Do you take supplements?

[BlueMoose]

I'm just wondering how into supplements the people on this BB are.

I only take a multiple and calcium (plus I use calcium fortified oj and milk). What about the rest of you?

Chrisi :p

[lorilei]

Definitely taking supplements! Even when I'm eating right, I just don't think it's possible to get all the nutrients my body craves for fending off disease and exhaustion.

I take:

a vegetarian multivitamin (w/ no iron)
1,000 mg vitamin C
B-100 complex (including 800mcg folic acid)
vitamin E
Barley green (2 capsules)
Flax oil

I'm contemplating coenzyme Q-10, but need to do a bit more research before I throw that into the mix as well.

[AmyMcP]

I take a Centrum every morning. I went to CVS one day and spoke to the Pharmacist about Centrum and CVS brand - same ingredients, same nutritional value, $5 difference! So, I went generic. I also take one Viactive Calcium chew every morning since I am not a milk drinker. Each chew has 50% of your daily calcium needs. My mom takes 2 chews a day since she is going through "the Phase":rolleyes:

[SusanT]

Just a daily multivitamin - Century (the Target store brand equivalent of Centrum).

[rinsav]

I take a daily, multi-vitamin -- 1-a-day for women.

[hlao23]

I take a multi (generic of one-a-day complete) and vitamin E.

[aggie94]

I also take a multi-vitamin: it's the women's multi-vitamin from GNC.

[freckles]

I don't take any supplements. A couple years ago I decided I should at least try them,but after taking a multivitamin with iron for 6 months or so, I stopped because I couldn't sense any difference. I think eating a well-balanced diet is the important thing - I don't think I need supplements because I get enough vitamins and minerals naturally from foods.

[KValley]

I take:

*400 mg folic acid
*1 pre-natal multivitamin and mineral supplement (the recommended dosage is 5 tablets/day; when DH and I officially move into TCC status, I will talk to my physician before I kick up to 5 pills- then I will drop the other folic acid supplement so I don't OD)
*50 mg zinc picolinate 3-4x/week. Mostly to ward off colds. Since I travel a lot, I absorb too much stale, germy plane, airport, hotel air. Haven't had a cold in 18 months, since I started taking Z.P!
*Acidophilus
Calcium

I do think I eat a very balanced diet- lots of leafy greens, colorful fruits and veggies, grains, and probably more dairy than I need (CHEESE CHEESE CHEESE); I've become obsessed with eating foods with high anti-oxidant content (winter squash and blueberries are my friends), but I'd rather be on the safe side, particularly with B vitamins.


Lorilei- why the flax oil and barley green?

[BosunsWife]

My doc has me on a prenatal vitamin now in anticipation of the date that DH and I start trying again. Better to have the folic acid already in your system when you start trying. He told me even if I decided not to try and get pregnant they were good to take to keep my energy up (chasing after that two year old doncha know).

KValley, your doctor will put you on a prescription prenatal (horse pills as I call them LOL!) when you go in for an initial visit prior to getting pregnant. You only have to take one, once a day. I recommend that any woman that is intending to get pregnant visit with her doctor prior to trying to conceive. Its so much better for you and for your baby's health.

[JulieM]

I have a lot of respect for Dr. Weil and his advice, so I take the supplements he recommends: Vitamins C, E, B and mixed carotenes, plus Selennium and Calcium. I also take Evening Primrose Oil for cholesterol and PMS, and Vitex (Chasteberry) to regulate my menstrual cycle, which has done wonders for me. And last (thank goodness), I take Co-Q-10 because of heart disease in my family.

[MelissaAS]

Just a generic multi for me...I think of it as insurance, even though I strive for a healthy diet.

[cola]

I too take supplements. I also think of it as insurance. I was once told the key thing to remember is to make sure you are getting the nutrients that you put into your body. Alot of the brands do not break down and therefore is eliminated before it actually gets into your bloodstream. A good test to do with your supplements is to submerge them in water and if they do not completely break down within 5-10 minutes you are wasting your money. Also, it is important to know that the percentages of each nutrient in the supplement should be evenly distributed. Alot of companies will give 3000% of the less expensive vitamin/mineral while only giving 100% of the more expensive. Just a thought that was once explained to me that made sense.

