Vitamins and supplements

[Rollin]

Being on the road I envision my diet suffering somewhat occasionally. I am very healthy right now but I am thinking about taking a b12 vitamin and a fish oil supplement. What would you recommend? or do you think these are a big hoax?

 

[SoulRaven]

Me I take a Centrum Silver multivitamin for those over 50... It is wise to take a multivitamin for when cooking for yourself ya tend to forget either fruits or veggies... Not to mention keeping fresh goods fresh and not spoiling before ya eat them...

 

[fluffabear]

The thing to remember is that certain compounds, while they contain the supplement in question, are not able to be absorbed by your body. For instance, Tums has a high amount of calcium in the form of calcium carbonate, which is basically concrete. The tablet itself contains a certain amount of calcium, which equates to a percentage of your recommended daily allowance. The problem is that your body only absorbs on average less than 10% of calcium in this form. There are other calcium compounds that are more easily absorbed, however the best way to get the complete vitamin content is from food.<br /><br />That being said, fish oil and flax seed oil are already in food form. I highly recommend either one or both of them. As far as other nutritional supplements go, if you take a b-vitamin, I would suggest the under-the-tongue compound as it is more easily absorbed. for vitamin C, if you can't get it from fruits, Emergen-C is a great way to go. <br /><br />Just my 2 cents.

 

[josephusminimus]

Seems to me a multivitamin ain't a bad idea for anyone who doesn't know too much already to take them.&nbsp; I personally prefer GNC Solatrons.&nbsp; It's easy to tell when you forgot to take one whenever you pee.

 

[Guest]

I take a handful of stuff twice a day....a multivit is in there, extra E and C in wheat germ oil caps, some more stuff for my particular needs due to radiation damage, etc., and my regular meds.....I did start taking a Chondroitin/Glucosamine supplement and an item called Tart Cherry extract. I started the C/G item due to the fact if you say your joints hurt, everyone you meet will ask if you take it and tells you that it works for them.....no results from that for me yet...I will stop once the pills I have run out...way too expensive for my wallet.<br />The Tart Cherry I take because for me it seems to work when I use it and I got away from it for a while...it is cheap. <br /><br />Swansons.com for me<br /><br />I have no knowledge beyond my experience so won't editorialize much but will say that if this stuff actually helped, doesn't it make sense that the insurance companies who pay money out when people get sick, would be all over it and pay for what we use?...they don't. They really don't want to pay a nickel they don't absolutely have to. I find that revealing....just sayin'.....<br />bri

 

[ttpadilla]

Centrum multivitamin for me.&nbsp; I used to eat really well, but have been seriously slacking in the Fruits and Veggies dept, lately.&nbsp;&nbsp; Fluff is right that most nutrients are best absorbed through the actual food, but if you're not able to do that, get some supplements.&nbsp; Don't forget your C. It's kind of critical...

 

[fortysomething]

Some say I spend too much money on quality food and supplements, but.....after 20 years of heavy lifting I developed widespread joint pain. The meds the doctor gave me almost killed me, so I started doing some research. Long story short, I got rid of 90% of my pain by using things such as turmeric, ginger, fish oil, etc.Occasionally I inhale a little medicinal herb to take care of the remaining 10%. Also, I don't take anything without researching it first; if science doesn't back up the claims, I don't waste my money.

 

[Pikachu711]

I been considering starting taking a multi-vitamin. At 54 years old I don't eat all foods I should to eat any degree of a balanced diet. I suppose a multi-vitamin couldn't hurt.

 

[dborla01]

As far as vitamins go, we have been taking D3 for years and Krill oil. Darrell. PS. Dr Mercola, MD has an excellent site with articles.

 

[josephusminimus]

&gt;Sounds as though you did a little 'science' of your own, observing what worked for you and what didn't.&nbsp; If your science discovered it didn't work for you it seems prudent to not waste your money on it, instead of using it because the science of some other entity said it did.&nbsp; The science that produced the meds the doctor gave you that almost killed you wasn't based on anything so near home as your pain.

 

[josephusminimus]

I don't rely much on what insurance companies do/don't do and why they might do it under what circumstances.&nbsp; But I do keep Chondroitin/Glucosamine around and take it when the need arises.&nbsp; My personal scientific process of observations on the vehicle advise me it helps and has helped repeatedly and consistently, so if institutional science can't confirm it, I trust me instead of them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just saying.

 

[LucidPhotographer]

If you do start taking b12, take it in a b complex that has all the b vitamins. Also, check to make sure on the label that the b12 is in methylcobalamin form instead of cyanocobalamin. The methyl version is natural and easier absorbed by the body. The cyano version is synthetic and your body has to convert it to the methyl type by removing a small amount of cyanide that is in it. Supps with methylcobalamin may cost a little more but may be worth it to you.<br /><br />I have recently started taking a magnesium supplement as I know I dont eat the right foods to get it naturally. Magnesium is very important in the body as it helps calm your nerves, helps sleep and is great for the heart. Dont buy the cheap Walmart stuff because that is magnesium oxide and is not absorbed well by the body. Get one that ends in 'ate" such as magnesium citrate which is what I take twice a day. Just dont take too much or you will get the runs.

