Do we need supplements

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!).

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.

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.

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.

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

Grandma70s

My brother, a professor of pharmacology, says nobody needs vitamin supplements if they have a good mixed diet. I think vitamin D can be a good idea, though.

Agree.. totally. All we is need is some extra Vit D.

I saw a dietician who told me just about everyone in the UK is D deficient. My recent bloods show this to be the case and it can cause all sorts of aches and pains so I’m taking the small recommended dose. Also B12 which after research the body only retains what it needs and you wee out the rest. I am careful as I’m
On thyroxine and don’t want to affect that but that in itself can cause problems. I think the problem these days is it’s all very confusing, too much advertising and info on the internet even in respect of what is healthy to eat and what’s not, we will all become paranoid - what happened to eating a balanced diet and five a day!

NemosMum

Marydoll

I have Vitamin D deficiency, so am on prescribed supplements. My body doesn't retain it, due to medications.
Vitamin D toxicity is usually caused by large doses of vitamin D supplements, so if you don't need it, in my opinion, you shouldn't be taking it. Only a blood test can show if you have a deficiency.

I have a healthy diet and do not take anything else. I'm fortunate in that frequent blood tests usually identify any problems.

But over-60s in these Northern climes ARE recommended by the government to take D3. Most people living in the British Isles are D3-deficient from September - March, and if you have dark skin, or cover up, you won't get enough at any time of the year in the British Isles. You would have to take a hell of a lot to overdose. I take 4000 iU / day. D3 acts as a hormone and is crucial for immune response, among other things.

As someone with multiple comorbidities and on a large number of medications, I would always check with my clinicians, before taking any supplements. It would be foolish not to.
Any deficiencies especially Vit D levels, are flagged up in regular blood tests. That is the way it should be.
A diagnosis of osteoporosis means I am on a Vit D supplement for life.

Grandma70s

My brother, a professor of pharmacology, says nobody needs vitamin supplements if they have a good mixed diet. I think vitamin D can be a good idea, though.

My pharmacist DS says similar! Vit D essential and all year round vit C maybe but he says body just gets rid of unused supplements anyway so don't be daft with them!! Although I always love a haliborange!!

A doctor who is a friend said that we should drink a glass of milk and eat a banana every day, then we won't need supplements.

I have resumed taking Co-Enzyme Q10 following a diagnosis of angina and consequent angioplasty (3 stents in cardiac vessels). The statins I had been prescribed were causing discomfort and an unpleasant trickling sensation in both legs. I've not experienced these sensations since. (I had previously found taking Co-Enzyme Q10 beneficial when I was experiencing tiredness at work.). DH has started to taking them as well as Vitamin B12 for a range of symptoms including tiredness, loss of strength and tingling in his hands. We both take Vitamin C. My daughter is a dietitian and keeps us right about our diet - fish and veg - and the supplements which are safe to take.

My GP and hospital highly recommend that everyone in the UK takes Vitamin D in the winter months - I did a lot of research and discovered that Vitamin D3 is even better for you and definitely worth the few extra pence it costs. My Orthopedic Surgeon told me 11 years ago that she expected to replace my knees within 2-5 years maximum. On a friends recommendation and once again lots of research I almost immediately started taking organic turmeric capsule with black pepper - strength 600mg daily and have never looked back. Pain which was 11 on a scale of 1-10 is now less than1/2 on a scale of 1-10.

Marydoll

I have Vitamin D deficiency, so am on prescribed supplements. My body doesn't retain it, due to medications.
Vitamin D toxicity is usually caused by large doses of vitamin D supplements, so if you don't need it, in my opinion, you shouldn't be taking it. Only a blood test can show if you have a deficiency.

I have a healthy diet and do not take anything else. I'm fortunate in that frequent blood tests usually identify any problems.

But over-60s in these Northern climes ARE recommended by the government to take D3. Most people living in the British Isles are D3-deficient from September - March, and if you have dark skin, or cover up, you won't get enough at any time of the year in the British Isles. You would have to take a hell of a lot to overdose. I take 4000 iU / day. D3 acts as a hormone and is crucial for immune response, among other things.

M0nica

I have just been assessed in case i have osteoporosis. The doctor asked if I took a vitamin D supplement and was very approving when I said 'yes'

I have taken a broad spectrum vitamin, mineral etc supplement for years.

I take it because, good diet or not, and it is good. I now eat far less than I did in my prime and if I am eating less food, I must also be consuming smaller quantities of vitamins, minerals etc, so need to get the rest of them from somewhere else and the obvious way is supplements.

This is the same as me ! I am prescribed a Vit D supplement as due to problems with my gut over many years, my GP tells me this is of benefit. I also take multi vits/minerals, cod liver oil and Omega 3 as my diet may be good but my appetite is poor. Best to be safe than sorry I think!

M0nica

Grandma70 If your appetite halves, presumably you are only taking in half the amount you get from your 'good mixed diet'.

What then?

Approximately 75% percent of people over 60 in the UK are overweight or obese, which is probably more dangerous health-wise than vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The chances are that they're getting too many nutrients, so halving the amount they eat will probably result in a healthier weight. If they're continuing to lose weight and become underweight, they might need some form of supplements, including easily digestible calories.

M0nica

Grandma70 If your appetite halves, presumably you are only taking in half the amount you get from your 'good mixed diet'.

What then?

In all probability you were having far too much in the past, although as we age and take life a little slower and easier, then just need less nourishment etc. Think nature will sort it out far better than over-the-counter happy pills.

I shovel them down.
Both of us take Vit C (Sept to April), Calcium & Vit D, B12. I also take Turmeric, Plant Sterols and have Kefir yogurt and oat bran for breakfast.

I am 75 next week.I take,Turmeric,Magnesium,zinc,vit D,vit B and New Zealand fish oil.I walk my dog and swim 1,000metres every single day.I have the odd aches but nothing much.

I have lots of friends my age who have terrible mobility problems.So will carry on with my supplements.

I was told by my rheumatologist to take VitD very important.You can never get enough sun in this country.

I just take one daily supplement that contains Vit D, Magnesium, Zinc & calcium. A blood test showed my levels of Vit D were low.

Grandma70 If your appetite halves, presumably you are only taking in half the amount you get from your 'good mixed diet'.

What then?

My brother, a professor of pharmacology, says nobody needs vitamin supplements if they have a good mixed diet. I think vitamin D can be a good idea, though.

Personally, I do not take ANYTHING outside of prescription medication.

Most over the counter supplements do a wondeerful job for making the compannies that sell them rich, but little else.

I take D3 daily
Magnesium
Turmeric

I add ground flax seed to breakfast cereal/yoghurt
Having read how beneficial almonds are I’ve started grinding those and adding them too….easier on the teeth!

Another supplement addict here.

Cod Liver Oil (joints)
Glucosamine (joints)
Multi Vitamins for over 70s
Bilberry (for the eyes)
Retinex (for the eyes)

I've also started probiotic capsules for the gut.