Supplements

I eat a balanced diet but take some to boost some nutrients. Calcium and Vitamin D combined, for bone health to hopefully keep osteoporosis at bay and recommended by Dr. Vitamin C from Sept to April. Vit B12 recommended for older folk. Turmeric with bioperine (black pepper extract, aids absorption). It's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. My cholesterol levels are ok but I have bran daily and have started taking a plant sterol tablet daily to maintain current level. I generally buy online from JustVitamins. Efficient service and respond quickly to queries with regard to supplements. Asda are good for the Calcium tablets.

I would say don't take any unless recommended by your GP.You could be wasting your money if you don't need them.

I second Greenfunches comment.

I have an auto immune condition and need supplements to maintain my health as diet alone is not enough. I take quite high doses too and so have to be careful with what I take as I'm also on blood thinners, so things like Turmuric are a big no. Usually Warfarin but currently Clexane after internal bleeding that landed me in hospital for a week. The blood thinners are also due to the auto immune condition. All mine have been cleared with my specialist and I take vit b complex, vit c, vit d3, vit e, magnesium and omega 3, think that's the lot.

Polly48 although I take supplements I agree that Dr's input is necessary. You don't eat dairy so presumably get calcium from other sources. Osteopenia/osteoporosis are more risky with age and loss of bone mass is a concern. DH broke his ankle 2 years ago and was subsequently diagnosed with osteopenia.

Always get expert advice before taking vitamins especially regarding dosage. Large doses can be as injurious as they build up in the body only vitamin c is exreted.

have been reading about B12. It seems to be the vitamin of the moment. Apparently if you are taking a proton-pump inhibitor (Omeprazole for example) this will delete your natural levels of B12.

Giles Yeo did a very informative programme about vitamins on Horizon, BBC 2 on October 25th. Watch it on iplayer, it will change the way you think about taking supplements.

Firstly I would consult your GP to make sure you know which of your conventional medication should not be augmented with supplements if at all. Personally I also have an auto immune condition so I avoid processed food, eat a varied diet but LOTS of fruit and veg and only take Vit D as recommended by my Rheumatologist on finding low levels in my blood despite spending eons of time on a sunny golf course. Anything else would be peed away.

It was suggested recently that we would need to consume 3,000 calories a day if we wanted to be sure of getting every necessary vitamin, mineral and other trace nutrients that we need.

As we get older we eat less and it is more difficult to get all these nutrients. I can see no harm in taking a low dose multi-vitamin and/or multi-mineral supplement.

Better pee the excess, which we do anyway if in our ordinary diet, we consume an excess of any micro-nutrient, than be vitamin or mineral deficient.

As harrigran has said, Giles Yeo’s programme was excellent.
You need to look at your diet to work out what you may be deficient in and take into account what medications you may be on.
It would be lovely to go to a Dr. And be tested for any deficiencies you may have but as levels of the various vitamins and minerals vary this could be tricky in itself.
I’m extremely healthy, have a very varied diet and take nothing except turmeric.
IMO for most people paying for supplements means very expensive wee. This doesn’t mean that I think that no-one can benefit.

Just watched the Horizon programme on vitamins (on iPlayer) - very interesting harrigran and PamelaJl - thanks for the recommendation.

I take

Vitamin D - the sunshine vitamin - in winter - good for bones and strengthens the immune system

Fish oil (Omega 3) (if vegetarian flax seed oil can be substituted)

A multivitamin with probiotics.

Tumeric - for healthy joints

All from Healthspan - online - if you want advice there is an expert to chat with - which I have been using for years and am rarely ill - touch wood - up 'till today as I type - touch wood again.

So there you have it. Two different people who have different attitudes and we are both healthy.
You pay your money(literally) and you make your choice.
Just out of interest showergelfresh in what form is your turmeric?

Hi showergelfresh,

I've read a lot of supposed scientific benefits of taking fish oil but I would love to hear your personal story.
I spend a lot of money on it and I'm not sure whether I'm actually getting anything out of it.

so... what do you get out of it?

Thanks Jacob9

Do you know what? I've been taking it for so long the only way I could find out the benefit would be to stop taking it and see what happens!
The capsules aren't that expensive though. I take the Opti-Omega 3 1,200mg from Healthspan - £15.00 for 60 days.
Maybe they do work as I don't take any other kind of medication...

I began taking tumeric 3 months ago because my finger joints were painful and I rarely notice any pain now so that seems to be working well but I think many people are reaping the benefits of tumeric.

I take Vitamin D ,Flaxseed oil capsules and Co enzyme Q10 for cholesterol instead of statins .I dont sit in the sun or even go out in it much as I burn very easily even with factor 30 on.

Apologies PamelaJI for not replying re the turmeric
I take a capsule of liquid turmeric.

Healthspan advisors said you don't need black pepper with it as this form is easily absorbed.

In summer I swim and cycle outdoors every day so it'd be hard to stay out of the sun. I think its just a natural thing to be outside and is so beneficial for everyone but I do wear sunscreen on my face every 365 days and photochromic lenses.

P.S
It may be a good idea to change to flaxseed oil capsules instead of the fish oil...
Much more environmentally friendly.
Yes - thanks for that idea paddyann I think I'll do that when the fish oil run out.
Its so easy to get stuck in a rut...
I do put flax seed on porridge though

Everyone is special. She says that the health care expert, usually a listed dietitian, requires to find out what the individuals nutritional requires are, their food choices, health goals, and other factors. Vitamins and nutrients are important for maintaining us in the best health. While eating a different diet should give us all the nutrition.

It seems like easy advice: Eat your fresh vegetables, get some exercise, and of course — take your natural vitamins.