Supplements and vitamins

This content has been removed.

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

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.