Does taking vitamins really help?

[weltonn]

Now that it's coming to Autumn/Winter I've been thinking about taking a Vitamin D supplement. I've never taken vitamins before so I don't really know if they actually do make a difference but I've been feeling really tired and sluggish lately so want to start making some small changes to my lifestyle.

I'm also wondering if it's worth taking Iron to help with my fatigue. Can anybody here share their personal experiences before I go and buy some?

[TeaLibrary]

Yes. Vit D absolutely makes a difference for me. I take the vit D3/K2 drops every day and it is making a difference to my energy levels and cognitive function. I don't feel as exhausted if I keep topped up with vit D and I have started juicing recently to increase fruit and veg intake.

[weltonn]

Oooh thanks @TeaLibrary, that's really helpful can I ask which drops it is that you use?

[TeaLibrary]

Yes of course @weltonn

www.amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-Drops-Supplement-Vegetarian-Absorption/dp/B086L385LD/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&s=drugstore&crid=2K3J1SDUDLQ6F&keywords=vitamin%20d3%20and%20k2%20drops&sprefix=vitamin%20d3%20and%20%2Cdrugstore%2C149&qid=1603574163&sr=1-6&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[MiniMum97]

There is not enough sun in the U.K. in the winter for anyone to get the vitamin d they need. So you do need to supplement in the winter.

Take d3 with k2. I take 4000iu a day, abs every other day over the summer but I do cover up and wear high factor sunscreen all summer. I just checked my levels and having taken 4000iu every other day they have dropped a bit over the summer.

How much you need depends on your starting point and other factors like your skin colour and how much time you spend outside uncovered without sunscreen.

If you are actually deficient then you need to take a loading dose of 300.000iu over 8 -10 weeks followed by a maintenance dose.

You also don't want too much vitamin d as it's toxic. So personally I would test and then retest periodically up check levels s as Nd whether you dose is right for you.

[Meredusoleil]

I was diagnosed as deficient after Dd2 was born 8 years ago now. I'm supposed to take a Vit D supplement all year round and a higher dose in winter. I found it was too much when we have been having sunny summers in recent years. So only take the minimum dose from October - March now.

Iron I really do not recommend unless you are borderline anaemic as it tends to cause constipation ime!

[dizzydizzydizzy]

I had a non-healing fracture due to low vitamin D. In fact, the fracture may never have happened if I’d had healthy vitamin D levels.

My GP told me that Nearly everyone in the U.K. is vitamin D deficient. I took a high dose for a few weeks initially. Now I take it daily from October to April. GP advised my to take the spray vitamin D rather than tablets. You can buy the spray from Amazon or Holland and Barrett.

[nearlynermal]

Another vote for vitamin D. It's really helped my mood. And you can't go wrong with a bit of C.