What Vitamins to Take

Updated on February 25, 2010
A.S. asks from Houston, TX
20 answers

Hello Moms, I am back with another question. I want to start taking vitamins myself as I have been feeling dizzy often and I always, always have headaches, the doctor told me that they are probably stress related headaches. But I want to start taking some vitamins on a daily basis. I want to start doing that soon, but I don't know what kind should I take. I was thinking about taking the Centrum for Women, but I don't know if this is a good choice. I am a 26 year old mommy to a beautiful 2 and half year old girl. I just want start taking some vitamins so that I can have more energy and maybe be headache free. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Which ones have you tried and worked great? I want to stick to one of those multivitamins and not take 10 pills a day as I am not the best pill taker. Thank you for your time and advice.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

headaches..do you drink diet sodas or diet drinks. look up the word in red on the side of the can. it caused me to have really bad head aches. i stoped drinking the soda and stoped having the headaches.

along with a vitamin include a calcium with vitamin D, fish oil pill, and flax seed pill. you can also take b12 to help with energy. good luck.

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J.H.

answers from Houston on

Why don't you take per-natel vit with possibly an extra vit D. It is ok to take these even when not prego. For the dizziness, I was told to take magnesium.

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J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

When pregnant, my MIL supplied me with METAGENICS vitamins. Granted, they were 10 pills a day (annoying!!!). Not sure if they have a one-pill multivitamin or not, but my MIL swears by Metagenics so much that she sells it now! (but she's in California).

Tired during the day - are you drinking a lot of sodas? Fast food? Try a couple of weeks of WATER WATER WATER and see how you feel. Also, I used to drink a soda each day, more for the regularity of it, the taste, the craving. I've just recently gone down to two a week and I've been drinking water instead. I feel so much more energetic! And I haven't completely taken them out of my diet yet because I keep getting headaches when I don't drink them (get them after no sodas for 3 or 4 days). So not sure if that could be related to your headaches or fatigue, but looking at your diet and making a few changes could help.

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K.M.

answers from Houston on

Years ago, I was complaining of feeling tired and run down. My GP at that time ran some bloodwork and discovered I was borderline anemic. He told me to take a multivitamin with Iron. I've been taking it ever since. The occasional day when I miss it, I do feel a little lethargic. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of anemia, especially if you have heavy menstrual cycles.
Good luck.

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K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Please do your research. There are a lot of bad vitamins out there. Bad meaning vitamins full of fillers that do your body no good. In fact, most vitamins out there are harmful to your body. Look into Vitality vitamins from Melaleuca. You can learn more at www.melaleuca.com

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T.V.

answers from Austin on

Hi A.,

Stress can be causing your headaches. I know with a 2 yr old, you probably don't have much time to de-stress. Are you anemic? That can cause dizziness and that 'tired' feeling. I'm anemic, I just have to keep track of my diet to make sure I'm getting enough iron. You might want to go for a check up if you haven't had one in a while. Your dr or pharmacist can recommend some good vitamins. I have hear prenatal vitamins are the best vitamins to take no matter if you are preggo or not. I've thought about taking them, and I'm past the child-bearing age. That's my two cents. :-)

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D.H.

answers from Houston on

Ok, I'm not sure which multivitamin would be good, because I don't currently take a multivitamin. However, I am a sufferer of migraines and also Fibromyalgia, and it causes me to have chronic fatigue. I completely understand the lack of energy. I feel the same way. I actually take some prescription medication for my migraines, but I have heard that magnesium is good for the dizziness. I take Vitamin B6 and B12 for energy and heart health. I definitely recommend some sort of Vitamin B for energy. I take it in the morning with food and it definitely seems to help. I have been told that the multivitamins out there mostly do not have the recommended dose of each vitamin, but I would just check with your local GNC or Nutritional store and ask someone there what's the best. Then maybe add the extr B or whatever for Energy. Good luck. I know it's difficult with the little one. It's hard to keep up.

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E.M.

answers from Austin on

Hi A.,
If you can go to a natural food/vitamin shop (one of the small mom and pop kind of places) they should be able to help you. I know you said you don't want to take a lot of vitamins, but you might consider adding in Vit D too.
I get Nutrition Action health newsletter (and highly recommend it). It's put out by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. I read there that according to the latest studies the FDA recommendations for Vit. D are really low (400 IU) and that most people should be getting between 1000 IU and 2000 IU. Yes, we can get it from the sun, but most of us work in doors and wear sunscreen.
One other thing, I have a friend who used to have awful migraines, until she cut meat out of her diet. Just something to think about. (I'm not vegetarian myself, so I'm not preaching, but I wanted to mention it.)

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M.M.

answers from Austin on

Dr. Mercola's website has a lot of good information on vitamins. You definitely want something whole food based. Centrum will just go right through you and you will be wasting your money. Research shows that these types of synthetic vitamins may even harm you. Sadly there are alot of bad products on the market. Standard Process has a good line of vitamins, you may find them at People's Pharmacy or at a Chiropractor's or Nutritionist's office.

