Vitamins - yes or no

[tbb113]

I usually take a daily vitamin, calcium with D twice a day, and a vitamin C once a day. I occasionally catch Dr. Dean Edell on the radio and the other day he was talking about why he doesn't think vitamins serve any purpose if you are eating a well balanced diet (my goal...but I often fall short). :o

His rationale was that in nature, vitamins come from multiple sources and in multiple sizes of molecules (or something like that). But that compounded vitamins are all the same size and from the same source. Also you don't absorb all the manufactured vitamins, etc.

So do you take vitamins? Does his statements make sense?

[Terri_A]

I take a multivitamin each day. I have really only started doing this is giving up eating dairy to help add to my calcium intake each day. I think most people who eat a well-balance diet don't need it.

[Shugness]

I take a Women's One-A-Day, Caltrate Calcium with Vitamin D, a fish oil and a digestive probiotic called Align that I use to treat my IBS with.

Having said all that, the only one I notice a difference in myself if I don't take it is the probiotic. It has REALLY helped improve my symptoms - which is great since its over the counter. I tried two medications and didn't get half the relief.

I don't know that I am supposed to actually "feel" any different, but my husband swears that he can tell if he hasn't taken his, that he feels "sluggish". I always feel that way, vitamin or no vitamin :p

[wallycat]

I did take a multi plus other additional vitamins till I started tamoxifen (should not be taking E and C with that med), so now I take individual things like Vitamin D, fish oil, magnesium...blah..blah..
and I don't think we can get it all from our diet if we want to have "optimal" nutrients....even if we ate perfectly.

[Miss Giggles]

I think everyones bodies are different, some people have problems absorbing vitamins.. esp if you have IBS, lactose intolerance or some other issue..

I take calcium, vitamin d and a multi- but any vitamin deficiencies can show up in bloodwork so if you aren't sure ask your doctor for the right blood tests and that way you'll know. There are vitamins in foods but some like Vit D are impossible to get completely from food unless you eat massive doses.

[MelissaAS]

Have been working on faithfully taking a multivitamin and calcium supplement for a few months. This winter my dr. found I had very low vitamin D and had me taking 1000mg 2x/day for a month. I am done with that but have put the others in its place. I was recently reading Dr. Oz's supplement recommendations and am a bit wary to go as far as he suggests. Will read this thread with interest!

Melissa

[LaraW]

I don't usually take a vitamin. I have them in the cupboard with good intentions, but I can't seem to remember to take them. I did take a prenatal vitamin while pregnant and nursing.

DH occasionally will take them when he has been working long hours. He claims that he feels better, less run down, etc while taking them. Who knows if its just the "placebo effect" though, or if he really is better.

I have tried to have the kids take them particularly during the winter to try and give their immune systems a boost. We are hit and miss with them.

[doggerham]

I have always been on the fence over the multivitamin thing. However, since my diet is not always balanced, I finally decided to go ahead and get on that boat. I also take calcium citrate, especially now that I am, ahem, peri-menopausal.

My ob/gyn has been nagging me to take those two things for several years, and I guess she's worn me down. I still won't get annual mammograms, though.

To remember to take everything, I have resorted to the old lady pillbox from the pharmacy. I use a 7 day version, and I fill it on Sunday night with everything from vitamins to BC and crazy pills. My DH laughs at me, but I'm much more consistent now!

[Valerie226]

I consistently take a combo calcium/ vit D. still, had a vit D level done this winter and it was low. apparently I was not getting enough. I live in a very non-sunny northern climate zone, so I now take D (in addition to the combo) from fall thru spring.
I take occasional multivitamin, occ fish oil, and enzyme co-q10. If I feel a cold coming on I take vitamin c and zinc. It's been more or less discredited but seems to work for me.

My diet is very good as is my general health, and generally I'm not inclined to take every supplement that shows up on the shelves. I think a multi is reasonable expecially if your diet is not exemplary all the time.

[Shugness]

I think everyones bodies are different, some people have problems absorbing vitamins.. esp if you have IBS, lactose intolerance or some other issue..


Hmmm....I never heard that or even thought about it. SO, if my body has trouble absorbing vitamins through pill form, is it safe to assume that my body has trouble absorbing nutrients the good old fashion way through food?

