Do Vitamin Supplements Really Work?
 

Then show me the proof. I've never been proven to have a Vitamin deficiency although I was slightly anemic, as a child. My first Neuro did all the blood tests and found no deficiencies, so he didn't recommend any supplements.

Since being DX with MS, I have taken it upon myself to indulge in the usual popular Vitamins (the list is long and daunting), but came to the conclusion, that they were not improving my health or my life and I was just flushing a bunch of money.:rolleyes:

The only Vitamin I may be a little deficient in now, in me old age, is Vit D3, as I am never in the sun, anymore.:confused:

So, unless you are vitamin deficient, and your Doc has prescribed or suggested them, how would supplements be helping you?

I know everyone reacts differently to things but I have noticed a huge improvement in my overall health and the way I feel since I've started taking supplements.

The ones I take and will not stop are Methyl B-12, D3, Astaxanthin, Krill and Turmeric/Curcumin. Antioxidants and Omega-3's are so important - even more so if you have an immune disorder. I've noticed big improvements in my energy and my skin. I really wasn't looking for improvements in my skin but it's been an added bonus. It's the best anti-aging regimen I've ever used!

The only med that makes me feel healthier is LDN and that didn't change when I stopped all the supplements. Are you sure it's not your LDN, Kell?:)

Not all supplements are vitamins.

Some are minerals. Like magnesium which is low in 70% of people in US. Vit D is not a vitamin either...it is a hormone. You can eat nuts and beans for magnesium, go outside for your vit D, each green veggies for your calcium and folate, have salmon twice a week...and have curry in your chicken now and then. But many people choose not to do this.

You can get tested for B12 and D. Neither test is expensive.

The way research is going today, involving mitochondrial damage and failures ...the supplements most common are those that support the mito energy production.

Some supplements like Omega-3s you can eat. So you can get them that way. But most people don't. Without essential fatty acids, you cannot live long or well.

Much of the research today is looking at antioxidants. Things that protect your body from free radical damage from oxidation and energy production. Curcumin from tumeric is very big right now as studies show it protects the blood vessels from inflammatory damage. This lowers risk of stroke and heart attack.

Certainly no one is forcing you Sal, to take anything. It is always your choice. Doing the homework is complex and time consuming and that is why I do it for people here. Since I retired I have more time.

Supplements changed my quality of life. So maybe I have poor genes or something, maybe my stress levels in my high stress job did it...but I no longer have asthma, or GERD and my PN is much much better! My arthritis is still there, but I don't need drugs to control it. I might take an Aleve here or there. People today consume so many drugs that are toxic over the long haul...those people really suffer the most.

I took LDN before I started the supplements. I'm sure it (LDN) helps but I won't give up my supplements. They make me feel better and there is a lot of scientific proof that they help prevent a multitude of cancers. I noticed a difference within a week of taking the Methyl B-12. I rarely take naps anymore. Occasionally, but not everyday like I used to.

And she is a great one to get good, reliable information from. I know because I bug her on almost a daily basis with some kind of question! :o

My quality of life has greatly improved since starting LDN and my supplement routine. I wouldn't be without it!

Must you get tested for deficiencies first before taking, say, D3, or can you simply take 2000IU daily and benefit? I don't get any sun anymore so I probably could use some D3.

What do you think, Mrs D? And have you been tested, Kelly?

They also say not to take too much A when you are taking D3?

For those not tested, the accepted amount is 2000IU D3 daily.

You buy the single D3 supplement...NOT cod liver oil with A in it.

But say you test at 20... take 2000IU... in ideal situations you might raise to a level of 40. That would still be low for an MSer.

If you do not go outside much...you won't test very much in D.
There is one person on the NT boards who tested at 3. That is pretty scary. The MS recommendations are higher than for others. People like me are given 50 as a goal. My doctor wants me at 70.

MS patients should get screened for B12 (low B12 mimics MS symptoms) and D. The data are clear on this.

Last month I tested at 55 for Vitamin D.

I take B12 and my numbers got to within normal range...
I take D3 but my numbers were also normal, but I feel more won't hurt.
I take Cranberry and Ester C to combat UTIs, but I still get one every three months like clockwork:confused:
And I take Juice Plus, which is basically ground up food...