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P.B.

answers from Houston on

several years ago I looked into vitamins. Shaklee's were the very best. They did testing on the raw materials before processing, then tested AFTER processing (which is almost unheard of) and THEN testing every couple months for shelf life. AND they'll send you their results (NO OTHER company would) I'm still taking their vitamins and they have them in these neat little "zip" packs - alll you need for a day in a strip. I feel better now than I did before I started taking them and my nails, hair, skin, even teeth are in better shape. I don't get sick like I used to and have much more energy. As far as headaches go, I'd say cut out wheat and possibly gluten out of your diet. To be certain, if you live in the Spring/Woodlands area, Health Market could tell you within 2 minutes if you're intolerant of those 2 things!!!! My daughter was having horrible headaches almost daily and Sheryl solved that in moments!!

D.K.

answers from Houston on

I at one time use to feel sleepy all the time as well and many other issues, but I first started out taking Shaklee and now I am taking a multivitamin from Puritan Pride. They are a good source of vitamins of all kinds. Another product that I also take is a soy protein powder mix. This helps with being so tired all the time. You should take a B vitamin and a C. Multivitamins don't also have enough in them to effect you as your body may need. Puritan Pride has really great deals on vitamins and they always have some kind of promotion like buy 1 get 3 free or buy 2 get 1 free, etc. I have tried the One a Day and Centrum but my body did not handle those very well. Well good luck and I hope this helps you.

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J.T.

answers from College Station on

Most good quality vitamins are a good choice. I try to use ones that are made from natural ingredients and not chemical formulations of vitamins. THat is my personal choice.

Also, for your headaches, try to eliminate anything artificial from your diet- colors, preservatives, flavors. Those can cause severe headaches. It will also be better for your daughter.

Good Luck!

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M.A.

answers from San Antonio on

HI A.! I am currently taking some amazing vitamins - my energy has increased, I sleep better, wake up easier, and my doctor actually took me off my blood pressure meds and my depression meds. In fact you'd have to take 33 Centrum or 15 One a Days to get the same absorption as 1 Vitality pack daily dose. I'd like to talk to you in person - my email address is ____@____.com

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M.F.

answers from Austin on

my doctor still has me on my prenatal vitamins even thought I am not, nor plan to ever be pregnant again. She feels they are the most complete vitamins out there. If you can't afford the ones you get with an Rx from your doc, there are several over-the-counter prenatals you can buy.

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M.G.

answers from San Antonio on

In my opinion, Nature's Plus multi vitamins are the best. They are a good vitamin that dissolves easily in the body so the body can get most of the nutrients. You have to be careful what vitamins to take because some of the more popular ones like Centrum don't break down in the body as well. I have been taking vitamins for years and I believe that my body works best with Nature's Plus. You may have to try a few until you find the right one. Stick to any of the stores that offer a variety of vitamins and have a vitamin specialist on hand like Sun Harvest, Whole Foods, or Green Fields Market.

N.W.

answers from Birmingham on

I have always taken a regular women's multivitamin and on top of that I take A-E. I take a B-complex plus a B-6. That helps with my energy and they are water soluble so you can't take too much. Research the dosage of A that you should get. If you get A in your regular diet then don't take the supplement. Any health store will have your run of the mill vitamins or you can check out ://www.naturessunshine.com. Your doctor should also be able to reccommend and good vitamin regimen. Good for you for wanting to be healthy and teach your young daughter that taking care of your body is the most important thing.

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V.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi there! Do you know if you deficient in any area? Before taking any vitamins do some background research on the different kinds. Here a website as an example of what I mean
http://www.organicconsumers.org/nutricon/qa.cfm.

Ask your Dr. what he recommends. I had blood tests done before I took vitamins and it turned out I was Iron deficient which my Dr. said could be why I was always tired and run down. It worked for me great! Vitamin B is also good. Also I buy my vitamins at a whole food store called Mother’s Market as they aren’t synthetic and made through a chemical process. Anyhow just wanted to get my two cents in =-)

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S.M.

answers from San Antonio on

Liquid B12 comes in a spray bottle, you spray it under your tongue when ever you need a boost, You can't take too much 'B" vitamins as they are water soluable and flush out of your system. I take it for adrenal issues, it is great for an energy boost w/o a crash later. Stay away from stimulants like Caffienne, and sugar. You can buy it at any vitamin store, but may not be able to find it at the drug store, grocery or department store. I get mine at "The Vitamin Shoppe" Good luck!

E.H.

answers from Killeen on

Hi A.,
when I read your questions I knew you would get tons of offers on Vitamins. Unlike how Stephanie K put it. I am in the Health & Wellness Industry and do not just believe our products are the next big thing. She says she isn't a salesman, we all are selling something. There is nothing wrong with that. It is the motive behind the selling. I am an Associate and believe in my products. And have been taking them for almost 7 years after being on Centrum and One a Day since I was a child.

As she said it is important to read the scientific data that is available to anyone and also to educate yourself. There is something called the Comparative Guide To Nutritional Supplements that is a must own for anyone who is serious about taking supplements. This is not something put out by any Supplementation Company. This is done by a third party organization. You can buy it on Amazon.com or find it in any main Bookstore like a Barnes & Nobles. Or if you can't locate it, you can find it here: http://www.comparativeguide.com/ Oh, there is also one for the Children's Supplements as well.

It will tell you which product (multi-vitamin) is the best. If you have any questions or concerns about what my family and I take you are welcome to email me @____@____.com

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

This is what I do for a living A.. Here is my website. Contact me and I will make some recommendations:
http://healinghappens.myshaklee.com/us/en/welcome.html

These vitamins have changed my life and the lives of many people I know.

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