posted
Well, to expound, I've been feeling a bit "eh" ish as of late. I've decided to go to the gym more often, eat better (i.e., more), and take vitamin pills. I just wonder if vitamin pills actually have a discernable effect on people, or if it's just some wishy-washy action.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted
Multivitamins are good "health insurance." That is, they certainly do not replace a good diet, but they can help ensure that you are getting enough of all the micronutrients your body needs (and which even a relatively good diet may not always supply).
Forget the expensive ones. Generic multivitamins from your local drugstore are probably your best bet.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Also forget the ones with all the extra herbs, memory boosters, et cetera. I got one of the mega-vitamins and after taking it for three days I thought I was going to have an aneurysm.
Everything felt off; I was constantly light headed, yet my head also felt heavy like I was going to pass out. My headache was HORRINDOUS!!!!
A co-worker noticed I was acting different/strange--like I was in pain, about to pass out, and not processing anything. After some discussion, he said it was probably the vitamins. If there are more stuff then the generic vitamins, then it is unregulated and could have adverse side effects.
I stopped taking them and my head cleared up. I never felt that way before or after that experience.
*Note to self--never again buy vitamins that have more ingredients I have never heard of then actual vitamins and minerals.*
EDIT: to take out duplicate word.
Posts: 2445 | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
I have a related question. My cereal contains 25% of my daily vitamin A requirement. If I eat two bowls of cereal, does that mean I've fulfilled 50% of my daily vitamin A needs?
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posted
Oh, I could take Flintstone vitamins again.
But they do make (edit: adult) liquid multivitamins. They run about a dollar a dose, though, which is a lot more than I pay for pills.
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posted
I don't take a multivitamin when I'm not nursing or pregnant-- just calcium with vitamin D, iron, and folic acid (in other words, just the things my regular diet wouldn't provide enough of for good health.) When I'm nursing or pregnant, though, I take a prenatal multivitamin plus calcium with vitamin D (the Kaiser brand because with my mom's employee discount it costs her about $2.75 per 250 pill bottle of each, and so she gets it for me.) But if I don't need it, I usually don't take it.
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quote:Originally posted by blacwolve: I have a related question. My cereal contains 25% of my daily vitamin A requirement. If I eat two bowls of cereal, does that mean I've fulfilled 50% of my daily vitamin A needs?
Yes, assuming you actually absorb all the vitamin A present in the cereal (this may not be a safe assumption, depending on what else you are eating and certain other factors).
quote:Originally posted by Dagonee: Oh, I could take Flintstone vitamins again.
But they do make (edit: adult) liquid multivitamins. They run about a dollar a dose, though, which is a lot more than I pay for pills.
Yowza! Yeah, the chewables are a lot cheaper, even assuming you need a couple to make an adult dose. (Which I would only assume after comparing labels.)
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posted
I take children's chewable Justice League multivitamins!
They do help, I think. Though I'm not entirely sure. But I'm really not sure I'd be able to exercise as much as I've been doing without them, and when I forgot to take them for a few days I felt more tired.
posted
The best way to go is the generic equivalent of Centrum One-A-Day vitamins. In most stores I've seen, it'll run you $10-$15 for a year's supply.
Keep in mind that those vitamins provide you with just about anything you're likely to need except calcium. So if you're in need of that, get some cheap calcium tablets, or if you can stand the taste, take a few generic Tums every day.
Posts: 563 | Registered: Feb 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Baron Samedi: Keep in mind that those vitamins provide you with just about anything you're likely to need except calcium.
Actually, if you get the versions designed for women, you should get at least 40% of your calcium requirement -- not to mention folic acid.
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posted
I have noticed a considerable difference when I take a multi-vitamin plus extra B-6, compared to when I don't. More energy, able to live with less sleep, more positive attitude.
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If mosquitoes are really bothering me during the summer, I take Super B from Trader Joe's, even though it makes me gag. The massive doses of B vitamins make you smell like them after a few days and the mosquitoes stay away.
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It might be placebo effect, but I definitely feel better when I'm taking a multivitamin on a semi-regular basis.
Posts: 246 | Registered: Jul 2006
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I may also be victim to the placebo effect, but I also find that I feel better when I take one. I take a generic multivitamin and take additional calcium and fiber supplements, because as a woman with a hysterectomy I need to make sure I get enough calcium and I'm not a milk drinker. The fiber is obvious, for someone whose had surgery on the large intestineit only makes sense to be sure everything down there is working properly. (trying hard not to divulge TMI)
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I take Centrum Performance. This might sound out there, but after I started taking it my IBS greatly improved.
Posts: 2845 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
How do I know if I'm not absorbing vitamin A?
Also, I generally eat a cucumber a day (in the summer) plus at least 2 servings of fruit. And, of course, corn flakes. Should I really be taking a multivitamin as well?
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posted
Anecdotally speaking, I seem to be in much better health when I take vitamin C regularly.
The problem is that I do believe there is a line somewhere. I believe most herbs and dietary supplements are just so much snake oil, and potentially dangerous to boot. So I personally would steer you awar from the homeopathic stuff in general, but I think that multivitamins and vitamin C are a good thing.
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
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Homeopathics are useless. Herbs can be useful, useless -- or quite harmful.
blacwolve, as I said, they are a form of insurance. Anyway, cucumbers aren't all that high in vitamins. Potassium yes. And a little vitamin C -- if they are fairly fresh.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
I think this is a good point to provide some thoughts on vitamins and supplements. Vitamin pills, and other supplements, add to your diet.
What you need may differ from what other people need. Diet and activity level have a huge impact on whether or not one supplement or another will help you. Athletes usually supplement their diets with protein like whey, for example. Protein is pretty important. Even on a good diet, an athlete may not consume enough protein to repair muscles, maintain their immune system, and provide energy. Protein goes toward many uses in your body.
My advice is look at your diet and read those ingredient panels to get a basic idea of your nutrition. Remember that processed foods lose nutritional value. A fresh apple or pear has more nutrient value than canned fruit. Fresh, or even frozen, vegetables have more nutrients than canned vegetables. Take the ingredient panels with a grain of salt, though, pun intended. Also consider that your body doesn't absorb everything 100% effectively.
Yeah, I know there's a lot of snake oil out there. For example, most vitamin pills contain iron. But, I've seen reliable research that indicated most Americans get too much iron in their diets, and not enough copper. (Not all, yes iron supplements are good for some people.) Darnit, now I'm going to have to find that source...
posted
Most American men may get too much iron. Post-menopausal women, too, quite likely. But most premenopausal women need more iron than they get.
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posted
This is why I put in the disclaimer most. Nutrition is such a wonderfully complex field. I'm no expert and would never claim to be. Posts: 1813 | Registered: Apr 2001
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