Thread: Multivitamins

OK, so if you are woman of childbearing age, you need to take a multivitamin with folic acid. Every day!

I work for a folic acid campaign and we try to get women to take their vitamins. We're always trying cool new stuff and I recently came across a new kind and I might be hooked!

It's the new One a Day 2O: One A Day Women’s2O and One A Day Energy2O

It's like all those crystal light and south beach water thingies, but it is more like an Emergen-C. The reason why I really like it because I have to take vitamin pills at night before I go to bed because I have heartburn and I get an upset stomach. I also had to switch to MVs without iron and other minerals because of that. So I was missing a lot of nutrients. Now I can sip on this drink and get most of what I need, especially iron.

The only drawback is that it is expensive. I can't afford it every day, so I have to take a regular MV on the days I don't drink the drink.

So what's your multivitamin story? Do you take one every day? What kind?

I'm really glad that more young women are taking folic acid-it's so very important!

I do take a lot of vitamins. With my doctor(s) oversight, I take: vitamin A, B-complex, iron (very lowest dose every other day), calcium/vitamin d blend, vitamin C, folic acid, multi-vitamin, magnesium, mineral blend, and others.

I have health issues that leave me very deficient in vitamins and minerals, plus the magnesium therapy helps prevent migraines (I'm hoping to be weaned off of the prescription medicine for them soon, it's evil and expensive).

I take a Costco multivitamin for Mature Adults every morning.

What exactly does folic acid do other than help the baby if you get pregnant?

I'm glad there are more people out there taking vitamins. We really don't get everything we need out of our daily food not to mention that some things we have to ingest cause our bodies to not absorb some vitamins properly.

I take vitamin C, vitamin B complex (especially important if you are on the pill), niacin, omega fatty acid/ fish oil pill, calcium, and a few herbs as well.

Originally Posted by Sariah

What exactly does folic acid do other than help the baby if you get pregnant?

I'm glad you asked! Get Folic - Folic Acid Works

Folic acid is a basic nutrient (a B vitamin) so you need it just like all other vitamins. It's one of the few that is easier for your body to absorb in the synthetic version than the natural version. It's benefits outside of pregnancy are still being researched, but we do know it is a basic building block for DNA production. It may prevent certain types of cancer, heart disease and age-related cognition and sight issues.

Thanks Andalee. I asked because there's not much chance that I'll ever get pregnant (infertility issues between hubby and I) so I wasn't sure if I really needed folic acid at all.

I do Centrum complete then I also add b-complex, b-12,vitamin E,vitamin C.then I have my morning tea.

Alrana

Every year for the last two years hubby & I have been trying to get pregnant via IVF. But even when I'm not "cycling", I still a prenatal multi-vitamin every single day! I've found it's made a total & very distinctly positive difference in my overall health. Prior to this, I'd sporadically take a "regular" multi-vitamin (and that was good!), but I just find that a prenatal vitamin is just so much more effective.

Sorry double post

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

Every year for the last two years hubby & I have been trying to get pregnant via IVF. But even when I'm not "cycling", I till a prenatal multi-vitamin every single day! I've found it's made a total & very distinctly positive difference in my overall health. Prior to this, I'd sporadically take a "regular" multi-vitamin (and that was good!), but I just find that a prenatal vitamin is just so much more effective.

You know, you got me thinking..I was taking prenatals religiously when hubby and I were going through treatments and I really did feel a lot better. Once we decided to just move on, I went back to regular multi-vitamins, mostly because it was depressing to take prenatals while knowing there was no chance I'd ever get pregnant. But now that I've accepted things the way they are, I may go back to prenatals and see if make me feel better health-wise.

I take a multi vit, and add calcium, triple flex (I dance 9 classes a week. this is a good idea!) Bayer asprin for my cholesterol, and extra vit C. I have been thinking about adding a soy based shake every day. The one which I am looking at has a full vit / mineral combo, so that woudl cut out the need for a multi vitamin.

{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Sariah

You know, you got me thinking..I was taking prenatals religiously when hubby and I were going through treatments and I really did feel a lot better. Once we decided to just move on, I went back to regular multi-vitamins, mostly because it was depressing to take prenatals while knowing there was no chance I'd ever get pregnant. But now that I've accepted things the way they are, I may go back to prenatals and see if make me feel better health-wise.

