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Rana
November 8th, 2011, 11:48 AM
hi , what are your thoughts on vitamin supplements ? of course they are no substitute for vitamins through food but as our soil is becoming increasingly vitamin poor thus our vegetables and the way they are processed our bodies are lacking essential vitamins and minerals required to maintain a healthy balance. could this be another governmental ploy to get us to buy these supplements ? they have them for everything now ..i saw PEA vitamin the other day. I admit i take supplements to boost my system , i was found a few years ago to be magnesium deficient which in turn affects my calcium,Vitamin D uptake and affected my bodies ability to release serotonin at the required level. so we are reliant on all the essential minerals naturally abundant on the Earth ..we just dont eat enough of it because the vegetables etc dont HOLD the level of required nutirents they did say 50 years ago because of our actual environment.Our soil is depleted of the mineral rich soil , even "organic" vegetables are being found by scientists to have less. I feel it is essential for health to research minerals and vitamins and how your body processes each for what organ and what function especially if you have children , Grab a anatomy and physiology book .. you'll feel empowered and see and understand your health on a greater level .

Kiran
November 8th, 2011, 11:51 AM
As I am 'hormonal' at the moment, I am taking Evening Primrose and Starflower (Borage) Oil capsules as I cannot take HRT as these are great for regulating any hormonal imbalances. I also take a good multivitamin and mineral which helps my body in the absorbtion of these. In the winter months, I also take Echinecae capsules to keep my immune system up.
I have been advised to take calcium as well but after reading up on this, it can create some other issues which I do not want right now.

Rana
November 8th, 2011, 12:10 PM
Hi Lorri. my mum found Black co**** good for hormonal imbalance.im feeling as well as eating or supplementing milk thistle (when eaten boiled into a soup the Maori people eat this plant regularily if not daily ..here in Australia its considered a weed ) Green tea every 2 days for you.
she also found a DR. who specialised in bio identical hormone production which are not artificial they are natural.as well as progesterone gel applied to her gums ? DR Sandy Palmer Maape medicine its called here.

Kiran
November 8th, 2011, 12:15 PM
Yes I tried that too but it didn't agree with me as much as the Evening Primrose combination....but then I have been blessed so far with 'symptoms' so not going to complain about anything! lollol

Rana
November 8th, 2011, 12:16 PM
oh hope u can work out the word thats blanked.but the supplement has nothing to do with the blanked word ( sure you already know this ) like ash ..and a H in front of it ..

Rana
November 8th, 2011, 12:17 PM
Yes I tried that too but it didn't agree with me as much as the Evening Primrose combination....but then I have been blessed so far with 'symptoms' so not going to complain about anything! lollol

... all good then xx

Kiran
November 8th, 2011, 12:20 PM
:girl_yes3 (1):Yep :wink.1: Thanks for sharing though dearest :)

Narnia
November 8th, 2011, 01:05 PM
Excellent topic!

Most of the food available to us is conventionally grown, meaning its grown quickly and in a mono type system, the fruits, veggies and meats, lack their natural full power that the Earth can still provide. So, by switching up your produce from conventionally grown foods to organically grown foods you'll find that the food is much more satisfying because its filled with its natural goodness and nutrients ...

I am fully aware at just how hard it is to maintain a proper balanced diet when most of our foods are filled with rice, corn and wheat that have been striped of their nutrients. For the last few years I've been switching over our diet to a mostly organic one and since it is not always easy to do so, that's where supplements come in for me at least. I take a pre-natal multi-vit, the vits and mins in it have been calibrated to meet the female body's needs ...

Anyhoo ... love this subject, I'll add more to it when I have the time!

Thank Rana and Lorri for your fantastic input!

Rana
November 9th, 2011, 11:24 PM
Thankyou polly and i agree this topic has been around here on the MW in various ways but i feel it is something we all need to be discussing and incorporating into our lives somehow (if feeling im balanced in some way that is) as the saying goes if it aint broke dont fix it.but ull find all of our ailments come down to food and lack of vitamins and minerals along the line. in our tribal days we would have had that perfect balance and a medicine person to work it out they all knew it is essencial to keep all in harmony so that the others can work well otherwise there is a break down somwhere along to way.ill foprward to hearing more. Polly i noticed also your mood is worried ..you ok ?

i have terrible gastro bug at the moment also.up all nite. im getting some gastrolite from matt as soon as hes back cant keep anything in today.

