Food Supplements....is it necessary?
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
October 28, 2009 10:41am CST
Do you believe in food supplements? What vitamins are you taking daily? Well, I buy multiple vitamins from A to Z and then once a day I will just have to open the container and take one each, with meal preferably. I don't see any good in taking all these artificial food supplements other than producing expensive urine. I started taking these supplements when I joined a multi-level company selling food supplements. The training that I attended somehow has brainwashed me into believing that everyone should take food supplements to guard the body from diseases that often lick on a defenseless body.
Since we are eating a well balanced meals, would you think it is necessary to take these food supplements. Now I realize that I might only be making the manufacturers rich by buying their products which I am not fully sure thats going to work for me as the daily balanced diet am taking is enough to make me live a healthy life.
11 people like this
34 responses
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 09
Although i don't take food supplements daily, i will still take multi-vitamins once in a week. As for vitamin C, i will take it twice a week. I take all these vitamins under prescription from my family doctor, because i easily fell sick. After i had take them for quite some time, now i see my health had improved quite a lot. I think i will still maintain taking vitamin supplements, for my overall health benefits. 
1 person likes this
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
31 Oct 09
Hi Zandi, thanks for sharing. Well, before i ever joined herbalife, too, anyway i am not active in this company anymore. When i was very sick before, my family doctor advised me to take multi-vitamin and Vitamin C, every 2 days. After my health had improved, my doctor had changed the prescription to, one tablet every 1 week. Even until now, i still maintain at 1 tablet per week, unless i had forgotten to take it... By the way, now i don't depend too much on multi-vitamins anymore....
1 person likes this
@atmhoque (30)
• Bangladesh
29 Oct 09
I am not a physician but I talk with few of them. The summary is you have to take food supplements like vitamins & minerals when your digest system unable to produce those from your diet.
Taking food supplements for a long period of time actually when you are ok, your digest system become lazy and will not produce such vitamins & minerals from your daily diet.
So, it is wise to eat fresh vegetables and live well.
Although taking food supplements is not that harmful in short term. Take them only if your physician advised.
@atmhoque (30)
• Bangladesh
30 Oct 09
One important thing I forget to tell is the calcium. It's very necessary for bone structure specially for women over age 40. When normal production of it from regular digest is almost empty. So, they have to take calcium. But on the other hand taking unnecessarily it will cause diseases like stone in kidney.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
29 Oct 09
I take quite a few every day for different reasons. I am low in iron and to avoid becoming anaemic my doctor advised me to take iron supplements which I have to complement with 1000mg of Vitamin C to increase the iron absorption. I take 2 fish oil capsules daily to keep my cholesterol low and to ease the pain of rheumatism which I’ve had since childhood; the fish oil works wonders in that area. To top all this off I have 2 magnesium/calcium tablets and 1 multivitamin. Because I am on 2 prescription medications as well it is a wonder I don’t rattle when I walk like a pill bottle! I know I take many tablets each day but I feel so fine I am reluctant to change anything.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 09
Hi paula, with all the supplements you are taking, it looks like you are having a high maintenance life. Supplements and vitamins are no longer cheap especially in my place but we should take good care of our health by supplementing it with the necessary vitamins.
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
29 Oct 09
You're right they are not cheap but, aside from the multivitamin they all compliment each other and I would hate to break that balance...
1 person likes this
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
7 Dec 09
Hello my friend zandi458 Ji,
WEll, so far, our health never went so bad that we had to take these types of help. We just live as we have been living since long, any types of aid could never lure us to change our life style. It holds good on all fronts including diets. We always believ in fresh vegetables/fruits brought by my hubby and keep eating everything, till my Doctor stops. Let's eat whatis available in natural way.
May God bless YOu and have graet time.
1 person likes this
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
30 Dec 09
Hello my friend zandi458 Ji,
So nice of you for yourencouraging and supporting comments. One should try and take few of tehm (Fruits and vegetables in raw state after wasing and cleaning). which will better nourish our immune system.
Wishing you a very happy Chrismas and New Year-2010.
May God bless You and have a great time.
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
28 Oct 09
I believe that we all need to supplement our diets, because even if we think that we are eating a well balanced diet, we are not getting what our bodies need. but i also believe that everyone should go and get checked to see what your body is missing so you do not supplement blindly. and their are so many supplements out their that are made synthetically and they are not doing anything for you.
Every day i take a product called salba......For extra fiber to my diet.
Magnesium, and Potassium--because for some reason my body uses it up fast.
Flax---because it is good for a lot of different things.
COQ10--For heart health...as we get older our bodies do not make as much as it needs.
Vitamin D3--Because i need extra of this. I take 2000 Iu everyday.
