What do you think about all those "dietary supplement" claims?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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Almost every ex -jock is on TV, hawking some "turn back the clock" dietary supplement. Ya know, "swallow this stuff and you're a randy teenager again". Or swallow this stuff, and it cures warts, heart disease, gray hair, cancer, old age, athlete's feet, and 2,000 other diseases. All those dietary supplements claim all kinds of effects, but strangely few respected medical professionals ever prescribe them. If they work that well, why don't they?? What do you think about all those 'dietary supplements" claims?
 

"And remember, she'll like it too."
"Eat whatever you want & lose 4 times the weight."

Many of those useless supplements are doctor recommended. Of course they become doctor recommended after the doctor is paid to recommend them.
 

Getting necessary nutrients from whole foods is best, but it's not always possible. There are some supplements that are worth taking and do exactly what they're supposed to do. Don't be a chump. Stay away from supplements that are filled with unnecessary expedients and do research before taking anything.
 
For over 40 years I have found that daily doses of Vitamin C and heavy doses during a cold has kept me virtually cold free from the time I started.
 
win231 said:
If Vitamin C supplements kept you cold free for 40 years, why would you need to take them "during a cold?" when you've been cold free?
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Yes. Sometimes a bad cold would make it's vicious attack. At that point I began 20,000 mg day. I think. It's been a long time. Then, the bad cold would dissipate and be gone in a day. Left mere light symptoms for another then PooF! Gone.
 
Pepper said:
Yes. Sometimes a bad cold would make it's vicious attack. At that point I began 20,000 mg day. I think. It's been a long time. Then, the bad cold would dissipate and be gone in a day. Left mere light symptoms for another then PooF! Gone.
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I think I know how that works.
Sometimes, I'll get what seems like the beginning of a bad cold - sore throat, cough, aches etc. It lasts one or two days, then it's gone.
Maybe it's allergies which have the same symptoms? I don't take any supplements.
 
I know for the first 30 years of my life I suffered from severe colds until I began this Vitamin C regimen. No stuffed up, feverish, nose consistently running, that's been stopped in it's tracks. I remember Linus Pauling (?) started his Vitamin C theories. I tried it. My version of it probably. It worked for me. It continues to this day, but since I wouldn't consume such amounts anymore, so it takes a little longer.
 
Pepper said:
I know for the first 30 years of my life I suffered from severe colds until I began this Vitamin C regimen. No stuffed up, feverish, nose consistently running, that's been stopped in it's tracks. I remember Linus Pauling (?) started his Vitamin C theories. I tried it. My version of it probably. It worked for me. It continues to this day, but since I wouldn't consume such amounts anymore, so it takes a little longer.
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Another idea for Vitamin C: orange juice. :)
 
Like most things in America, it's just somebody trying to make a buck.

One problem with supplements is that they aren't regulated so what it says it contains, it might, might not, might be in the amount claimed, might not . May have other ingredients not listed or even possibly harmful, but might not. Even with the most reputable companies batches can vary. Also, a lot of this stuff works when it comes from food, but doesn't show any benefit when gotten from supplements.

Having said that-- I take B12 because I eat a vegan diet, and don't eat a lot of the foods that are fortified with it. It's cheap insurance. I do rotate various brands just to be on the safe side. So far no problems and my dr does test me annually for that .

I also take a D as I don't get enough sunlight exposure and again not much in the way of fortified foods.

What is proven to work doesn't make for an attention grabbing sales pitch, nor does it attract media attention. It's the same boring old stuff you always hear.

Don't smoke. Very little if any alcohol. Get regular exercise. Get enough sleep. Eat your vegetables. Don't eat empty calorie junk food.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
What do you think about all those 'dietary supplements" claims?
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I find it really frustrating that over the years studies say to take a certain supplement and then several years later newer studies find that the supplement caused increased health problems. I wasted a lot of money a few decades ago on supplements, over the years I've pared things down a lot, tho have added a few based on either successful experimentation and/or advice of physician.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
What do you think about all those "dietary supplement" claims?
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95% hogwash! However it's than 5% hope that keeps a lot of us taking them.

I have taken supplements and vitamins off and on for years, and am not sure they have ever done me any good, however without them I might have died, Maybe most likely being hit by a bus, but who knows.

I know its irrational but I keep trying, the one benefit I have clearly seen is the profits I feed to the supplement companies...
 
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Always ask to have your Vitamin D levels checked at your annual wellness visit and supplement per doctor's recommendations. If they're low, have them rechecked in several months; don't just keep taking more without monitoring since it's a fat soluble vitamin and can build up to toxic levels unlike water soluble vitamins such as C that are excreted in urine. Why there isn't a public health campaign for Vit D awareness following Covid baffles me.
 
Bella said:
Getting necessary nutrients from whole foods is best, but it's not always possible. There are some supplements that are worth taking and do exactly what they're supposed to do. Don't be a chump. Stay away from supplements that are filled with unnecessary expedients and do research before taking anything.
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I agree. Quality does make a difference. I take several supplements if my diet is lacking something, but would advise doing your homework when choosing supplements. The ideal situation is to get those nutrients from real whole food. Sometimes this is not possible but supplement wisely.
 
AnnieA said:
Always ask to have your Vitamin D levels checked at your annual wellness visit and supplement per doctor's recommendations. If they're low, have them rechecked in several months; don't just keep taking more without monitoring since it's a fat soluble vitamin and can build up to toxic levels unlike water soluble vitamins such as C that are excreted in urine. Why there isn't a public health campaign for Vit D awareness following Covid baffles me.
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I bought a Vit D mouth spray for winter. It gets pretty cold and dark here in Scotland during the winter months and sunlight is rare(ish). So I'm hoping that the extra boost will help me.
 

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