Vitamins And Supplements

Question: When taking Vitamin supplements do you prefer to drink your vitamins or swallow a pill or capsule? Vitamins now come in chewable, liquid so you can swig them down, or just toss a couple in your mouth and wash them down. What is your preference? And do you take yours daily or whenever you think of it? Are you sporadic in taking them?

Answer: It doesn't matter what form of vitamins one takes, 2 important factors determine its effectiveness. 1 is absorption 2 is potency I would only prefer Isotonix line whenever it is available because it's the only isotonic form of supplements in the market that provides superior absorption rate that other form cannot beat. In order to form pills, filling, additives needs to be added, these are waste to our body and increase digestion time. In additions, no matter if we drink, eat or take pills, everything need to be broken down into isotonic solution in our stomach first before our body can absorb. Stomach is very high acidic, thus most of the nutrients are destroyed in our stomach before reaching small intestine for absorption. So with pill form, you are looking for absorption rate of about 10 to 40% depending on our body's digestion ability and the ingredients to form the pills. Please keep in mind that human's digestion ability decease by age. With Isotonix line, since it's in isotonic form by adding certain amount of water to one capful of powder (it tastes great too!), vitamin won't stay in stomach and will go to intestine within 5 minutes so you are looking for absorption rate of 90% and higher, higher absorption rate even compare to IV injection. No filling or binding are added to the Isotonix line so you are guarantee to have best potency for the vitamin you take.

Question: How many vitamins/supplements can or should you take? There are multi-vitamins and vitamins for specfic things, but how many is too many? I agree. What you have too much of, your system finds a way to rid of it

Answer: You can take as many as you like. It's usually better to take more than less. Just have one of each every 15-20 min throughout the day for best results. I mean have you ever heard of anyone dying from too much vitamin c Don't google it and defiantly don't consult a doctor. They'll tell you some other rubbish.

Question: What vitamins supplements/natural remedies are dangerous during pregnancy? I'm currently on HEAPS of vitamins such as zinc, vitamin c, a, c10 etc as well as a chinese medicine immune-boosting tonic, as am recovering from galndular fever and recurring viruses. I'm hoping to become pregnant soon, as was wondering which ones to keep and which ones to stop if i were to fall pregnant

Answer: Herbs are consider unsafe during pregnancy because not enough research has been done on them but there is no reason why you should stop them until you are pregnant. If you are able to stop the herbs, I would do so the month you start ttc. I would just take a multivitamin like Centrum (or find one that has all the things it has in it). Centrum contains vitamins and minerals that our bodies need for fertility like selenium and copper. Don't take the others (unless the C10 is actually CoQ10, that's also great for fertility as well as your heart). Vitamin A over 10,000 before pregnancy and over 6,000 during pregnancy is know to cause birth defects. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble meaning they are stored in your fat cells so it's easy to have too much. Other others are water soluble and eliminated by the body mostly through urine so they can be taken at higher dosage prior to pregnancy but not at pregnancy. The only thing you should take during pregnancy is a prenatal vitamin and omega 3. Here's other things that boost fertility-- Coral calcium (helps increase cm but you have to take it with water. Water helps absorption) PABA 300 mg DHEA 75 mg (makes ovaries behave youthful again after 3 months of taking) EPO and DHA (omega oils needed for fertility) Arginine (increases circulation to ovaries and uterus) Glutathione (an intracellular antioxidant found surrounding the egg before ovulation to protect the developing egg) Manganese (known as the maternal mineral. Lack causes infertility) Royal jelly (super food for cells) Coenzyme Q10 (for heart and circulation) Milk thistle and dandelonn (detox liver & improve toxic elimination in body) Pycnogenol (super anti-oxident) Alpha Lipoic acid (aids certain vitamins in body) Green tea (anti-oxident) Chlorophyll (balances insulin and feeds cells) Taurine (fertility amino acid) Acetyl L-Carnitine (amino like compound found in growing egg) Grape seed (aids fertility) And EVERYTHING that is found in the multi-vitamin called Centrum. Eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids. Stay away from things that degrade the growing egg-- sugar (even the sugar found in milk is toxic to developing follicle), white carbs, alcohol, caffine (it causes cortisol and inbalanced insulin levels), smoking, and any type of unnatural chemicals (natural meaning baking soda and vingar to clean) and fumes.

