Do you believe in taking Vitamin?

[aja8888]

As far as I can tell, they are all about the same. I take one--because humans have very complex nutritional requirements, I have no idea if I'm checking all the boxes, and it is cheap insurance. I wouldn't pay more a nice label/expensive marketing. I do recall reading some good papers that most men and post-menopausal women do not require much/any additional iron from supplements, and that excess iron is not good for heart health. So, I buy vitamins for oldsters, since those pills usually lack iron.

That's a good summary. I have seen the same about the lack of need for iron.

 

[Walt34]

That's a good summary. I have seen the same about the lack of need for iron.

But, but, but... What about Gertitol, advertised on the Lawrence Welk show? Wasn't that supposed to cure iron-poor blood?

And now they're saying it isn't necessary?

Say it ain't so!

 

[aja8888]

But, but, but... What about Gertitol, advertised on the Lawrence Welk show? Wasn't that supposed to cure iron-poor blood?

And now they're saying it isn't necessary?

Say it ain't so!

Yeah, and eggs and bacon are bad for you too! And butter.....

 

[eytonxav]

I take fish oil, D and magnesium all purchased from Costco and have USP certs.

 

[LXEX55]

My wife takes Theragram-M and calcium. I was getting very bad sinus headaches and someone recommended cold liver oil capsules. I started taking three a day, and it did indeed reduce the number of sinus headaches I got. But, be careful, you can take too much cod liver oil as it is high in vitamins a and d.

 

[MuirWannabe]

Keep taking the vitamins. Leave the Doc - and don't forget the cannolis ..

Excellent!

 

[Jerry1]

For your D situation, you had a blood test that led her to recommend the supplement... fair enough.

For the "now try these too!" is there a similar blood test deficiency? Unless yes, I would pack up now and find another doctor.

It's not whether vitamins are a good idea, it's whether you want a doc who's trying to sell you stuff or not (me.... not)

My Dr. does extensive lab work. I get copies of everything sent to me by the lab. I look up each of the tests and monitor my progress. I went from being a wreck to being in pretty good shape as far as my blood work goes. It’s interesting to see the numbers change for visit to visit. Healthcare is like a lot of things, you need to be actively involved in your car and learn enough to be able to make good decisions with your Dr. No one knows you like you know you.

I would agree, if you’re just being offered a standard regimen of supplements, that’s a red flag. DW and I do have a lot of overlap, but we definitely take different supplements and for those that are the same, the doses are different.

 

[RobbieB]

I do my Centrum Silver every day.

 

[RAE]

But, but, but... What about Gertitol, advertised on the Lawrence Welk show? Wasn't that supposed to cure iron-poor blood?

And now they're saying it isn't necessary?

Say it ain't so!

Contrary to popular belief, most adults actually have too much iron in their stystems, not a lack of iron. That is because the human body has no real mechanism to get rid of excess iron, other than blood loss, so iron tends to accumulate over time in your organs and blood. I found out the hard way what too much iron could do to a person..........I had all sorts of weird (and pretty serious) symptoms for about a year, until I figured out that excess iron (or "iron overload") was the problem. Once I started donating blood a few times each year, the problems disappeared. There are several blood tests you can have run to check on how much iron is in your symptom, but the serum ferritin test is the one to start with. It is not a costly test, and very important in my opinion, as excessive iron can lead to all sorts of problems, including cancer, liver disease, heart disease, etc.. Here is some information on iron overload: Iron Disorders Institute:: Iron Overload


I would definitely NOT recommend taking any multi-vitamin that contained iron, unless you first have a blood test for ferritin and serum iron, which shows that your iron levels are too low.

 

[Aerides]

DH was recently diagnosed with Hemachromatosis (iron overload). We had recently switched docs due to our ACA plan. Our new doc took a more proactive approach to a "high" on standard blood test, whereas our prior doc had always been more..."eh...that's a bit high but you have no other symptoms so we'll just keep an eye on that."

Good thing she was more insistent and more thorough, sent him to a hematologist and yup the ferritin test confirmed everything. DH will now be going to donate blood at least once a quarter, and should be fine from that, and of course will now monitor and avoid things like multi-vitamins.

 

[Katsmeow]

My insurance changed and I picked an MD off the PPO list. Turns out she is a homeopathic GP.
....

Does anyone here take Vitamins? Believe they help?

What do you take and what "symptoms" does it help?

She was recommending Methyl B and a host of other B Vitamin complexes.

I have more issues with the homeopathy than I do with vitamins. I would not go to someone who was homeopathic oriented.

My own doctor does believe in some supplements. He did recommend a brand to me but I chose to use a different one and he was OK with it. I did check Consumer Reports to find a brand that has a record of being tested to provide what is advertised.

I have very low Vitamin D (true deficiency level) and am taking 5000 units daily.

My understanding is that Vitamin B complexes are often recommended. Like I say I have more issue with the homeopathy and the selling of supplements directly than I do with the specific vitamin recommendations.

