Are Vitamins Important?.

[rose2008-2008]

Having talked about the Menopause i do not take any vitamins but eat fruit and veg. Is it ultra important to take supplements and things when you are getting to the age of fifty?. I get creaky joints and suffer with various aches and pains but how do you know if your symptoms mean you are lacking in something?. Do they actually really make you feel a difference and feel better if you do take them?. Advice from any other middle agers?. LOL. :-x

[leoleoleo123]

For the most part, I think that if you have a good healthy diet , you hsould not need any extras!

Having said that, I think extra calcium is good as we get older..

its only if you are not eating properly that you need extras to supplement .

[**forum-decorum**]

I would agree with leo, a good balanced healthy diet should be all that is needed.

But I do feel sometimes that with todays economy and fast food society we cannot always guarantee that the foods we think are complete in all the vitamins and minerals we need are.

I do think some natural suppliments can help in balancing our daily intake of all that our body needs.

I am 54 and have had  few problems with hormone inbalances and I do get  aching joints, I do try very hard to keep to a good healthy diet  so I don't add many suppliments. I will take one high strength codliver oil  capsule a day, as that has been recommeneded to me to help with keeping my joints supple and reduce the ache that goes with age. Also fish oil is very good for the brain. (so they say lol) not sure whether ones knowing me will agree that it does help me lol.

[leoleoleo123]

:^O

I think Fish oils are beneficial too... and garlic!

[chickengrandma-2008]

If you know you have a bad diet they're probably beneficial, if you have a good fresh balanced diet you probably don't need them.  I never took any supplements except cod liver oil 'for my joints'.  I took them for years and then I gradually didn't bother any more.  I can't say I've noticed any difference, the aches and pains I have now, I had when I took them.:|

[leoleoleo123]

Yep..

I do take extra vit c when I have a cold or similar...

used to take glucosomine for my wrecked knees, but they seem ok most of the time now with out!

[*elphaba*]

Theres a big difference between taking vitamins/supplements 'just in case'  and using specific ones to treat a problem.

The former tends to  just make expensive wee because most people vaguely thinking they 'ought' to take a vitamin will get a basic, cheap supermarket multivit which has bare minimal amounts intended to maintain existing levels rather than repair any deficiency.

As an example of where vitamins, minerals and supplements can have theraputic benefits:  I currently use......... Omega 3 to reduce inflammatory prostaglandins (ease period pain)  soy isoflavones to provide plant oestrogens (milder than my own oestrogens but take up the same receptors so helping keep a balance, and that and the Omega 3  and ocassional iron has massively reduced the very heavy flow I began having now I'm perimenopausal.)
Magnesium to calm anxiety, and, in concert with calcium & Vit D strengthens bones, AND they have an incredible ability to relax you so I take them at bedtime and never have a problem sleeping.   Add potassium into the mix with the use of Lo-salt and the combination of that and the Mag/Cal has stopped cramps I was getting at night and in my hands when working them hard.  

1000mg Vitamin C seems to interact with the Omega 3 and possibly magnesium to reduce the symptoms of any colds I get.   I used to get horrible colds - nearly drown - but not in the last 5 years.

My husband takes a statin and because I knew to have him use Co-enzyme Q10 has never had any muscle pain or tiredness EXCEPT when he stopped the Q10 for a couple of weeks. 

Specifically for menopause type problems I'd look into Flaxseed (another weak oestrogen I'd rather use instead of soy but soy is cheaper.  Don't go near soy if you have thyroid problems of a family history of same) source of Omega 3 and very good at preventing constipation!   It will also help with joint pain.  And certainly Magnesium and Calcium.  Just never take supplemental calcium without magnesium.  

[leoleoleo123]

I may look in to taking the magnesium/calcium as I have really bad sleep patterns .

I remember when I was working in a health food shop, co-enzyme Q10 had just 'come out'.. even the boss used it! lol.

[ilove2patch]

Very informative Elph.:-) 

[*elphaba*]

Give it a go Leo, as long as you don't have dicky kidneys.

A hot milk drink with one biscuit can also do wonders as the carb in the biscuit helps the tryptophan in the milk make serotonin and thus melatonin - the sleep hormone. 

Some GP's are now suggesting Q10 at the time of prescribing statins, but most still don't despite the good evidence that it prevents most of the side effects that people complain of.

For people who prefer to get what they need from food.....beef heart is highest in Q10, followed by any other heart.  

[ilove2patch]

I will have to get my daughter to give Amy milk & Cookie at bedtime as she is a terror to get to sleep. Would cold milk do as she doesn't like it warm? Or hot chocolate?

[acque-pacifiche]

Aching bones and or joints can be a sign of a deficiency in two important things that not many people know about, and I only know because I am deficient myself.

First is "calcium & vitD", I have autoimmune problems so have always been deficient, but if I feel I don't need them I stop for a while, then boy do you know when you need them again, that aching can be awful, I take calcichews, they have both in. But some people as they get a little older can become deficient in these anyway, but you also have to be careful not to take too much, as too much calcium can be very dangerous for your heart.

The other thing that you can be deficient in that causes aches and pains is VitB12, I have a VotB12 injection every 8wks, as I have and autoimmune disease which means I can't absorb it, before I was diagnosed the pain was quite bad.

Also, fish oil? You have to be careful taking it, especially if you have high blood pressure as they can increase the risk of a stroke.

[rose2008-2008]

Lots of interesting info.Elph im in perimenopause too and having lots of problems at this time in my life. Im just looking for things that will work and definately help. Some days i feel great others terrible. Some days achiness and bad heads , others im as clear as a bell and calm and relaxed. 🙂

[bankhaunter]

Also, fish oil? You have to be careful taking it, especially if you have high blood pressure as they can increase the risk of a stroke.

The consensus of opinion is that fish oil may help reduce blood pressure and is of benefit to those with heart or artery problems.

[lhasa.two]

I think it's probably quite sensible to check with your GP first, before taking any supplements, just in case it has any contrary side effects with any existing medications.