Glucobiotic supreme--for my diabetes.
1 person likes this
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
28 Oct 09
No the supplements do not take the place of any meals, i still eat at least 5 meals a day. starting with a big breakfast, and then eating something small every few hours.
For instance today i had a bowl of grits, two scrambled eggs, and some toast, and a banana for breakfast.
Then i had a small garden salad -with lots of vegetables, and about 5 strawberries.
Then i had a sloppy joe sandwich (left overs from the other day) and a small bowl of home made vegetable soup.
For dinner i will have a small garden salad, and some shrimp with a baked sweet potato. and maybe some more of my home made soup.
and for my snack later i will probably make myself a fruit salad with some banana, apple, pomegranate, and grapes, and strawberries.and some nuts like a hand full of walnuts.
I only take supplements for the things that my body needs, and things that it is lacking.
1 person likes this
@artistry (4152)
• United States
29 Oct 09
...Hi zandi458, I am trying too figure out what the hay I said in the comment I was writing to get zapped. I think that if you have a physical each year, your doctor and you would be able to determine if you need more to build up your immune system.
Supplements have helped me with inflammation reduction and pain reduction. For eight years I have not had to take a pain pill for my very bad back. Take care.
1 person likes this
@artistry (4152)
• United States
29 Oct 09
...Hi zandi458, I have five bulging discs from a fall, a health food store manager told me many years ago, to stop taking the pain medication I was taking and to get Alfalfa, 500 mg. It is all natural, no medicine in it. It reduces inflammation, which eats your bones and takes away the pain of arthritis. It is an amazing product, as I may have mentioned, I have not had to take a pain pill for my back for more than eight years. Please pass the information on to anyone you know. Thank you. Take care.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
28 Oct 09
The only Vit. I take is C 1000 mg.
to help clear up the bruising I get now witht the blood thinners they come with Rose hips and bioflvroids.
When I took multi vits. I never saw any differents in how I felt.
So many fruits and veggies and yup even meat have what you neem in them to get your Vits. but I assume also its up to you what you would like to do.
They never stopped me fro getting cancer or haveing a heart attack.
Adn if you pay a big price from this company I just wonder about that daughter got onto melaluka and I got the Vits from there never ever felt any differentas with them either just cost way to much!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
2 Nov 09
If you are taking something on a daily basis and not sure if it's doing you any good or even, doing anything at all...stop taking them. By doing so you will be able to tell the difference between how you feel when you are taking them and how you feel when you are not taking them.
I take glucosamine which is supposed to be an aid to helping to repair damaged cartilage. I had been taking it for some time and I told my doctor I didn't think they were working. He told me very abruptly to stop taking them. When I did, I realised I was feeling a lot more pain than normal. So, my doctor was not being rude and my tablets were not having the full effect but they were definitely helping.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
9 Nov 09
Hmm... I too attended a few of those MLM companies selling food supplements.
And believe me when I tell you, I too got brained washed to think that supplements are good.
If I had the funds to buy into their products, I'd probably be eating them like you do now. 
I guess, in our everyday diet, it is sufficient to keep us healthy. But supplements are still a must to some extend cos the portions of vitamins and minerals that we get from our food and diet, may not meet the body's daily needs.
I guess, in our everyday diet, it is sufficient to keep us healthy. But supplements are still a must to some extend cos the portions of vitamins and minerals that we get from our food and diet, may not meet the body's daily needs.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
16 Nov 09
Like I said, depending on one's health, supplements may be a necessity in one's diet. 
Simply because the amount of vitamins and minerals we consumed in our daily food is too small to effect any reasonable change in the body to boost the body's system.
Unless you are a healthy, fit person, supplements of some form is still a necessity.
It is a matter of how expensive, branded it is.
Simply because the amount of vitamins and minerals we consumed in our daily food is too small to effect any reasonable change in the body to boost the body's system.
Unless you are a healthy, fit person, supplements of some form is still a necessity.
It is a matter of how expensive, branded it is. 1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
23 Dec 09
you're right eating a well balanced diet of natural foods is the way to go.
with vitamins they might be harder to absorb the nutrients when it's in pill form.
with natural foods, that is the way our body is meant to obtain these vitamins so that is the best way to go.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Oct 09
I don't know that i do. I take a multi-vitamin & extra vitamin d at the reccomendation of my dr. I hope i don't have to take anything else. I take so many pills everyday it's a wonder i don't rattle when i walk. lol.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
29 Oct 09
I'm hoping he does, lol. Have a happy day, Zandi.