Kiran
November 10th, 2011, 11:44 AM
Thankyou polly and i agree this topic has been around here on the MW in various ways but i feel it is something we all need to be discussing and incorporating into our lives somehow (if feeling im balanced in some way that is) as the saying goes if it aint broke dont fix it.but ull find all of our ailments come down to food and lack of vitamins and minerals along the line.

Following the holistic approach here though and the balanced view, while vitamins and diets play a big part in our well being, there are as many health issues relating to our mental/emotional state and stress levels.
Many of the health related problems today are caused by stress and mental states which cannot always be dealt with by diet - especially in the current economic climate. Some only need to learn new techniques of dealing with stress, while others may need the support of health care professionals that can help them in more serious cases.
Things such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, cancer...all these can also be attributed to stress of some sort as well as external issues such as diet, environment etc.
Again as Rana rightly said, diet and supplpements can aid recovery of these issues but I think its a little more complex at the present time than just dietary issues.

BlueStar
November 10th, 2011, 03:01 PM
Oh where do I start? After having specialist blood tests done privately earlier in the year I was shown to have v poor mitochondrial functioning amongst other things, so it's no wonder I experience such severely limited energy. Was recommended a wide range of supplements and spent nearly £200 on the first lot!! Fortunately I have noticed the benefit. The supplements include high quality multivitamins and vitamin C (Biocare brand), magnesium, a mineral supplement, coenzyme q10 (expensive but was shown to be very deficient and it's key for energy production in cells), selenium, l-glutamine, d-ribose...the list goes on. I was at rock bottom when I started, the worst I've ever been (seriously, probably feeling even worse than when I was on chemotherapy as a kid)...but it has really helped. I'm now taking just the main supplements and leaving off the additional ones as I can't afford that amount every few months.

I hasten to add that these deficiencies were not caused by poor diet, I actually have an excellent diet, far better than most people I know. The doctors don't know what's caused my cellular problems or the chronic fatigue, or in fact any of the more alarming symptoms I had earlier in the year. But I don't care, as I know I'm healing and am getting over whatever has held me back. Combined with yoga breathing, qi gong and a new treatment I am on for chronic fatigue, I am certain the supplements are really helping me improve :D

Kiran
November 10th, 2011, 03:07 PM
One thing about yours Rory is shop around honey! We have a chain of stores here that will always show you the most expensive ranges of stuff and blind you with science. I have found alternatives that are actually as good if not better for €5 or €6 euros that they tried to flog me for €30 - €40!!!!
Glad they are helping you honey and this is why I said, its not always about diet...there is the whole holistic thing going on here. You could live on an excellent diet and still have health issues relating to stress, environment etc.

BlueStar
November 10th, 2011, 03:27 PM
Yup, it's always more complex than one variable I think, so many different factors come into play! I have tried to shop around as much as I can, I've found amazon is often quite a good place for getting stuff. I'm cautious about which brands I get, as in past experience I've found that you often do get what you pay for in terms of quality. But that's not always the case though, so it is open for experimentation! Seeing other people's reviews on products can often be a help :)

Narnia
November 10th, 2011, 07:05 PM
Yup, it's always more complex than one variable I think,

I completely agree!!

And I'm super glad to hear that what you're doing is helping to calibrate and maintain your system ... for maximum output for you. :giveheart

Rana
November 10th, 2011, 09:27 PM
Following the holistic approach here though and the balanced view, while vitamins and diets play a big part in our well being, there are as many health issues relating to our mental/emotional state and stress levels.
Many of the health related problems today are caused by stress and mental states which cannot always be dealt with by diet - especially in the current economic climate. Some only need to learn new techniques of dealing with stress, while others may need the support of health care professionals that can help them in more serious cases.
Things such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, cancer...all these can also be attributed to stress of some sort as well as external issues such as diet, environment etc.
Again as Rana rightly said, diet and supplpements can aid recovery of these issues but I think its a little more complex at the present time than just dietary issues.



hi lorri, i connect with your wisdom my friend and what i am communicating is only one aspect of balance here which in this instance is food intake,minerals,vitamins and supplements .. i feel it is an area for some people to start with when they feel out of control on others . xx

Kiran
November 10th, 2011, 09:39 PM
Agreed honey :):two hearts:

christophersa
February 8th, 2012, 06:52 AM
These are some of vitamin supplements:
Whey Protein
Mega Mass
Serious Mass

Rana
February 9th, 2012, 05:46 AM
hi ..what is mega mass and serious mass . are they protein drinks or capsule form ?

