Vitamins

I take 1 gram of Vitamin C daily along with vitamin D & vitamin B. Seems to help me anyway. Also at the first 'tickle' in the throat that may be the start of a cold I use Vick's First Defence (Boots also do an excellent one) and that works for me too!!!
Regarding Vitamin C - my cousin daughter makes all her ward nurses take this, so there must be something in it??!!!!

www.multivitaminguide.org/mob/best-multivitamins-for-women.html#comparison-table it is an American chart, but there are some brands on there we would recognise: Centrum comes in at 82 with a 2 rating

I use Usana or Vitabiotics if I take any at all, they are more expensive but there is no point on wasting money on something which is not so effective.

antjexix have you tried juicing? You could get a good dose of vitamins and minerals (but probably not Vitamin D) from juicing fruit and vegetables - and ginger.
Some people on GN have bought a Nutribullet I think (I haven't so can't comment on them).

I use Healthspan for vitamins B and D, and also Omega 3. I have no complaints about Healthspan, but have nothing to compare them with. It might be my imagination, but I'm convinced that I struggle more to remember words etc, if I stop taking the Omega 3 for any length of time. I rarely have colds, but whether this is anything to do with vitamins, I can't say.

I know we are talking vitamins here but I must put in a word about garlic capsules.I have been taking them for years and very rarely get a cold.When I do,the symptoms are mild and don't last long.Garlic is also supposed to be good for heart function.You can buy tasteless and odourless capsules-I buy mine from Simply Supplements online.
You could ask your GP for a blood test to determine your levels of vitamin D3.It showed up for me when being tested for other things and my GP said I was very low.I now take prescribed D3 and calcium every day.

I have a very odd digestive system, due to illness and operations, and don't take vitamin supplements. I do have medically prescribed B12 injections every three months, as I can't access this from food. The effects of B12 deficiency can be serious, so worth having this checked.

I totally agree about Vitamin D, although I gave up all other vitamins years ago. I am prescribed Calcium and Vitamin D for borderliine osteoporosis and have been taking it for 10 years. In that time I am sure the number of colds and other infections has decreased and I feel very fit. My asthma has dissappeared altogether, but I can't directly attribute it to this. I try to have a healthy diet, but don't always manage it and I am a terrible exercise phobe, although probably reasonably active in doing my every day activities. It is only recently that a link has been made between Vitamin D and some diseases and when I looked back over the years, I realised that I have had fewer reasons to visit the doctor.

I take 1 multivitamin and minerals and 2 omega 3,6 and 9 tablets, 1 ginko biloba, 2 vitamin b, 1 baby aspirin per day. Why? I get restless leg quite badly but haven't had it for 6 months since I started on the combined b vitamins. Fish oil is excellent for both the brain and eyes, and the ginko has sharpened up my thinking. Btw get tested for thyroid deficiency, finding out a few years ago that I needed 100mg a day made so much difference to the clouds in my brain as well. Aspirin because 20 years ago my daughter organised a conference for Alzheimer's specialists from all over the world and on asking what they recommended as a preventative found out they all took 1 baby aspirin a day, and this was from All the specialists she asked BTW I do not have stomach problems for the aspirin to affect, be careful if you do. I take the multivitamin and minerals to cover any other bases!
I rarely get colds or flu, my restless leg and other nerve problems have gone completely, my thinking has sharpened up and although I do have sjorgrins syndrome caused by a virus caught in the middle east ten years ago, the arthritic pain and other symptoms are manageable, including the bowel problems.
I really believe we need to get hold of our own wellbeing, research for ourselves how to help ourselves in old age and ignore the tutting of some doctors. Do you think they don't monitor and take care of their own health? In case you think I am a hypochondriac, believe me I only go rarely to the gp and manage my own health when necessary. My tip for avoiding colds and flu - try not to get in contact with small children if you are run down, they are a reservoir of bugs at times!

