Do you believe vitamins work

It is not just what you eat, but how well it is absorbed that matters.
I worked at one time with a consultant who prescribed multivitamins for all the elderly patients (mainly women) who presented with sore mouths, on the grounds that they were probably not absorbing nutrients all that well.
A diet of tea and toast isn't that great either

A decrease in appetite shouldn't make any difference. It will depend on how you reduce your calory intake. If you cut down on nutrient-rich foods, then you might need supplements, but if you cut down on nutrient-low foods (sugary stuff, high carbs) you shouldn't have a problem.

I haven't noticed much decrease in my appetite - nothing like a three hour walk in the mountains to make you enjoy your food.

The only extra vitamin supplement I take is D; it helps the absorption of calcium which I am prescribed because I have been taking steroids for two years and this puts me at risk of osteoporosis.

As you get older you tend to eat less, I certainly eat considerably less than I used to, so it is less easy to get ones full requirement of micronutrients from what one eats, however healthy and balanced ones diet is. I take multivitamin and multi mineral supplements. Do they do me any good, don't know, although my logic says they should. Either way it is belt and braces and a very inexpensive belt (or braces) so I will continue to take them

You must be off for your walk soon I expect. I'd better get my dogs out too for their daily constitutional before it gets too hot. Doubt the altitude is very high here though, but exercise does make you feel better I agree.

Of course vitamins work, but unless you have a medical conditiion that requires you to take them in supplement form, you get them from your food. In this country, there isn't really any excuse for not eating a wide enough range of foods. You don't actually need a wide range to cover all the essentials.

That dreaded school milk must have been some good after all. I had a bone density scan a few years ago and was told I have a very healthy skeleton! I get all the Vt.D I need by walking almost every day at high altitude and this probably helps my bones as well.
There could possibly be a placebo effect at work - when people spend money they expect it will make them feel better, so it does.

I take a calcium and vitamin D supplement, on the advice of my doctor. I trust her judgement on this.

Good for you, Maniac ......I am sure you have many more healthy years ahead of you.
I have never taken any kind of supplement and I consider them to be a vast con trick, playing on the fears of people.

Worked as a pharmacist for over 50 yrs -have taken very few vitamins or supplements even during 30 years as a vegetarian.I eat plenty of fruit and veg.and have a healthy life style
Have very few colds -hay fever in June/July- Arthritic knee after fall 4 yrs ago. Otherwise at 82 I'm very healthy.

Thanks Hummingbird - fascinating article.

Interesting take on the vitamin question in today's Guardian:

www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/07/vitamins-stop-taking-the-pills?INTCMP=SRCH

The 'secret' ingredient of Coke was cocaine, long since gone. Caffeine is the only addictive element of Coke now.

Yes, it could be the caffeine - or their 'secret' ingredient? I had a friend in Monaco who was having problems with a racing heart - it improved dramatically once she cut down on the 40 cups of strong, black Turkish coffee she was drinking!

JO8 Greatnan I would suggest it might be too much caffeine?

Would not advocate drinking that much from an acid point of view.

What is in diet coke that causes paranoia? I've never heard that before.

Pamela, just stop. Eat a reasonable diet. You will be fine.

I take a variety of vitamin tablets, but not sure if they work?? However darent stop taking them in case they do!!!!

I rarely wear any suncream because I don't want to pollute the sea or the hotel swimming pool. I do wear a shady hat when walking in the sun, but when I am snorkeling I wear long cotton trousers and a tee shirt. I get some odd looks, but I don't get horribly burned calves and thighs!
I always wear cotton trousers when walking in the mountains - mainly to protect my legs from something in the grass which causes a deep red rash (it doesn't hurt or itch, but looks unsightly) and from scratches from the undergrowth. I have several very light, poplin blouses with long sleeves and hats for both summer and winter with peaks to protect my eyes from sun and snow dazzle. Of course, I don't care how bizarre I look and even my daughter has got used to my strange outfits (mind you, NZ is hardly a hub of sartorial elegance!)
Juragran and I were astounded in Egypt this summer to see people lying in the mid-day sun, actually cooking themselves. Many were fair-skinned Europeans - the message about skin cancer is clearly not getting through.

After listening to a programme about fat and diet, I have decided to stop buying any low fat options and simply to eat 'normal food' in slightly less quantity. There is no substitute for butter on a baked potato! I worry about my UK family as they drink copious amounts of Diet Coke, which is very, very bad for your health. It should be banned! Apparently, large quantities can cause paranoia - my daughter drinks up to eight tins a day.

d helps calcium

Is it calcium that is essential for the processing of vitamin D, or am I getting confuddled?

Yes, almost anything in excess will be bad for you and kill you sooner or later.
The fat soluble vitamins thing is important - a very low fat diet could be deficient.
Greatnan you are my nomination for the person on GN who probably tops up her vitamin d more effectively than any other member. You do a lot of walking at high altitude in a sunny climate. You take holidays in the winter in sunny places. And you eat sardines. As long as you are not covering yourself too diligently with sun cream and fabric you are probably fine!
One thing I learned recently though is that as we age, our skin makes vitamin d far more slowly than when we are younger.

no

Nanado is right, vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble (overdoing the vitamin A is definitely NOT good, there was a woman in America who was addicted to carrot juice, the vitamin A in it is stored in the liver, it became toxic and killed her) vitamins B and C are water soluble, so even if you eat 6 oranges today, you wont store it.

PS Good to know you're feeeling better jeni