Do you take vitamin supplements?

G

Glinda

Senior Member
My significant other take several vitamin supplements every day. He is a scientist and he is impressed by clinical studies that "prove" the value of certain vitamins. I just take a multiple vitamin and calcium. I'm motivated to take the calcium because I take the kind contained in a little chewable chocolate candy-like thing - yum! What about you? Do you take supplements? Lots of them? Do you feel that they make a difference?
 

I take an embarrassingly large number of supplements. However I've researched all of them and I have what in my own mind is a valid purpose in choosing the supplements I take.
 

I take vitamins off and on but then read another article that says they are a waste of money, then I quit. But I do take calcium no matter what.
 
I take certain vitamins every day and others occasionally and think they help. I use my own judgement and don't believe everything I read, either for or against.
 
I've been taking a good amount of supplements daily for years now, and I think they're very beneficial. I feel good and rarely get a cold, etc. I don't take cheap vitamins, they are useless, I try to get ones from the vitamin store which show potency, etc.

I don't take pills like centrum, I understand that they don't even dissolve in the body sometimes, and are just passed out with waste. I always take capsules, herbs usually liquid tincture.

I take vitamin D3, k2 and magnesium...things like that for my bones, no calcium. Calcium carbonate is the worst form that people take, as it isn't well absorbed in the body, and much of the calcium ends up in the arteries, not helping the bones, but causing things like strokes. My father in law had a major paralyzing stroke, and they said his carotid artery was 99% calcified, he took oyster shell calcium daily. The k2 helps any calcium from foods, etc. to stay out of the arteries. I don't take any calcium or iron now, too much iron is not good for post menopausal women, and the only way to get rid of it is to give blood. Even my multi is iron-free.

I don't always eat as healthy as I should, and I don't get enough vitamins and minerals from vegetables and fruits, never have. So supplements for me make sense, so far no complaints. I'm not on any prescription meds like others in my family, so in my 60s, I think that's a very good thing. The side effects are worse than the condition, I'd rather take things more natural, even if I have to pay out of pocket, it's worth it to me.
 
Josiah09 said:
Given the latitude where you live I would certainly test your Vitamin D level (25-hydroxy vitamin D test) and as a post menopausal woman you should want to have a reading above 40 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
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I take a combination calcium/D. I also do a lot of weight bearing exercise for my bones. I'm not in Scotland 365 days a year and we do get sunshine, and we go places that have a lot of sun for part of the year. I've been post-menopausal for 23 years and I've only lost 1/2 inch in height. My sister who is only about 15 years post-menopausal, take lots of calcium/D pills, does little weight bearing exercise and lives where there is more sunshine, has lost 2 1/2 inches in height.
 
Lol Jim, I'm my husband's medical adviser too, but he can be difficult at times. He takes what he wants now, I only suggest and have things on hand. His limit is around 5 pills a day. You're lucky to have a wife who loves you enough to do that for you, that's what a doctor told me a long time ago when we were discussing vitamins and I told him I had a tiny cup that I put my hubby's supplements in daily. Kudos to the Mrs. :coolthumb:
 
They say the best way to absorb calcium is to take it with magnesium. Decades ago it was called dolomite then the calcium craze for brittle seniors who simply needed physical activity to help keep the bones hard or fortified. Also vitamin D helps with calcium absorption. Timing is everything. I take different minerals at different meals. If I had something with cheese or eggs I only take magnesium and D. I break a magnesium tablet in half splitting or parsing magnesium through out the day. The latest craze is calcium, magnesium and zinc intake. Zinc is another that supposedly is absorbed better with magnesium.
 
I completely subscribe to SB's comment above. She takes D3 , K2 and magnesium and no calcium. These are the key supplements for any post-menopausal woman. Plus the form of vitamin D which is usually combined with calcium is not D3. I would still encourage any senior woman to have their vitamin D level tested. Studies have shown that most people are deficient. I took 4000 iu of D3 per day for a year to get my level up where I wanted it and I still take 2000 iu every day.
 
Capt Lightning said:
Unless you have a specific medical need, I think that if you eat a sensible, healthy diet, you will get all the vitamins, minerals etc.. that you need. But, if you've got money to waste........
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I agree with Capt Lightning......I eat a good sensible healthy diet and so don't see the need to be taking supplements.
 
I eat a very healthy diet as well so don't feel a need for anything other than Calcium/D. I eat tons of veg and fruit, etc. The only thing I don't eat enough of is fish.
 
Ameriscot said:
I eat a very healthy diet as well so don't feel a need for anything other than Calcium/D. I eat tons of veg and fruit, etc. The only thing I don't eat enough of is fish.
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I eat lots of veggies, love greens, but, my body just doesn't absorb what it needs in the way others do, which is why my doctor sometimes puts me on high doses of some vitamins at times until my levels go back up. Mostly I have issues with B12, D and Iron. during the flu season is when I'll add the extra C sometimes. My levels have to get checked every few months.
 
I take a daily multivitamin after breakfast. At the recommendation of my eye doctor, I also take a daily Lutein pill, and a fish oil pill...macular degeneration runs in the family, and the doctor says the Lutein and Fish oil are the best way to lessen the chances of that happening. It must be working, as I have not had to have a prescription change in the past 4 or 5 years.
 
Lutien expensive

Don M. said:
I take a daily multivitamin after breakfast. At the recommendation of my eye doctor, I also take a daily Lutein pill, and a fish oil pill...macular degeneration runs in the family, and the doctor says the Lutein and Fish oil are the best way to lessen the chances of that happening. It must be working, as I have not had to have a prescription change in the past 4 or 5 years.
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I want to take Lutein but I find it one of the more expensive vitamins or supplement out there sometimes averaging $10 for 30. I heard good things about it for years. I do take fish oil though.
 
WhatInThe said:
I want to take Lutein but I find it one of the more expensive vitamins or supplement out there sometimes averaging $10 for 30. I heard good things about it for years. I do take fish oil though.
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I order my Lutein from Swanson Vitamins, online. I take the 6mg. pill, and it is quite inexpensive...I think it runs about $4 for 100 pills...3 bottles for about $15, with shipping, is almost a years supply. I get the fish oil and daily vitamins from either Dollar General or Walmart, and my yearly "supplement" costs are less than $50...a small price to pay to maintain good health.
 
For you fish oil takers (and I'm one) be sure you buy a top quality brand. Fish oil turns rancid quickly and rancid (oxidized) fish oil caps are much worse than taking nothing. I store my fish oil in the frig until I take it. I wouldn't buy fish oil from Walmart or Dollar Gerneral.
 

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