Tuesday, November 22, 2011

I Need All the Help I Can Get

I let Lucky out this morning and was greeted by this:

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How can your day not be good when it starts out that way?

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." Marcus Aurelius

I put the few stragglers into the dishwasher, started the coffee, took out the recycling and fed the guinea pig and the three-legged dog. I grabbed the Denver Post and Longmont Times Call from the driveway and filled a huge cup with ice water. I went to the cabinet and grabbed these:

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Taking these is just a part of my morning routine, much like dumping a cup of half and half into my coffee and dropping a few kids at the pool. I don’t think about it much. But, today I was wondering: Does everyone take similar supplements? Are these doing anything for me?

I take them because I am supposed to take them, but it’s not like I see any difference in my day to day energy if I don’t. I just take them because I figure they fill in the blanks when my diet isn’t up to snuff and they provide me with preventative stuff over the long term. I am almost 45 years old for God’s sake. I need all the help I can get.

Right now I take:

1. Women’s One by Rainbow Light ($17.99 for 90): This is chock full of good stuff including probiotics, B complex, and lots of nourishing things:

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2. Food Based Calcium by Rainbow Light ($12.99 for 90): 1,000 mg calcium, 1,000 IU vitamin D, 500 mg magnesium (2 caplets). After two stress fractures, I found that while my bone density was good, it was deteriorating with age. I have to be careful to get enough calcium (and vitamin D which helps with absorption). I find I don’t get enough in my normal diet (although I do drink a lot of chocolate milk), so I have need to supplement. It’s also important to do weight bearing exercise to build stronger bones.

I hear that food-based calcium is better for you because it is not manufactured, it is the real deal, the same as if you were eating yogurt or eating collard greens. I buy all my Rainbow Light products through Walgreens.com because I found they are much cheaper there than at Whole Foods and other places.

3. Move Free ($24.99 for 160): This contains glucosamine, chondroitn, Uniflex (an antioxidant) and joint fluid to keep joints lubed and strong. I got this bottle at Costco.

4. Fish Oil ($9.99 for 150 soft gels): I take the Nature Made brand because it is burp-less. Other brands make me burp up fish taste all day and it makes me sick. I hear you can also freeze them and that helps. I take one 1,000 mg pill. Supposedly this will help me not get coronary heart disease. Fingers crossed.

Keep in mind, taking supplements is just part of the equation. If you eat junk food and watch the Real Housewives all day, supplements will not save you. You will just be out of shape, overweight and have really high levels of vitamin B2.

What, if any, supplements to you take and why?

I’m off to do some hill work and then yoga…hoping the gas is minimal.

SUAR

PS: Don’t forget to check out my STORE page. Sale ends Monday.

53 comments:

  1. Fish Oil, Calcium, Pre-Natal.

    I take fish oil for the same reason as you. Calcium because I am lactose-intolerant (and gassy-- which is why I CONSTATLY identify with you). Pre-Natal initally to grow my hair out...and now I take it for the possibility of becoming pregnant. They say you should if there is even a chance you could become pregnant.
    I also take an herb that is supposed to help with my moods...since I can be psychob&tch of the century during TOM. It seems to be helping. Hahaha!

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  2. That's pretty much the most awesome picture I've ever seen. thanks for sharing.

    I don't take anything. Pathetic.

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  3. Here are a few of my staples:

    1. Elite-Pro Mineral Support. It contains all the minerals that seriously active people are low on (we need much more than sedentary people). I take it before bed because the magnesium in it relaxes me and makes me sleep through the night, no problem.

    2. Indigo-3G. It's designed as a nutrient repartitioning agent, which means that it takes the nutrients I get from food and makes them fuel muscle, which means I can work out harder for longer and resist fatigue... or at least stave off fatigue till much later in the workout. Very cool stuff.

    3. Metabolic Drive - the best tasting protein powder.

    4. FINiBARs - these are easy on the tummy and perfect for pre-longrun nutrition... they keep me feeling sustained and energetic. No bonking.

