Vitamins

Dismayed by brain fog after the last bout of Covid I've started taking Lions Mane ( a type of fungus) from British Supplements.
Within 2 weeks my concentration returned and I feel much sharper. Placebo effect? who knows but it works for me.

The latest NHS recommendation is that everyone should take a Vitamin D3 supplement daily. Older people in particular do not absorb Vitamin D from sunshine as well as young people so it is even more important for the over 60s. A 400 IU dose is plenty unless you are deficient.

Tumeric. I used to have such issues with restless legs. Not a believer in alternative medicine but I was willing to try anything . To my huge surprise it worked. Knees are also better. GP is aware of the tumeric as I am on other medications

How much vitamin D should one take? I have Calcichew tablets on prescription for my bones and they contain vitamin D - but I am not sure if two a day contain sufficient vitamin D or whether I should take more? Any advice welcome. I was taking an extra D (I don't understand the quantities) but then worried that I was overdosing. Incidentally, hair and nails have definitely benefitted.

We both take Co-Enzyme Q10 and Berroca - Vitamin C in fizzy drink form. I added Vitamin B12 to DH's daily intake after Dr Xand Van Tullecken described various symptoms DH had such as fatigue, loss of strength and pins and needles in extremities as signs of B12 deficiency. His symptoms diminished to the extent DH has agreed to consult GP re possibility that he may benefit from injections. BTW, we went veggie plus fish after my cardiac episode in 2016 which resulted in 3 stents in my heart.... The diet suits me perfectly as I come from a long line of fisher folk but I think DH, being a big chap, needs the extra protein meat provides......

www.which.co.uk/reviews/nutrition-and-supplements/article/vitamin-supplements-you-do-and-dont-need-aKpo97c6Axj0 - Interesting article though it is a bit luke warm about Co-Enzyme Q10, which I credit with getting rid of the unpleasantly cold trickling sensation in my legs caused by the Statins I had been prescribed...

I take Vit D as have had poor bone density in the past. Delighted to be told at my last scan that bone density improved.

We take vit C as DH is someone who doesn't absorb it very well and quickly becomes deficient - especially in winter. So he gets mouth ulcers and his skin on his fingertips splits. Eating extra fruit & veg works a treat.

Vit D supplements are more comforting but are not generally accepted as very effective by many in the medical profferssion. Much better is getting outside, in the sun preferably, just walking to shops frequently is enough. Vit A comes in the same foods. Organic / extensively reared cattle can produce milk, cream, butter, cheese & yogurt with good vit D content. Some butter alternatives have vit D added. Cows intesivelt reared inside cannot, as we cannot, make much without the sunshine. Chicken eggs are similar - no sun = little vit D.

Vit B is in meat, eggs, cheese, yogurt, etc. so usually if the other vitamins are adequate, so will the vitB be,

Vit E is part of a potential cancer pathway and not usually needed. If too much is taken, the likelihood of cancer is increased. The same is true for fructose (that's why it is now not in foods for diabetics). Maple syrup has concerntrated fructose.

VioletSky

Georgesgran

Only VitD and cod liver oil in capsule form. As discussed before, taking too many supplements is expensive and often pointless, as the body will simply expel any surplus it doesn’t need.

That's good to know though, that I can't over vitamin myself

You can over vitamin yourself! Water soluble vitamins are excreted if taken to excess but fat soluble ones can be stored in the liver.

I take quite a lot of supplements but I'm wary of too much vitamin A. The below is copied from an NHS website.

What happens if I take too much vitamin A?
Some research suggests that having more than an average of 1.5 mg (1,500 µg) a day of vitamin A over many years may affect your bones, making them more likely to fracture when you're older.

This is particularly important for older people, especially women, who are already at increased risk of osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones.

If you eat liver or liver pâté more than once a week, you may be getting too much vitamin A.

Many multivitamins contain vitamin A. Other supplements, such as fish liver oil, are also high in vitamin A.

If you take supplements containing vitamin A, make sure your daily intake from food and supplements does not exceed 1.5 mg (1,500 µg).

