Vitamins & Supplements : Just a simple survey

[Williamsmith]

I did the search here on vitamins and supplements and am aware this topic has been discussed. I simply wanted to see where the current active readers and posters are at.

I have taken a multivitamin fairly regularly for many years. I started when I was working and under a lot of stress. It seemed like the appropriate thing to do since I often worked with sleep deprivation, skipped meals, ate a poor diet ...often fast food. Never really gave it a thought.

I did notice all doctors when they did an initial survey wanted to know if you were taking a supplement or vitamin. Hmmm. Curious. I’ve never gotten a warning from a doctor to stop taking them.

So a little research now that I’m retired and I am discontinuing use of the multivitamin I take. I still am taking the CoQ10 as my physician did recommend that.

My biggest concern is twofold.

The source of most vitamins is China. My bottle I just threw away says, “Product Of China”.

And the thought that I could be paying good money to poison myself or at least do nothing for myself.....really irritates me that I could be so stupid.

[flowerseverywhere]

So agree. Vitamins totally made in the US have no FDA monitoring but who knows what you are getting from another country Often they are labeled made in the USA from ingredients in other countries.

It it makes me wonder where all these vitamins are from in fortified milk, bread and cereals and so on.

The only thing I would guess to do is eat as many organic fresh fruit and vegetables and grains as possible.

[Williamsmith]

So agree. Vitamins totally made in the US have no FDA monitoring but who knows what you are getting from another country Often they are labeled made in the USA from ingredients in other countries.

It it makes me wonder where all these vitamins are from in fortified milk, bread and cereals and so on.

The only thing I would guess to do is eat as many organic fresh fruit and vegetables and grains as possible.

The cynic inside me, which I seem to be getting back in touch with, wonders if the vitamin deficiency paradigm is just a construct of the mega million dollar supplement industry. Show me a population that is becoming healthier for its use of supplements and I’ll be a believer. The US is sick. I look at what the common US citiEn does and figure....it’s got to be harmful.

[Chicken lady]

B complex and iron - when I remember. I do notice a difference in my nails when I have remembered the b complex for a long time.

[Tammy]

I take calcium and vit D because I'm lactose intolerant, my vit D levels were in the low end of normal, my dexascan showed slight bone loss, and my doctor told me to.

I take cough drops with zinc if I have a sore throat because research supports that.

I don't take others. I think of vitamin and minerals as medications and I want a reason and I want my doc on board before I take something routinely.

[SteveinMN]

I quit taking a multivitamin years ago. I am taking Vitamin D3, in part because those of us in northern climes don't get a lot of sunshine in the winter and in part because it is indicated (in studies I trust) for diabetics.

DW takes iron pills when she can get them down; her diet (by her choice) typically does not include enough iron-containing foods and her hemoglobin is always on the low end of okay.

[Yppej]

D3 and B12 only because my son was cleaning out his room and asked if I wanted them.

[iris lilies]

I take no vitamins.

[lmerullo]

I take D3. I live in Florida, and still don't get enough. Dr. indicates it's action in the body is much like a hormone and I feel different when taking them. Could be in my head, though. Otherwise, I sometimes take a probiotic . You know, if I remember, etc. And they're sort of pricey.

[rosarugosa]

Vitamin D when I remember.

[catherine]

I used to be of the mind that vitamins are a waste of money, but then my doctor told me I was low on Vitamin D. And getting older and expecting my food patterns to shift and my ability to absorb nutrients to shift, I decided to hedge my bets by taking vitamins...and then I went overboard when the adult gummy vitamins came out! I was always extremely non-compliant with vitamin pills and capsules. I don't have a hard time swallowing them, but it was just a pain.

But the vitamin gummies are so much more pleasant to get down! I take a women's multi, D3 (and my Vitamin D is within normal range now), C, CoQ10, B12, and fish oil (although I have to say, of all the gummies, the fish oil really stinks--literally!). I'm much more compliant now, although I still forget from time to time.

