Yes, definite
Yes, I take a specific and selected set of vitamins. Although I am not in medical field, (I’m a degreed engineer) I have made a personal study of nutrition,supplements, and their impact on health for over 18 years. I continue to do so, making this an academic, not “pop” science pursuit. I read the underlying studies, I indendently assess how well they’ve been done, I flush out the problems in what have mostly been epidemiological approaches. I have overwhelmingly concluded that 1) nutrition is one of the 4 items that drive human health, and along with sleep is likely by the most important (the other 3 are excercise, sleep, and stress). 2). General guidelines on diet and supplementation from both the government and most medical professionals is wrong. In fact, most everything from those sources we’ve been told is wrong (follow the money, I suppose). 3) and therefore the standard American diet (the “SAD” diet) is our biggest enemy, from the process foods, processed oils, high amount of refined (actually, any) grains, and focus on reducing fat (essentially creating “foods” that are essentially science experiments — what exactly is “low fat cream cheese anyway?”); and 4) and that most sources of the real food we do eat (meats, vegetables) are deficient in basic nutrients due to the agricultural and animal husbandry processes that are followed, and depletion in those nutrients (i.e. magnesium) from the soils. That’s a long way of saying, YES, we need to supplement. The basic “starter kit” that I may suggest without getting into dosages (you’ll need blood testing to confirm for most) is Vitamin D3 (most North Americans are deficient). Select D3 vs. other forms, and you were paying way too much to your Dr. It is very inexpensive provided by various quality companies; Omega 3 Essential Oils, likely in the way of “fish oils” or “krill Oil”. These need to come from a reputablae source, and properly manufactured. These conditionally essential, meaning your body likely can’t adequately make them from land based varieties, and unless you eat sufficient seafood (which has its own issues due to sourcing and mercury) you aren’t getting them from your diet; and lastly a very good multivitamin that does NOT include synthetic versions of Vitaming E (all of the 8 types) or the B vitamins. This multi will likely NOT be just one pill a day, and definitely won’t be any of the brand names I see listed in some of the other replies. Do your own research on brands. Your health is the most important factor, and since health expenses in retirement are such potential large cost and impact on quality of life, why WOUDN’T you focus on nutrition, sleep, stress, and exercise? And oh yeah — ditch the specific doctor you have - she has a conflict of interest in selling you her own expensive vitamins......But similar like minded doctor that is interested in helping you holistically is the way to go, IMO.....