 

[Rollin]

Thanks all for your input!<br><br>Just a little update on taking supplements. For the past 2 months I have been on a&nbsp;daily&nbsp;regiment&nbsp;of&nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp;following&nbsp;supplements.<br><br>Multi-Vitamin (***** form)<br><br>Ginger root<br><br>B-complex<br><br>B-12 (250 mcg)<br><br>Co Q-10<br><br>Fish Oil<br><br>Hydrolyzed whey protein isolate (before and after workouts)<br><br>After taking these&nbsp;daily all I can report is&nbsp;positive&nbsp;results.&nbsp;&nbsp;I am not sure which&nbsp;particular&nbsp; supplement&nbsp;is&nbsp;responsible&nbsp;for the positive&nbsp;benefits&nbsp;but here are my findings.<br><br>Increased&nbsp;energy<br><br>Increased&nbsp;stamina<br><br>Increased&nbsp;hand eye&nbsp;coordination<br><br>Increased&nbsp;cognitive&nbsp;skills<br><br>Increased awareness<br><br>Better deeper sleep<br><br>Mood elevation&nbsp;<br><br>The only&nbsp;negative&nbsp;aspect I have&nbsp;experienced&nbsp;is the cost.<br><br>These are some other&nbsp;supplements&nbsp;I have&nbsp;researched and are&nbsp;interested in taking.<br><br>magnesium (mentioned by lucid)<br><br>Korean red ginseng<br><br>acetyl L-carnitine<br><br>psyllium husk<br><br>probiotics<br><br>quercetin<br><br>pycnogenol<br><br>gluosamine<br><br>EGCG<br><br>Lycopene<br><br>red yeast rice<br><br>resveratrol<br><br>SAMe<br><br>saw palmetto<br><br>Any additional information on these&nbsp;supplements, or others&nbsp;would be&nbsp;appreciated.<br><br>Edit: One other thing. Bir, If you don't mind&nbsp;answering&nbsp;a question, I see you&nbsp;mentioned&nbsp;"Swansons.com" for your source. Is this&nbsp;because&nbsp;they are&nbsp;cheapest,&nbsp;highest quality or is there another reason???<br><br>Any one else care to chime in on a good source for&nbsp;supplements?<br><br><br><br><br>

 

[Ballenxj]

This is a good thread for me to try and learn what works on the road. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"> <br>I take Centrum Silver, and a vitamin C when I remember to buy it. For the time being a segment or two of an Orange on occasion will have to suffice. <br>RE; Calcium, if you can find it in liquid caplets, your body can absorb that much easier.<br>-Bruce

 

[Elf]

C/G never did anything for me, l but I know others who swear by it. <br><br>I use flax seed oil instead of fish oil. My doc said one needs to take 4 capsules (either type) at a time, rather than just one capsule for it to do any good, so you might want to run that by your own health care provider. <br><br>B2 keeps my migraines to a minimum.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Being on the road I&nbsp;envision&nbsp;my diet suffering somewhat&nbsp;occasionally. I am very healthy right now but I am thinking about taking a b12 vitamin and a fish oil&nbsp;supplement. What would you&nbsp;recommend? or do you think these are a big hoax?

Big Hoax

 

[Darth_Muerte]

I take a multi-vitamin, B complex, and 1000 mg of C each day. Additionally, I drink 2 cans of V8 each day. I am considering adding Ginseng, Saw Palmetto, and Ginko Bilboa to the mix. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[spd2918]

Vitamins were important back in the day when people did not get a balanced diet. If you watch what you eat they are not necessary.

 

[Darth_Muerte]

Vitamins were important back in the day when people did not get a balanced diet. If you watch what you eat they are not necessary.

That is much more difficult for me now since I live in my van and don't have a fridge or a stove/oven. Supplements and my V8s are how I ensure that I get what I need without too much trouble.

 

[Salida Scarlett]

If you have the ability to cook this up...natural Bone Broth cooked until it forms a gelatine.

http://www.healthinducedautism.com/bone-broth.html
Or...
http://simplybeingwell.wordpress.co...nes-and-my-new-favorite-soup-oxtail/#comments

This can be heated and sipped in a cup, or added as a base for stews or soups.Lacking refrigeration or heat, you can use unflavored gelatine.Just not very tasty.

The science behind this can be found at http://raypeat.com/articles/
The man is a genious in the opinion of many people, (including me), and years ahead of his time.

I do take a huge variety of other supplements ordered from Swansons because of their inexpensive prices, but believe many of these won't be neccessary now that I've turned onto the bone broth nutritrional angle. Will begin doing lacto-fermented foods soon made with natural whey derived from whole milk yogurt. Info on this can be found at healthyeconomist.com or on Youtube.
To your good health on the road,
Scarlett