[BosunsWife]

I have to post something here that my last doctor (in RI) told me. He said that Americans have the most expensive urine in the world. Meaning that we take so many different vitamin supplements and we just pee out what our bodies don't need.

[JulieM]

There is so much information, misinformation and conflicting information regarding health and fitness. I think how we approach our health, whether it's supplements, diet, weight or exercise, is like religion. It's a personal journey and we each have to find our own path. :)

[BosunsWife]

OMGosh, I hope I didn't offend anyone with my above comment. It wasn't meant to offend, I just thought it was kind of funny (ha ha). Especially since the doctor was telling me at the time to take a vitamin supplement (I had little to no energy after my DD was born).

[JulieM]

Originally posted by BosunsWife
OMGosh, I hope I didn't offend anyone with my above comment. It wasn't meant to offend, I just thought it was kind of funny (ha ha). Especially since the doctor was telling me at the time to take a vitamin supplement (I had little to no energy after my DD was born).

I wasn't at all offended! I hope my message didn't make you feel that way. You just reminded me of how we learn so much from what we read and from each other, and sometimes it's hard to know what direction to go in. I take a lot of supplements and I often worry that you are probably so RIGHT, that most of them are just going in the toilet!!

[SueK]

I take One a Day Plus Iron for Women. I also take various herbal supplements depending on the day....

The mention of Centrum made me think of something funny---my mom's friend said their dr. told her that Centrum Silver contains an ingredient that actually promotes hair growth---so now she takes it and swears he was right. Sounds like one of those urban legends to me......


JulieM---what is Co-Q-10? I have a strong history of heart disease in my family, and I'm curious.
Thanks!

[funnybone]

I buy suppliments, but taking them is another story. Anyone else find that happens to them too??

Anyway, I do have calcium, D (I take in the winter on occasion), E (for breast tenderness), iron (if I have not been eating foods with iron, as I have had low iron problems in the past), and B-6 in my possession. I do not take them all at once, or daily. I really do need to take calcium daily, but find that big pill hard to swallow. I mean it goes down, but the thought of taking it makes me avoid it.

I do eat fairly well, most times, and have not been sick for years. I look at that as an indication that I must be getting the right vitamins in my system. Too many vitamins can be as harmful, or even more harmful, than not enough.

[Lynn B]

I believe that supplements have their proper place, even with a healthy diet... but like all things, I strive for moderation and balance.

I take a multi-vitamin, plus an extra Vitamin E and C. I also take a calcium supplement, and glucosamine w/ chondroiten. Sometimes I take panax ginseng or echinacea (if I'm feeling particularly tired, or feel like I might be coming down with something)... and I swear I notice a difference.

I would be interested in Ralph's opinions here!

Lynn

[GayeC]

I take a multi vitamin plus extra C and E. I have a carton of Viactiv chews sitting on my counter but I rarely take them -- and don't know why. Sometimes I also take a therapeutic dose (82 mg., I think) aspirin because my husband has them in the cabinet with the vitamins (he had a mild heart problem several years ago and his dr. recommended them).

[maizeyoats]

Believe me when I say I am the queen of supplements. It is embarrasing to have people see my kitchen counter which is loaded with everything.
However, I must say I am enjoying good health. Not overweight either YEA!!!

[Lynn B]

maizeyoats,

You'll have to duke it out with my mom for the Queen of Supplements crown!!! :) She has always taken a TON of them, too. And she's 78, w/ NO health problems at ALL, and can run CIRCLES around me!!!

Lynn

[Don]

I asked my doctor about supplements and he told me that he thinks some of them actually do help, although the evidence is scant. However, he did ask that I tell him of any supplements that I am taking or considering taking, because of potential drug interactions or false symptoms that may occur. He was particularly worried about Chinese medications. The supplements that I am currently taking (multivitamin, selenium, B-complex, C, E, and folic acid) don't seem to present a problem.