Which Nutrients/Vitamins are Your Priorities?

[Natasha]

While it s naturally important to eat a variety of foods so that your body gets everything it needs, many people are particularly concerned about getting certain specific nutrients, vitamins, or qualities from food. So I was wondering which vitamins and minerals you worry the most about getting enough of.

As for me, I would say calcium and fiber. Calcium is so critical, especially if you re a woman, and also if you participate in weight-bearing activities like running. And fiber ... well, it s just a good thing!

And how about supplements? I m quite slack about these: I take a multivitamin w/minerals when I remember (not too often), and Vitamin C when I can (even less often, though I understand that you have to take it regularly for it to be very effective - is this true, BTW?). Viactiv chews sometimes when I feel that I haven t consumed enough dairy products. Iron pills sometimes, because I m practically a vegetarian and know I don t get enough absorbable iron. And that s it. Maybe I should be more committed to taking selected supplements, but I really try to get most everything from the food I eat.

Look forward to your responses!


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 12-15-2000).]

[kwormann]

I take a multi-vitamin everyday and calcium when I fel I need it (which isnt bery often..I LOVE cheese). I worry about my iron because I dont care for much red meat.

Kim

[lindrusso]

I take a multivitamin along with calcium and vitamin E supplements. I keep Viactiv in my purse for when I'm away from home. That said, I have been TERRIBLE about taking ANY of these lately. It gets to be a pain because I have to take synthroid (for my thyroid)too - you can't take this with calcium or iron, because it can inhibit their absorption. In addition, you have to space out the calcium supplements because the body only absorbs so much at one time. So, sometimes I just don't plan very well!!!

[lesliem]

I take a women's multi vitamin with extra iron (as I have been anemic twice) and calcium and occasionally a B-vitamin supplement. I also take synthroid so I take that in the morning and my vitamin at night- so sometimes I forget the vitamin, but I do notice a difference in how I feel if I forget too many vitiamins so I try really hard to remember!

[Gina O]

I take a multivitamin when I remember it, and worry a lot about calcium (I do not like milk at all). I started taking a prescription medication over the summer which does not react well to most supplements (and a myriad of other things), calcium included, so I have not been taking it as much as I would like to be. I make it a point to eat yogurt as much as possible, and cheese when I haven't had too much fat already. Gina

[Laura]

I know a lot of people don't put much faith in vitamins and supplements (and if I ate exactly the way I was supposed to I guess I wouldn't have to either) Anyway, here is my list.
Multivitamin
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Evening Oil of Primrose
Calcium
Garlic
Ginko Biloba
Echinacea and zinc if I feel like I am getting sick.

[emilycat]

I have to say, Laura, that I'm one of those people. I feel like I have a wonderful diet, and although I'm sure a nutritionist would find room for improvement, and I've read recently that it's not possible to get all the vitamin E you need from food, I've just never put much stock in them. I am considering shelving my stubbornness, though, and taking a multi-vitamin.

The things I try to focus on the most, though, are calcium and fiber.

[lindrusso]

emilycat - I too have long been skeptical of vitamins and didn't start taking them regularly until I was pregnant - and even then it was only during pregnancy and nursing. However, my concerns over things like osteoporosis (studies do seem to show that supplements can help)have lead me to decide that if they won't do any harm and may actually do some good, then I'll try it! I do, however, have a fear of herbal supplements, so I've stayed away from those. Just too many unknowns and no regulation. Interesting topic...

[Mary Ann]

I take a multivitamin with minerals, Tums for calcium, and 400mg vitamin E. I have a problem with restless legs at night ("Jimmy legs" for you Seinfeld fans!), and the vitamin E really seems to have helped with that.

Since I turned forty, my concern about osteoporosis has increased, so I keep the Tums on my nightstand and that way I don't forget to take them.

What are Viactiv chews?

[This message has been edited by Mary Ann (edited 12-17-2000).]

[Natasha]

Hi Mary Ann!

I believe that Viactiv chews provide the same amount of calcium as Tums calcium supplements (not the antacids with calcium, but the actual calcium pills, which I guess are the ones you re taking). They re like chewy candies that come in a couple of different flavors (I like the milk chocolate ones); you can either get a small package of 10, or a larger container of 60 or so.

[jennyo]

Originally posted by Natasha:
While it s naturally important to eat a variety of foods so that your body gets everything it needs, many people are particularly concerned about getting certain specific nutrients, vitamins, or qualities from food. So I was wondering which vitamins and minerals you worry the most about getting enough of.

As for me, I would say calcium and fiber. Calcium is so critical, especially if you re a woman, and also if you participate in weight-bearing activities like running. And fiber ... well, it s just a good thing!

And how about supplements? I m quite slack about these: I take a multivitamin w/minerals when I remember (not too often), and Vitamin C when I can (even less often, though I understand that you have to take it regularly for it to be very effective - is this true, BTW?). Viactiv chews sometimes when I feel that I haven t consumed enough dairy products. Iron pills sometimes, because I m practically a vegetarian and know I don t get enough absorbable iron. And that s it. Maybe I should be more committed to taking selected supplements, but I really try to get most everything from the food I eat.

Look forward to your responses!