[nswef]

I used to never take vitamins, figuring they were making expensive urine. But, having reached 69...I do now take B12, D3 daily. I bought some "hair thickening" pill and am using that for a month to see if it helps this slower hair growth on my head. I also take magnesium and Vit. C before bed as it seems to help with sleep. I had lots of blood work done in Dec. and my GP was thrilled with it...so it's not hurting me and might be helping.

[herbgeek]

I take Vitamin D in gummy form in the winter, as well as probiotics in the fall before flu/cold season starts. I'm about to start taking a plant sterol supplement because I have borderline high LDL cholesterol, and my provider wanted to put me on statins. From what I've researched for low risk patients, I'd have a 1 in 10 chance of getting myopathy (my parents both experienced this on statins) and a 1 in 15 chance of developing diabetes, but only a 1 in 150 chance of stopping a stroke and around the same chances for avoiding a heart attack. Not a good risk/reward ratio in my book.

[pinkytoe]

I do not take vitamins but did recently start taking B12 in liquid form. I think I have convinced DH not to buy into the vitamin story too; we have no way of knowing where the ingredients come from.

[Rogar]

I probably qualify as a supplement junkie. I take a "mature" multivitamin, mostly for eye health as it seems to be a week point in my genetics. I don't know if it helps, but the Kirkland brand is pretty inexpensive and I vaguely recall a Consumer Reports saying it is a reliable brand. I take turmeric (with curcumin) for minor joint pain and as an anti-inflammatory and antioxident. And also occationally rhodiola for a little energy and mood boost. I used to take more and have pretty much stuck with Solaray and Gaia for supplements. They seem like quality mainstream, but I guess there is still the question of quality.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I take no vitamins and seldom have. I almost forget that people do.

Occasionally when I remember I add turmeric (the spice not the vitamin, a brand with a measured amount of tumerols or whatever) to things. Don't take fish oil, I eat fish. Don't take vitamin D but try to do some sunbathing (but not too much) in summer but I could be low even so. Don't take a probiotic, really worry very little about it as i haven't been on antibiotics recently, but occasionally buy those small drinks that say they have tens of thousands of probiotics, once in a while eat yogurt.

[Simplemind]

C, B's, D3 w/K2, Probiotics, Fish oil and a few others. Of all I take I love magnesium and can tell when I take it and when I don't. It is great right before bed to help me sleep. I also take theanine and can tell the difference.

[frugal-one]

I take Vitamin D in gummy form in the winter, as well as probiotics in the fall before flu/cold season starts. I'm about to start taking a plant sterol supplement because I have borderline high LDL cholesterol, and my provider wanted to put me on statins. From what I've researched for low risk patients, I'd have a 1 in 10 chance of getting myopathy (my parents both experienced this on statins) and a 1 in 15 chance of developing diabetes, but only a 1 in 150 chance of stopping a stroke and around the same chances for avoiding a heart attack. Not a good risk/reward ratio in my book.

Would be interested in how you were able to determine your risk factors?

[frugal-one]

Like others here, I take a number of supplements. I recently quit taking lecithin and within a few weeks times noticed a GREAT difference. It helps in mind clarity. If I forget or quit taking it, I forget or cannot bring up words. Supposedly, it is also an aid to keep arteries clear of plaque for those with cholesterol problems. Needless to say, I can't verify that. The other supplement that is a must for me is a powdered magnesium supplement called CALM. It helps keeps my heart rhythm. Fish oil is an aid for dry eyes....

[Williamsmith]

I am astounded by the great variety in vitamin and supplement use! This might be one of the most personal choices we make. Vitamin D seems to be a very common remedy for winter blues. I guess what keeps nagging at me is.....just how do we know that the pill we are taking contains what the label says?

