways. My biggest issue is lack of energy, being irritable (this could just be due to work in general), stress, brain fog, and recently a nice 15 lb weight gain in the form of belly fat. I went through a very intense period of stress right before all this happened, and after I saw my way clear and the other stressors let up, my job got extremely busy and stressful as well.

I have started a good exercise regime, I'm eating much better as well. But I wonder if there's some supplements I could take just to increase my energy and make me feel better overall.

Thanks!
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Replies

  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    A basic multivitamin is a good idea. Have you had your blood tested for vitamin D levels? Iron? B vitamins?

    The only way a supplement will help you with your symptoms is if your symptoms are caused by an actual deficiency in something. There is really no way to know unless you've been checked.

    Otherwise, in addition to your exercise and healthy diet, make sure your getting enough sleep and eating enough calories.
  • ChristinaClemens
    ChristinaClemens Posts: 1 Member
    edited July 2015
    I've been going through this myself. I've been eating a raw diet and have found that I personally might be low in iron. I've been considering iron supplements or changing the way I eat vitamin C and plant based iron foods together (that's helpful in absorbing plant based iron). Look into iron absorption and determine if you're getting enough from your diet. The side effects of low iron are very similar to what you're describing and we both are going through. Hopefully this will help you.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    As Alyssa said, unless you get bloodwork done, there isn't any way to know what vitamins you might actually be lacking in. Taking supplements can be risky, as there are some that can be harmful if you take too much.
    A good multivitamin is a good start, do that. Then eat a well-rounded diet in moderation, meeting your macronutrients of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Not meeting your needs in one of those areas can lead to fatigue, especially if you are exercising. Lack of restful sleep can also. Stay away from electronics for a full half-hour before you go to sleep each night, so your brain has time to shut down.
    Meet your calorie goals for each day.
  • Asharee011
    Asharee011 Posts: 129 Member
    I take a multivitamin and have done blood work before and learned that I should also take vitamin D. For energy I've found that the Emergen-c drink packets or Advocare's Spark helps me. If you can I would recommend getting your blood work done. It's just great to know where your levels are sitting.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,053 Member
    I was very low energy and cranky a few years back and it turned out the iron supplements the VA gave me were useless and so my anemia was not being treated. Do get tested for iron, D, B, etc. Despite being anemic for decades, I have to specifically request the iron test for my yearly bloodwork, so do have a discussion about your symptoms and what to test.

    I take Iron Bisglycinate now. It's not constipating.
  • Stephanie3399
    Stephanie3399 Posts: 40 Member
    Multivitamins are great and can really help fill those gaps! I also drink Advocare's spark for energy because my day to day is so busy! It helps to keep me going and energized!
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    edited July 2015
    If you're low, supplements can be a godsend. They'll clear the brain thing and you'll feel better and more energetic...if the lack of supplement was the reason for decreased energy and brain issue.

    If you aren't low, they'll do nothing. The body will either store it or sent it out. It will not say, "Well, I have too much of this, so I'll give you more energy!" That's not how it goes.

    If you see your doctor for check-ups like you should, he will run the blood and let you know if you're low and what to take to correct it. One of the many, many reasons to have regular check-ups. :)
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Are you over restricting yourself?
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    OP, I'd also like to add that you don't need to spend a lot of money on any one supplement (such as Spark, Thrive, Shakeology, or anything from a MLM company). You can go to the drugstore and buy an inexpensive, basic multi and be just fine.
  • jumpybeans
    jumpybeans Posts: 71 Member
    Thanks for all your replies. Definitely not over restricting myself. I think it has to do with two very key factors. The first is work stress. The second is not having enough time to myself to recharge my batteries. I would love to take a day off just to be by myself and relax, but I know that I'll be ten times more stressed the next day because the work will be piled sky high.

    I suppose no amount of supplements will change my situation, but it would be good to have that energy to tackle the day.
  • KateSimpson17
    KateSimpson17 Posts: 282 Member
    jumpybeans wrote: »
    Thanks for all your replies. Definitely not over restricting myself. I think it has to do with two very key factors. The first is work stress. The second is not having enough time to myself to recharge my batteries. I would love to take a day off just to be by myself and relax, but I know that I'll be ten times more stressed the next day because the work will be piled sky high.