My DH and I take 1000mg of Spiralina and a mutivit every day. I take Osteoban and Gingko. We never get colds and are healthy. I swear by Spiralina and have been taking it for years. Don't need a vit d tablet because we live in Africa so get more than our fair share of vit d. I think if you konw what you are taking and buy a reputable brands they are worth it.

I do take a hair, nail & skin supplement as if I don't my nails all flake & break. They are lovey & strong when I take the supplement. I was feeling very tired all the time recently so got an iron enriched tonic & it really did work. Usually I think I get enough from my diet but sometimes I think you need a little boost. I wonder if Vit D would help with the fatigue- much cheaper. I love the sun ( I think I'm solar powered!) so sunbathe as often as possible in the summer but not sure if the body stores it or not. Might give it a try if I start feeling tired again- I'm not counting post Christmas with 6 small grandchildren exhaustion.

I also take Lutein for ARMD on the advice of consultant eye specialist. Although I have had to undergo a course of injections into the eye already and have just started another, I can't be sure that my eyesight would have been significantly worse by now without my Lutein supplement. I also take multivits, Green Tea capsules and Zinc supplement. I hope I'm not tempting fate here by saying that, for my age, (73), I'm fit as a lop. Cannot say whether this is due to good genes or vitamins etc.

GrandmaH - Can I ask which supplement you take which helps with your nails? Have had a flaky nail problem for so long that I will give anything a go! How long did it take for you to notice a difference? I eat a varied diet and only take Vit D with calcium for early osteoporosis and Cod liver oil tabs which I'm sure help with joints and general well-being. Hardly ever get colds since I stopped working in a school 5 years ago.

My nails are awful, too. Used to be so strong it annoyed me how much they grew. I now have to coat them in all sorts of strengthener to stop them splitting.

I take Multivitimins plus Iron because I give blood and have to keep my iron up.

I take Omega 3, because if I don't I get terrible pains in my big toe which wakes me up at night.

I take Ginko Biloba which sends more blood to the brain, and I can tell if I miss a few, I feel like there's cotton wool in there.

So yes, I believe some supplements can and do help. They don't stop me getting a cold though as I had a horrendous one over Christmas.

To member J52, I would like to try Biotin tablets as I suffer from thinning hair and weak nails.

I usually buy all my vitamin supplements over the phone from Healthspan which are a reputable company, but I can't see any of the above product on their site.
Can you please advise me where you get yours from. Thanks.

Vitamin supplements mostly do no harm but vit E can be carcinogenic in excess and is best avoided.
For healing, e.g. pressure sores, vits B & C
For bone density – very important as we get older – vit D from butter also full cream milk, cheese & yogurt which provide calcium as well.
Vit A for eye lubrication & dry mouth also anti-aging, from butter, meat & red / orange fruit & vegetables (carotenoids).

I have taken supplements for years and I truly believe they help me. I am 69. I never EVER get a cold. I have narrowed my supplements down to 12 tablets per day and I never buy from High Street shops. I buy online - mostly from www.justvitamins.co.uk and Healthspan - Better quality and better price!

Here is my list:

Turmeric (great for everything!)
Calcium & Magnesium (bones and restless leg syndrome)
Chromium (good for metabolism)
Zinc (great for avoiding colds)
Glucosamine & Chondroitin (bones and joints)
Allicin (best form of garlic - also good for colds)
Omega 3 (better than cod liver oil)
Selenium (good allrounder, necessary as there is not much in the soil these days!)
MSM (bones and joints)
Vitamin B complex (great for nervous system)
Vitamin D3 (sunshine vitamin)
Starflower Oil (better than Evening Primrose Oil)

I think this covers all bases, plus I take this excellent elixir which I make at home.

425g peeled Garlic quartered (Yes indeed!)
A large chunk (or 2) of Ginger peeled and chopped
2 heaped teaspoons of Turmeric
2 Heaped teaspoons of Cinnamon
A decent grinding of Black Pepper (Half to 1 Teaspoon)
425g Muscovado Sugar
1 litre of water.

