Asking for Vitamin/Supplement Thoughts

Beware! Evidence shows longterm use of iron Suppliments causes an increase the risk for neuro degeneration diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinson. Many multivitamins have iron, get the " no iron" versions.

Excess vitamin C and Calcium are excreted, they form an insoluble calcium oxalate, forming kidney stones.

Drink litres of fluid if you take these.

Jon
 

Wow, lots of opinions and it is challenge to figure all this stuff out. As many have eluded you should have a reason to take something. For instance it’s easy to get too much iron and/or calcium. I would be careful with these. Also, many of the blood tests report serum blood levels. These are important but they don’t reflect the true cellular levels which can be deficient despite the serum level. These differences vary depending on the substance being measured.

Sorry to say it’s not a simple question. Your best bet is a nutritious diet and a sunny place. Hawaii comes to my mind :cool:
 

Since you are in the north, Vitamin D is a must. Sure, check your levels in your next physical with the blood draw, but it is nearly a guarantee that you could use a supplement. Provided you don’t take some crazy amounts, you won’t get too much - my doctor even told me that. I take one a day of 5000 IU of D3 each day and have done so for years and my levels are high but not too high. There are so many benefits of vitamin D. It is the one supplement my doctor told me to take. We get virtually no sun for 6 months of the year.

If you do not eat meat, then B12 is also a must.
 
1955 said:
Wow, lots of opinions and it is challenge to figure all this stuff out. As many have eluded you should have a reason to take something. For instance it’s easy to get too much iron and/or calcium. I would be careful with these. Also, many of the blood tests report serum blood levels. These are important but they don’t reflect the true cellular levels which can be deficient despite the serum level. These differences vary depending on the substance being measured.

Sorry to say it’s not a simple question. Your best bet is a nutritious diet and a sunny place. Hawaii comes to my mind :cool:
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Hawaii would definitely work. 🤭 Yes, lots of opinions for sure... and I've enjoyed reading them, researching further, and learning a lot, especially about too much iron and calcium. I hadn't realized that and the doc "forgot" to mention it when I discussed supplements. I'd actually titled this thread with "advice" but changed it to "thoughts" because I am in research phase.

So.... Hawaii, eh? :unsure: I'll have to say I'd enjoy Alaska more, but there's that pesky "bright sunshine" issue! @1955
 
Michael Z said:
Since you are in the north, Vitamin D is a must. Sure, check your levels in your next physical with the blood draw, but it is nearly a guarantee that you could use a supplement. Provided you don’t take some crazy amounts, you won’t get too much - my doctor even told me that. I take one a day of 5000 IU of D3 each day and have done so for years and my levels are high but not too high. There are so many benefits of vitamin D. It is the one supplement my doctor told me to take. We get virtually no sun for 6 months of the year.

If you do not eat meat, then B12 is also a must.
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Thanks, @Michael Z ... I eat meat but the concern is that since I keep myself at 1100-1200 kcal a day, some nutrients are simply going to end up being not sufficient so I'm trying real hard to decide what's best for me since my doc doesn't seem to know that "too much" of some things can be harmful. I think he's a bit rusty when it comes to vitamin/mineral knowledge.
 
Many doctors are “rusty” on diet and nutrition issues, however this is beginning to change.

A whole food diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains and free of processed foods and excessive (or any) amounts of meat, sugar, and hydrogenated oils might be your best first step, and you won’t need any kind of lab analysis to get started on this.
 
Michael Z said:
Many doctors are “rusty” on diet and nutrition issues, however this is beginning to change.
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Rusty, more like not a clue!
Michael Z said:
A whole food diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains and free of processed foods and excessive (or any) amounts of meat, sugar, and hydrogenated oils might be your best first step, and you won’t need any kind of lab analysis to get started on this.
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I would be careful on the fruits & focus on the veggies. I didn’t think I had a problem with wheat but when I went gluten free things really changed for the better. No sugar, reduce carbs & minimal processed foods. I’m into healthy meats but no hydrogenated anything! The only good oil is virgin cold press olive oil.
 
Fresh fruits in moderation should not be a problem unless you have some health issue requiring reduced sugar. Fruit juice, on the other hand, provides too much concentrated sugar without the fiber. For example, pineapple juice has about as much sugar ounce for ounce as soda! Berries are especially good for you - I get these frozen and put them on my oatmeal every morning.
 
Michael Z said:
Fresh fruits in moderation should not be a problem unless you have some health issue requiring reduced sugar. Fruit juice, on the other hand, provides too much concentrated sugar without the fiber. For example, pineapple juice has about as much sugar ounce for ounce as soda! Berries are especially good for you - I get these frozen and put them on my oatmeal every morning.
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If such a thing as a "berry snob" exists, you're looking at her. I have tried to make myself get used to frozen berries for years and they just *all* taste bitter to me. I'm not into smoothies (they'd probably be fine in that) and simply can't get used to the bitter flavor. Now roadside stands and Amish vendors at farmers' markets, *that* is where I get 'em. Problem there is that fresh is only available a few months of the year here. Guess I should buy a lot extra and freeze my own.
 
If you take calcium, you should also take magnesium.

Magnesium is good for a number of things, and it's one of the few supplements I take. Different types help with different things, and some can cause unwanted effects or are not easily absorbed, so I suggest a bit of research to decide what's right for you. Magnesium bisglycinate (sometimes called magnesium glycinate) is a good all-rounder.

