I just read that vitamins should be taken in food
By marguicha
@marguicha (215918)
Chile
May 6, 2010 7:05pm CST
I spent 2 days of my vacation in my sister´s home. She is a scientist and I started to browse a magazine called New Scientist. It said that our body is not helped at all by the vitamin capsules we take everyday. Many don´t do any good and some have bad side effects. It also said that we must eat food that has those vitamins. As they also have fiber, the digestion is slow and our body grasps whatever vitamins we need.
So I decided to spend less on pills and more on veggies and fruit.
I asked my sister about the article and she explained it to me in lay words. She checked on the subject(isn´t she nice?) and sent me the link to a site for a diet for hypertension. Its called DASH: check it.
Do you take vitamin pills or try to eat a well balanced diet with enough veggies, fruits and fiber? Did a doctor gave you the vitamin pills you are taking or you just bought it over the counter and decided it was good for your health?
I did not ask any doctor and now I wont ask anyone but I´ll switch to healthier eating.
4 people like this
20 responses
@adeena2000 (845)
• Philippines
7 May 10
Vitamin capsules and pills are food supplements. It is not use as replacement of food. You really still need to eat the right food like fruits and vegetables to fuel or refuel our body energy. It doesn't mean you are taking all the vitamins and minerals by means of capsules, you do not need to eat. Some of these capsules are synthetically made, so our body still needs the natural and raw fruits and vegetables.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
7 May 10
That the article said was that they didn´t serve as supplements at all as the body does not absorb them. They could only have some effect if there was a severe lack of an specific vitamin. Then a doctor would have to tell what and how to take them.
1 person likes this
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
7 May 10
I know what you mean. I also believe that it has something to do more with the food that we take through our mouth. I also dont buy supplements like vitamin C but we have more natural food supplements made by my mother in law. The ingredients are all natural and it doesnt have to undergo processes that will denature the vegetables so I think its really good.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
7 May 10
That sounds interesting! How does she do it?
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 May 10
I did run mine by the naturopath and he told me what to include and what to exclude, so I feel comfortable with that.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
11 May 10
I gave my pills to my eldest daughter the day before yesterday, for mother´s day.
I was trying to "sell" them to her boyfriend but she said no way. They were hers. I told them what I had read, but she said, just like you, that she´ll do both.
At least they served a purpose: I didn´t have to buy a present. I´m absolutly poor with my surgery and my vacations. I also gave her mint and oregano plants from my garden and explained how to plant them. I sugested plants needed water. She took 2 years of Biology at the University when she was a student and had a scholarship because she was the best of her class (?
). Apparently, at the University they dont talk about H2O.
I was trying to "sell" them to her boyfriend but she said no way. They were hers. I told them what I had read, but she said, just like you, that she´ll do both.
At least they served a purpose: I didn´t have to buy a present. I´m absolutly poor with my surgery and my vacations. I also gave her mint and oregano plants from my garden and explained how to plant them. I sugested plants needed water. She took 2 years of Biology at the University when she was a student and had a scholarship because she was the best of her class (?). Apparently, at the University they dont talk about H2O.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
7 May 10
Good morning Marg, Thanks for the info. The only one i take is vitamin d for bone supplement. the doctor did tell me to take it on account of the degenerative disc disease in my back.A nurse friend of mine told me yesterday when i visited her that i should be taking calcium to. I am going to get me some. I am eating healthier but need all the help i can get. Hope u have a good weekend. hugs.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
7 May 10
Thanks for the info, marg. I found it very interesting. Happy mother's day, hope u have a great one. hugs.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
7 May 10
Hi sweetie,
I´m taking calcium with vitamin D as the two have to go together. Don´t stop taking that. Sun helps with vitamin D, Jo. Not enough as to get skin cancer, but just a little every day.
Check the DASH diet. It lowers high blood pressure and it´s not one of those diets where you can´t eat anything.
I´m sending the link (It even has recipes, but we know more). HUG!!!
