Do we need supplements

Used to take cod liver oil but stopped that on the advice of my G.P. Now only take vit D and folic acid

Was using glucosamine and chondroitin for my arthritic parts
( they are plentiful). But stopped when I realised they were the cause of infrequent nose bleeds. I have given in now and use a regular anti inflammatory which actually helps.

I take Vitamin C, Vitamin D and fish oil tablets, plus a Hair, Nails and Skin supplement. At the moment - and I hope it continues that way - I do not need any prescribed medication. We have freshly squeezed orange every morning and have done so for many years.

I think having a walk each day - preferably a bit longer some days, is one way of keeping a bit fitter, physically and mentally.

Experiencednotold

Your post re your great uncle chimed with me. My granddad smoked at least 20 Woodbines a day from the age of 13 until he was around 90. He seemed to survive on a diet of bread and cheese and Ovaltine. He died at the age of 97. His son, on the other hand, never smoked, was very careful about his health (especially his teeth - he had all of them when he died, bar one) and also lived to 97. It seems to suggest that genetic background is quite important.

As it is working, you are not wasting your money, are you?

I stopped taking supplements when I left home at 16. I have never found vitamin pills did the slightest bit of good, but fruit prices being what the are right now (ruinously expensive) I may well have to reconsider that.

During my child-bearing years I frequently had to take iron tablets due to heavy menstrual blood loss. They upset my stomach so badly, that I finally stopped taking them and ate rasins, parsely , liver and took the occasional glass of red wine to counteract anaemia.

I have found that a balanced diet does usually give us what we need, except perhaps at the tail end of winter.

We take one of the A-Z vitamin and mineral supplements largely because DH doesn't eat many vegetables - brassicas and spinach actually make him sick. Also fish oil capsules. I'm well aware that they may not be necessary but your body just excretes anything it doesn't need (and we do buy the cheap 3 for 2 ones from Boots!).

I have been taking Vit D supplement for a while d I swear it helps my immune system . I have very few illnesses and have not caught Covid as far as I know ( obviously I have had all my jabs as well)

Unless buying organic, then the soil doesn’t have as many nutrients as it used to. So a good multivitamin and omega 3 is helpful. I take magnesium as well as it helps with relaxation and sleep.

My GP prescribed vitamin D for me for long term use. I live in the North West and miss out on the sunshine that the South seem to enjoy - hence lack of vitamin D.

I take turmeric, glucosamine, vit D, magnesium and cod liver oil daily. I have a bit of arthritis in my hands( 50 years of playing netball) I do believe we need to take vitamin D daily due to our lack of sunshine in the UK.
Turmeric is renowned for good health so I shall continue. I do park run/ walk most Saturdays, walking netball every week, walk, dig the allotment, sing in a choir, volunteer at the library and NT venue, travel when possible and enjoy life as much as possible . I am 72 ! Keep taking the supplements I say !

Been told by a couple of doctors only vitamin/ supplement you need to take is Vitamin D and you should take one daily in winter months when there is no clear sun

Has anyone been told to make sure vitamin D is taken with something containing some sort of fat? As it is a fat soluble vitamin it will not be properly absorbed otherwise.

I take multi vitamins tablet plus. Vitamin D. Also soluble vitamin C and zinc.

We’ve taken cod liver oil for years. Not sure if we benefit but it has the recommended dose of vitamin D amongst other things. For the past couple of years I’ve woken every night with very stiff and painful legs. Doctor said cramp which I didn’t agree with having occasionally had cramp. Six months ago I started taking magnesium tablets and was a little sceptical about what the benefits might be. A couple of months later I realised the problem had just about disappeared. I suppose I should stop for a while to see what happens but don’t want the pains back again.

I am in my 78th year. I take a multi vitamin every am and have done for years. Nothing else. After complaining of tiredness to dr a blood test was done. Everything was fine.
We eat a varied but plain diet so must be getting all I need from that plus the multi vitamin pill.

I only take prescribed pills as some supplements can interfere with their efficacy.

I am nearly 82 and for the past 20 years I have taken Omega 3 oil capsules. I also take folic acid daily as my bowel does not absorb it well . I am fit, healthy and walk my dog twice daily. My vision is good and I've just had new glasses as the ones I got 12 years ago were falling apart. I have no joint problems and no usual aches or pains. I put that down to Omega 3 oil capsules.