I found out recently that Vitamin C can lead to kidney stones. So I take it sparingly.
 
Supplements are an expensive feel good therapy with little health benefits, unless your body has a specific decency that needs to be addressed. I have experimented with vitimins and supplements over the years and can honestly say not once have I thought "my gosh that makes me feel better!"

That's my opinion.
 
1955 said:
Rusty, more like not a clue!
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You got that right! A few years ago, I had needed a certain medication for a while and when it was prescribed, I read all I could on it. I saw numerous sources say that a certain food should not be used with the medication. So I mentioned it to my doc and he said "oh no, that's fine to have with this medication!" Instead of sitting there arguing with him, I came home, printed out the information/warnings from Mayo Clinic, Cedars-Sinai, AND Johns Hopkins all saying the same thing and mailed them to him. (Uh, passive aggressive much, Kate?) 🤭 And the subject never came up again, but reminded me that sometimes we really do need to advocate for ourselves.
 
Michael Z said:
There are so many benefits of vitamin D. It is the one supplement my doctor told me to take. We get virtually no sun for 6 months of the year.
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Agreed. In the summer I’m covered up with sunscreen or clothes so I take it all year round.

@debodun Have your retinal specialists told you to take Omega 3? All of those I deal with recommend it especially if you also have dry eyes.
 
C50 said:
Supplements are an expensive feel good therapy with little health benefits, unless your body has a specific decency that needs to be addressed. I have experimented with vitimins and supplements over the years and can honestly say not once have I thought "my gosh that makes me feel better!"

That's my opinion.
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Good point. The only supplement that made me actually "feel" better was chlorophyll. I wasn't even taking it for that, so it was a surprise.
 
I've found a few doses of magnesium taken over about three days will last a month. I take it for muscle pain and co-ordination. I notice I'm going to need some magnesium when writing becomes difficult, but I'm usually in pain before I actually do take a 250 mg tablet. Other vitamins and supplements make me ill.
 
Judycat said:
I've found a few doses of magnesium taken over about three days will last a month. I take it for muscle pain and co-ordination. I notice I'm going to need some magnesium when writing becomes difficult, but I'm usually in pain before I actually do take a 250 mg tablet. Other vitamins and supplements make me ill.
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Which form of magnesium do you find as helpful as that, Judy cat? I usually try the mag. glucinate, because it's easy to digest and supposed to be for those goals, too, plus for relaxation/sleep, but it doesn't seem to do as well as yours does for you.
 
I take the following faithfully:
~Potassium: Stops or lessens the severity of foot cramps.

~Zinc: With the exception of getting COVID last November, I hadn't gotten sick with the cold or flu for years since I started taking it.

~Cherry concentrate: My podiatrist told me to use it to stave off gout. He was concerned because even though my uric acid reading was within formal range, it was at the high end.

~Lutein: For eye health. I feel it has helped lessen the effects of my various eye issues.

~Biotin: My nails were splitting in layers, not just from the tips. I noticed they got stronger within two weeks of starting the supplment. Biotin is also good for the skin and cells.

I sometimes take a multi vitamin. Most recently Centrum 50 for Women at the advice of my doctor. I don't take it as often as I should because the pill is so damned big that it's hard to swallow. I don't know why drug makers feel they need to make pills so large! 😖
 
CallMeKate said:
I'd like to get some thoughts on the vitamins/supplements that would be most beneficial... just asking for what's worked for ya'll, not for "medical advice" which I assume we're not supposed to be giving here. :) Bottom line facts are that I'm 65 and healthy. I allow myself 1200 kcals daily. My plan is to start eating lower carb and I've always been mindful of sodium and sugar intake. I do not get nearly enough vitamins in the foods I eat. I like veggies and fruits but I don't eat enough of them and don't really want to start forcing veggies down my throat. 🤫

So anyhow... here's my plan, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on anything I am missing that may be essential.
I want to take: (1) a multi (2) Calcium (3) Iron
On the fence about and asking for advice concerning need for: potassium, Vit C, B Complex, Magnesium, Vit D3
Figuring I probably don't need: Fish Oil, Glucosamine

What did I miss that could be essential? I know the multi has calcium and iron, but I do want a boost with those.
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You're in the USA and I'm in the UK. I frequently visit Holland and Barrett for my multivitamins supplement which includes iron and everything required. It's the store's own brand. Plus, I'm currently taking Selenium separately for my hypothyroidism.

These are the ones I knew and used in the past from Bayer's Company, on my travels
https://www.oneaday.com/

They have various combo, for various age stages. Hoping that helps!
 
OneEyedDiva said:
~Biotin: My nails were splitting in layers, not just from the tips. I noticed they got stronger within two weeks of starting the supplment. Biotin is also good for the skin and cells.

I sometimes take a multi vitamin. Most recently Centrum 50 for Women at the advice of my doctor. I don't take it as often as I should because the pill is so damned big that it's hard to swallow. I don't know why drug makers feel they need to make pills so large! 😖
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I have Biotin here... got it to strengthen my hair, but I put it away and promptly forgot about it until now. Oh, I know about those huge pills! I have a pill crusher/splitter on the way from Amazon that I ordered last week... hope it works. There's a blade for cutting in half and a twist motion for crushing. @OneEyedDiva
 

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