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/introduction.html
Check the DASH diet. It lowers high blood pressure and it´s not one of those diets where you can´t eat anything.
I´m sending the link (It even has recipes, but we know more). HUG!!!
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/introduction.html1 person likes this
@jb78000 (15139)
•
7 May 10
i think this is generally true - you absorb vitamins better from food and a balanced diet should contain all you need. you only really need to take vitamins if you have a deficiency, in which case your doctor can advise you. but i don't think there is any harm in taking supplements if you want as long as you stick to the recommended dose.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
8 May 10
I worried because they said that betacarotene is awful for people who smoke. Not that I smoke, I quit 2 years ago.
. Of course I still crace for ciggies.
. Of course I still crace for ciggies.
@evepin (721)
• Philippines
7 May 10
i dont regularly take vitamins. actually, i rarely take one and only because my husband remembers and forces me to take vitamins. i am one of those who believe that you will get the right vitamins and nutrients if you eat a balanced diet.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
7 May 10
That´s exactly what the article said. But what made me decide to stop taking my pills (I have been taking vitamin C, E and betacarotene for years without any talk with a doctor) was that some of the pills have danderous side effects.
They said many things that one does not hear anywhere. Like vitamin E doesn´t act as an antioxidant but it has other uses in the body. Only there are 8 types of vitamin E and only one can be absorbed by our body and only in food the has enough fiber as to make it difficult to digest.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
12 May 10
I've always learned that with most vitamins and minerals the body only requires a certain amount each day and what it doesn't need it eliminates. I disagree about some vitamins not doing any good and some having bad side effects but your sister is right in that eating properly is the best way to get what we need.
There are times when we may need extra as with calcium for stronger bones if one is unable to tolerate dairy products and additional vitamin C to ward off colds in winter time but oranges or similar fruits high in Vitamin C can do this. Some folk swear by Vitamin B in the form of a drink or tablet can relive the symptoms of overdoing things like drinking and partying, even overwork, but this is about self abuse.
If you are unwell then your doctor might find a vitamin deficiency during a blood test but otherwise, I believe it's the health product companies who are urging us to use their products.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
12 May 10
Hi friend,
You have to take some measures when you have vitamin deficiency. That is, your doctor has to take the measures. But all the people I know are taking vitamins in pills and if you ask them who told them to take them, they´ll say: I did. The companies have brainwashed us all into believing we must buy their pills. I think that what we must do is to change our eating habits instead. I remember a long time ago hearing that you need about a square inch of meat a day to have your proteins. The rest will not even be saved for a rainy day. Not as proteins anyway.
I´m on my way to learn more about this. Meanwhile, I´m making wonderful meals with lots of veggies. Yesterday in was a minestrone. Today I´m trinking in a casserole with big pieces of different veggies.
Happy posting!
@HADDOWZ (1469)
•
7 May 10
Hello, sadly not everyone has the time or money to eat as healthily as they would like so supplements can help in the short term. Of course you must be very sensible about how much and when to take these supplements as it can do more harm than good. It all comes down to common sense and moderation really.
I hope you have a pleasant day here on the myLot discussion website. :)
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
7 May 10
Hi Haddowz, At least in my country, vitamin pills are not unexpensive. If I add the several vitaments I have become adicted to take, it´s a lot of money a month. On the other hand, veggies and fruits (primary sources of vitamins) are fairly unexpensive if you eat the ones in season. Most veggies can be eaten raw, steamed or cooked (very easy). As with fruits, it´s a matter of peeling them. The magazine (an English scientific magazine) stated clearly that suplements served no purpose and that the body did not absorb them in the best case.
We, here at mylot, are a bunch of people who need some extra money. Just one of the vitamins we take cost more than what mylot pays us in a month. If it all goes to the drain, is it worth it?
Yesterday I went for buy veggies. Potatoes have lots of potassium, I just learned. They don´t have to be fried. And they are yummy!