Question: How come, if you are taking Vitamins supplements, you start feeling more and more Hungry? What would Happen if you don't eat when you feel Hungry while taking these Vitamins?

Answer: Because it is possible that the vitamins are increasing your metabolism, burning what you ate faster and more efficently, causing you to be hungry more often, epecially if you had a vitamin defficency in the past. Also if your supplement includes fiber, that may cause it also. Fiber is basically Cellulose, which is the molecule that gives plants their structural support. When we intake fiber, we dont have the enzymes to digest it and the body compensates by speeding up the digestive system (slightly not radically) to get rid of the fiber, and causes you to digest faster, and be hungry more often.

Question: Is it possible to crush vitamins/supplements pills into the food? I was just wondering if I can do that instead of taking them whole? I want to get supplements into my system but I cannot stand taking pills/tablets. If i can just crush them into my food then I would take them regularly. What about the whole rate of dissolving issue and stuff? Thanks!

Answer: Yes you can crush them Many liquid supplement manufacturers claim that because their product is in a liquid form that it is more bioavailable. In fact, some even use phony statements regarding the Physician's Desk Reference to support such claims. The statement they reference about liquid supplements being more bioavailable first appeared in the PDR under a listing for a specific nutritional supplement product. That statement has since been removed because it was false and could not be substantiated. In addition, the PDR organization itself does not make any such statement about liquid vitamins vs. tablets. Nutrients are absorbed by the small intestine, unless they are taken sublingually or injected. When you ingest a supplement in either a liquid or tablet form, it must first go through the stomach and is then absorbed by the small intestine. If liquids were simply absorbed directly in to the bloodstream, as some supplement companies claim, would the same happen when you ate soup? Bioavailability is defined as the degree and rate at which a substance (as a drug) is absorbed into a living system or is made available at the site of physiological activity. Different vitamins and minerals have different absorption rates no matter if they come from a tablet, liquid, powder, or food. For example Calcium has a pretty standard absorption rate around 25-35%. The form does not generally make a significant difference. A well-made tablet provides a very effective delivery system and is the chosen form of most pharmaceutical medications. This is because tablets have been shown to be a very efficient delivery system for medications. Why would vitamin and mineral supplements be any different? Does anybody doubt that an aspirin tablet is less effective because it comes in a tablet? Tableted products provide the advantage of an increased amount of active ingredient (almost 3 times as much as a capsule and much more than a liquid or spray). In general, the stability of tablets is also superior to liquids. There are many factors that can affect the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the body. Some of these factors are a function of the person taking the nutrient and are dependent on the age of the person, the integrity of their digestive system, the state of their health, the time of day, the person's gender, and if the supplements was taken on a full or empty stomach. People whose nutrient needs are greater, such as growing children, pregnant or lactating women, and those who are currently deficient, may have significantly enhanced absorption rates for certain nutrients. Recently, some individuals and companies have made claims that their products are superior because they are "98-percent absorbed" or some similar number. This is a misleading statement because there are too many variables to imply that an individual's absorption is a certain percent of the material consumed. Even absorption of minerals from food sources can vary significantly. Boron, molybdenum, and iodine can be absorbed at over 90 percent while the average absorption rates of zinc, copper, and selenium can range from 30 to 80 percent depending on the form. It should seem reasonable then, that stating an average absorption rate is very misleading. The USANA tablets are formulated to meet United States Pharmacopoeia standards requiring full disintegration within 30-45 min. They are also formulated to meet standards for dissolution. Because the USANA tablets are formulated to these standards, the vitamins and minerals found in our supplements are properly absorbed into the body and are very beneficial. Innovative formulations have been developed to optimize nutrient bioavailability. Each lot of USANA tablets is tested against finished product specifications to ensure that it meets standards for: identity, target weight, hardness, thickness, disintegration, potency, purity, and (microbial counts). USANA provides its vitamins and minerals in amounts and forms so that, in conjunction with a healthy diet, you will receive maximum bioavailability, full effectiveness, and uncompromised safety. A couple of questions to ask: The supplement industry itself originated on account of published studies in the scientific literature that contributed to the knowledge and insight into nutritional elements. With the hundreds of studies connecting calcium and vitamin D supplements with bone health, it is hard to dispute that tableted supplements provide an effective delivery system. If tablets weren't any good, why did the researchers get positive results? If liquid or spray supplements are so much better, why are they rarely, if ever, used in published scientific research? Keep in mind that we are speaking of multiminerals and multivitamin formulations. There may be certain products that may be appropriate in a liquid (just as some medications are liquid). However, these are the exceptions, not the rule. Finally, liquid supplement promoters often contend that liquids are better because they don't contain fillers (excipients used in tablets for disintegration, form, binding, coating, etc). That is a ridiculous argument since liquid supplements require even more "other" ingredients such as emulsifiers, solvents, preservatives, stabilizing agents, coloring, flavoring, etc. The more ingredients in a liquid supplement, the more excipients that may be required.

