Which Vitamins Are You Taking?

Updated on May 11, 2013
L.W. asks from Livonia, MI
20 answers

Hello Mama's I currently take one a day vitamins but I do not feel any effects from them. What viatmins are you currently taking and in what ways do they help? I heard St. John Worts was a good vitamin is anyone familiar with the brand?

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L.M.

answers from Dover on

I use Oligo and have found a world of difference. Greater absorption. Let me know if you would like more specific info.

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T.S.

answers from Dallas on

I am taking an incredible supplement as my daily vitamin. I started taking it in March, and the results for me have truly been life-changing. I have seen results with my allergies (no longer taking meds), insomnia, headaches, and migraines. In addition, my immune system is much, much stronger. If you'd like more info about it, let me know!

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I.L.

answers from Alexandria on

St. Johns wort is not a brand but an herb. It is pruported to help improve memory and concentration. However, research results are mixed.

You should visit a nutritionist, or your local health food store. Talk to someone in the vitamin area, they usually have knowledgeable helpful people available. Don't go to a store like GNC or the Vitamin Shoppe who have an obvious interest in selling you their brand.

A few rules of thumb.

The closer it is to the way it came from nature the more likely a supplement is to be helpful. So a good multivitamin is usually found in a liquid form or in a capsule (usually fairly large capsules). If it is a big white tablet, it's probably all or mostly synthetic and your body won't absorb it.

Also, vitamins and supplements is one of the few areas in life where it really does make a difference what brand you buy and how much you pay. In most cases the cheaper the vitamin the less likely you are to benefit. It really is a get what you pay for market.

Avoid megadoses. Read the nutrition label. You don't need 400% daily recommended allowance of anything! In some cases high doses are toxic (ie. Vitamin e, d or Iron), in other cases your body is only capable of metabolizing so much at once and therefore excess is just a waste. Either way, you aren't doing your body any extra good by taking megadoses.

Also, you say you don't feel any effects. Well, generally speaking you don't. You take a multi-vitamin just as insurance to make sure your body is getting everything it may not get all it needs of from what you eat. Now if you have certain issues there are specific supplements that should yield specific results. For example taking glucosomine/condroitin for arthritis and joint pain, or taking b-complex vitamins for improved energy, or gingko biloba for improved memory and concentration.

These are just some basic ideas. But like I mentioned above talk to a knowledgeable person at your local health foods store and they should be able to recommend what is appropriate for your personal needs.

PS--If you take prescription medication it is crucial that you talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, and in the future when a dr. asks what meds you take that you include vitamins. I know people do not think of vitamins as medicines but certain supplements can have adverse reactions when mixed with certain prescriptions!

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

Vitamins like One a Day aren't really going to give you a rush or anything you can feel, but they are still good for a daily multivitmin.

As far as what vitamins to take, it depend on what you and your body needs. This site has helpful info on many supplements, here's their info on St John's Wort:
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/
but then there are always those disbelievers as well:
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/stj...

Supplements have their effects, but brand is important, so I wouldn't go and take some generic brand, some are less potent than others and there aren't any regulatoins on how pure the vitamin is either. Be careful though, many can be strong and shouldn't be taken with certain foods or other vitamins as they cancel out the absorption, (vitamin d for example needs to be taken with a calcium supplement to aid in absorption, but not vitamin c or calcium as they will cancel each other out). Or some vitamins can't be taken with prescription meds or if you have certain disorders.

As far as brands go, Standard Proceeds is one of the best and what Dr's, veterinarians and chiropractors will 'prescribe', though there are others. Go to a knowledgeable health foods store or a nutritionist or chiropractor and they can probably help you.

Anyways, I recommend this book, it has tons of great info:
http://www.amazon.com/Prescription-Nutritional-Healing--Z...

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B.M.

answers from Allentown on

I also use Oligo- like many of the mama's below, and I wouldn't be able to function without them! Here is the info that I looked at: www.oligofructosecompound.com
informative info on your 'one a days' that I think people should know! I only have to take these one day and I FEEL an amazing difference. My hubby takes his, and notices a difference after 3 days. Prior to these, I took Natures Plus, source of life, which are really great- on the label, but I didn't feel too much of a difference. I put them in vinegar to see how long they took to absorb, and after 16 hours there were still somewhat larger pieces of 'stuff' in the vinegar- so I'm not sure all of it was being absorbed. The one I take now has an 85% absorption rate, which is really good! I also take a supplement for my knees/joints, calcium (comes as a 'pack- with my multi) and some heart healthy supplements and finally biotics for digestion. Feel free to msg me for more info!

