Vitamin Supplements

If you're feeling better, it's likely because whatever you were eating before DIDN'T have the micro nutrients to fulfill your RDA. That's good.

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I'm glad they're working for you. Anyone considering adding a vitamin supplement to their day, though, take note: it is possible to overdose on micronutrients, and the side effects of doing so can range from "unpleasant" to "deadly." So, you know, maybe at least consult with a medical professional first.

Improved nutrition can help pretty much anyone feel better, I think. I stopped taking a multi (long story), but am still taking calcium, D3, and an algae Omega-3 supplement (the latter because I'm vegetarian, the first 2 because recommended by a specialist doctor). I don't feel any different without the multi, but I eat a (nearly literal) boatload of varied vegetables and fruit daily, so I suspect my overall micronutrient intake is at least decent-ish. I'm 65.

Some supplements should not be taken without deficiency testing first, and a few can be risky at doses that are surprisingly small multiples of the RDA, either acutely or cumulatively. A mainstream multi should be OK, though I've seen a few health food store brands that I thought were unnecessarily high in certain micros at best, perhaps heading toward a risky border at worst. I'm not a professional, though, just a cautious consumer.

I take Omega3s, a full spectrum methyl B, Vit K2 and Astaxanthin (it's what makes Krill oil different than a standard Omega3). For now, I'm adding in a D as well, since it's Winter and I'm not getting in a lot of sun in AZ.

I'm sure I'll get pushback on here saying this, but Calcium, without Vit K2, is potentially dangerous. Buy a good Bone supplement that includes Vit K2. In the US, we consume the second most dairy in the world. Yet, we have terrible bones and a lot of heart issues. Around 10 years ago, scientists figured out why. Historically, our ancestors got a lot of Vit K2 in the diet -- you get most of it through organ meats, from grass fed animals. I'm sure I'll have a vegan say K is converted to K2, which it is, but in ridiculously small quantities that won't make much of a difference. K2 signals the body to put the calcium in the bones, not the arteries. What loading up our society with calcium and no K2 has done is make brittle bones and arteries clogged with calcium (that's why they call it calcification of arteries). Even most docs aren't up to the latest science on K2.

If you're thinking about calcium for bone health, do yourself a favor and add in Vit K2. It will help your bones and your heart. Not sure any gummies would have it. Life Extension makes a supplement that has both Calcium and K2 in one pill. There are several other brands that are doing it now as well. But you might have to swallow a pill, not chew a gummy to get it.

Chris Masterjohn is a great resource on K2 and why just eating lots of greens isn't good enough. He educates docs on the subject.

Calcium tablets are available nowadays. I don't exactly know if calcium gummies are like gummy bears except in the form of vitamins, as usually gummy vitamins are consumed by children for the purpose of making it easier for them. My nephew had trouble consuming vitamin supplements as he was afraid of swallowing pills. So instead tablets in the form of gummy bears were recommended to him by the doctor.

middlehaitch wrote: »

I take D and B12 on a daily basis.

At the moment I am also adding a multi and collagen/biotin.
The latter are because I have had a very stressful 8 month, and that is not taking COVID into account, and I know I am probably a little lacking in nutrients.

Calcium, I get from dairy as it is better absorbed.

If you live in the north get your D checked, and, because of your age, same as mine, get your B12 checked. Quite often as we age absorption of B12 drops. This can really affect your energy levels and brain function.

Cheers, h.

This, but only get B12 tested after being off all B12 supplements for 4 months at least. B12 is one of the few vitamins where just a bit has a very big effect on blood levels. Taking a supplement and then getting a test might mask a proper deficiency due to absorption issues. As the only thing that really helps in a proper deficiency is injections, taking a supplement before a test might mean you won't get the treatment you need.

MikePfirrman wrote: »

I take Omega3s, a full spectrum methyl B, Vit K2 and Astaxanthin (it's what makes Krill oil different than a standard Omega3). For now, I'm adding in a D as well, since it's Winter and I'm not getting in a lot of sun in AZ.

I'm sure I'll get pushback on here saying this, but Calcium, without Vit K2, is potentially dangerous. Buy a good Bone supplement that includes Vit K2. In the US, we consume the second most dairy in the world. Yet, we have terrible bones and a lot of heart issues. Around 10 years ago, scientists figured out why. Historically, our ancestors got a lot of Vit K2 in the diet -- you get most of it through organ meats, from grass fed animals. I'm sure I'll have a vegan say K is converted to K2, which it is, but in ridiculously small quantities that won't make much of a difference. K2 signals the body to put the calcium in the bones, not the arteries. What loading up our society with calcium and no K2 has done is make brittle bones and arteries clogged with calcium (that's why they call it calcification of arteries). Even most docs aren't up to the latest science on K2.

If you're thinking about calcium for bone health, do yourself a favor and add in Vit K2. It will help your bones and your heart. Not sure any gummies would have it. Life Extension makes a supplement that has both Calcium and K2 in one pill. There are several other brands that are doing it now as well. But you might have to swallow a pill, not chew a gummy to get it.

Chris Masterjohn is a great resource on K2 and why just eating lots of greens isn't good enough. He educates docs on the subject.

Predict a vegan and one shall appear!

I do not think that the mainstream vegan argument is that K is converted to K2, I think the argument is that we don't know a lot yet about how K2 deficiency (if it exists) presents itself and what amount we might need to consume to avoid those consequences on top of the K2 that our bodies are producing within our intestine. There simply isn't enough evidence yet. I can understand why someone would want to supplement K2 given what we currently know and I don't think you'd find evidence-based vegan nutritional experts arguing that you shouldn't.

For anyone who is interested about veganism and K2, here is a summary that I found useful.

I had trouble with a prior multi making my stomach upset and was told gummis were better for that so tried them and had no issue. I don't take a multi anymore (I'm pretty comfortable with relying on my diet) and have never had trouble with things like D3 or B12 upsetting my stomach, so no more gummis.