Lots of people have to have supplementation of Vitamin D because it is hard to get enough from the sun for most people.

I had an eye doctor pushing eye vitamins, nah. I'm not going to spend a bunch on unproven benefits of supplements.

Not all supplements are unproven. My husband has macular degeneration and the general medication treatment for that is the AREDS2 supplement. It has been studied and it may be a supplement but research has shown benefits from the formulation.

See this FAQ from NIH:

https://nei.nih.gov/areds2/PatientFAQ

 

[Oz investor]

homeopathy doesn't work for me ( and vaccines which use the same principle haven't worked so well for me either )

now i have played with vitamins ( and amino acids ) for decades and until recent years i have found careful research and experimentation , such a strategy has been useful and cost effective , but then i have an unusual physiology , so my successes may not work for you .

currently i am on a mixture of prescription medicines that have me on a toxic tightrope ( despite not being treated for cancer or AIDs ).

i suggest you decide what works for you and stay with that

i don't know how the US regulation works , but the Australian medical and pharmacy industries are riddled with conflicts of interest and actual bribery .

 

[Ronstar]

I take a multivitamin, 2 B’s, an I, vitamin D drops, and an omega fish oil. Because blood work shows vitamin B and D deficiencies.

 

[Chuckanut]

I take vitamin D in the Winter and early Spring because my area has lots of cloudy weather and the amount of solar radiation is very low that time of year. Even then I only take the pill every other day.

Most supplements are not worth much, IMHO. Eating a good balanced diet is the key to good nutrition. That and avoiding the latest fads and not believing anything the media says about the latest studies on alcohol, red meat, eggs, and push-ups.

That said, if a supplement is helping you I would be the last person to tell you not to take it. We are all different.

 

[ohyes]

I've been considering adding a multivitamin. In the last six months, I experienced three awful respiratory infections vs. the one or two a year I have known for the past few decades.

It must be old age or vitamin/mineral deficiency, right?

A local natural foods shop owner (Liz) has a great reputation and I plan to visit her place soon for advice.

 

[Oz investor]

my current medications dictate i avoid alcohol , caffeine , garlic , citric acid , potassium , sodium , certain species of lettuce and cabbage

and that is just the common stuff other folks have had BAD side-effects using , who knows what else is troublesome ( takes years to cause a problem )

alternative medicines ( and two of my prescription medicines ) have 'fillers and caking agents , that cause problems

take care and research carefully

 

[PatrickA5]

I recently started taking an old person multi vitamin. Can't say that I feel any different. My PCP doesn't think they do any good unless my blood work shows I'm deficient in something - which I'm not. So, I'm probably wasting about $10 per year.

I asked my cardiologist about taking fish oil pills. He said to not waste my money and eat fish instead.

 

[JAGOTI]

I don't take any regularly. I do take zinc acetate lozenges in the winter months to avoid colds and flu.

 

[REWahoo]

I do take zinc acetate lozenges in the winter months to avoid colds and flu.

I've had far better results wearing an asphidity bag. As a side benefit, house guests aren't prone to linger.

 

[JAGOTI]

I've had far better results wearing an asphidity bag. As a side benefit, house guests aren't prone to linger.

 

[Bestwifeever]

I tested low on D and my doc wrote me a prescription for high dosage D. She did not sell it to me. DH’s doc has recommended saw palmetto and magnesium and fish oil but does NOT sell anything. It’s not the recommendations that are the problem (assuming we trust our docs), it’s the conflict of interest.

 

[Scuba]

I used to take a daily multivitamin but two years ago my PCP said my lab work showed excessive vitamins so I cut back to every other day. Possibly not necessary but PCP said to go ahead with the every other day program. Also take Vitamin D every other day and calcium every day.

 

[Just_Steve]

Keep taking the vitamins. Leave the Doc - and don't forget the cannolis ..

 

[Vacation4us]

Interestingly my Vitamin D was almost nonexistent. Supplements have raised my levels. Turns out my sisters and daughter have also been low on Vitamin D.

My MD convinced me to take an epogenectics DNA test. Background, Menopause has hit me hard. Hot flashes going on 2 years and admittedly my mood /attitude can be down right nasty at times. My husband who adores me even says I need a puppy upper sometimes.

I can't take hormones. Not an option medically due to a strong family history of strokes.

So this DNA test I took shows a link to anxiety,depression, and insomnia. MD recommended Methlylated Vitamin B sublingual and oral multi B vitamins. I even discussed the cost of her supplements and asked for alternative options. Her reply was other vitamins weren't "pure" while hers were. Can you say red flag. She also said I would need to stay on supplements forever not just 1 month.

If I will feel better great. Problem solved. I just don't believe the sales side of the equation. This MD is a salesman in my book. I am a nurse and I believe selling a product just isn't right for a qualified good doc. I will find a new MD.

But I am left with issues that can't or I won't treat with pharmaceuticals.

 

[DrRoy]

My PCP has me take D as well. I took glucosamine for years, but stopped a year ago and I can't tell the difference.