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 12-15-2000).]
I have never quit taking prenatal vitamins. My daughter is now 12. I find that these are the best. They have everything that a healthy women needs. It's easy (only one pill) and it reminds me everyday that if I eat like I did when I was pregnant, I can maintain a very healthy diet.

[Laura]

I should add that I don't just take these to feel better. My OB/GYN suggested the Vitamin E and Evening Oil of Primrose because I have fibrocystic breasts. When it would get close to my period they were very painful and tender. Now that is not a problem. I also take Vitamin E and ginko biloba because my mother has Alzheimers. I don't take it in the doses that she does but my OB/GYN also suggested these as a possible preventative measure. Calcium, well, I just don't get enough on my own. Vitamin C, same reason most likely. Probably just routine at this point. Anyway, thought I would at least explain the reasons for my laundry list.

[SusieO]

Add me to the calcium/fiber club roster!

I take a multivitamin every day, but the only thing I actually worry about and track (1000-1200 mg/day) is calcium. I also keep track of fiber intake, but not as religiously as calcium. I take Tums or Viactiv if I need to, but I won't go to bed until I hit my 1000mg minimum.

Viactiv chews, by the way are delicious little candies with 500mg of calcium. I like the caramel flavor the best.

[lorilei]

I wasn't always so sure that supplementation was the way to go, but I have to admit that I've changed my tune in the last few years.

Since I've been taking a multivitamin, C, E, folic acid and Flaxseed Oil, I've felt better than ever. Not only do I get sick infrequently, but I seem to get over a cold faster than before.

Since our bodies can't absorb /everything/ we ingest, we lose some nutrients from our foods. I'm more and more convinced that we can help ourselves out by supplementing our diets (no matter how good they are already).

[lindrusso]

lorilei - what is flaxseed oil good for? Just wondering....I don't remember reading about this one....

[lorilei]

Thanx emilycat http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
True, true and true.
I'm nearly positive that I don't get enough Omega-3's, and I'm just as happy to get them from a veggie source as fish.

As a side note, I've noticed that if I take Flax or Evening Primrose, my skin improves as well... so that's an added bonus!

[emilycat]

lindrusso,
Flaxseed contains omega-3 fatty acids, the same thing that fatty fish like salmon and halibut are so highly praised for. Omega 3's are lauded for protecting your heart, boosting immunity, fighting off inflammation, lifting your mood and regulating your weight. I've heard from several sources as well, that they can aid in preventing some cancers.

[Lizbeth]

Hi everyone;
I've been lurking for quite awhile and haven't posted in about 6 months...

On the advice of a nutritionist, I take flaxseed oil as well, and I even put about 2T of organic flaxseeds in my oatmeal in the morning. I'm a vegetarian and have been fighting low-grade depression for years. I find it has done wonderful things for depression -- if I am sure to exercise regularly and not miss the flaxseeds & oil, I am completely symptom-free. If I slip and forget one or the other, I slide right back into old habits, and my husband is the first to notice!!

I also take beta-carotene and a multivitamin...but no matter how much water I drink, it turns my urine a bright fluorescent yellow, which is quite a shock the first time you see it! Teehee!
Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season!

[jungct]

Happy Holidays everyone! I was skimming the site and noticed this topic, and thought I would add my 2 cents worth:
I think everyone can benefit from having a multi-vitamin per day. You are all right with making sure you get enough calcium (1000-1500 mg/day), especially for women. But if you are taking calcium supplements, here are some tips....make sure you have Vitamin D with the calcium, or if you take a multi-vit, the Vitamin D in that should suffice. Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption. Also, your body absorbs most or all vitamins better from "food" sources, therefore to "trick" your body, try to take your vitamins with food or a meal. And remember, the availability of some prescription medications are reduced by some vitamins. If possible, try to space out prescription meds about 1 -2 hours apart from taking your vitamin. Calcium and low to moderate weight-bearing exercise are excellent for increasing bone strength and as preventive measures for osteoporosis!

[food girl]

As a person who is an, ahem, expert in this field I am so happy to see so many women taking calcium! It is the one mineral that healthy women should be concerned about. I talk to too many women that have lost more that 4 inches in height since menopause!

Now, lets all join together and demand that all restaurants serve skim milk instead of two percent and beg McDonalds to put milk instead of Coke in a happy meal to give our little ones better bones!

[This message has been edited by food girl (edited 12-31-2000).]

[Beth]

McDonalds will give you milk with Happy Meals if you ask for it. It does cost about 10-15 cents more, but that's all my kids got there for a long time. Now I have them counting calcium servings and sodas are treats for days when they've had enough calcium and are eating pretty well.

I take a multivitamin with minerals and one calcium tablet as a matter of course every day (at least when I remember them). I take 2 calcium when I'm not getting much in my diet, but I shoot above the 1000 mg if for no other reason than I am tall and figure I have more bone to support. I often take extra vit C and add echinacea and zinc if I'm worn down, the kids are sick or I feel something coming on.

I also take glucosamine, chrondroitin sulphate, and MSM to support my neck joints, and I have tried some other supplements for anti-inflammatory and pain management qualities since I don't tolerate most of the prescription drugs.

DH, however, takes a vitamin a few times a year. Any suggestions for how I can get him to take them more regularly?