Taking Vitamins!

[Edwin]

I didn't think I would be writing this now. Years ago when I was still getting medical check ups for flying airplane/piloting them, a medical doctor told me that I didn't need to be taking all those vitamins if I would just eat right, which I did. So, I put all the vitamins in a box, put them in the closet, and they are still in a box in storage, only they are more than 25 years old by now, so I doubt that they are any good! I went for my eye checkup with the eye doctor, and he found some color changing in my left eye which signals the beginning of macular degeneration, which means eventually you get so you can't see well. He told me that taking eye vitamins and minerals will halt that deterioration. He gave me two samples with two pills in each, with a $4.00 rebate on each one. So, I decided that I want to have my vision as long as possible, so I used the coupons and bought two bottles of the pills. There is 120 pills in each bottle, but I take 4 of them each day, so they will disappeaer, and then I will need to buy more of them. He also told me that the medical association is recommending that all adults take one multivitamin each day. He told me where to find them in the drug store section of Walmart, and told me to find the Centrum Silver, and buy the cheaper Walmart version right beside the Centrum Silver pills, so I did that. The hilarias thing is that these pills say on the bottle that they are for women fifty years old and older. Well, I am more than fifty years old, but believe you me, I am not a woman, and please don't ask me to prove that! I am just kidding! So I was so proud that I didn't take any pills of any kind, and now I am taking vitamins, but I think I need to be doing that, and it is a good thing!

[Gary2310]

Edwin, nutrition is a serious matter and it should be a priority for everyone. The idea of ensuring that we get enough nutrition so that our bodies can tend towards a natural state of good health by taking vitamins, minerals, and other supplements is not new, nor is it without merit. There is an old saying "we are what we eat", but this really isn't the whole story. Actually, we are what we ABSORB. In other words, what really matters is what is actually getting into our cells so that our bodies can make use of it. So, the first issue is the quality of foods that we choose to eat. Are they nutrient dense or nutrient poor? The second issue is how well does our body absorb nutrients. The ability to absorb nutrients can be influenced by a person's state of health, genetics, past and current eating habits, and a host of other things.

With respect to food quality, this can be somewhat dealt with by making wiser food choices. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and other unprocessed foods are much more nutrient dense. This means that they deliver to our bodies more needed nutrition per calorie than other foods that are less nutrient dense. For example, a carrot is power-packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin K and natural fiber and yet only has about 50 calories. Whereas a pork chop has a high saturated fat content, high cholesterol content, no vitamins/minerals to speak of, no fiber and has about 300 calories. Do you see the difference? Carrots are nutrient dense and pork chops are nutrient poor.

As far as how well our bodies absorb nutrients, well, this can be a little more challenging to compensate for. I would say that the single best approach to improving the ability to absorb nutrients is to just eat more healthy. Just by eating more healthy foods you will improve your ability to absorb nutrients. Nutrient-dense foods promote better absorption, while foods that are processed and filled with a lot of preservatives and added chemical flavorings actually hinder the absorption of many nutrients.

Having said that, the idea of taking good quality vitamins, minerals and other supplements to help ensure that we are getting what our bodies need only makes good sense. Let's face it, our current food supply is not what nature had intended, but that's a whole other topic (LOL). The important thing here is, however, to take GOOD QUALITY supplements. And, by 'good quality' I mean pharmaceutical-grade. There are many supplements (i.e., vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc.) that are cheaply manufactured and so they are of low quality. This is mainly due to added fillers and low-tech manufacturing techniques that produce low quality products. These low quality products will have what is called a "low bioavailability". This means that the body will not be able to properly or completely extract the active ingredient(s). So, first, it's simply a waste of money because your body is not getting what you think you are paying for. Second, since you're not completely getting what you think you are taking, you can't evaluate whether or not it is doing you any good. That would be like taking a cheaply manufactured cholesterol-lowering drug that didn't seem to be lowering your cholesterol. Is it because the drug wasn't effective or is it because you are not really getting the proper amount of the drug? You see, in the U.S., there is no regulation on vitamins and other supplements in terms of manufacturing standards. There are several side issues involved here, but this, too, is a whole other topic (LOL). Let me just say that different manufacturers produce different quality products. And so, just because the bottle says "Vitamin C" on it doesn't mean that the vitamin C in the bottle is of good quality, that is, will have a high bioavailability.

As far the age-related macular degeneration (AMD), there is a lot you can do to help prevent the AMD from getting worse. It would help you to know that there are three main risk areas that are central to AMD. The first is chronic inflammation, the silent asymptomatic type brought on by eating highly processed over-cooked foods (especially animal products). The second is high blood glucose levels. And, the third is poor micro-circulation. Efforts to optimize your health in these ares will go a long way in helping the AMD. Contact me if you want to know more. I'll be glad to tell you what I know.

[Edwin]

Thank you, Gary, for all the information! It is good information and very true! I took a nutrition class a little over a year ago and became more aware of some of the things you are talking about than what I realized before. We do a pretty good job with our eating, and now I am taking the vitamins and minerals from Walmart that the eye doctor suggested for me. You are right about health companies pushing their worthless products, and usually they charge a lot of money for them as well. Years ago when I was taking vitamins and minerals the doctor told me that I was wasting my money, and didn't need to take them. Now after the eye doctor sees problems coming, he is telling me that I do need to take them, and I am taking them again. Eating right and exercising, I have been doing for a while, and now vitamins are added! Thanks again, Gary, and what you wrote is important for all of us!

[m&m]

I am not taking vitamins for more than a year or even food supplement. God has been so good, there are times that I am sick but I stay to care my heart or emotion because that is what makes me sick especially broken hearted. To be honest still have pain in my heart but I thank God He is helping me everyday to feel better.

[angel]

i used to take my daily routine to take every after meal once a day. my vitamins name enervon multivitamins. i used to take this for 2 years and half, it can help boost our immune system.

[m&m]

i used to take my daily routine to take every after meal once a day. my vitamins name enervon multivitamins. i used to take this for 2 years and half, it can help boost our immune system.

Glad that you do. It is important to take care of ourselves because this is what we use to make a living. Rather than taking vitamins, I eat vegetables and young coconut at home. it is good for the health also. I was drinking milk but then i think part of my rushes was due to more drinking milk. I read long time ago that milk can cause skin rushes or whatever.

[cheryz]

when i was working in one of the mall here in bacolod i used to take 2 vitamins a day for my resistance and for my skin care . its better to take vitamins its for your own good benefits and for your health.

[angel]

yes i take multivitamins too, for my immune system i take it once a day. i do eat a lot of fruits and vegetables too. sometimes when i forgot to take my vitamins i feel im gonna sick. so i ask a favor to my mom to remind me everytime i ate meals just put in the table so i can see it.

[m&m]

Long time ago, I used to take food supplement. For the heart, and for good circulation of blood. It was a struggle for me and I realized that it was because I was emotionally afflicted and hard to deal with. Now, I am not taking those by the grace of God, I am okay. Most of my meal includes vegetables. My blood pressure last two days was 110/70 and i believe it is okay.

Although sometimes, I faint especially when I am hungry. So, I need to eat something even between meals. I was underweight too, so I try to eat more. I need to eat sweets as part of my diet because it gives me energy.

[cheryz]

m&m have you been into check up by a doctor/nutritionist? when you take food supplement it should have the prescription of doctor in my own opinion. i used to take vitamins when i was working i ask for a pediatrician if its ok, he said yes as long it dont have a side effects and he recommends it.