[SteveinMN]

just how do we know that the pill we are taking contains what the label says?
I think you simply have the same faith in them that you have in anything else you buy: real pharmaceuticals, food, hygiene products like anti-perspirant or shaving cream,..

Though I tend to avoid many products made in China, I'm 1) realistic enough to know it's pretty much impossible to avoid them all; 2) aware that there are some very high-quality products that are made in China; 3) aware my rationale for avoiding products from China is as much tied to politics and human rights as it is to product quality; and 4) of the belief that some products pose a greater chance of risk than others.

An ingredient that a Chinese supplier provides to, say, an American or Japanese manufacturer probably receives more rigorous acceptance testing than the same material going to some unnamed company which will stamp the finished product "Manufactured for SuperMegaStore". For smarter or dumber, I'm more careful about country of origin for products I take internally than I am for products which I use outside my body.

There also are counterfeits of some products; the higher the margin, the more likely someone will go to the trouble of counterfeiting it. I might find a lower price for a product on ebay or Amazon, being sold by some lone-wolf seller, but I think the risk of not getting what I think I'm purchasing is higher there than it is at Costco or my local pharmacy.

I don't mean to pick on China alone on this, either. There are other countries which manufacture products I would pass by on most of the same criteria. China simply is the big fish in the pond and has a long documented record of not offering what was advertised.

[catherine]

I've researched independent reviews of vitamins, like this one: https://labdoor.com/about

Consumer Reports also tests and reviews vitamins and supplements.

[Rogar]

I don't know if you can actually tell a country of origin without a lot of homework. I got my supplements out and by the label they appear to be distributed by U.S. companies, but there is no indication of a source of origin. I suspect especially herbal supplements are sourced outside the country as ingredients if not the entire product.

[Williamsmith]

I've researched independent reviews of vitamins, like this one: https://labdoor.com/about

Consumer Reports also tests and reviews vitamins and supplements.

Thank you, this is very interesting.

[nswef]

I also take elderberry tincture....I've had one cold since I started taking it last Dec. and am pretty sure it has helped. I make it with dried elderberries from Amazon, put 1/2 cup in a pint jar, cover and fill with any 80 proof alcohol or higher, store in the dark for 6 weeks, strain and take 1/8 tsp. daily. More often if feeling a cold coming on.

[Suzanne]

Daily: 2000IU vitamin D, 500mg magnesium. 2x per week: 800mcg folic acid + 5mcg B12.

My Promethease report shows that I’m at very high risk of age-related macular degeneration. I’ll talk to my optometrist, and start taking the recommended supplements:
500 mg vitamin C
400 IU vitamin E
80mg zinc oxide
2mg cupric oxide
10mg lutein
2mg zeaxanthin

https://nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts

[Williamsmith]

I also take elderberry tincture....I've had one cold since I started taking it last Dec. and am pretty sure it has helped. I make it with dried elderberries from Amazon, put 1/2 cup in a pint jar, cover and fill with any 80 proof alcohol or higher, store in the dark for 6 weeks, strain and take 1/8 tsp. daily. More often if feeling a cold coming on.

Well, I think I feel a cold coming on!

[CathyA]

Well, I think I feel a cold coming on!

Yeah.....A really BIG cold! :~)

[catherine]

I also take elderberry tincture....I've had one cold since I started taking it last Dec. and am pretty sure it has helped. I make it with dried elderberries from Amazon, put 1/2 cup in a pint jar, cover and fill with any 80 proof alcohol or higher, store in the dark for 6 weeks, strain and take 1/8 tsp. daily. More often if feeling a cold coming on.

I also take elderberry elixir: my local "wildcrafter"/forager makes it and it's delicious--and I do think it works as an immune booster.

[herbgeek]

I also take elderberry elixir

I just boil up some elderberries in water for about 45 minutes, and then drink that diluted in some water. I met a friend last week who was just getting over the flu, and 2 days later felt like I was coming down with something (enlarged glands, sore throat). I took 3 doses of elderberry during the day, and never did come down with anything.