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  4. When I first saw "Move Free" I thought it was a laxative and wondered why on earth you needed that!

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  5. I actually don't take any. Did find out though that food that is "acidic"(example, wheat) causes the calcium to drain from our bones. Believe it or not our country eats the most dairy and takes the most supplements and we have the highest rate of osteop. I'm just more of a believer in eating whole real food instead, even though I know our food is depleted one way or the other.

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  6. Calcium because I don't drink milk and have had stress fractures, prenatals (even though after 5 kids I'm NOT planning on more), vitamin C, glucosamine w/chondroitin

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  7. Calcium because I don't drink milk and have had stress fractures, prenatals (even though after 5 kids I'm NOT planning on more), vitamin C, glucosamine w/chondroitin

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  8. I take a multivitamin, B12 for energy and Iron becuase that really does help me feel more energy. It also makes me feel constipated...even after a big cup of coffee...it sort of sucks.

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  9. I take a multi vitiam, fish oil, calcium, and iron. I've noticed a diffence since I've started taking them. My hair dresser noticed a difference in my hai, too (I think it's from the fish oil).

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  10. I take a women's multi, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin D. Lot's of Vit D because I don't want to go back onto my anti-depressants and the Vit D really helps!

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  11. You got to wake up to THAT today? YOUR name should be "Lucky"! ;)

    I take fishoil, Calcium (lactose intolerant) and the Lindberg Pink Pack (half per day) because they're capsules and that's supposed to be easier to absorb than tablets.

    PS Chocolate milk that's lactose free? Brand?

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  12. i take a multi and supplements...i use shaklee and really love it, you should check it out they are all green and natural - they have sports drinks as well. no artifical favors !!! i take fish oil, zinc alfalfa and garlic......http://josephinelindgren.myshaklee.com/us/en/

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  13. I don't take any...maybe I should. but I am so jealous of the great sunrises you've been getting. BEAUTIFUL

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  14. I take a generic multivitamin knock-off of Centrum, a calcium and vitamin D, a B-complex, and a biotin, once or twice a week. I need to take the calcium more often. I used to have fruit smoothies every day and put in two tablespoons of ground flax (I buy the flax on the cheap and grind it myself, takes 2 minutes) for the omegas that people take fish oil for. I need to get back on my flax routine too.

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  15. i take two children's chewable gummies...and i eat junk...very very few vegetables...but i run! ;-)

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  16. Beautiful photo!!! You're right, your day can't be bad with that kind of scene.

    I don't take any supplements. I read somewhere that taking supplements diminishes/interferes with your body's natural ability to make vitamins/minerals. Don't know the science behind it but it made sense when I read it.

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  17. Women's One A Day (walmart) - for the same reason most of us do... To supplement what I'm not absorbing from food.

    Omega-3 Vitmains (from trader joes)-I take this for three reasons...brain functioning (who can't use the help!), managing my cholesterol and for my joints. I've also heard that getting more Omega-3's can help w/ anxiety.

    Joint Support (from trader joes)-In the last 7 years 2 times I've had knee injuries in both at the same time and I've got bad shoulders. It could all be in my head or my smarter training, but I've been injury free for two years.

    Vitamin D (vitamin shop) - recently began sharing my hubby's to help ward off winter blues. Results aren't conclusive yet.

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  18. I started taking supplements when i saw that they make GUMMY supplements for grown ups. Now I have a sour gummy multivitamin, and an Omega-3 gummy. I have to stop myself from eating too much, or my pee smells funny.

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  19. I take the exact same Rainbow Light supplements as you - love them... but man alive that multi-v tastes like ass. Seriously.

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  20. FYI....http://www.npr.org/2011/10/17/141411363/americans-urged-to-reconsider-use-of-dietary-supplements

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  21. I vacillate between taking a vitamin, flex-a-min, calcium and Omega 3 or taking nothing.

    I'm either on the 'supplements are helpful and great' or 'they are a waste of time' bandwagons at any given time and according to whatever the latest thing I read is.

