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Am I the only vitamin junkie?

(66 Posts)
winterwhite Fri 03-Nov-17 15:39:10

Have just been reviewing my standard supplements of glucosamine, ginkgo and ginseng (must have got stuck on the G page once), plus a multi-vitamin. As usual I stare wide-eyed at the screen wondering what else I ought to be taking to prevent conditions I don't yet have. Then I think it's all a waste of time and money. Then I feel superstitious at the idea of stopping the ones I do take. So it all becomes too taxing and I go away and do something else. Has anyone
else been round this circuit? Understood that we take different things to solve different problems!

BlueBelle Fri 03-Nov-17 16:38:28

I don’t take anything either prescription or supplements and really don’t want to start I think if you have a decent lifestyle not too much drink don’t smoke and eat and move around fairly well you don’t really need a lot extra however that’s me personally everyone’s different

paddyann Fri 03-Nov-17 16:39:12

I take flaxseed capsules and co q 10 and vit D ,I'm not a person who enjoys sunlight so thats the vit d explained the flaxseed for joints and heart health and the co q 10 for cholesterol level .My ma in law takes roseship capsules and vit d and echinacea and garlic pearls.Shes a sfit as a flea and mid eighties so she swears its her supplements that keep her well

harrigran Fri 03-Nov-17 17:04:15

I take vitamin D as prescribed but nothing else, you should not take vitamins unless a doctor tells you that you need them. The body can not excrete certain vitamins and they can build up and cause problems.

Leticia Fri 03-Nov-17 19:09:22

I just have a balanced diet.

Nelliemoser Fri 03-Nov-17 19:35:37

I would still recommend a daily dose of Vitamin D from October to March . The sun, even if it is shining, is too low to give us all we need. 10mcg of vitamin D a day.

Greenfinch Fri 03-Nov-17 20:09:20

I take Vitamin D on my doctor's recommendation but no other supplements.

Day6 Fri 03-Nov-17 20:19:28

I take quite a few supplements and vitamins, including kelp (for iodine) and magnesium. I also have to have iron. I also take a pre/probiotic every day.

If for any reason I don't take them things deteriorate! grin

My nails become soft and peel away, my skin dries out like paper and my hair thins. Twice I have been without vitamins, deliberately, and my body suffered. I eat a reasonably healthy diet but I obviously need top-ups.

Treebee Fri 03-Nov-17 21:50:59

I take vitamin D in an oral spray, glucosamine and sea buckthorn capsules as I have dry eyes.
I'm just trusting they help keep me healthier.

Menopaws Sat 04-Nov-17 02:18:42

EPO hormonal mood swings, magnesium restless legs, turmeric caps, omega caps, apple cider vinegar, aloe Vera all for poly myalgia, and a decent often organic diet suits me well

kittylester Sat 04-Nov-17 06:49:29

I take vitamin c with zinc as I'm not keen on fruit and vitamin d in an attempt to sort my nails out.

f77ms Sat 04-Nov-17 07:39:04

I asked my GP about Vitamins and Minerals and what to take etc . She told me to just eat a balanced diet and that 99% of supplements pass through the body without being absorbed . I think she said that vit D may be of some help during the winter . Have others been told any different by their GPS?

winterwhite Sat 04-Nov-17 07:43:39

Thanks for interesting views here. Menopause, I'd forgotten about apple cider vinegar. My mother used to take it for arthritis, do you find it good? I always thought re GPs that they aren't meant to recommend things for which there's no evidence of success, which there can't be for supplements because no controlled trials are ever done. So up to us to use sensibly, and yes agree of course alongside a sensible diet.

Menopaws Sat 04-Nov-17 07:44:35

Have had very definite changes with epo, magnesium and glucosamine so that's all I need to know

Menopaws Sat 04-Nov-17 07:48:13

Sorry my words sounded curt, basically I mean the proof has been there for me so worth a try. Apple cider vinegar is foul but it is the way I choose to help reduce inflammation in my body by making my body less acidic along with other things. Diseases thrive in an acidic body not so in an alkali one so yes I believe it does help

lovebeigecardigans1955 Sat 04-Nov-17 09:12:54

Before I had to have chemo a few years back the consultant told me that my blood was fine, just a bit low in Vit D which is very commonplace, so I took a supplement which he said I could buy cheaply from a supermarket. I also take a multi-vit, that's all. I believe that a good mixed diet and moderate exercise should be all you need unless your GP has said otherwise.

Tessa101 Sat 04-Nov-17 09:29:58

I totally agree with Bluebell I take vitamin D because I have to and that’s all. I have read many times if your diet and life style is right you shouldn’t need any supplements unless otherwise prescribed.

Lilyflower Sat 04-Nov-17 09:36:59

My dear OH and I take supplementary vitamins every day. We used to have one tablet each per day but a visitor who was a nurse said it wouldn't give us sufficient vitamin D to do any good so now we take two tabs per day.

Otherwise we rely on eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise to keep well.

Disgruntled Sat 04-Nov-17 09:39:22

Oh, Winterwave what a good question! I go round in circles. Sometimes I take half the alphabet. Have you ever come across muscle testing? That's a way to find out what you need and what suits you.

Charleygirl Sat 04-Nov-17 09:48:37

I broke my ankle years ago having osteopenia so I have been prescribed Ad Cal D3. I have also been prescribed Vit Eyes for my eye problem. I try to take a balanced diet, concentrating on my 5 a day and some days it can be as high as 9 a day.

Morgana Sat 04-Nov-17 09:54:07

Don't think doctors know much about diet do they?

Morgana Sat 04-Nov-17 09:54:58

G.P.s I meant.

Craftycat Sat 04-Nov-17 10:02:57

One cod liver oil capsule a day which also gives 100% Vit D requirement which doctor says everyone should take. CLO is for my skin- taken it for a while now & no wrinkles yet so it must be working.

paddyann Sat 04-Nov-17 10:07:01

f77ms I was told that all of us who live in the UK should take a vit d supplement that there is a massive deficiency in the population that can be the cause of many illnesses.My daughter was tested for it and given huge doses and told it would take a year or more to get her to acceptable levels.I take coq10 because I refused statins ,my OH had horrific side effects with them and now we both take co q10 instead and his cholesterol levels have come down ( he had aheart attack a few years ago) His GP is pleased with the result.The flaxseed is omega 3 ,6 and 9

luluaugust Sat 04-Nov-17 10:09:17

Adcal D3 which is prescribed and Vitamin K all useful for the Osteoporosis.