Yeah, it won't hurt. My doc recommends that I take a prenatal and I have NO plans to get preggers. Again, I have trouble in the tummy department with vitamins, so prenatals won't work for me.

Make sure your hubby takes a vitamin too!

I swear by the prenatals! I've been on them for quite sometime now. I used to get colds and coughs and horrid sicky stuff every winter. Last winter I didn't get sick once. I say it is the prenatals!
I love the prenate brand.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Yeah, it won't hurt. My doc recommends that I take a prenatal and I have NO plans to get preggers. Again, I have trouble in the tummy department with vitamins, so prenatals won't work for me.

Make sure your hubby takes a vitamin too!

I heard somewhere that they make a chewable Prenatal. Not sure where I heard it though....

I didn't even think about the husband taking one too. My husband takes one or two vitamins but not a multi vitamin. I think we'll have to change that!

Today is my first day of prenatal vitamins! I just finished my "regular" multis, and am starting my bottle of prenatals. Hubby and I are thinking of starting the TTC journey in the fall, so I thought I'd start preparing my body now. And they just have so much good stuff in there for you!

Sariah & Andalee, definitely do consider taking prenatals as your daily multi-v (Andalee, I hope the chewable ones might be a viable option)!!! I just noticed (saw & felt) such a marked difference for the better in my health just with prenatals vs. "regular" multi-vitamins. And I plan on sticking with it after we've exhausted our covered IVF tries (I'm now accepting the fact that I have a very low percentage of success and that's OK: We'll adopt:)).
Sorta funny story: I've also been pushing my hubby and male cousin whom I've pretty much raised since he was in high school (he's 28 now) and lives with us to take a multi-vitamin a day, just on the principle of healthy living alone. I mean, might as well, right--esp. if my day job gives us discounts since they're in that field (retail Rx)? Well, one weekend I was making breakfast and had laid out everyone's multi-vitamin on our kitchen island b/c I hadn't gotten the plates out to the table yet. Well, hubby blew into the kitchen and just grabbed a multi-v and a glass of water, took it and promptly ran to the bathroom to throw up! Apparently, prenatals don't agree with him..c:: Daniela, YEA-you! Sending you positive vibes for great success (twins??:))!

I have heard wonderful things about pre-natal vitamins for thicker/faster hair growth, but when I looked at the label I couldn't tell what the difference was supposed to be! Can somebody clue me in?

I currently take Centrum-equivalent-generic-multies, C's, E's, B-complex, Magnesium, Fish Oil, and Glucosamine and Chondroitin combo (am out of those now, and need to find the $$ to buy more). The vet prescribed a joint complex for my arthritic cat, but it is soooo expensive I don't think I can get it again (more expensive than human version). I also give my cats Fish Oil because I got a really good deal on it last time, and I figure it can't hurt and might help.

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

Daniela, YEA-you! Sending you positive vibes for great success (twins??:))!

Eek!! That would be, um, crazy! I think hubby would die!

And just so you know, I am a reproductive and adoption attorney - I draft contracts between egg donors and intended parents, and work on both sides of adoptions every day....so if you ever have any questions about the legal side of your options, just ask ..g.:

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

Eek!! That would be, um, crazy! I think hubby would die!

And just so you know, I am a reproductive and adoption attorney - I draft contracts between egg donors and intended parents, and work on both sides of adoptions every day....so if you ever have any questions about the legal side of your options, just ask ..g.:

Oh, Daniela, you're awesome! When the time comes, I just may take you up on that (I'm sure I'll have tons of questions; I'm a paralegal for a real estate law department of a corp. so my attorneys, while sympathetic, don't really wanna give me "official" legal advice on the subject matter:))! ..g.:

Originally Posted by Sariah

What exactly does folic acid do other than help the baby if you get pregnant?

It helps your body (in a round-about way) metabolize iron. If your body can't metabolize the iron you ingest you are wasting $$$$ taking them (not to mention all the side effects for nothing).

I'm deficient in folic acid, take 800 mcg daily and it took a long time to build back up from almost-dead to healthy (I looked like Dracula's bride-white gums, nailbeds, gasping like a fish out of water, slept all the time, etc). Started from a hemoglobin count at 8 to now in healthy range.