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S.M.

answers from Atlanta on

St. Johns wort is a herbal remedy - you can actually buy the plant in Home Depot, Pike's, etc. It's use is specific to depression and other issues. It's not a vitamin, and shoud not be taken just so. If you're looking for energy, then you might want to look at a supplement with a concentration on niacin and/or vitamin b.

The Schiff multivitamin used to have a pretty high dose of niacin and I could actually feel a tingle as the niacin kicked in, but they changed something in the compound to reduce it and I eventually stopped taking it.

I don't spend as much time outside as I'd like to, and I don't do anything dairy, and I'm just not sure the vegetables we get are really 100% nutrient-rich, so I take vitamin D to help with skin, hair, bones. I take vitamin E as it's fat-soluble and is supposed to also have antioxidant properties (I have been told that my body doesn't process animal proteins well). I take vitamin C just for the immune booster, and I take vitamin B (combines B12 and others along with niacin) for energy. I also take probiotics to help the digestive system and to balance out the bacterial level.

You should figure out what you need and then talk to someone in a health foods store to find out what the best options are.

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L.C.

answers from Kansas City on

honestly, as long as you are buying over the counter vitamins you arent going to get any effect. most people dont realize it, but there is actually no law governing vitamins by the FDA. Even though the label says 100% of this and that, your body is only able to absorb about 20% of the vitamin because of all of the fillers. I know, its disgusting. you literally may as well flush dollar bills down the toilet because thats what your doing anyway. the left over vitamin just comes out in your pee. (hence why it turns bright yellow or green)

I actually have a lot of research on this, so please feel free to message me. I would gladly send you over my research file about vitamins. I buy all of mine online and was really surprised by the difference. I know, that sounds so cliche, but its true. I take a daily one, some st. johns wort, and also a joint vitamin. it helps a LOT. they are definitely worth it.

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D.S.

answers from Memphis on

St. John's Wort is a supplement taken for depression and a few other disorders. It isn't a brand that I'm aware of but there are many brands that sell St. John's Wort. It can/will interfere with BC pills if you are currently taking them.

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V.H.

answers from Detroit on

I don't take any vitamins but I make sure I eat a healthy diet with very little fast food and have plenty of dairy products. Seems like a waste of money to me to eat rubbish then take a supplement to make sure you are OK!

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P.P.

answers from Sheboygan on

I took St Johns Wort for years. It evens out your disposition & makes you feel better about things in general (if it doesn't help in 1 week it probably won't work for you). I don't use it anymore because my life is no longer so stressful. I gave up everything with high fructose (no easy task!!!) & lost a lot of weight since my appetite is no longer set to "constant on" by it.
I use Kyogreen for memory & Dynamic Greens for energy. I also take fish oil & Co-Q10 & vitamin D (1000) every day. I feel great!
Don't get me started on my healthy diet because I could talk all day on that. You have to make a lot from scratch if you want to get rid of the evil HFCS that is making our country so obese.

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C.M.

answers from Detroit on

St John's Wort is a supplement that sometimes helps with depression and mood swings. As far as a multi-vitamin....from what I have read the "One- Day", Centrum"....the ones advertised on TV all the time really don't carry much of a punch. You might check with a knowledgeable person at a SMALL healthfood store for some advice.

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H.T.

answers from Milwaukee on

I've been taking vitamins for a long time and I have no issues. I take in the am after breakfast ( multi vitamin, co q 10, fish oil, and garlic). Now in the pm before bed I take ( another co q 10, b complex, and another fish oil pill). My immune system is wonderful , I seldom get sick, and it keep my cold sores away! I hope this help!

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M.P.

answers from Detroit on

I take Shaklee vitamins and I've beent taking them for 13 years. I feel a difference with energy, I may get sick once a year (cold usually and that's because I do too much), and I want a good prevention against other illnesses like cancer. I believe in the company and how much research and science they put into their products.