    This supplement schizophrenia I have is enough to make me crazy. Would love definitive direction in either direction.

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  22. Beautiful picture.
    I never put a lot of thought into supplements. I take pre-natals while pregnant and breastfeeding, but then I stop and I'm not really sure why. I'm thinking I should start taking them for me, especially if I am going to keep up this running thing.

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  23. I don't take anything....you might not want to either:

    http://abcnews.go.com/Health/vitamin-mineral-diet-supplements-harm-older-women-study/story?id=14706684#.Tsvgp5VmL5A

    (there have been other studies that show supplements do nothing and you really need to just get the vitamins and minerals from your diet)

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  24. I saw the sunrise while driving to work this morning and it totally made my day! (also made me a dangerous driver because I was trying to snap pics while driving...good thing it was early!)

    I just take a multivitamin every day, but it has to be the chewable kinds. They don't upset my stomach and I can trick myself into thinking I'm really eating gummy bears!

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  25. I just want to throw in that for every study showing there MIGHT not be any benefits (or even harm) there are an equal number showing what the benefits ARE. It's a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't. Just my (unofficial) scientific opinion.

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  26. I am not a supplement person unless a doc tells me I need something based on my bloodwork, etc. I try to eat really well rounded and hope for the best!

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  27. The studies that say you'll die from supplementation are a joke... they're pretty flawed.

    This dude's article explains those flaws:

    http://jonnybowdenblog.com/women-and-vitamins-study/

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  28. @The Mommy: Rockin' Refuel has a lactose free chocolate milk. I've had it and it's very good.

    http://www.rockinrefuel.com/

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  29. i am very careful with vitamins having learned more about how the cheap one's don't do anything. I do take a multi and found my energy got better after taking it consistently.

    fish oil i am still experimenting to find the right one and see if it helps.

    i also do Chlorella off and on

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  30. Im not really taking any supplements at this time. Don't know if I should or not or what it would do for me at all? But a while back I was taking one a day. That is some scenery. Beautiful!

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  31. I am very inconsistent with my supplements, I need to get better about taking them but I often feel ill after taking them. Anyone have a remedy for that?

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  32. Marcus Aurelius also said "Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it, nor take supplements to delay it."

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  33. I take a multi and B-12 for energy. Also eat some yogurt (the good organic stuff) for probiotics from time to time. I want to take something for my joints and glucosamine for my muscle repair though. I need to go to the store and talk to the pro's...i feel clueless in this area! and am prob'ly taking cheap john junk vit's:/

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  34. I take all that you take minus the multi but plus vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10 to help with energy levels.

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  35. Fish oil, multi-vitamin, Magnesium, and vitamin D. The lack of sunshine in the winter, and I am in an office with no windows (boo)- so the vitamin D comes in handy.

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  36. Meh. Sometimes I take vitamins religiously and other times I don't. There are only two supplements that I have ever actually felt a difference from:

    1. Iron - I have iron deficiency anemia, so taking iron makes a big impact on my health. When I'm low on iron I have no energy, I bruise easily, and I don't perform as well when working out. If you DON'T have anemia, I'm not sure that it will do much for ya...

    2. Fish Oil - I actually started taking fish oil b/c I had LASIK eye surgery and my surgeon informed me I should start taking it at least two weeks prior to the surgery and continue to take it thereafter. Beyond it's traditionally known benefits (preventing heart disease), it helps my chronically dry eyes and keeps my joints nice and lubed up. The fish burps are kind of annoying though, lol

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  37. WOW! These responses are so interesting. I have found that supplements make such a difference in my immunity and overall well being. Taking these every day really keeps my energy up and keeps me from getting sick: E3AFA capsules (blue green algae which contains 65 vitamins, minerals and enzymes), probiotics, vitamin D and calcium. I am not a perfect eater by any means, but I do eat consciously and "clean" as much as possible. Digestive enzymes are helpful when I know I'll be eating a heavier meal than normal (such as holidays at the in-laws). I think it's important to consider the source of your supplements and to take whole food based ones whenever possible.

