Anyone taking supplements?

Roni_M
Roni_M Posts: 717 Member
edited October 7 in Food and Nutrition
Is anyone taking supplements? I am thinking of adding a fiber and omega 3 supplement. I have some mild cholesterol issues that would benefit from these (good is low and bad is on the higher end of normal). After 2 months of being on here the weight loss is going well but my fiber numbers run consistently lower than they should.

I am eating lots of fruit and veggies. I don't like "whole grain" anything (actually not a fan of bread, rice or pasta at all!) and can't manage to choke down those cardboard fiber bars. I have a packet of instant oatmeal for breakfast (surprisingly not that much fiber in those!) So my question is strictly about supplements since I know I won't be consistent in eating things I don't like.

What do those of you taking them use? I don't know how I'd fair using the type you drink. I was thinking metimucil pills and maybe omega 3 fish oil caps? I am primarily concerned with improving my cholesterol before it becomes more of an issue.
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Replies

  • countrygirl812
    countrygirl812 Posts: 116
    Fish oil, and a high potency vitamin d are the ones I take.
  • alyssamiller77
    alyssamiller77 Posts: 891 Member
    I take a multi-vitamin every day, iron supplement every couple days (usually watch my intake and if it's low for a couple days I'll take an iron pill), protein shakes and bars every day. I did fish oil pills for a little while but after some research determined the potential impact wasn't worth the cost.
  • Roni_M
    Roni_M Posts: 717 Member
    Fish oil, and a high potency vitamin d are the ones I take.

    Is there a specific reason for the vitamin d? I take a multivitamin already.
  • Roni_M
    Roni_M Posts: 717 Member
    I take a multi-vitamin every day, iron supplement every couple days (usually watch my intake and if it's low for a couple days I'll take an iron pill), protein shakes and bars every day. I did fish oil pills for a little while but after some research determined the potential impact wasn't worth the cost.

    I keep an eye on my iron as well because I have had anemia in the past. I assume you mean the financial cost of the fish oil? I'm not overly concerned about the cost because I'm sure the cost of cholesterol medication (which the doctor said I was heading towards) will be high as well! I know our local Costco has them in very large bottles. Is there a better ratio to take or does it matter that much?
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    Fish oil, and a high potency vitamin d are the ones I take.

    Is there a specific reason for the vitamin d? I take a multivitamin already.

    I also take vitamin D - I burn very easily and avoid the sun, so I need to take a supplement. Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium, and a lack of vitamin D is associated with obesity.

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/153669.php

    I take flax seed oil rather than fish oil - don't like the fish burps. I also take a daily women's multivitamin and resveratrol, the stuff in red wine that supposedly improves cardiovascular health.

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/153724.php
  • countrygirl812
    countrygirl812 Posts: 116
    Fish oil, and a high potency vitamin d are the ones I take.

    Is there a specific reason for the vitamin d? I take a multivitamin already.

    Because I lack it, and I feel like crap without it.
  • mamaturner
    mamaturner Posts: 2,447 Member
    I'm on a multi, Omega 3,6,9 (all in one) and Vitamin D3 (2000 mg)

    The D I was told by Dr. to go on-multi just smart and Omega I decided a while back to take. All have been helpful.

    I also take 10 mg Meletonin at night to help me get to sleep... if only it helped me stay asleep!
  • msarro
    msarro Posts: 2,748 Member
    I take a daily vitamin for men.
  • steph_stein
    steph_stein Posts: 11
    I take fish oil and calcium with vitamin D. Most women don't get enough of either. Also, if you're over thirty, you should consider taking a folic acid supplement. If you find you lack energy, try adding a B complex.
    Absorption of supplements is also an issue, as most of what you take won't be used by your body. Liquid form are better absorbed, as are supplements coated with Enteric coating. They are more expensive but worth it.
  • empresslove13
    empresslove13 Posts: 48 Member
    Unless you spend a good deal of time in the sun you probably need Vit D> It helps the body absorb calcium, fights disease and infection and boosts mood. One of the most important vits you can take. I take 5,ooo ius a day
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    I would o my best no to take anything you can get in a "real food" form. Chic peas are a great source of fiber and you can add them to soup, salads, even bake them with tobacco sauce. There are lots of cereals that are high in fiber. Fiber supplements all come with warnings, so read them.