I have to tell you - that would explain A LOT. Like I said in my first post, I always feel sluggish and have little energy. If I think way back in my childhood there is something that has always baffled me. Up until 4th grade I was the fastest girl runner in all of my classes - I could run and run like there was no tomorrow. Suddenly in 4th grade I couldn't run as fast or as long without getting exhausted and my legs feeling like jello. I realized several years ago that change coincided with me developing the digestive problems that were later diagnosed as IBS. Still to this day I can't run very fast or very long - I wish I could!!

[cwalker3]

I don't see anything wrong with a multivitamin everyday. Anything other than that and eating healthy is too much in my opinion.

[Miss Giggles]

http://www.helium.com/items/1162464-vitamin-d-deficiency

There are probably other articles, but it makes sense to me - if your body isn't breaking down food/vitamins right then not all of them would be absorbed.

[tbb113]

Thanks for the thoughts. Ana, I was hoping you would post since I value your opinion on nutrition.

So...I guess I need to buy more multi-vitamins tomorrow ;)

[oceanjasper]

I have been told by three different doctors (over the past year) that I do not need to take a multivitamin, as long as I am eating a balanced diet. The only thing they recommended was a calcium (with magnesium) supplement. I think I am more a believer in taking specific vitamin and mineral supplements, as needed. In my own case, it could actually be detrimental for me to take a multivitamin, because my body just doesn't need (and could react negatively to) some of the things that are included.

[Gilgamesh37]

I think most of us on this board eat a much more diverse/healthy diet than most people. That said, I'm with Wallycat that even if you're trying, I doubt that modern man can really eat an optimal diet (esp when I think of the time and effort it takes when my personal trainer friends are eat leading up to a show, calculating macros, etc. Granted that's eating a particular way for a particular purpose, but still--I'd be bored to tears)

So I'm clearly the most pro-vitamin person in this thread. FTR, I'm 46

multivitamin w/antiox group
milk thistle
potassium
cranberry extract
vit b complex, time release, 2x a day
co-Q-10
glucosamine chrondroitin (should be 3x a day, I'm very bad about getting in the extra 2--always take one with my a.m. vitamins--but I can really tell the difference in my joints when I'm diligent about it)
vitamin c
gelatin
vitamin e, every other day
calc-mag-zinc
flaxseed oil, 2000 mg
probiotic

In the week before I give blood I'll generally add an iron tablet in there, and this winter, when I felt I was circling a big depressive episode, I did about 7-8 weeks of 5-HTP which I think helped tremendously, but could of course have been placebo effect.

[wallycat]

Thanks for the thoughts. Ana, I was hoping you would post since I value your opinion on nutrition.

So...I guess I need to buy more multi-vitamins tomorrow ;)

*blush* thank you!

To add some "odd" stuff for fodder....
my boss (he's an MD that typically works the ER but we are developing a whole wellness area at the moment. We'll see how long my job lasts with the economy) is delving into things like iodine (we don't get enough)...so I take lugol's solution now.
The current thought is that the low breast cancer rates are not as much due to high soy intake in Asia, though that is a contributor, but the SEAWEED they eat! High in iodine.
Thyroid cancers have been very highly linked to breast cancer rates.

When I first heard all this, I laughed. Things like this and the paleolithic "diet" were all so foreign from dietetic school information. Some interesting stuff....

[blueskyblue]

Yes, I take multivitamins. Eating balanced diet is not enough. We need extra protection for our body, especially when we are stressed. :)

[testkitchen45]

Does having them in my cabinet, going past the expiration date, count? :o

I was actually thinking about this just recently. I think I need to take vitamins and calcium, but would like to get the omega-3's from flaxseed instead of fish oil (which I've heard can be kind of nasty). All it takes is an hour reading a book like The End of Food, which supposedly documents the decline in measurable nutritional value in our foods in the decades since high-volume farming became prominent (and I haven't researched that further to see how true that is), to make me question the idea that I can get all my nutrients from even the best diet. The fruits, veggies, meats we're eating now evidently aren't as healthful as those eaten in our parents' and grandparents' day. :confused:

[Shugness]

http://www.helium.com/items/1162464-vitamin-d-deficiency

There are probably other articles, but it makes sense to me - if your body isn't breaking down food/vitamins right then not all of them would be absorbed.

Thanks for posting that link Miss Giggles -

Women with renal problems or intestinal disorders of IBS or Chron's may also display symptoms of deficiency as they are neither able to absorb nor adequately covert the nutrient.