I started taking Shaklee supplements when my health was at an all time low. I put my faith into another company and they had stimulants in their products, which put my health at an all time low.

So I found out the hard way just because something is natural, doesn't mean it is good for us.

One a Day vitamins are synthetic. So initially people feel a difference but after a couple of weeks they don't feel any difference. Did this happen to you?

St. John Wort is not a brand it is a supplement that helps with depression.

It is good that you know you need something to add to what you are eating.

I provide Personal Confidential Nutrition Consultations. If you are interested, email me and we can set up a time to talk.

J.S.

answers from Reading on

I take Alive Multivitamins (Women's kind) and am happy with them. They are made with whole foods. You can't find them in all stores but you can order them on Amazon for a good price.

I also take extra Vitamin C (usually Ester-C) either when I am sick or my kids are to help boost my immune system.

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

I take Arbonne's Hybrid Supplements for Women and the Joint Formula and Omega Three's along with a couple other Arbonne vitamin/supplements. You need to look for vitamins that are cold pressed (Arbonne's are) and that are made with real food. You can do a test with what vitamins you are taking now by dropping them in a glass of vinegar(it acts like our own digestive juices) and start counting as soon as you drop it it and see how long it takes to dissolve if it ever does. If they are warm pressed they will not break down and will be expelled and look just like they did when you swallowed them. For more information I have sent you a private message with my web site and my email address. Just do research before you purchase or take anything over the counter. Good Luck
Kay

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G.B.

answers from Detroit on

I take a bunch of stuff but the main one is the 2x day multi-vit from Trader Joe's.

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R.S.

answers from Detroit on

I have been taking Emergen C for about 2 years now. It is just a powder that I mix with a glass of water every morning. I find that I look forward to getting up and having that. It comes in many flavors. I like the tangerine. Its a little bit fizzy but you can buy the generic brands and they are not as fizzy plus a little cheaper. You can find this at most grocery stores. I think the best price is at Walmart. The best thing about this is I find I don't get sick very often and when I do catch something it isn't as severe.

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C.B.

answers from Detroit on

St John's Wort is an herb, not a vitamin. Said to be used for 'the blues' and depression. But there are many OTC vitamins, such as 1 a Day, that don't seem to do much except go through your system. I would find a naturopath or homeopath to test you as to what supplements you might need. There's a very good brand, Nature's Sunshine. But you don't want to diagnose yourself.

I take a liquid multi vitamin by the Neways corporation. They're geared to making quality products without any toxic additives. Many OTC products, and not just vitamins, have harmful ingredients. Shampoos generally contain propylene glycol. That's found in antifreeze. Think about consistently using it and it's absorbed by your skin. Not good.
So I would recommend a liquid vitamin, as liquids are more quickly absorbed and can work its wonders. But get it from a good health food store. Just make it a quality product without bad ingredients.

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S.S.

answers from Detroit on

You have to try Isotonix! They are isotonic, which means that they enter your body at the same pressure as your body fluids, and are readily absorbed into your system within 5-10 minutes. They are amazing! I drink mine every morning instead of coffee or other energy drinks. Yes, I am a distributor, but I can give medical references and introduce you to the science behind this product. Drink your vitamins! You won't ever go back to tablets. Ever.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

I take kid's vitamins. Adult vitamins give me headaches and prenatal ones made me violently ill.

We switch back and forth on kid's vitamins between Trader Joe gummies, flintstones extra C.

The vast majority of all vitamins end up in the toilet, completely unabsorbed... so I usually try and meet our vitamin needs via the food we eat. I have a cool nutrition program from a required nutrition class (pre req for BSRN) that not only has all of the vitamin & minerals found in each type of food raw, steamed, braised, boiled, frozen, canned (because some nutrients HAVE to be cooked for long periods of time in order to become absorbable and others are volatile and cooking degrades the types and amounts)... but yah... not only for every type of food and cooking process... but it ALSO calculates out your specific general needs on a daily basis by age, weight, sex, activity level, medical conditions (from pregnancy to kidney stone proclivity, to cancer, to anorexia, to ________), and current rounds of medication (certain meds strip some nutrients from your body while others "lock" them, so you can build up too much). It's a fun program. Cost a couple hundred bucks, though. There are more simple nutrition programs out there for as little at $20.

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