It's really amazing how inter-connected many of these vitamins and minerals are!

Is anyone here trying to up their intake of Vitamin D? I read recently that they are thinking of increasing the recommended daily allowance... from 200 IU to 1000 IU! What have you heard?

Thanks for all the info! I'm looking for a good, inexpensive multi, as I suffer from horrible fatigue, bleeding gums, etc. Doctors have not found anything major wrong with me. I have really low blood pressure, almost to the point of fainting sometimes, and have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for 15 years. I'll check into the folic acid. Supplementing my diet with extra B vitamins has done wonders in improving my mood, but I still could use a bit more.

Originally Posted by Elianae

Thanks for all the info! I'm looking for a good, inexpensive multi, as I suffer from horrible fatigue, bleeding gums, etc. Doctors have not found anything major wrong with me. I have really low blood pressure, almost to the point of fainting sometimes, and have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for 15 years. I'll check into the folic acid. Supplementing my diet with extra B vitamins has done wonders in improving my mood, but I still could use a bit more.

Not all B-complexes have folic acid in them, which makes virtually no sense because folic acid is a B vitamin. Check the label.

It really doesn't matter that much what type of vitamin you buy. We promote generics. Here is some more info:
Get Folic - Choosing A Multivitamin
Get Folic - Multivitamin Tips

Originally Posted by tigerb

Is anyone here trying to up their intake of Vitamin D? I read recently that they are thinking of increasing the recommended daily allowance... from 200 IU to 1000 IU! What have you heard?

Yes! I have heard that! I need more vitamin D for sure. We bought some extra supplements. They are yummy chewables. :)

672 Vitamin D (Archive)

The People's Pharmacy: Search Results

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

Eek!! That would be, um, crazy! I think hubby would die!

And just so you know, I am a reproductive and adoption attorney - I draft contracts between egg donors and intended parents, and work on both sides of adoptions every day....so if you ever have any questions about the legal side of your options, just ask ..g.:

Oh, that's cool. Wish I had known when we were thinking about fighting our insurance company to have our fertility treatments paid for!

If we decide to adopt (any second kid would probably be adopted - I've always wanted to)...I'll look you up!

Originally Posted by Elianae

Thanks for all the info! I'm looking for a good, inexpensive multi, as I suffer from horrible fatigue, bleeding gums, etc. Doctors have not found anything major wrong with me. I have really low blood pressure, almost to the point of fainting sometimes, and have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for 15 years. I'll check into the folic acid. Supplementing my diet with extra B vitamins has done wonders in improving my mood, but I still could use a bit more.

You could add some vitamin C, and make sure you get enough calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and other assorted minerals. Most drugstore brand multis have pretty much the same stuff as the high priced ones (I use walgreen brand of centrum silver at half the price, and try to catch it BOGO).

Some people require a lot more of one vitamin than what the RDA is. If you read about how the RDA was set up, it was orignally developed to stave off most degenerative diseases like scurvy and malnutrition-not to achieve optimal levels for optimal health. Talk it over with your doctor and have your levels monitored, and go by how your symptoms change as well. You will reach a level that is optimal for you.

On a side note, bleeding gums can also be caused by stress, lightheadedness can be caused by low blood volume (i.e. not enough fluid intake or too much dietary salt intake), anemia, abnormal thyroid function, very low blood pressure, or a host of other problems that are borderline "normal" for most people but are abnormal for you.

possibly dumb question - what about Emergen-C? could that be used as a daily vitamin regimen? Trader Joe's sells these boxes that have something like 30 packets each, and I like watching them fizz.

Originally Posted by lotus

possibly dumb question - what about Emergen-C? could that be used as a daily vitamin regimen? Trader Joe's sells these boxes that have something like 30 packets each, and I like watching them fizz.

Yes, it could be used for a daily supplement. I do know several body builders - both female and male - who take it after a work out for energy and to help in the healing / regenerative process.

{{HUGS}}}

my son doesn't care much for milk, so I bought him Viactiv chews (the chocolate cherry) and he eats those. Boys need as much (if not more) calcium than girls, especially for those rapid growth spurts.

I'll have to look into those Emergen-C things. If I can add it to my regimen and they taste good that would be wonderful! After working out, I usually just eat a banana, but having something nice to drink would be great.