Taking vitamins and supplements – opinions?

[Celestyal]

Okay, so I can't stay quite for this one. I worked for the Vitamin Shoppe for a number of years and let me tell 90% of the stuff on the shelf is crud. I know, not the best way to start with this on a post but just have to say it. There are so many variables in the human body to say for sure wether or not you personally need a multi. Now if I was talking to Romy, I would just as her if she had any health issues that need to be addressed. Like maybe her liver just wasen't up to snuff so I give her a good milk thistle supplement or liver detox depending of the info and that would be that. But as for the person who said they live in the city off of cheap-eats (I forgot to look who said that) I would give him/her a raw multi that was in a capsule instead of tablet for easier digestion and a probiotic. My point being is that, in some ways, its up to the person to take educate themselves a bit and step and take a honest look at their diet. 99% percent of the people I talked to had no clue what a 'healthy' diet was. (Or even how to find out) Each person would be on a different, excuse the pun, supplement 'diet'. It's too hard to say for sure what would work for each person and what wouldn't. Reduction thinking will get you into trouble or do nothing for you. I think the biggest frustration I had (and everyone I worked with) was when 'Dr.' Oz or Opera would say something that this one ingredient would do this such-n-such we would sell out like crazy for a week and we'd have to educate people on what they were actually buying! I guess I'm going off on a bit of rant here, but what I'm say is it starts with education on personal level. That fact is our food isn't as good as it was 100 yrs ago. (Not counting the stuff we pull out of our gardens) If you decide to still take vitamins (and I do) go for a Raw or Whole Food (not the store) vitamin that is in a capsule. Your body will only have to break down the capsule instead a big tablet. Oh, and B-vitamins, should not smell like B-vitamins. There fake if they do.

Hope that actually answered the question...

[GennyL]

ty Celestyal. It is as personal as your dinner plate and what works for a million may not be right for 1. Usually a "Consultation" with an herbalist and/or nutritionist is free or cheap and by no means your end point of responsible research for yourself. From what I seen Oz was refering to the fact that many people take the skim milk and add all kinds of stuff (like beans which are good for you unless full of bacon fat & hocks) turning it into a non healthy option. That said I do a quart of 2% every night I am a milk baby.

[Ezzrider]

Originally Posted by Celestyal

Okay, so I can't stay quite for this one. I worked for the Vitamin Shoppe for a number of years and let me tell 90% of the stuff on the shelf is crud.
Hope that actually answered the question...

I appreciate your input. It is great to hear from someone that worked at one of the larger vitamin shops. I don't shop at GNC for a lot of the reasons you stated. While in GNC several times I heard store employees telling customers some really tall tales. Just curious - As far as your background are you a certified nutritionist? Again in my opinion vitamins and supplements are not a cure all. As far as your reference to Dr Oz - I believe he is pretty well on target with most of what he says. He is a heart surgeon. I don't do everything he preaches and never did anything that Oprah preached. Thanks.

[Celestyal]

Originally Posted by Ezzrider

I appreciate your input. It is great to hear from someone that worked at one of the larger vitamin shops. I don't shop at GNC for a lot of the reasons you stated. While in GNC several times I heard store employees telling customers some really tall tales. Just curious - As far as your background are you a certified nutritionist? Again in my opinion vitamins and supplements are not a cure all. As far as your reference to Dr Oz - I believe he is pretty well on target with most of what he says. He is a heart surgeon. I don't do everything he preaches and never did anything that Oprah preached. Thanks.

No I'm not a nutritionist (would love to be), I was just speaking from expierence. From what I've heard from Dr. Oz (and a little) my opinion of him is...sceptical. Mostly developed from clips of his show and dealing with customers who came in buy into the lastest fad. Guess that not a good way to develope an opinion. What he doesn't know, or portrays to not know, worries me. As far as GNC goes, not a fan either because of the same reasons of the price mark-up which is really steep. To be perfectly honest, I didn't even finish reading this whole thread, so I don't have a clue what you guys are talking about with the milk and all. I just drink whole goats milk when I can get it. Can't do cow.

[GennyL]

Originally Posted by Celestyal

No I'm not a nutritionist (would love to be), I was just speaking from expierence. From what I've heard from Dr. Oz (and a little) my opinion of him is...sceptical. Mostly developed from clips of his show and dealing with customers who came in buy into the lastest fad. Guess that not a good way to develope an opinion. What he doesn't know, or portrays to not know, worries me. As far as GNC goes, not a fan either because of the same reasons of the price mark-up which is really steep. To be perfectly honest, I didn't even finish reading this whole thread, so I don't have a clue what you guys are talking about with the milk and all. I just drink whole goats milk when I can get it. Can't do cow.

You're on the right track. Take the Dr with a grain of salt or 300. A Chiro was slinging a vid & I had to remind that what he did on that show was down right dangerous!!! They could have crippled that woman. He is a t.v. personality 1st and foremost now.

[LuvsToPlant]

Originally Posted by Ezzrider

I believe Dr Oz said skim milk has sugar added to improve the taste. Anyhow it sounded good enough to me to switch to 2% milk. Also I was the only one in my house that would use the skim milk so we wound up buying skim milk and whole milk. Since I switched to 2% milk we all use the 2% milk.

Yes it was the sugar that was added...
Plus there is more vitamins added to 2%

You mentioned to omega 3s
If you like cold water fish...all you need is 2 serving a week
compared to taking 5 capsules a day for just one serving of fish (3.5 oz.)
Just a thought...
Your high oil fish are best.
...salmon, mackerel...even sardines.

[Celestyal]

Originally Posted by LuvsToPlant

...salmon, mackerel...even sardines.

Mmmmm, sardines. Smoked Brislings are the best. *drools*

[LuvsToPlant]

Originally Posted by Celestyal

Mmmmm, sardines. Smoked Brislings are the best. *drools*

lol...
I didn't want to say the name to loud...most people cringe.
It is not unusual for me to have a can or two on hand.

[Ezzrider]

Originally Posted by LuvsToPlant

Yes it was the sugar that was added...
Plus there is more vitamins added to 2%

You mentioned to omega 3s
If you like cold water fish...all you need is 2 serving a week
compared to taking 5 capsules a day for just one serving of fish (3.5 oz.)
Just a thought...
Your high oil fish are best.
...salmon, mackerel...even sardines.

Yep and you are correct. I am trying to take the easier way. The omega supplements I take have (according to the label) Omega 3 - 913 mg, Omega 6 - 433 mg and omega 9 - 213 mg per two tablet serving. Maybe I just need to buy some cans of salmon?

[nordicnacho]

lots of fish oil its cheap and lots of studies back its use

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_oil

I take at least 6 pills of that a day


http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/...upplement.aspx