Dietary supplements?

[FinallyRetired]

Anyone use these? Are they any good, specifically for joint and muscle flexibility? Or are they only healthy for the wallets of the sellers?

[samclem]

For joints, i hear most often about glucosamine and chondroitin. I have read reports from peer-reviewed journals that indicate they are not effective to a statistically significant degree, and I have heard anecdotally from people (and the results obtained in a dog we owned) that indicate they can be effective. I suppose it is possible that they work for some types of joint maladies, or maybe there s something about individual genetics/physiology that make them effective in some people and not in others. If my joints hurt, I'd sure try them, there doesn't seem to be a downside, other than the cost.

Other supplements: I take a multivitamin with a few extra antioxidants (no iron-men usually don't need it and it can have negative impact on heart health), I take 2 fish oil capsules every day, and I take one dose of Metamucil at night. I used to take more supplements (vitamin E, vitamin C, ginko, etc) but I don't think there's enough evidence of efficacy to make them worth the time/trouble/expense.

And lots of coffee.

[freebird5825]

I have a multivitamin, vit E, Lutein, calcium + vit D, glucosamine + chondroitin and vit C. The trick is to get me to remember to take them. My current average is about 3-4 times per week.
I do take a daily single dose of Metamucil, for the usual reason to get more fiber in my diet. It gives me a full feeling and helps me with not overeating during the day. MO is to snack frequently instead of eating full breakfast and lunch.

[Khan]

From reading scientific reports, it would seem that most are not necessary. Though a daily multiple probably wouldn't be a bad idea, especially if older. And yes, for most people extra iron is a bad idea.

[ls99]

Once upon a time I got all my nutrition from the three basic food groups: nicotine, caffeine, alcohol.

Nowadays I'm down to the daily glass of wine, on or two cups of coffee in the afternoon. Lots of veggies, meats, fish of all sorts and the equate version of centrum silver multi vitamin +D.