There is a lot of misinformation about this at the moment.

Vit D supplements have not had any statistically significant effect on fracture repair (MDedge News Mengru Wang, MD, MPH, January 20, 2023) or in general ( www.medscape.com/viewarticle/968682) Taking it appears harmless but if you eat butter & cream or drink whole milk from outdoor cows (they need sunlight to make the vit D which is stored in the fats - so not skimmed milk), then you ought not to need supplements. Actually walking in daylight is just getting the light waves directly and you can make your own.

Other supplements may be useful in specific individuals (my DH is bad at absorbing vit C as a couple of people per hundred are. He gets mouth ulcers and we know it is time to boost vit C with supplements, or better, oranges and other fruits (not bananas but they give you potassium).

Vit B12 is usually short in vegans after a couple of years so they need to eat supplements or buy tofu, etc., but those are high carbon demanding and definitely not good for the climate.

Ultra processed foods are nutrient deficient is all minerals and vitamins, but high in sugars, etc. Not good.

Studies have shown that fructose without glucose is cancer causing so maple syrup is a problem there. That's why it was taken out of food for diabetics, where its ultra sweetness replaced a higher concentration of glucose so sweetness could be maintained with fewer calories.

Red meat is cancer causing so fish from sustainable sources is better for a couple of meals a week. Oily fish provide omega 3s
and can also be sustainably sourced. As milk / cheese provide protein, an egg or equivalent meat is enough for adults if vegetables are also eaten as plant protein can provide most of what we need - but not all. Children cannot be reared satisfactorily on a vegan diet. That's why the Japanese who moved to America, with its focus on meat, had taller children.

Most supplements are harmless but too much vit A will turn you yellow as do too many carrots - carotenes. You do need to eat a lot though.

So a rainbow (lots of different colours) diet, with skins on vegetables and most fruits, is the base.

Milk and eggs are produced by cows and hens to grow whole offspring so those foods only miss the vegetable fibre (to exercise our gut muscles,) from a totally balanced diet.

NHS advice is for everyone to take vitamin D daily in the colder half of the year - and for those who cover up a lot in summer, like me as I burn easily, they should take it all year round, which I do. I also take vitamin C as my diet is not as varied as it should be, plus I smoke which depletes vitamin C. Vitamins and supplements certaintly have a place, its just a case of finding the right ones for your personal health requirements. Nobody who has reasonably balanced diet should need multivitamins though, no point in taking what is not necessary plus some vitamins can cause unpleasant side effects (such as diahorrea) if you are taking too much of them.

Cont. I forgot to add: www.medscape.com/viewarticle/984626?src=WNL_infocu4_230208_MSCPEDIT&uac=193400PJ&impID=5148837&faf=1

I take Vitamin D all year round, as I avoid the sun in summer.
I take glucosamine and chrondoitin, also marine collagen . I was diagnosed with arthritic knees about 20 years ago but since I started these, I am rarely troubled. Though they don't stop me getting arthritis in my finders and wrists when the weather is cold.

I take Vitamin D, turmeric/black pepper, cod liver oil, iron.
Have a Guiness a day. Avoid oranges, blueberries and tomatoes which are bad for arthritis. Found glucosamine useless. Have a lot of salads and an apple a day.

M0nica

But Yammy what if you are eating far less than you used to? I certainly am. I must be eating half the amont of vitamins etc.

I was told this by the Gp and a nurse at the practice. I was sent for a bone density scan. I suppose they all have their theories.
I am trying to lose weight as I have health problems. The nurse said no fancy diets but smaller portions with plenty of vegetables. Try to make the veg from different groups and be guided by colour. I have lost half a stone since just before Christmas, which included some birthdays as well. I must admit I am still tempted by the biscuit tin!!!!

Yes, we have a good diet, but due to intensive farming of the land meat and veg do not have all of the minerals we need and are lacking. Especially magnesium. We have zero sugar and very low carbohydrates in our diet. Sugars are inflammatory and cause insulin spikes so better off without it.

How can you have zero sugar. There's sugar in milk and all vegetables and fruits? Do you only eat meat?

Yes sugar can crop up in the most unexpected of foods, and one to watch corn syrup!