What Vitamins Do You Take?

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Bruise Lee

Joined
Aug 4, 2002
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Okay, how about some tips on how to fine tune the most important gadget you own - your body!

I've gotten myself back into decent shape - I can run 7 minutes miles, do over 50 push-ups, and jump rope for 9 minutes (try doing that sometime, it's hard as hell!). But, I also just turned 43, and what used to be a piece of cake 20 years ago now is now a physical challenge.

For me, the hardest thing is running. It's not too bad now, but I still feel mild pain in my shins, knee, and sometimes my ankle. I've been told that Glucosamine is supposed to be good for joint pain. Has anyone tried it? Does it help?

Right now, I don't take any vitamins. Does anybody take anything that really helped them out?

Oh, I do have some very good running shoes, and I'm not overweight (I'm 5'6" 148 lbs), so that's not the problem.

Bruise
 
Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM (separately, or combined in some products, since they work together) may help. I've heard of some people not getting results so I guess it depends on the individual, and what the actual problem is.
They have helped me, taking away the snap, crackle, pop of my ankles, knees, and shoulder, though they didn't take away my shoulder pain.
Those are the only supplements I take "religiously" right now, except for a multivitamin, and fish oil (doctor recommended in leiu of cutting down on red meat, after my non-existent bad cholesterol went from non-existent to relatively high).
I frequently take vitamins C and E, also.
I take a bunch of others, too, but am not very consistent. Keeping up a daily regimen of a dozen or so different vitamins may be good for me, but it's also a real pain, and maintaining a healthy diet is more important, anyway.
IMO, a good diet with few, or even no vitamins is probably better than trying to make up for a bad diet by taking every supplement under the sun...
 
I take: Centrum Performance, Super B-Complex, Chromium Picolinate 400mcg, Vitamin C 1000mg. Thinking about adding glucosamine and Omega-3's to the morning cocktail (though i eat a lot of tuna and salmon).
Both regular joes who walk a lot (my stepfather) and my martial artist friends all swear by glucosamine... which comes in liquid form now, so it's easier to take.
 
Glucosamine is CLINICALLY proven to be helpful for joints. just make sure to get the supplement from a "brand name" company as some of the cheaper companies may or may not actually have the amount of glucosamine listed.

most supplements come with chondroitin so it's not gonna hurt but it may not help either. but glucosamine is a proven supplement!
 
I work for a vitamin company, so I have a "few" words to say.

Take a good multi every day, it's good, cheap insurance for your health. I won't get into the debate on whether a good diet provides everything one needs because first a "good" diet is really subjective and most of us simply dont' follow anything close to healthy. (myself included). Taking a multi at least provides you with a minimum amount of protection.

The glucasamine tips are also smart. Most recommend about 1500 mg a day to get any results/provide a protective effect. However, for some, it does not help. If your joints have not degenerated to the point of pain or inflammation, that's great. Take the gluco supplement to hopefully prevent the degeneration from getting too bad.

One more key supplement is fish oil (also pointed out by some other folks here). Omega 3 FA's in fish oil provide a lot of beneifts, anti-inflamm, cholesterol control, joint stiffness. EPA and DHA are good stuff, and less than 25% of american adults get a sufficient amount in their diets on a regular basis.

Oh, weight control and exercise are at the top of the list. That's a whole other topic.....

Hope this helps
AL
 
I take a multivitamin (GNC), an omega 3 fatty acid capsule ("fish oil"), and a low-dose aspirin daily (family has a history of heart disease, I fortunately do not but I'm playing it safe...)

I can't deal with running too much - my knees and ankles take a beating, so I ride a lifecycle for most of my aerobic exercise during the workweek - I catch up on my magazines and blast the ipod, a nice daily 40 minute respite from the rest of the world...

I also have (and use) a bowflex - yes the infomercials are crap, no you can't get a "bowflex body" unless you radically change your diet and have good genes, but the machine is nicely engineered and you can get an excellent workout (Popular Mechanics just did a piece on home fitness equipment that had Lou Ferrigno evaluating them, and he liked the bowflex the best). Also my joints don't feel nearly as bad as when I used free weights throughout most of my 20's. People often ask if I "lift weights" and I just say "yes" ;)
 
The only supplement that I take is zinc, and only when I first feel a cold coming on. The study results have been mixed, but for me, it reduces the symptoms and duration of a cold in a big way if I catch it early enough. This has worked enough times that I am convinced that it's not just a placebo effect.

Beyond that, I don't take anything. My diet is very good. But if I was to start taking a daily vitamin supplement, are there any guidelines on when and how to take it? For example, is morning or evening better, or does it matter? Also, should it be taken with a meal to aid absorption?
 
I take vitamin B complex only. High dose multivitamins can cause kidney stones. Most men need only the B complex.

The fish oil is OK. A baby aspirin a day is a good idea if you have no problem taking aspirin.
 
