Blog

2

1

I may be addicted to supplements. Here is what I'm currently taking: FYI (I don't eat enough vegetables)

Daily Multivitamin Triple Strength Fish Oil 1400mg (1000 omegas) 3x Daily Zinc (50 mg, For Pimples) B-Complex plus C Vitamin D (5,000 IU, When I am not getting sunlight) Calcium (I eat no dairy) Probiotic (Capsule, 20 Billion Live Bacteria) Is this necessary? Vitamin E

I also take a caffeinated pre-workout, BCAA powder when training fasted, and drink whey/creatine an hour post-workout.

flag

8 Answers

1

That is not ridiculous, really. Just make sure that all of them are of high quality and are of the proper delivery system for absorbtion. But from your post they all semm prophalactic. You could get a hair test or something and see what really is deficient or excess and dial it in more. There is probably an alternative healthcare provider in your area that offers this: maybe $100 at most and surprisingly accurate. Or just go on reading the internet and buying supplements and seeing how you feel. I have done both.

link|flag
3

How strict on the dairy? Kefir is a fantastic probiotic AND Calcium source, and most of the lactose is fermented away, so it's its low-carb and ok for many who are intolerant.

If you make your own from the 'grains' it's more actively alive than any pills you can take, with a much greater variety of bacterial species.

link|flag
I forgot to mention sauerkraut! It's easy, yummy and probiotic. The only concern would be if you are hypothyroidic - uncooked Brassicas (cabbage, kale, broccoli etc) can be mildly goitergenic if eaten regularly - but probably still fine as an occasional treat. – CaveRat Jun 4 2011 at 15:39
1 
I love kefir. It's especially helpful after a round of antibiotics has messed with the gut. – Chickenosaurus Rex Jun 4 2011 at 15:50
Don't do dairy because of acne. Won't touch grains. Who would seriously eat sauerkraut every day? – Dave Jun 4 2011 at 16:17
2 
uuh.. I eat sauerkraut every day. AND kefir milk. So much awesome.. – Mei-ling Jun 4 2011 at 16:25
1 
@Dave - "grains" is a term for the kefir 'mother' - no relation to any cereal. The bacterial culture condenses into grain-like balls and it looks sort of like cottage cheese left in the strainer after pouring off a batch. These grains are then used to start the next batch. BTW the store bought and powdered kefirs lack the bacteria that build the grains so it tends to be creamier - but I suspect (pure speculation!) it's just those bacteria that help protect the culture as it passes into the gut. – CaveRat Jun 4 2011 at 22:44
show 1 more comment
2

Don't supplement what you can get from food with a reasonable effort.

Zinc - Oysters or calves liver, Calcium - bone broth, Fish oil - fish!

The three above have track records of possibly causing harm in some cases.

Probiotic - fermented foods along with some oligofructose containing food.

Vit C over supplementation is hard to do due to the laxative effect. I supplement this and D myself, but only because I know I don't get enough C unless I eat a lot of fruit and that upsets my stomach. I also tested low for D

link|flag
Can't afford to eat fish or oysters all the time. – Dave Jun 4 2011 at 16:14
I just ordered some bulk powdered rose hips for Vit C - will see how it tastes on my morning eggs... – CaveRat Jun 4 2011 at 22:34
2

Taking zinc like that will almost certainly lead to a copper deficiency. Try eating oysters in the morning or at night, away from your sources of copper (meat, organs). The probiotic is probably unnecessary, as is the fish oil if you eat a lot of grass-fed red meat. If you're eating nuts, olive oil or avocado, you probably don't need the vitamin E.

link|flag
Cannot afford grass-fed. 24 years old with college loans. Can't eat oysters more than rarely either. Try to stay away from nuts because of omega 6. – Dave Jun 4 2011 at 16:19
Pacific Pastures produces a cheap grass-fed ground beef - see if it's available at a store in your area. I just bought some at about $5 a pound. Also got some VERY fresh lamb kidney (I watched them slice it off the carcass!) for $2/lb or less. – CaveRat Jun 4 2011 at 22:51
Macadamias and hazelnuts are high in vitamin E, and low in omega 6. – Travis Culp Jun 5 2011 at 3:09
1

I would go easy on calcium. Most basic blood tests include serum calcium levels. So if you have a doc, you would have the result. Check that and supplement accordingly. No reason to be "high normal" in calcium.

You're doing almost a full tablespoon of fish oil. I would say that's okay but I would reference some new research if you think you've gotten your inflammation under control.

link|flag
1

Addiction? Like you're physically addicted to them? IF so, then you must re-evalute what you are taking for sure.

Maybe it's more like "Supplement Neurosis". I myself suffer from this very condition. It manifests like this: First, I listen to a Robb Wolfe podcast or read a new article on Mark's Daily Apple or something in which they talk about a study (or some such thing) in which it was discovered that modern people are drastically deficient in "such and such" which causes obesity, acne, unattractiveness and general lack of cool factor. Next, I run out and buy a crap load of "such and such" and take it morning noon and night until one day I forget what the heck I was taking it for (hmmmm maybe some Gingko Biloba?). I stop taking it and by that time I am on to something else.

I guess what I am saying is sure, cover your bases with some basics, stay paleo (which should reduce your need for mongo antioxidants anyway), save some of the $$ you are spending on pills and buy some good food.

Some guy I was listening to on a podcast once said (I can't remember who or when - so I am going to get some Gingko for sure now), "Supplements are the most refined food you can get."

PS Most of the ingredients come from China anyway - and we won't even let our kids play with toys made there!!!!

link|flag
Good answer, Meredith. I was thinking that supplements are about the priciest things you can buy by the pound. That's one reason I use them sparingly or look for bulk options. – CaveRat Jun 5 2011 at 3:57
1

I would look at your B vitamin levels. Why are you taking both multivitamins and also a special B complex? Do you know your B levels? Any particular reason? Those who start multivatmins are usually in their 40s and 50s, and want to strenghten their immune/nerve functions. Not that you shouldn't take them if have the need. But what are you thinking when you're supp'ing with both a multivitamin and B complex?

link|flag
-1

I think you need more fish oil. 4,000 - 6,000mg/day.

link|flag
I would but it gets so expensive. I'm only 24 and I eat pretty clean and work out. Not sure an extra pill is worth it. – Dave Jun 4 2011 at 16:17

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.