Put water into saucepan with sugar and bring to the boil.
Add the rest of the ingredients and bring back to the boil.
Cover with lid and turn off heat immediately.
Leave to stand on cooker until cool.
Blitz with a stick blender.
Put in glass jars and keep in fridge.

Take 30 ml after breakfast and 30 ml after dinner.

I recommend you try this - It is quite delicious and will keep you in rude health throughout the winter (summer as well if you like :-)
Don't worry about the sugar content - it's not much considering all the absolute goodness you are getting, and muscovado is 10 times better than white!
Bon appetit!!

I forgot to add:

I take 15 ml Organic Cider Vinegar in a glass of water mixed with
1 heaped teaspoon of Spirulina
1 heaped teaspoon of Chlorella

Both from Holland and Barrett - penny sale now on so you can get 2 X Organic Spirulina Powder for £12. Mine has just this minute arrived!

I take a multi-vitamin formulated for women over 70. I feel better taking it than I did before. I take no other medication or supplements. Perhaps I do not need everything listed but like insurance I feel covered in case I do!

Re Emelie19 Elixir. I eat a lot of garlic with my meals. Eat died ginger instead of sweets, add turmeric to rice and use a lot of black pepper so it must have the same effect. Am healthy apart from the osteo arthritis.

My nails go through phases of splitting and breaking, then being stronger for a while, usually in the summer.
It is not connected to whether or not I'm taking any supplements, I haven't taken any for a while yet my nails seem stronger. Normally at this time of year they are flaky and split.

I take an eye health supplement, Q10 and zinc + vit c which my doctor recommends against colds and flu, also at the first hint of a cold or just to use up veg in the fridge, usually once a week, I make soup which is very similar to Emelle19's conconction: onion, garlic, celery, fresh ginger, turmeric, carrot, all sweated then simmered together in a very good quality chicken stock, (Usually bought although i do use the bones to make stock when I buy chicken), then at the end I throw in any green veg I have - I always have frozen spinach on hand if nothing else- and lots of herbs, fresh or dried. I liquidize it then eat as is, or you could add some chickpeas, kidney beans or lentils etc. This is from a middle eastern recipe where it is eaten with a dollop of plain yogurt.
I also have flaxseed sprinkled on my porridge every morning, this is a real superfood, google it to see the benefits.

My doctor advised me to take Vit D for aching legs. My level was tested and found to be ok but on the low side. This was in September after we'd been on holiday. My doctor thought my level should be much higher for the time of year. My legs are much improved.

I've had cancer and surgery. Low vitamin D has been talked about in relation to cancer but I'm not sure if it means anything. Levels can also drop after major surgery.

Vitamin B12 is another vitamin that can cause older people problems, or lack of it should I say.

my doctor years ago said vitamin supplements were a waste of money and having spent out on supplements now and then with absolutely no effect I agree with her that eat a normal balanced diet of fresh food then you shouldn't need supplements anyway. Excess vitamins in the system go straight down the 'pan' and with them the pound notes spent on them!

I am a normally healthy 66 yr old and I eat what I cook from scratch with no processed food which I have always done ( and yes I did work and run a home) and brought my children up to eat that way, including what they didn't like!

We have a alimentary system and dental set that dictates that we should be omnivores and should eat accordingly. I am actively anti vegetarian as I believe that Nature intended us to eat as ominivores, and not doing so could unbalance nature if too many people became vegetarians. Why on earth not eat animal proteins and then have to spend money on supplements.

If I do need to take anything it tends to be natural things like honey and lemon, orange juice, and for really bad chesty coughs then cinnamon, camphor and eucalyptus essential oils on a teaspoon of honey. works a treat.

and yes we do need sunshine to keep up the Vitamin D, but like everything else - in moderation.

@annifrance - agree with you all the way, with a reservation for the word 'natural'. So many terrible things are 'natural' -- snake venom, Ebola etc...