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  38. I take a lot of stuff. An adrenal booster, multi vitamin, magnesium/calcium complex, fish oil, some other stuff, some more other stuff and some more other stuff. The "other stuff" all has chinese names that will mean nothing to you and I don't know how to type the chinese characters on here.

    I get really bad migraines sometimes, so all this "other" stuff is supposed to help that.

    I'm like Marlene... I thought the Move Free was to help your bowels :P

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  39. definitely take glucosamine too. ive heard and read that its good for your joints so im all about it since everyone says that runners knees are like bombs and just going to explode and die at any moment.

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  40. Freaking
    Love
    The
    Quote.
    Loooooove.

    Ya I take 8 things every morning.
    Pretty sure I just make expensive pee.

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  41. yep everyone makes fun of my counter

    vit C, probiotics, Vid D, B12, Fish oil, Cranneberry supp, iron for anemia, for me the reason is because I dont get what I need from my very crappy diet

    oh also BHRT for me thats another kind of supp thoughl

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  42. changed my crappy diet to a healthy one and my doctor says no need for supplements as long as you eat healthy! but im thinking of getting some fish oil supplement...heard that its good for runners esp for a newbie like me!

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  43. What a gorgeous day! I take iron and calcium supplements, just in case.

    Question: do you eat anything before your morning runs? It's a question that plagues me ALL THE TIME.

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  44. Lyn: I make myself. If it's a longer run (7-14 miles) I try to do about 30-40 carbs of something, usually a bagel about an hour before. Then I eat every hour or so of the run. If it's shorter, I don't sweat it too much. I usually have a piece of toast or something small. Then I eat more when I get home.

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  45. Hey, there was an article on farting I was going to comment on, just a minute ago!

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  46. Awesome. Picture!

    And I'm with you, there's nothing worse than burping up trout.

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  47. I only take a prenatal - Materna brand.

    (A) This is the only supplement (except the regular One-a-day woman's brand - NOT TOGETHER) that I can take; and

    (B) To make a baby, of course! Try to, anyway....

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  48. I take fish oil on the advice of my doctor (supposed to be good for heart & brain) & D out of habit (I have a feeling that I get plenty of D from being outside, but in the winter it probably actually helps).

    I also take hyperimmune milk factor (usually listed as HIMF) when I'm building mileage, which my doctor told me helps repair tissue damage more quickly between runs when I was having knee problems a while back. He said that it was the only supplement likely to do anything in terms of joint repair (whereas there's not a lot of scientific evidence glucosamine & chondroitin really do much taken as supplements).

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  49. Gorgeous pic, but waking up to that daily has got to suck.

    I don't take any pill supplements but I do use a supplement (Herbalife) in my smoothies so that I can get all my calories in otherwise I'd be living in the kitchen cooking and eating all day long especially on tough workout days.

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  50. What a beautiful picture! I take a multi-vitamin (Women's Symbiotic Nutrients) - it comes with some herbs to aid cardio, immune and digestive systems. They reportedly use whole organic foods as a basis for their vitamins. I also take Physiologics Cartilage Companion w/MSM & Omega oils - it does not repeat on me - which is a wonderful thing!

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  51. No supplements. And although until now I've never had any issues, just recently had a shoulder injury that had to be treated. Maybe I'm getting to the age (44) that taking a little extra might not be a bad idea.

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  52. I take wayyyy too many things to list - for a variety of medical and health reasons (they include fish oil - a pricey but excellent liquid version, calcium citrate, vegetarian glucosamine and LOTS of other stuff). I don't take a multi - I don't like the proportions they use, I prefer to mix and match my own, and I don't take addl iron. FYI, calcium and iron compete for absorption, so taking them separately is better. You might consider taking your calc/D/mag with dinner as they are helpful with sleep also. Like all, YMMV, it's a matter of figuring out what does and doesn't work for you. Happy Thanksgiving all! (thankful I can see the beautiful sunrise you shared even though I live far away)

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