Vitamins questions

[Puffthemagiclizard]

I've never really bothered much with vitamins, apart from for the dc.

Does cost impact quality much, can I just pick some up in Tesco or do I need to be going to a specialist supplier? Is a multivitamin a good enough catch all to just ward off colds and maybe improve energy levels a bit?

Any advice welcome.

If you don't need them for a specific reason (deficiency/supporting other health condition), generally I think Tesco ones are fine. I don't think there is a lot of evidence that taking a multivitamin makes much of a difference for the average person though. The only reason I take any is because I have a long term condition that causes several different deficiencies (take a multivitamin, plus the ones I am deficient in). If you want to ward off colds, etc, you're probably better off improving diet and lifestyle and hand washing practices, but I know easier said than done.

For colds, what I have found to be effective (and there is clinical evidence to support this) is taking a high dose vitamin C and zinc supplement at first signs of a sniffle or whenever anyone in the house starts to get a cold. It really does make a difference.

@mindutopia thank you for your advice. DH has recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis so for his vitamins, Omega 3, Vit D etc, would the same apply with Tesco ones being sufficient do you think?
I was hoping a multi vitamin would miraculously improve my energy levels, you're saying not? 😂

You need to look at iron (ferrous sulphate) and vits b complex, D and E. Low energy can be a sign of anaemia but you ought to get a blood test to ascertain if you are lacking iron before taking it.

You should look at your diet, your daily water intake, exercise levels, amount of sleep and stress levels too as they can all impact how well you feel.

Anything sold in the UK (or EU) will have strict criteria to meet before it can be sold as a vitamin/mineral supplement, you just need to make sure you don't take too much as its possible to have quite adverse effects from taking too much. Research what your body gets rid of and what it holds on to before you start taking anything.

I took a vitamin for some medical issues a while back and was advised by the medical professional to get Solgar.

@CalistoNoSolo I have been intending to get TATT bloods down forever, but it's just so bloody difficult to get in with the GP. I must keep trying though. It's good to have it confirmed that all vitamins must meet a criteria, I thought that would be the case but glad to have it confirmed.
@THisbackwithavengeance thank you, I'll have a look.

Yes, Tesco or other own brand vitamins are fine. I felt absolutely dreadful so had a blood test a couple of years ago and I was deficient in Vitamin D. The doctor said any vitamins including own brand are fine as long as they have a decent strength (look at the % dose on the back of the packet)....also look at what the dose is as I was caught out a couple of times with what I initially thought contained a good dose but then saw the dose was 2 per day.

I personally now take my vitamin D plus a multivitamin, a collagen supplement and omega 3. I do feel better for taking them but no idea whether it's a placebo effect!

Vitamin D deficiency is pretty common in the UK, especially during the winter months. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy or expensive. All the others I take are on medical advice, but you can’t go too wrong with a multivitamin and vitamin D.

@Puffthemagiclizard It's dreadful that preventative measures like standard blood tests are difficult to get on the NHS now, and bloody bad management too. I'm currently taking Nutravita D3 4000iu plus a one a day iron from Lindens, both from Amazon, which carries an excellent choice of vitamin strengths and combinations. I was taking a B complex too but the pills were massive and hard to swallow so I gave up on them, but must start again. In the short term you can eat loads of dark green veg, pretty hard to OD on those 😊

@ThreeRingCircus If you don't mind me asking, what do you take collagen for?

@CalistoNoSolo I know what you mean about hard to swallow pills, I aim to take Lysine to ward off coldsores, but often can't stomach it, then end up crying and regretting it when I get a coldsore 🙄.

Yes I take Vitamin D boots tabs high strength. They good. Coldsores so painful arent they puffthemagic

I think it’s better to pay more if you can. I was taking a cheaper evening primrose oil which didn’t do much, when I swapped it for a more expensive one it definitely made a difference.

I recently discovered the Compeed cold sore patches, they are brilliant. Not cheap but worth it.

I started a multi vitamin with iron and it has totally constipated me, I've stopped it for approx a fortnight and my bowels are still unpredictable. Horrific wind and sluggish bowels.

I get a full BUPA health check (MOT) through work, every 2 years. Everything is checked, no stone left unturned! The last two have shown me to be deficient in a couple of vitamins. I'm a 53 year old woman. Without changing my diet too much (which is pretty good normally) I started taking Lamberts Multi Guard ADR. For my last health check 2 months ago, I wasn't deficient in anything, so I've decided they're worth the extra money.

Go to your local chemist cos they're much cheaper than places like Tesco of Boots. I got 60 for just over a pound at the chemist but Tesco is £3.60 for 120.

Vitamin D tablets sorry.

Please research multivitamin use. Latest studies seem to indicate may actually harm health. Discuss with your doctor.

Are you able to provide any links? I've recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis so am smashing through all the vitamins. I couldn't find anything online to suggest it's bad.

I felt constantly tired and sluggish (get up at 5am each morning, intense job, 2 children). Started taking floradix (liquid herbal vitamin) so far it hasn't altered my bowels and I do feel more energised. However, it could be the placebo effect.

I wish I could recall the study. It was a spot on tv news discussing vitamin/multivitamin use. I seem to recall it was specific to multivitamin use.

@garlictwist I'm curious about the source(s) now, too. I wonder if it is this:
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/152/1/211/6378036