    I suppose no amount of supplements will change my situation, but it would be good to have that energy to tackle the day.

    Even though this is probably the case, and only your doctor can tell you if you have specific deficiencies, taking a multivitamin is a good idea anyway. Even when I have great eating days with lots of everything I need I don't always get enough of a lot of things, and a vitamin is kind of my safety net... also I am citric acid intolerant so I don't get enough vitamin C without one. Also, a lot of multivitamins have things that are really hard to get through food.
    Honestly, I do One a Day Womens Vitacraves gummies and I would take them even if I didn't need them because WHO KNEW THEY MADE GUMMY VITAMINS FOR ADULTS?!?!?!?!?! #win (the teen girl ones actually taste even better, but the women's ones had more of what I thought I needed, but you could check them out)
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    i always wonder how so many of you know what to take without blood work getting done?
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    jumpybeans wrote: »
    Thanks for all your replies. Definitely not over restricting myself. I think it has to do with two very key factors. The first is work stress. The second is not having enough time to myself to recharge my batteries. I would love to take a day off just to be by myself and relax, but I know that I'll be ten times more stressed the next day because the work will be piled sky high.

    I suppose no amount of supplements will change my situation, but it would be good to have that energy to tackle the day.

    Is the work that will be piled sky high work work or home work? Is there anything that can be let go, delegated, or farmed out?
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    edited July 2015
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    i always wonder how so many of you know what to take without blood work getting done?


    I should get the blood work done, but I'm *kitten* scared of needles, and I have non existent veins which require lots and lots of hit and miss before they actually find one. I end up looking like a junkie for the next week because of all the bruises and pin pricks up and down my arms. Just thought I would get that out there lol

    In answer to the op's question

    For energy, a good quality B complex supplement helps give me an extra boost. I ran out last week, and I can definitely tell the difference in energy levels without it.
    Other than that my must haves are:

    A women's multi
    Fish oil
    Calcium/vit D tablet
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    christinev297 wrote: »
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    i always wonder how so many of you know what to take without blood work getting done?


    I should get the blood work done, but I'm *kitten* scared of needles, and I have non existent veins which require lots and lots of hit and miss before they actually find one. I end up looking like a junkie for the next week because of all the bruises and pin pricks up and down my arms. Just thought I would get that out there lol

    In answer to the op's question

    For energy, a good quality B complex supplement helps give me an extra boost. I ran out last week, and I can definitely tell the difference in energy levels without it.
    Other than that my must haves are:

    A women's multi
    Fish oil
    Calcium/vit D tablet

    This is why you should get blood work done. Taking the multivitamin and the B complex and the calcium/vitamin D is doubling up. The multivitamin already has B vitamins in it, as well as vitamin D. Some of the B vitamins, as well as the D, are some of the supplements that can be harmful if they are elevated in blood serum levels. Getting blood work done annually can ensure that blood serum levels are normal.

    Also, unless you are buying supplements without the USP seal, there is no guarantee that they are being properly absorbed by the body.
  • amr32r
    amr32r Posts: 245 Member
    I agree with getting blood work done..just to be safe..i had blood work done in feb..my vitamind was low ..im still taking a prescription vitamin 50,000 iu a week.
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    christinev297 wrote: »
    TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »
    i always wonder how so many of you know what to take without blood work getting done?