I looked through the symptoms and I definiately have *some* of them, not all but enough to warrant me bringing this up with my doctor. I'll do more reading on it and how I can be tested, what I can do to treat it, but that makes sense to me too. Thanks for the link!!!

[Shugness]

Just to follow up - the normal level for Vitamin D is 30-70 whatevers (sorry, I didn't get the medical term!) and I tested at 33.5. So low side of normal. They want me to take 800 IU's more of Vitamin D-3 a day and check back in 3 months.

I am already taking a combined total of 1200 IU's a day between my Women's One-A-Day and the Caltrate Calcium I take. So this puts me at 2000 IU's.

I'm taking 300% currently of the recommended value of Vitamin D, so why am I testing low? My thinking is, like that article said, that my body isn't absorbing it. The nurse went a different direction with this and said I need to build my levels up, and check back in 3 months.

My husband recommended I look into taking liquid vitamins. He said he's heard several reports that your body doesn't have time to absorb pill form vitamins, that some doctors refer to them as "bedpan bullets". I asked the nurse about this and she said its all about personal preference :rolleyes:

At any rate, I looked at Sams Club and see they sell a product called Drinkables Multi Vitamin that I'm going to try. They also sell a Vitamin D-3 in a soft gel version that says it absorbs quicker, so I'll try that too. Then re-evaulate in 3 months.

[wallycat]

Getting vitamin D levels elevated takes a large dosing.
The recommended is 100,000 IU a week for 1-3 months, then get checked, then 2-4000 IU daily for life.

[LakeMartinGal]

I take a bunch of vitamins, including a 'silver multi-vitamin.' I also take C, C+E, D, Calcium, MSM and Red Clover (at the urging of my GYN;)). I've stopped taking Glucosamine/chondroitin, since I'm on Celebrex every day. I also take a handful of other, boring stuff like fiber, etc... My diet is fairly balanced, but I feel the need for vitamins! None of the docs have ever said not to take them, when I show them the list! I figure that it can't hurt!:)

[SusanMac]

Isn't Vit D one of those where your body absorbs it better if taken in conjunction with Vit C?

I fully agree that few people get all the right vitamins from diet alone, even if you eat well.

With that said, I'm honestly not going to the trouble to take a long list of different pills.

[RobinC]

I tried taking multi-vitamins a while back but found most of them made me kind of sick. Recently I was diagnosed with a Vitamin D deficiency and had to take prescription strength Vitamin D (had no idea there was such a thing) for 8 weeks and now take a regular OTC Vitamin D daily.

[Shugness]

Getting vitamin D levels elevated takes a large dosing.
The recommended is 100,000 IU a week for 1-3 months, then get checked, then 2-4000 IU daily for life.

I'm starting to feel like my doctors office, family doctor, is in over their head - is there a specialist that handles this type of thing??

[wallycat]

No specialist...
the doc I work for is into wellness and we are reading study after study to support and tweak out what works, what is safe and what shouldn't matter.

Vitamin C and non-heme iron are better absorption....not vitamin D.

Most docs now accept that vitamin d is a hormone and not a true vitamin.
If you are looking for a specialist, you may want to go to an endocrinologist that is into the latest stuff.

[Robyn1007]

It generally is safe to take reasonable doses of multiple vitamins though garlic can decrease Sustiva (Stocrine) levels so I would recommend not using that unless the Sustiva levels can be measured. It is wise to keep your HIV specialist informed of any supplements you are taking so he/she can monitor for any unusual problems. KH
_____

I'm so confused, who said anything about HIV or Sustiva prescriptions (an HIV/AIDS drug)?

[Valerie226]

I didn't read this entire thread so I'm not sure what the question is anymore...
if your vitamin d levels are low, sit in the sunshine for 15 minutes a day without sunscreen. your skin will manufacture plenty of vit D. the lighter your skin the fasater it happens and the time needed is not considered a skin cancer risk. Low vitamin D levels occur in people who live north, especially in cloudy areas. if you live north of about mid california you probably need supplements during the winter. I don't know about really 'far north" locations like AK. I live in the pacific northwest and take vitamin D supplements from fall thru spring.

[wallycat]

I didn't read this entire thread so I'm not sure what the question is anymore...
if your vitamin d levels are low, sit in the sunshine for 15 minutes a day without sunscreen. your skin will manufacture plenty of vit D. the lighter your skin the fasater it happens and the time needed is not considered a skin cancer risk. Low vitamin D levels occur in people who live north, especially in cloudy areas. if you live north of about mid california you probably need supplements during the winter. I don't know about really 'far north" locations like AK. I live in the pacific northwest and take vitamin D supplements from fall thru spring.