1 person likes this
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
16 Nov 09
I guess I take a daily balanced diet,,and that's it,, I do not take Vitamins regularly,,maybe 3 days a month,,If I am overworked
@usemyname (640)
• Philippines
29 Oct 09
Actually, these so called "supplements" could be obtained from the food we eat, especially if we stick to healthy diets prescribed by our doctors and nutritionist. Proclaiming that these supplements can help prevent diseases is just a marketing strategy for these companies to increase their sales.
1 person likes this
@uiskana (136)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 09
Yeah for me food supplements is necessary for me because my body is always weak and i have hypertension anyway. If i didnt eat it i will feel weak even to move outside. Oh well i dunno but if i have chance between artificial and nature, i will take nature first like drinking milk everyday and eating fresh fruits and vegetable. Too bad because i little sick, i need fppd supplement too...
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
29 Oct 09
Hi zandi,
I am really confused with this question.
In my latest discussion on ‘health conscious’ many said that they are taking vitamin tablets on regular basis. In my knowledge it is not good to take vitamin tablets without the advice of a doctor. If the food can provide the sufficient amount then there is not necessity of supplements and it is also true that while preparing the food there is a lost of vitamins in food. In that way we can’t understand whether we are consuming enough vitamins or we are getting sufficient vitamins from our food.
I think your conclusion is right, you might be helping the company to become rich by taking vitamins one everyday basis. It is better to consult a doctor before consuming unnecessary supplements and it may help us to find out which vitamin is deficient in our body.
I don't have the habit of taking food supplements.
In my latest discussion on ‘health conscious’ many said that they are taking vitamin tablets on regular basis. In my knowledge it is not good to take vitamin tablets without the advice of a doctor. If the food can provide the sufficient amount then there is not necessity of supplements and it is also true that while preparing the food there is a lost of vitamins in food. In that way we can’t understand whether we are consuming enough vitamins or we are getting sufficient vitamins from our food.
I think your conclusion is right, you might be helping the company to become rich by taking vitamins one everyday basis. It is better to consult a doctor before consuming unnecessary supplements and it may help us to find out which vitamin is deficient in our body.
I don't have the habit of taking food supplements.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 09
I agree with you that we should only take vitamins under doctors prescription. In fact I have now limited myself to vitamin C only. Before I used to take a variety of vitamins that promises good results. The vitamins only added fertilizer to my body and now it is a problem for me to shed the added kilos. 
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
29 Oct 09
if you eat well it probably is not necessary but no one eats well everyday and gets all the nutrients they need. my son is a terrible eater so i give him many different vitamins i know he is not getting because he hates fruit and vegetables and eats none. he takes c, d, a multi, calcium and fish oil and acidophilus. i take d and c every day and then i also take calcium and glucosamine and others.
1 person likes this
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
29 Oct 09
for some people, taking food supplements is a daily necessity. but i believe that even without them, as long as we have nutritious, healthy and proper diet, we don't need food supplements. we can get vitamins from vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, that we can take in meal times. i don't need food supplement, as far as i know myself.
1 person likes this
@vingyan06 (2486)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 09
Hi Zandi,
Seems like you are being brain wash very deeply, LOL.
To maintain a good health, we can not just depend on food supplement. Eating habit is very important. We need to eat balance food, which consist of lot of vegetables and fruits.
Exercise is important. On top of that, Sleep and rest is a main factor to maintain good health.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 09
Sort of being indoctrinted. I used to swallow every product this network company was selling. When I realized my stupidity of feeding the company with my sales revenue by consuming all the unnecessary giant tablets (shaklee tablets are big) I stopped immediately only to find myself putting on extra kilos.
@checkmail (2039)
• India
29 Oct 09
Hello zandi458 this is checkmail and yeah do have myself some food suppliments to remain healthy and fit but they are natural.Means the natural food which is required apart from our regular meal.The artificial food suppliments are different from natural suppliments.Think artificial suppliments are called steriods, which are helpful in emergency times but harmful to continue with it.So prefer to have natural suppliments regularly rather than taking in artificial ones.
1 person likes this
@irene3184 (898)
• Philippines
29 Oct 09
One good reason for taking supplements is due to Stress, you can say its a minor reason but it branch out to many illnesses and disease development. If you find yourself prone to getting sick, or you easily get tired and weak, thats a clear sign of stress. And the simplest way to take care of it is by taking nutritional supplements. Almost all nutritional supplements have a property that enhance or strengthen your immune system.
When you’re suffering from stress related pain, you have to boost your immune system by taking Nutritional Supplements, by doing so, you will have a strong immune system that will help you fight sickness and probable diseases.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 09
You are right. Nutritional supplements helps to strengthen our immune system. Stress is the main culprit that affects our health. It open the gates for stress related diseases to attack the body. It is always safe to fall back on these nutritional supplements for extra protection.