SoulChild
February 28th, 2012, 12:51 PM
I've been training for a half marathon, and I thought I was starting to get old because it seemed like everything was hurting and running got harder. I met a chiropractic at the vitamin store and he told me about omega 3 fatty acids. I started on these and feel better immediately! I can actually cross my kegs again, lol! I was so stiff probably because the cold weather, but this supplement sure hit the spot! I am sold!

Narnia
February 28th, 2012, 10:07 PM
Hey SoulChild ... how wonderful to see you again!!

I'm so happy to hear your back in training for another marathon, that's wonderful news indeed and best wishes with your training and let's hope the omega 3 fatty acids in your diet do the trick. :D

Welcome back!! :giveheart

Samael
April 4th, 2012, 09:18 PM
This was debunked years ago, but still some things became part of culture like Vitamin C overdosing. There is no real need to take any kind of supplement if you are healthy and have a balanced diet.

BlueStar
April 8th, 2012, 05:12 PM
This was debunked years ago, but still some things became part of culture like Vitamin C overdosing. There is no real need to take any kind of supplement if you are healthy and have a balanced diet.

I tend to agree that a well balanced (and as organic as possible) diet provides just about all we need. Except when there are underlying medical issues, such as I have myself. Extensive blood testing revealed certain severe deficiencies in enzymes, etc, which my body simply doesnt produce and which I now have to take orally. Usually, but noy always, excellent diet can provide all the body needs. Most people I know have quite poor diets however, and I often wonder how their bodies manage to continue functioning on the crap they feed themselves (nothing but pizzas and processed meat pies and chips, etc. - food with virtually no nutritious value ).

Regarding the "debunking" of vitamins and supplements I maintain a more sceptical outlook. In my social science degree I studied research methods and statistical analysis and the overriding thing that remains with me is this: don't believe studies until you've ascertained: a. Who funded the study; b. what their motives likely were (and there are always motives and profit interests, etc); c. Examine the unaccounted variables and d. If you can take a look at he raw data because it's extremely easy to take data and bend (or outright distort) it to tie in with the original hypothesis, which in itself often sways the findings and the way they are reported. The media is dreadful at handling 'scientific studies' like this. Jouarnalists rarely have the capacity or ability to question the findings of such studies or read between the lines, which in turn leads to an often misinformed public. Or a confused public, for often totally contradictory studies are released weeks or months later.

It was a while back but from what I recall upon investigation, I found these widely reported studies of the I effectiveness of vitamins and the higher likelihood of illness and/or death while on them was a poorly conducted study that failed to take significant variables into account, and the funding of which could be indirectly connected with the pharmaceutical industry (which is frankly so powerful it gets it's paws in just about everywhere, including sadly government policy).

The study im thinking of was based on questionnaires which are of dubious scientific value in themselves, and failed to take into account the fact that firstly, some vitamin supplements are of far greater quality and absorbability than others, and also that people that takes vitamins are far more likely to have existing medical conditions in the first place. This stands to reason. There was a whole lot more picked up in the analysis of this study when the raw data was made public, yet the media immediately latched onto it and created sensationalist headlines like "vitamin supplements will kill you". Interestingly I've seen very little mainstream media coverage of recent and frankly quite alarming studies that show antidepressants are basically useless and are only very marginally more effective than placebos. The multi-billion pound pharmaceutical industry clearly has an influence on what he public read and assimilate.

Just some thoughts.

Regarding supplements, I believe the best thing is to be unattached to what's other people tell you you should do - whether it's doctors, scientists, herbalists or African voodoo witch doctors and just listen to your body. Maybe plenty fruit and veg is sufficient, or maybe you have some underlying imbalances and need the support of a quality supplement.

kowalskil
June 30th, 2012, 11:19 PM
:girl_yes3 (1):Yep :wink.1: Thanks for sharing though dearest :)

Me too.

Ludwik Kowalski