If you eat liver every week, do not take supplements that contain vitamin A.

Vit D. Had blood tests & I'm fine in all other areas so won't be wasting any money

I usually don't take any, as they have never done any good, but I am trying vitamin C right now. Nothing works against hair loss in my experience.

I take Magnesium capsules 500mg as I kept reading they are good for the heart and aid sleep. I take chromium picolinate also and the Cardio said it was OK. I take a live friendly bacteria after the Urologist advised plus Hiprex which has stopped the constant urinary tract infections for which I was always on antibiotics and nearly died from Sepsis. I will tell anyone interested about Hiprex if they want to know. This thread is very interesting.

Vitamin D, cod liver oil, glucosamine, turmeric all help arthritic fingers plus we need vitamin D as not enough sun in UK !

I take prescribed VitD3 plus calcium as I have osteoporosis but also take VitK2 to make sure the calcium goes to my bones not my arteries.
Also take collegen 1 & 3 fir skin, hair and nails. The main benefit of this is that I’m on steroids and used to get those horrid purple bruises at the slightest knock. The collegen stopped that within days. If I run out and miss a few days I get a bruise so I know the collegen capsules work. They also contain Vit C as that helps to absorb the collegen.
When I remember I’ll take an Omega 3 but not every day, also occasionally a B12 as I don’t eat meat but do eat eggs, dairy and fish. That’s about it. In the past I’ve tried turmeric, cranberry and a few others that I can’t remember.
Almost forgot, I do religiously take a probiotic and Inulin a prebiotic, in my bedtime hot milk. Since doing that I sleep better and my IBS problems have improved a lot.

We both take cod liver oil every day - no problem with the liquid which doesn't seem to repeat on me like the tablets do. I mentioned to DH that we should be taking vitamin D but he reckons we are getting enough from the oil. I also started taking magnesium tablets about 10 months ago. I was waking every night with the most uncomfortable feeling in my legs which I could only relieve by either walking about or stretching them out in bed. After a few weeks on magnesium I noticed that the discomfort was reducing and ten months on it's almost disappeared. I still wake up regularly but I know I'm not alone in this!

I am in good health for my age, eat a healthy diet but have a very stressful job and home life is quite stressful as well so I take a good quality made in UK one a day multi vit and mineral tablet as a type of insurance, plus some herbal supplements in the formal of ginseng and ginkgo to keep the brain healthy. Also take sea buckthorn oil daily which keeps ' downstairs' in good order post menopause. It is a bit expensive but I don't spend much on external beauty products and creams as I believe you need to look after your insides first.

I'm taking prescribed VitD asy level was undetectable and having just been diagnosed with pernicious anaemia starting folic acid and b12 Injections Vit d improved my joint pain

I take selenium and kelp and have done for a long time.

I take vitamin D and vitamin C - have noticed I don't get cramps in my feet at night since I started on the vitamin D. Also haven't had a single cold or respitory infection. I use Nature's Bounty gummy vitamins, cost around £10 for a 30 day supply. As I understand it, this type of vitamin is more easily absorbed than swallowing a tablet, taken with or immediately after food for best absorption. As an added bonus they taste lovely lol, and are suitable for vegans if you are one.

Vit D daily. Also Biotin with coconut oil. The latter has had a huge effect on my nails and hair. My hair was getting very thin, but since I've taken these it is growing thicker and fast. I'm having to trim fringe fortnightly. My nails grow so quickly too.

You can indeed “overvitiminise” yourself! Check the instructions.

2507CO and jocork if you go back through the posts, you will see that I quantified my initial sweeping statement.

We all need Vitamin D in the UK from September to April . I used to work with a doctor who was researching on Vitamin D levels and they were often very depleted in his patients.
I take Vitamin D and cod liver oil supplements as I don’t really like oily fish . Also Magnesium at night for restless legs which really makes a difference .

We take vitamin D, Zinc and vitamin C, vitamin B12 and have just started taking Hemp oil twice daily and can feel the difference for arthritic pain in joints

I take vit D in the winter, B complex twice a week and tumeric every day. I am healthy and happy which is also a good tonic!