Question: Are there any vitamins/supplements that can increase your chances of getting pregnant? My husband and I are TTC and were wondering if there is any sort of vitamins or even a certain food that make the chances of concieving higher?

Answer: I have heard that avocado provides a certain oil that aids in conception. Taking prenatal vitamins wont hurt either as it will prepare you for pregnancy early. Other than that, eat healthy, dont smoke/drink and it should happen eventually! Good luck!

Question: What kind of vitamins/supplements does everyone take to make themselves healthy? I take Fish oil for the Omega 3 because I dislike eating fish, regular womens vitamin,b12, and I am wondering if I should take vitamin d (sunlight vitamin)since I keep reading most people dont have enough. I am fair skinned so when I do go out in the sun I have to be covered in sun block.

Answer: Fish oil is a great supplement. I take Flax seed oil to get my Omega 3's. I like it better than fish oil for a number of reasons, but do what works for you :) I'm also taking Chromium to keep my metabolism steady and Vitamin E for skin and hair health. A couple weeks ago I bought Spirulina supplements and felt kinda yucky at first (they say it rids toxins from your system) but now I feel just wonderful and healthy.

Question: What Vitamins/Supplements can I take to Help Avoid Getting Sick? I am sick 24/7 during the school year because I don't sleep enough and I have high stress. I know the right thing to do is sleep more but this is impossible with my schedule. I take a multi-vitamin, echinacea, vitamin C, and zinc. Are there any other things that are supposed to enhance the immune system?

Answer: I'm not nuts about multi-vitamins, but they're probably better than no vitamins. Enchinacea should only be taken for a few weeks, then two or three weeks off of it. Olive Leaf extract (health foods stores..) help boost the immune system, and just as important, stop drinking sodas or other sugar-based drinks. Sugar (and salt) really knock the immune system for a loop. Selenium is sometimes needed to work with the zinc, and magnesium asporotate can also help, in that most adults don't get enough magnesium - but some people need zinc before the magnesium will work. Magnesium is pretty safe, overdoing it just promotes loose stools, but one or two capsules a day may help keep things moving, and this, along with lots of CLEAN water, can help more than you'd imagine. Vitamins: B Complex, C, D, E Complex (NO "DL" E's please..) and a diet including dark leafy green veggies and occasional fruit will help. Knock off the sodas, even the diet drinks! Good Luck!

Question: Is it okay to take medication and vitamins/supplements at the same time? I have to take a lot of medication and supplements; most of them require being taken with a meal but I can only eat so many meals a day!

Answer: It wouldn't hurt to ask your Dr. about specific interactions, some might need to be taken separately. You can also try http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/drugchecker/ It checks for interactions on prescription, non-prescription, herbs, vitamns, alcohol, food...

Question: any other adults take flintstones vitamins instead of normal supplements ? Hey, I'm a 21 year old female [short - 5 ft tall and 90 pounds] Personally I hate normal vitamin supplements, the flavour makes me gag. I'm a pretty active person and very healthy eater, but I take 2 children's flintstones vitamins a day,instead of adult vitamins. does anyone else take kids vitamins instead of adult vitamins? or am I a wierdo?

Answer: lol not weird but you may not be getting the necessary vitamins by taking kids pill rather than adult ones wich have higher more helpful levels of calcium vitamin C/D etc....

Question: What are effects of taking vitamins/supplements on an empty stomach? Any danger/lack of effectiveness? Instructions say to take vitamin (B12) and supplement (prostate health) with meals. Not always near food so following these instructions not always possible.