[pinkytoe]

Since DD is expecting, I have been looking into the prenatal vitamins they make her take. I did not know that folic acid used in vitamins is synthetic folate which one gets from things like eating greens. Sounds like it is better to eat the real thing when possible.

[Williamsmith]

Since DD is expecting, I have been looking into the prenatal vitamins they make her take. I did not know that folic acid used in vitamins is synthetic folate which one gets from things like eating greens. Sounds like it is better to eat the real thing when possible.

You bring up an important point pinkytoe. The average American is so busy they don’t take any time to study what foods will supply the necessary vitamins and a real effort has to be made to shop for, prepare and consume fresh food....so the supplement industry grew out of this need to subsidize necessary elements of a balanced diet. Much of that is synthesized and not directly from the food source.

Now if you are in the supplement business, it’s beneficial to nurture the idea that you have to take vitamins to enable the fast paced, eat on the run, fast food, junk food habit. And you sell the idea that your product is a safety net for your health. Which may be true and may not be depending. I think it makes sense to target known deficiencies rather than take the multivitamin approach where you throw everything at it and expect your liver and kidneys to process the stuff you don’t need. Seems to me that works against you in the long run.

[nswef]

My GP asked for my recipe and plans to give it to her family! That impressed me, that she was open to the elderberry. I was worried about the alcohol, but supposedly putting in very hot water makes it even ok for kids. I know someone on this site recommended it to me when I was whining about having a winter long bout of cold after cold after cold.

[Rogar]

I went past a spa type place along the Boulder Mall in Boulder that Offers vitamin B-12 injections for $25. I don't know that I would do it, but it might be interesting.

The Mayo Clinic web site has a list of supplements and any study evidence of each having benefit. I think there are a number of small risks to taking supplements and some people tend to take them without any evidence other than the placebo effect on their benefits.

[catherine]

Has anyone seen these infographics? They're really great--they show how strong the evidence is for some of the hyped-up vitamins and supplements.

Here's the first one I saw: https://inhabitat.com/infographic-which-supplements-are-backed-by-science-and-which-are-snake-oil/

This one is even better because you can filter it by condition/interest. http://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/snake-oil-scientific-evidence-for-nutritional-supplements-vizsweet/

[Gardenarian]

I take magnesium and calcium, mainly to prevent the charlie horses to which I am prone.

[goldensmom]

There are four MD physicians in our family, two specialists/surgeons (ENT, cardiac), one Internist and one Pediatric Neurologist They all agree that unless you need a specific vitamin or supplement (ex. for a Vitamin D deficiency) all that vitamins result in is expensive pee. Lots of free medical advice/information. I trust them.

[frugal-one]

My GP asked for my recipe and plans to give it to her family! That impressed me, that she was open to the elderberry. I was worried about the alcohol, but supposedly putting in very hot water makes it even ok for kids. I know someone on this site recommended it to me when I was whining about having a winter long bout of cold after cold after cold.

That was me.... As noted earlier, I have been making this tincture for years. It really is WONDERFUL!

[nswef]

Frugal one , Thank you again and again. Every day I am happy you told me about it.

[enota]

Usually I don't take them routinely. If I feel yucky I will take some Vitamin C, echinecea and golden seal. If I am depressed I will take some B vitamins and some St. John's Wort. Lately I've been doing pretty good. knock wood. When I am working hard, I will take some liquid food-based vitamins and it really and truly does make a huge difference.

[iris lilies]

I was telling DH today that Velma has it in her contract that she will be moved around while slumbering onto sun spots on our living rooM floor. Velma is our 11 year old bulldog, and we joke about her specific requirements in her “ Contract” .she is such a freeking proncess.
But I do sometimes kick the dogs outside to get their vitmin D.

Today I was out mulching in 34 degree F weather but it was overcast, I probably got no
vitmin D.