Some of the papers/studies we are looking at show that age and skin type (color, as you pointed out) make a huge difference in how much D you manufacture. The older you are, the longer it takes. For some folks, supplements work best to limit sun damage.

[SusanMac]

That's very interesting about age contributing to how well your body absorbs Vit D from the sun. How much sun/skin damage you've had in the past probably plays a part, too. Had never thought about that before

The mid-CA guideline, I would think, is quite loose, as well. Probably has more to do w/how many days of sunshine your city gets, as well as altitude.

Hey, Mr Sustiva...welcome to the BB ;-)

[Valerie226]

the geographic guidelines are not real specific... but generally (what I've read) is that if you live north of a line through about the middle of California , you can't get enough vit D from sunlight during winter. If you draw the line across the US, lots of people live north of that line. I imagine even if you live near to or south of the line, use sunscreen extensively, or don't go outside much that you can be D deficient as well. throw in skin color differences, age, and absorption variables, who can be sure? Multivitamins don't have a huge amount of D and I only take them occasionally.

I'm a sunscreen user all year, not that much skin is exposed in winter anyway. I drink fortified milk, take a calcium/vit D supplement 400 IU daily for decades and my vit D level was very low.... like 31? when the low end of the range was 30. I get a LOT of outdoor exercise even in winter. so I was surprised. DH's level was a little higher but not much so we both added in a D supplement until the sun started shining in spring. we'll repeat the same next year and get another D level done in December when we get annual labs. CSPI (food police) did a pretty extensive discussion of D levels and need for supplements earlier this year.

[coatedpill]

I didn't read this entire thread so I'm not sure what the question is anymore...
if your vitamin d levels are low, sit in the sunshine for 15 minutes a day without sunscreen. your skin will manufacture plenty of vit D. the lighter your skin the fasater it happens and the time needed is not considered a skin cancer risk. Low vitamin D levels occur in people who live north, especially in cloudy areas. if you live north of about mid california you probably need supplements during the winter. I don't know about really 'far north" locations like AK. I live in the pacific northwest and take vitamin D supplements from fall thru spring.
Lot of sunshine would definitely give you a lot of Vitamin D.. but like what Miss Valerie said, supplement are really needed for those who especially live in north.

[clairea]

Previous post has been reported.

[gabbyh]

...So I'm clearly the most pro-vitamin person in this thread. FTR, I'm 46

multivitamin w/antiox group
milk thistle
potassium
cranberry extract
vit b complex, time release, 2x a day
co-Q-10
glucosamine chrondroitin (should be 3x a day, I'm very bad about getting in the extra 2--always take one with my a.m. vitamins--but I can really tell the difference in my joints when I'm diligent about it)
vitamin c
gelatin
vitamin e, every other day
calc-mag-zinc
flaxseed oil, 2000 mg
probiotic...

Gilgamesh...I think I got ya beat:D Let me preface my list by saying that I work for a vitamin/supplement company and our main focus is anti-aging...I'm a registered nurse by profession and before I came to work for the company 7 years ago, I knew about Vitamin E & C...so here's my list:

60 minutes before breakfast-
Probiotic
DHEA 25mg
Pregnenolone 200mg
7-keto DHEA 100mg

After breakfast-
Vit E 400IU
COQ10 200mg
Resveratrol 250mg
Vit C 500mg
Grape Seed Extract 100mg
Saw palmetto 160mg
Zinc 30mg
Vit D 1000IU
I3C w/ Cat's claw

After brushing teeth-
Probiotic lozenges for gums

Sometime during the day-
Zeaxanthin complex
B-Complex
Another Vit C 500mg
MSM 3000-6000mg
fish oils (when I remember) 4-6gms

Before bed a few nights a week-
MagnaCalm (powdered magnesium citrate) 420mg
Rheumashield (Type II Chicken Sternum Cartilage, bromelain combo) when my neck bothers me

And if I'm traveling usually Metarest (melatonin, kava, Vit B-6)

I'm soon 58, and I've been on BHRT for about 5 years.

I hear about people every day, and talk to many in my work, that are in their 70-90's and vitamins/supplements have been a part of their lives for 40-50 years...they take no medications, and are living a full life...it was enough to convince me there was something to it!

~Gail