    I take fish oil, vitamin D glocosamine for my joints.
  • nursenikki829
    nursenikki829 Posts: 432 Member
    I take a multivitamin, vitamin D, vitamin E, DHA, fiber and calcium.
  • EdsMJ
    EdsMJ Posts: 1 Member
    make sure you take a whole food supplement. you want to take something made from living things, not manufactured.
    that is key in taking any good supplement.(just like eating processed food) always good to avoid. You will find good ones to choose from.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Have you tried making barley instead of rice? I am not a huge fan of rice myself, but I really like barley. It is cheap and it is sweeter than rice and not so gummy. I make it in the rice cooker the same way I make rice and use it as a side in place of rice.
  • erxkeel
    erxkeel Posts: 553 Member
    Multi
    D3
    Chondrotin//Glucosimine
    Creatine
  • kandyjo
    kandyjo Posts: 4,493 Member
    I take a multi-vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and phytonutrient supplement....
  • LolaGotThin
    LolaGotThin Posts: 111 Member
    So far, I just take a multivitamin.
  • cougsangel
    cougsangel Posts: 1
    I take a vitamin B12 everyday. I have been thinking about doing a multivitamin but not sure about that though. I also eat 5 to 6 small meals a day which I think gives me a little more energy then eating 3 big meals a day.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,027 Member
    A multi, omega 3 and protein.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • ClariRose
    ClariRose Posts: 49 Member
    I take a multi-vitamin formulated for women and 400 mg of Potassium. After a few weeks of consistently recording my intake (using a software program I have from a class I took) and being too low by half or more of my potassium intake, I added the supplement. It's only about 1/10 of what I need in a day, but combined with greater focus on consuming potassium rich foods, I'm doing better.
  • Roni_M
    Roni_M Posts: 717 Member
    Thank you all for the great info! I also have psoriatic arthritis so think the addition of vitamin d could be beneficial for me. Also the articles were very interesting! It will be an added bonus to have an energy boost and if it helps with the weight loss...major bonus!

    Is flax seed oil as good as the fish oil for cholesterol (fishy burps don't sound very appealing!)
  • kardowling
    kardowling Posts: 221 Member
    Just a One a day Energy multi vitamin. If I'm getting a cold I ramp up on vitamin C. Nothing Crazy.
  • Barribomb
    Barribomb Posts: 260 Member
    Women's multi
    Omega 3
    CLA
    Glutamine
    Whey Protein
  • Bronx_Montgomery
    Bronx_Montgomery Posts: 2,284 Member
    I take Juice Plus. Its pretty good and gives you all the natural good ingredients from fruits and vegetables. Its funny because its not considered a vitamin but more like food
  • LeanMeanFitnessMachine
    LeanMeanFitnessMachine Posts: 659
    You should just look into something like Lipitor if you are only concerned about lowering cholesterol. The others might help, but your best bet would be a supplement/medication SPECIFICALLY targeted at cholesterol control.
  • CalJur
    CalJur Posts: 627 Member
    There is heated debate on value of supplements by medical community but I prefer to take them. I do notice a difference when I take them on a regular basis.

    I think most individuals would benefit from a age/sex specific multivitamin at a minimum. I prefer the a combination of the following: Ulta Mega Green Men's Dietary Supplement (GNC), fish oil, cod liver oil, and flax seed oil. I'll also do ginko and ginseng from time to time. Together these all promote either physical well being or mental alertness. You can easily google these products to see the potential value. Hope it helps someone viewing this thread.
  • scarletfever2005
    scarletfever2005 Posts: 141 Member
    I take a men's multivitamin
    whey protein
    protein bars
    fish oil
    beta alanine
    creatine


    But, I'm planning on cutting back on this stuff. I'm slowly begining to realize that the person who get's the most benefit from supplements is the person selling it.
  • Roni_M
    Roni_M Posts: 717 Member
    You should just look into something like Lipitor if you are only concerned about lowering cholesterol. The others might help, but your best bet would be a supplement/medication SPECIFICALLY targeted at cholesterol control.

    At this point I don't require medication to lower my cholesterol. However, if it gets worse the doctor has said I may need one. He said he would prefer to have me improve the numbers through diet and exercise (which I am working on). There are tons of supplements that "claim" to help reduce cholesterol. I'm more then willing to add supplements to help and not so crazy on going to a medication if I can avoid it! I have other medications that I take for my arthritis and i'm in the middle of waiting to get into the rhuematologist to have other meds added.

    I expect that as my weight drops and my exercise levels increase I would be able to get the numbers into a better balance. I'm hoping to accomplish this before seeing the rhuematologist (approx 6 month wait...5 more months to go). This time limit is important because the disease modifying drugs they will put me on can be very potent and have serious side effects. So I want my overall health improved when the time comes. Which of course includes the cholesterol numbers. =)
  • geckofli
    geckofli Posts: 155 Member
    I use centrum multivitamin a to z
    I cycle through my protein powder
    Proto whey
    Muscle milk
    And for my pretrainer
    Oxy elite
    Or mesomorph
    The pretrainers I have half doses and never more then 2 days in a row
    Every few weeks I go cold turkey on em and suck it up while I do my workouts without any pretrainers
    Inbox me if you have any specific questions and I can point you in the directio. Of sone really patient and helpful people who helped me get my head around the whole supplement and which protein when thingo
  • teagin2002
    teagin2002 Posts: 1,900 Member
    There is heated debate on value of supplements by medical community but I prefer to take them. I do notice a difference when I take them on a regular basis.

    This :smile:

    Fish oil
    daily multi vitamin
    ginkgo biloba
    Supper vitamin B complex
    around TMO, Black cohosh and primrose oil to help cleans a bit.

    I never considered whey protein as a supplement, but I do drink 2 scoops daily to supplement my protein needs.
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