Vitamins

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.

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.

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.

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...

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......

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.

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

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.

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.

I take an omega 3 oil capsule daily (buy from Tesco) and not expensive and one Folic acid tablet daily (also from Tesco). I am now 82 and have no serious health issues. I've never had COVID, I have had all the vaccinations offered To my age group and am very thankful for my good health and fitness.

I take vitamin D and C as recommended by the gp. I also take b12 to top up my b12 injection. I get one every three months but was finding I flop a bit about week 10 so the tablet keeps the level up.

I think vitamin D is good to take, as we don't get enough sunshine (if you're in UK)

I've always believed that a healthy diet would supply all the nutrients a normally healthy person needs and apart from phases of taking cod liver oil capsules when they were on offer had stuck to this.

However when I had the dreaded Lurgy around Xmas the doctor recommended I take Vitamins D & C which I've continued to do so.

I've no idea if they're doing any good or how long I'll continue!

A well balanced diet should supply most if not ALL the vitamins we require. If, for any reason, we are short of any of these, that shortage will be picked jup in routine blood tests, etc. and appropriate prescrription will be issued

Overdoes of Vitamins is a very real danger and can cause all sorts of problems. Except for the occasional thing like a paracetamol, I never take anything without my GP's knowledge.

I take a multi vitamin for women over 50. It includes vit D3, calcium and a number of others.

I think I might carry on

If I'm deficient on some things maybe the rest is impacted too

I've been told I don't absorb some vitamins well after my levels haven't come up as they should

I'm due another blood test soon to check my Graves Disease is still in remission so might ask for the works

I take Vitabiotics WellWoman 70+ tablet daily. Since starting to take them my nails are in much better condition.

Good to know, thank you

This is why I was worried about a multivitamin

Actually, VS I did make a rather sweeping statement. It’s very difficult to overdose on vitamins from a healthy diet, but it is possible to take too many vitamins or supplements in other forms. Excessive vitD can cause kidney problems, too much calcium can mess up your arteries. Too much iron is another culprit. Probably good advice to all is to consult DrGoogle (I’m sure our GPSs have other things to take up their time just now) and read about the side effects, before buying something else off the shelf.

I swear by Berocca when I feel as though I have flu .

I gave some to my neighbour yesterday and she's gone from feeling ghastly to feeling OK in 24 hours .

Dh and I take vitamin C and D. I’ve been reading up on rosehip tablets which whilst having lots of vitamin C also have anti inflammatory properties to help with arthritis. I have just ordered some organic ones to see if they help. You can also get it in a powder form if you can’t take tablets.

Multivitamin with zinc plus an extra vitamin D tablet. All year round. Zinc is good for healing I’ve been told when in hospital.

Ginsing, keeps my brain sharp, vit D
Cod liver oil and B vitamins.

Vitamin D is something I do notice makes a big difference. Not just physically but mentally too

I take vitamin D3. I'm sure it helps symptoms of M.E. I take 1000 in pill on alternate days. Also eat salmon 2-3 times a week for omega 3.
I think a healthy diet is important.