Alright..

So I got to thinking about vitamins. Multivitamins. The question is, will a person who takes vitamin supplements daily aquire a reduced ability to extract the same vitamins from food (over time)? Do the intestines get lazy?

:m:

I doubt it. Either way the vitamins are absorbed into you digestive tract. When not enough are absorbed there are vitamin deficiencies, but when too many are absorbed there can be some unhealthy side effects as well. You have to find a healthy balance depending upon what kind've food you eat. If you eat a lot of junk food: take vitamins. If you are health conscious and eat all nutritiously healthy food, then you really don't even need vitamin substitutes.

i doubt they are bad for that reason, but its probably for the best to only take them if you have no other way of getting the vitamins

Actually, I should have said that the "lack" of certain vitamins can be unhealthy and lead to deseases, such as scurvy from lack of vitamin C. Scurvy was the plague of crews on many early ocean-going ships because of the lack of any fruit on board.

I take these multivitamins, because I don't eat meat products, so my general thought is that I should get those from some other source, hence these vitamins.

Yeah sure, almost every doctor would recommend taking a good multiple vitamin and mineral supplement, especially with everyone today eating meals through fast food chains and junk food and foods loaded with preservatives.

I think there's such a thing as magnesium and copper poisoning, but these would require quantities far from what we're talking about in vitamin supplements.

nah, I don't eat junk food,
what vitamins are most met in meat (mammals, fish and poultry)?
or are multivitamins enough to have a ballanced vitamin dose?

Multivitamins are enough to have a balanced vitamin dose, but I'd suggest you read the ingredients and buy a good one. A lot of multi-vitamins skimp on B6 because its expensive. Going to a health food store or vitamin store and asking them which are the best to use is better than just picking one off the shelf at K-Mart. I wouldn't suggest buying one like Fred Flintstone Vitamins, ya know? They just don't contain all the ones you need, even though they contain what the USDA says are the "essential" ones.

see:
A list of the basic vitamins in types of food (meat vs. fruits & vegetables):
http://www.eande.va.com.au/vitamins_for_health.htm
http://www.health24.com/Woman/Food_eating/711-732,22417.asp
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T045200.asp

"The World's Healthiest Foods" http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

"29 Healthiest Foods on the Planet" http://www.bellybytes.com/articles/29foods.shtml

thanks!

Valich, I like the first link in your post very much. I see that the vitamins that are found in meat can also be found in non-meat products (dairy products, as well). So, Avatar, vegetarians aren't really in trouble, just make sure you eat enough.

So there's no real harm? Sweet.

I've been taking them for a few days, and besides the flourescent pee, I do feel slightly healthier.

Thanks for the great links, Valich. I'm taking Jamieson Super Vita-Vim (level 3 potency..?.. 50mg B6) It's spiked with lycopene, lutein and ginseng. Are you familiar with them?

Avatar,
I've become semi-vegetarian lately. It is definately harder to get the necessary nutrients when you're busy all day.


Also, has anyone heard of grape seed extract? The benefit of red-wine, w/o the wine? Or maybe it's a marketing gimmick...

In addition to a good multivitamin, I take a balanced B-50. Balanced B-50, B-100, or B-150 mean that they contain all the same amounts of the major B vitamins (there's about 6 or 7 different B's and they're not all called B this-and-that). The 50, 100, and 150 mean the amount of milligrams. But actually since the multivitamins also contain all the B's, I take a half of each every day: half a multivitamin and half a B-50. B's are good for energy, vitality, and also good to take if you drink alcohol because alcohol kills B vitamins. So take one before you drink and you might feel better later on, or the next day.

I used to take a ginseng supplement but never noticed any difference although people swear by it. There's many different types of ginseng (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, American), so read the labels and compare the prices accordingly when you buy. Can't say that one is better than the other, but probably just try to determine quality and the amount. You can't overdose on ginseng! Supposed to help energy and memory - but I forget! ha ha - only joking!

Over the last six months I developed high blood pressure so I have to watch what I eat. I love steaks, but now I usually mix up a good salad with carrots, broccoli, and celery, maybe cauliflower, and just have a small steak on the side. I make sure I cook it well and cut off all the fat. I should be eating more fruit but I only go grocery shopping about once a month so fruit always ends up spoiling in my fridge when I buy them.

Another thing good for your blood are anti-oxidants: Omega 3 & 6. Especially best from salmon oil. Vitamin A, or Beta Carotene (same thing), are good for your eye sight. Since I read a lot, I make sure I take vitamin A and eat a carrot everyday: maybe keeps the doctor away? ha ha. Seriously, though, when I first took a vitamin A supplement my eyesight had a rush: everything appeared extremely vivid to my eyes. Then that first initial affect wore off, but I still take one everyday. With that experience I know for sure its good for your eyesight!

Oh, and with wine. Drink a glass or two of red wine - not white wine. But don't overdo it else you're defeating the perhaps. There's been lot's of current research on drinking a little red wine every day, or maybe every other day. It lowers your risk of having a heart attack and is good for your health as long as you don't overdo it.

Oh, and yet another secret about B vitamins (should I say this on a public forum?). You know that you're getting enough vitamin B's if your urine is yellow. If its clear, then no excess vitamin B is being urinated out, so its best if its a bit yellow - but "don't go drinkin no yellow snow!"

Actually, urine drinking is supposed to be good (or so I hear). Helps reabsorb lost nutrients.

There's many different types of ginseng (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, American)
The one in my vitamins is 'Canadian' ginseng.

I have to wonder about extra vitamin A though.. isn't it toxic in large enough quantities? And doesn't it hang around in the fat tissues?

You say an extra B-vitamin supplement?! LOL. Dude, my pee is *flourescent* yellow. Before that it was clear. Ideally, it should be only a tinge yellow, I think.

Especially best from salmon oil.
I love fresh salmon. It's the only thing standing between me and vegetarianism.


One more thing-- as great as these supplements sound, one cannot live off of pills. The best source is definately fresh food.

Also, has anyone heard of grape seed extract? The benefit of red-wine, w/o the wine? Or maybe it's a marketing gimmick...
Hey, a good red wine is a gift from gods!

Actually, urine drinking is supposed to be good (or so I hear). Helps reabsorb lost nutrients.

You say an extra B-vitamin supplement?! LOL. Dude, my pee is *flourescent* yellow. Before that it was clear. Ideally, it should be only a tinge yellow, I think.

One more thing-- as great as these supplements sound, one cannot live off of pills. The best source is definately fresh food.

Yeh, I said in my first post, "If you are health conscious and eat all nutritiously healthy food, then you really don't even need vitamin substitutes."

And you're right - just a tinge of yellow would be best. It means that "excess" B is coming out, which you don't need, but its just an indicator that you have enough.

If you're dehydrated and have no other source of water - stranded somewhere - they do suggest drinking your own urine to stay alive. It rehydrates you and you reabsorb some of the excess nutrients, but I'd never do it to supplement good-ole clean fresh water.