    I should get the blood work done, but I'm *kitten* scared of needles, and I have non existent veins which require lots and lots of hit and miss before they actually find one. I end up looking like a junkie for the next week because of all the bruises and pin pricks up and down my arms. Just thought I would get that out there lol

    In answer to the op's question

    For energy, a good quality B complex supplement helps give me an extra boost. I ran out last week, and I can definitely tell the difference in energy levels without it.
    Other than that my must haves are:

    A women's multi
    Fish oil
    Calcium/vit D tablet

    i understand but still it can be risky like to much calcium can cause kidney stones.
    Herbal supplements can cause live damage etc etc



  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    edited July 2015
    oh and too much vitamins can harm you too btw, and lets not forget too much iron is toxic too

    and dont get me wrong i get supl. and vitamins too. But i just didn't take them because i thought i needed them.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Ok Thanks guys. I shall bite the bullet and just do it! :confounded:
  • BasicGreatGuy
    BasicGreatGuy Posts: 857 Member
    In my opinion, a good man is the best supplement a woman can take. B)

    I now return you to your regularly vitamin scheduled program already in progress. :/
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    BasicGreatGuy wrote: »
    In my opinion, a good man is the best supplement a woman can take. B)

    I now return you to your regularly vitamin scheduled program already in progress. :/

    Barf.

    25 years together with, 17 years married to my absolute best friend and favorite person ever.

    But still, barf.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    BasicGreatGuy wrote: »
    In my opinion, a good man is the best supplement a woman can take. B)

    I now return you to your regularly vitamin scheduled program already in progress. :/

    I already get enough protein, thanks :tongue:

  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    BasicGreatGuy wrote: »
    In my opinion, a good man is the best supplement a woman can take. B)

    I now return you to your regularly vitamin scheduled program already in progress. :/

    I think you should move on the the chit chat section

  • BasicGreatGuy
    BasicGreatGuy Posts: 857 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    BasicGreatGuy wrote: »
    In my opinion, a good man is the best supplement a woman can take. B)

    I now return you to your regularly vitamin scheduled program already in progress. :/

    Barf.

    25 years together with, 17 years married to my absolute best friend and favorite person ever.

    But still, barf.

    I didn't mean it in a sexual manner. I was using the statement in regards to a mental and spiritual bond.

  • BasicGreatGuy
    BasicGreatGuy Posts: 857 Member
    christinev297 wrote: »
    BasicGreatGuy wrote: »
    In my opinion, a good man is the best supplement a woman can take. B)

    I now return you to your regularly vitamin scheduled program already in progress. :/

    I already get enough protein, thanks :tongue:

    The statement wasn't meant in that regard. I didn't think people would take my statement that way. I will be more specific next time. I didn't mean to derail. I was trying to bring a little relationship / romantic levity to the thread is all. :smile:
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    BasicGreatGuy wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    BasicGreatGuy wrote: »
    In my opinion, a good man is the best supplement a woman can take. B)

    I now return you to your regularly vitamin scheduled program already in progress. :/

    Barf.

    25 years together with, 17 years married to my absolute best friend and favorite person ever.

    But still, barf.

    I didn't mean it in a sexual manner. I was using the statement in regards to a mental and spiritual bond.

    LOL All good. I was being a smartarse :wink:

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    BasicGreatGuy wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    BasicGreatGuy wrote: »
    In my opinion, a good man is the best supplement a woman can take. B)

    I now return you to your regularly vitamin scheduled program already in progress. :/

    Barf.

    25 years together with, 17 years married to my absolute best friend and favorite person ever.

    But still, barf.

    I didn't mean it in a sexual manner. I was using the statement in regards to a mental and spiritual bond.

    I was not thinking sexually either. You came into a thread about nutritional needs and posted relationship advice. My first thought was "oh barf."
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    Stephanie3399 wrote: »
    Multivitamins are great and can really help fill those gaps! I also drink Advocare's spark for energy because my day to day is so busy! It helps to keep me going and energized!

    I have read several of your posts. You sound like commercial.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,494 Member
    Serah87 wrote: »
    Stephanie3399 wrote: »
    Multivitamins are great and can really help fill those gaps! I also drink Advocare's spark for energy because my day to day is so busy! It helps to keep me going and energized!

    I have read several of your posts. You sound like commercial.

    Right? All that's missing is "Message me for more details!"
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    christinev297 wrote: »
    Ok Thanks guys. I shall bite the bullet and just do it! :confounded:
    You really should get a check-up every year. Things get caught earlier...things that might kill you if not caught early. Plus, they run your blood. Imagine how many times you'll be stuck if you get sick and hospitalized, lol. One is better than a ton. :)
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