Take care!
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
7 May 10
i do not take vitamin pills or any food supplement. i just don't understand that even if i know the benefits of those, i do not take them. i remember when i was younger i have some food supplements i was taking during meal times. but i stopped when it is actually, at my age, i should be having some. i know i can't have all the nutrients i needed. but we make sure the kids are taking their vitamins, food supplements regularly.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
8 May 10
Hi neil,
I love to cook and many times I have thought of teaching unexpensive cooking. I´m sure you can eat all the nutrients you need if you use what your country produces. There´s no need to eat expensive. In my country, vitamins are very expensive but seasonal veggies aren´t. And there are always places where you can get them cheaper.
Take care!
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
7 May 10
I take vitamins along with my meals. I take vitamin B6, One A Day Women's, vitamin C 500, and my Premarin tablet once a day, which is not a vitamin but it's for my hormones. I also take Fosamax once a week because I'm at risk for osteoporosis. The doctor didn't tell me to take these vitamins but she did tell me to take the Premarin and Fosamax. I also try to eat a high fiber diet all the time. I take the One A Day Women's Calcium tablet and the vitamin C 500 because I have a lot of trouble with urinary tract infections all the time. I think it's interesting that your sister is a scientist.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
7 May 10
All my family (except by myself) are scientists. I also took vitamin C 500 every day until 3 days ago. Now I´m on broccoli, oranges, bananas, tomatoes and sweet peppers.
1 person likes this
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
7 May 10
I use to take a multi-vitamin everyday. However, they became to expensive and so I decided to eat healthier. I eat at least 3 to 4 fruits and at least 2 to 3 veggies all in one day.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
7 May 10
Hi friend,
Check this link of the DASH diet my sister sent me. It´s a very good diet to be healthy.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/introduction.html
@pentagan12 (757)
• Philippines
7 May 10
Precisely! Our health doesn't depend on the artificial vitamins we are taking but on the food with natural vitamins we eat. Tablets and capsules that contain vitamins are only supplements. They only help our body to have additional energy for a day. WE all need fruits and vegetables everyday in order to make our body healthy and strong. I personally don't like the taste of many vegetables. But I always try my best to like them because I know I need them very much. I also eat variety of fruits everyday.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
8 May 10
I love to cook and I have found out that veggies respond well to good cooking. I don´t overcook them and I steam many of them. That changes color and taste.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
7 May 10
Broccoli and oranges have enough vitamin C. My grandchidren also take vitamin C but I´ll start a family campaign to replace pills with food.
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
7 May 10
I take a 1000 mil capsule of codliver oil every day because of it is supposed to help with colesterol and to also help with maintaining joint suppleness. I don't know if that's true, but I figure that it can't hurt me either.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
8 May 10
I have always felt that way but hadn't heard it from a professional. I think she's right, but I also think our ways of processing foods has stripped them of a lot of the nutritional value. I take vitamins mostly for the minerals. I don't have an adrenal gland and I have to work hard to keep myself well balanced so I don't run out of energy.. because I am also a runner.
@freeflow1988 (10)
• China
7 May 10
I always believe that things from nature are better. Nutrition from natural resources should be easier to be absorped by human body.
@phoenix8606 (4942)
•
7 May 10
yeah, it's right- the best way to take vitamins
is if we take it with the food and not on pils
because the natural way of taking vitamins is
the best one!
@Jotomy (6322)
• India
7 May 10
Yeah i too heard about this. My father has BP and sugar so he will eat balanced food but he will take multivitamin tablets too. My family doctor says it is not good to take for a long time. I told my father to stop taking but he said, if i have i feel i get resistance and health so daily i feel to take. This is the psychology of the people. Nice topic have a nice day.
@marguicha (215918)
• Chile
7 May 10
Thats what the article said.. The only gain is for the labs that make them. Welcome to mylot!
. The only gain is for the labs that make them. Welcome to mylot!