Do you believe vitamins work

jeni glad you're better. From the news this morning, it looks as if you have some interesting times ahead at work!

Yes thanks. And up and dressed and going to work

Sparky this morning, Jeni! Hope that means you're feeling very much better.

Do you need an enigma machine to dispense it?
Sorry, couldn't resist it?

Jess - I hate code liver oil ever since we had to take it with malt during the war - what a horrible concoction! I eat sardines on toast at least once a week. Do you think that is enough fish oil for me?
I make it more interesting by mashing up the sardines and adding black pepper and some finely chopped tomatoes and heating it up in the microwave. It is very cheap, very quick, and, I hope, very nutritious!

Cheelu most people do not need to take lots of vitamins. There is no evidence that vitamins will help them to stay healthy.
At the other end of the spectrum there are vitamin deficiency diseases that can kill. In the British Navy 300 years ago more sailors died of vitamin deficiency than fighting (scurry caused by lack of vitamin C)
We also know that a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and not too much fat and sugar reduces the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes etc etc - and premature death.
But there is generally no evidence that you can eat a bad diet plus vitamin pills and get the same benefit.
There is no evidence that vitamin c will prevent or cure colds.
There is the possibility that some specific diseases are more common in those with low levels of certain vitamins. But we just dont know.
As I said, after researching a fair bit when writing my ebook I concluded that I would take cod liver oil and the rest were a waste of money.

Very true cheelu I appreciate what you say. I had a similar experience with a GP with my own late Mother. When I went to see my Mum's new GP she asked me if my Mum had always been a complaining person. I told her my Mum had been widowed with 4 young children after 9 years of my Fathers illness (cancer). Despite being Deaf she had gone out to work for money to bring us up. Mum was taken into hospital and died 2 weeks later from an aggressive cancer.

Gina believe me Doctors don't always get it right. I could go on forever about the times Doctors have gotten it wrong in my family but will mention only two, My Mum went to Doctors with coughing problems and was told by her Doc's that she had a chest infection but really she had Lung Cancer and they only found out when she was rushed to hospital with emense pain in her back-- when I was feeling un well with my first baby and went to the Doctors, he told me I had a virus!!!!!! They are just human beings at the end of the day and they get it wrong sometimes but Doctors are incredible people and do save lives evry day...

I asked my GP if taking vitamin supplements would be helpful for me. He said it was a waste of money. I do agree that vegetarians need vitamins not eating meat.

I take a vitamin B complex supplement; as a vegetarian I think it is necessary.

The interaction of mind and body is well documented - our emotional state can have a physical effect on the body. It may be as simple as tears giving genuine relief or as complicated as unhappiness lowering our immune system.
I have just two difficulties with most 'complementary' or 'alternative' treatments - the fact that they are such big business and most research is funded by the manufacturer, and the danger that a patient may neglect conventional treatments when they put their trust in them.

I don't take anything. There are enough vitamins in the food we eat even if we eat normally. I saw a test on German TV where they took about 12 people off the street and tested them for vitamins. Nobody was lacking anything and the one with the most Vit D was the pensioner. She was surprised.

Most levels of necessary vitamins are made up by American Drug manufacturers. Save your money. Spend it on a nice day out somehwere.

nanado I did not mean any "put down" in the placebo effect. It is known to work in a good %tage of patients, as is a Drs "bedside manner"

This article explains it well. It is particulary useful in situations where pain is involved

www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/placebo-effect

If it reduces pain it is useful. There is of course an ethical problem for Drs prescribing these treatments. I suspect a lot of alternative therapies work on this basis and they probably do a lot less harm than many medications. Its a mind and body connection that has been recognised for centuries.

Agree, Nanado!

greatnan thank you that is very kind. Maybe when I've retired (end of this year). I agree with you re best medicine.

Getting scientifically significant data takes decades. I, for one, don't have years and years to wait and will believe the evidence of how I feel. Not everything thing can be conveniently dismissed as the placebo effect, though that's the easy put down nowadays.

Most supermarkets sell their own brand of various supplements at far cheaper prices than the branded ones - don't be swayed by advertising hype!

Its questionable about whether taking extra vitamins makes any difference but not having enough, or having too much, of some of them can cause health problems.

Its best to look the UK guidelines for recommended daily allowance. (RDA) on the food boxes.

A lot of people have posted, swearing by taking this, that or the other, but proving scientifically if they help is very difficult. However the "placebo effect" is important and if you "think" they work they probably will make you feel better.

Whoops! I have just stopped the pasta spirals from completly sticking to the bottom of the pan. Flipping Gransnet

At certain times we may need to supplement our diet. It's not as simple as what we eat, as we can get less efficient as absorbing nutrients as we age.
Vitamin B is water soluble so unless you're going over the recommended dose it ought to be excreted in your urine. The fat soluble vitamins such as A & D are not so easily got rid of. I take half a Berocca tablet and a calcium supplement with Vit D to help absorption. The calcium & Vit D are on medical advice. The Berocca is my own decision and it most definitely gives me more energy.
Read the labels and remember these are supplementary only, so go for lower doses.

Oh dear..have had such a lazy day today just pottering around the house..sorting papers, tidying cupboards so NO exercise. Will make up for it tomorrow!

Grannyknot - come and be my guest - I will show you walks with some of the most beautiful views in the world!
I worked in London for many years and I drove everywhere, ate and drank far too much and felt sluggish and unfit.
Now, just to stand on my balcony and look at the silver forest opposite, or up at the clear skies at night, is the best medicine anyone could every have.

greatnan it is so inspiring to read someone say that at 72 they are fitter and healthier than they have ever been. That's really something to aspire to. I used to be fit, hike in the mountains, run, etc etc. Since living and working in London my fitness has slipped away. So I try and walk everywhere, but I know that's not enough and I don't feel fit and I am at least a stone heavier than I was 10 years ago. Keep inspiring me!

I just have a healthy, balanced diet and I have not had even a cold in years. The only pill I take is a 2.5 mg Ramipril, the minimum dosage, to keep my bp down - today, after an hour's walk, it was 126/70. At 72, I am fitter and healthier than I have ever been.
I am extremely sceptical about all dietary supplements and non-prescription pills. They certainly work very well to make lots of money for the manufacturers.

jessm I am confused, do you think they work?

Wow fonda (I like that abbreviation... is it you Jane?)
There is really not much evidence that supplements work, unless you are really deficient. (obviously if you have scurvy a vitamin c pill would work)
Antioxidants and vitamin C had lots of hype, but evidence lacking.
It rather seems as if you cant get away with a rubbish diet and a handful of pills. Doesn't seem to work like that. Best to eat a good varied diet.
Vitamin D is shaping up as far more important than C for all kinds of reasons. I notice that the annoyingly named immunace (not that we are claiming to be good for your immune system are we...) had recently ditched the vitamin C and now includes D (this is based on a tube advert only).
So in the winter I take cold liver oil capsule, one a day, to keep me topped up.
(Boots own brand)
We should await further research with interest.
Zinc is needed by the immune system and worth taking for a few days if you have a cold as it makes symptoms a bit less bad. But normally there is zinc in so many foods - no evidence that it prevents colds.