Here's what I take everyday:
1) A shake for breakfast that contains rice protein concentrate and a ton of phytonutrients (Biotics Rice Protein Concentrate and Standard Process SP Complete mix) with a scoop of Calcifood Powder (calcium from a bone meal source) and a scoop of Cyrofood Powder (a powdered whole food multivitamin).

2) 2 teaspoons of Carlson's cod liver oil.

3) Lately I've had a bit of heartburn after eating so I'm pumping up the acid level in my stomach and hitting it wil extra enzymes by taking 2 Zypan per meal (HB was gone after two days. Getting adjusted helped a lot, too).

4) I take a product called Drenamin everyday which is for adrenal gland support.

5) During allergy seasons I take an herb called Albizia and I have very few problems with itchy eyes.

6) I take Echinacea everyday.

7) I take Licorice root every day.

As a chiropractor I have a whole shelf of open bottles in my office and I simply pick and choose what I need at the time. Having good products makes all the difference in the world. I use whole food vitamins, as opposed to synthetics, always. Mainly I use Standard Process for nutrition and MediHerb for herbs, but I also use Biotics rice protein and I take magnesium from them occasionally.

Haven't missed a day of work ever, but again, the chiropractic helps keep me running properly, too.
 
mega man vits from GNC is what i use, used to take lots of other supplements but not anymore, didnt really help me imho, not to say they dont help others, everyone is diff


the one that did help was dianobol 10mcg back in the 80's but not legal now (or prob then lol)
 
Multi for Men. Garlic and Magnessium. Occassionally Echinacea and Sieberian Ginsing.

Used to take othe supplements like Ripped Fuel and others like it but stopped the monthly cost was cutting into my collection funds.
 
Sounds like a lot of support for Glucosamine with Chondroitin, a multi-vitamin, and fish oil. Costco seems to sell all these, how is their selection in terms of quality? I'm pretty sure their prices should be good.

Any particular brands to look for or avoid? What are the advantages\disadvantages of taking Glucosamine as a liquid versus a pill? Where do you buy your vitamins at?

Bruise
 
Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM with C Combined under the "Blue Bonnet" label,
Calcium/mag/zinc, Flax seed oil caps(omega3 fatty acids), "Amino 1000", Saw Palmetto,TRC Liquid Life Brand colloidal (plant derived) minerals, Lewis Labs Fabulous Fiber /vitamin and mineral suppliment, and "Super Green Pro 96".

I'm just shy of 48 years old and still actively practicing and teaching TKD, this after being electrocuted 11 years ago, started researching and experimenting with suppliments 9 years ago. Do they work ? I think they do,so I guess they do, even if it's just placebo effect.
 
Bragg's organic apple cider vinegar cocktail three times daily. Also a tablespoon full of royal jelly honey each morning.
 
Vitamin Shoppe multi-vitamins...either Especially for Men or the Multi-Vitamin Pak

Vitamin Shoppe c-1000 vitamin C

Designer Whey Protein powder: 3 scoops in 2 cups of water with one of those glass 10cc vials of red ginseng/royal jelly

Vitamin Shoppe Calcium Citrate

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com
 
Glucosamine with Chondroitin, a multi-vitamin, and cod liver oil.

I had a bad accident last year, snapped the ACL in my left knee and rucked up all the meniscus. Didn't have the ACL repaired but had a total menisectomy (all the 'cartlidge' taken out). When I started the rehab after knee surgery last December my physio recommended the above. Now I back to running 40 miles a week on top of a pretty active job with no knee problem at all. OK the odd twinge, but hey, I'm nearly 45...

I'm convinced the suppliments have played a significant role in my recovery :D
 
A big hit of Orange juice in the mornings... a banana...

I do use vitamin e capsules if I get a nice cut... cuts down on the scarring... works faster than neosporin (Although I dont think it helps cleanse anything... :p )
 
Bruise Lee said:
Sounds like a lot of support for Glucosamine with Chondroitin, a multi-vitamin, and fish oil. Costco seems to sell all these, how is their selection in terms of quality? I'm pretty sure their prices should be good.

Any particular brands to look for or avoid? What are the advantages\disadvantages of taking Glucosamine as a liquid versus a pill? Where do you buy your vitamins at?

Bruise
Click to expand...


Costco sells good products, Schiff I believe is what they sell a lot of. Heck i get my glucosamine from them.

As far as brands, I like Twinlab (not who I work for) and Schiff. Both have a good rep for quality.

As far as liquid Vs tablet/capsule for glucosamine. As long as the tablet/capsule is formulated to USP specs, the disolution and absorption should be just fine. I know a lot of people will say that unless a tablet/capsule will disolve in a glass of water/vinegar it won't dissolve in the stomach. That's simply not true, the stomach is highly acidic, heated and has quite a bit of agitation.

My personal philosophy on taking supplements is that they support a healthy lifestyle, and add some extra insurance. I don't beleive they should be considered a cure or replacement for an unhealthy diet/lifestyle.
 
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