Answer: For the most part it probably doesn't matter if you take your supplement with or without food. Some vitamins can cause nausea if they are taken without food. Food also can help with the absorption unless they are heavy greasy meals. Try and take the supplements with food as often as you can and try to limit the times that you take them without food.

Question: What vitamins/supplements are good to take during pregnancy? I'd like to do my best to make sure that my child is getting all the appropriate nutrients and anything extra that would be beneficial to his/her brain development, anything else etc.. I hear of people making Omega 3's.. etc.. What should I take? Oh, and what is DHA? Should I be taking it?

Answer: DHA is an Omega 3 essential fatty acid. So, if you take a pharmaceutical grade pure fish oil that will help out with your baby's brain/eye development. It will also help you with a multitude of things, it's great to take all of the time. It helps reduce the risk of heart disease and regulates serotonin levels plus, it makes your hair, skin, and nails look great. But, this is something you are going to want to take on top of your regular prenatal vitamin, not just as a stand alone. A lot of prescription prenatals come with DHA in them so you don't have to deal with taking the fish oil capsules.

Question: What kind of food and vitamins supplements can i give to my four year and 14 month old kids who have ricket? I have been given them cod liver oil, milk and fish but have not seen any improvement. Are there better food and vitamin supplement that could correct this condition more rapidly

Answer: Rickets is a disease which causes soft, weak bones in children. It usually stems from a lack of vitamin D. Many cases involve hereditary factors, so make sure to bring them to the doctor frequently to monitor their progress. Since both of your children have it, heriditary factors probably predominate. Make sure your children get enough vitamin D in their diets. Fortified cereals and dairy products, like milk and yogurt and certain kinds off fish contain lots of vitamin D. Oily fish like salmon, trout, mackerel , anchovies and sardines have the most vitamin D. See the second link for a more complete list. Sunlight is important too. Make sure they get a litlle sun every day. Thirty minutes or so will help them. Since they are so young, keep them out of direct sun during the hottest time of the day, but make siure they do get sunlight. God bless you and your children. Rickets is controllable, and I wish you nothing but suceess in your efforts to do just that.

Question: Before traveling to Mexico, what vitamins/supplements should you take to boost your immunity? Is there something, like Acidophilus, that you can take to boost your body's immunity and/or stomach health prior to traveling in Mexico? Anything that could possibly prevent sickness rather than cure it after it happens?

Answer: I suppose Acidophiles wouldn't hurt. Mostly you need to use common sense when you eat. You know .to drink bottled water and brush your teeth with it. First, most restaurants wash the fruits and veggies. If you go into the restaurants where middle class Mexicans eat, the food is going to be safe because they don't want their customers to get sick. I am frankly more careful about what I eat at tourist places because they are less likely to see you as a return customer. At questionable places avoid fresh fruits and veggies. Cooking kills the bacteria. I live in Mexico, and traveled here a lot before that.I haven't had a problem in years, and I eat at places you probably wouldn't dream of eating. If you are likely to buy fresh produce at a market, bring along a plastic zip-lock bag and get some iodine drops. Follow the directions on the bottle. So many drops per so many liters of water. It is usually 10 - 15 minutes of soaking to clean the food. Have a great time!

Question: What vitamins, supplements, herbs etc. aid in achieving faster hair growth? I know Biotin and a Vitamin B complex but are there anything else that will help? I heard taking fish oil helps.

Answer: I started taking a Spirulina/ Wild Blue-Green Algae Superfood Supplement for chronic fatigue syndrome and not only do I feel 100% better but my hair and nails are growing like crazy. It contains chlorophyll; vitamins E and C; all the Bs; trace minerals; beta-carotene; and amino acids.

Question: Should I talk to my doctor about vitamins & supplements? I'm 18 years old and currently taking a 1000mg Fish Oil supplement twice a day. I want to start taking a pro-biotic and maybe a couple of vitamins like D3 and B-Complex. I ordered the fish oil from Vitacost and just started taking them without consulting anyone first. If I wish to continue to add supplements to my daily regimen, should I be asking my doctor first? Also I am not experiencing any negative side affects from the fish oil.

Answer: Honestly don't bother, most doctors have barely any training at all in nutrition they really do not know. You would just be wasting your own time and theirs... About the vitamins, take them if you want but as long as you have a healthy diet your basically paying for some really expensive urine, your body can only absorb so much... Your best bet is healthy diet and exercise...