What vitamins/supplements can you not do without?

[Bemyclementine]

Particularly if you're mid 40s.

Also, iron - any decent alternatives to ferrous fumerate/sulphate.

I already take thyroxine.

I wish mine would bloody go up!

2020 - level of 9, turns out the random shin pain wasn't age related
Was already taking 1000IU
High dose course for 8 weeks from GP
Then taking 4000IU daily
Level June 2023 - 66

Oh dear, @MrShady . Have you tried the Betteryou sublingual spray? I find sublingual sprays absorb much better than tablets.

I’m peri and have been suffering with fatigue/joint pain. For the past month I’ve been taking liquid omega, liquid vitamin b, but d spray and 3 marine collagen tablets daily and my joint pain has gone!

200mg ferrous sulphate, a Bassets chewy multivitamin and 20mg citalopram for good measure

Higher dose of d, I had long Covid so started taking it and then when I had a blood test she said I’d the best vitamin d of anybody she’d seen recently and to keep it up.

@MrShady Are you also taking vit K? It improves your absorption of vit D.

Ferrous fumerate (iron was 6 initially and then 13 at last test)
added a super B complex recently, as was still feeling down and read B12/6 and 9 can be linked to low ferritin. This also includes D (which I used to take separately) and C.
magnesium, after I had lots of bone and muscular problems a couple of years ago.
just added glucosamine, as I’m having some debilitating knee problems and have been referred for potential arthritis 😔
also evening primrose oil for my insomnia, night sweats and hormonal moods - which started a few years ago when I was almost 40. Ran out of these a week ago, and didn’t rush to replace, last night I had insomnia for the first time since I started taking it! Rushed out to replace them today….
I also eat a banana every day for potassium.

Vitamin D, 4000iu, and magnesium.
Also take Taurine, vir B2 and CoEnzyme Q10 as migraine prevention.

Vitamin D with k2 and calcium. I am only taking due to poor bone density as generally prefer to address any deficiencies through diet.

I don't like taking calcium due to the research about the link with heart problems however I read that this is becuase your body can't handle processing a high single dose. I cut a gummy into 4 and take them with different meals to help mitigate this.

That's the one I was taking when my level was 9
Stupid body
And yes vitamin K with it (multi vitamin with it in)

Magnesium, Vit D and a menopause supplement

I know someone who has cancer and was taking Ferrous Fumarate as they are anaemic. A friend of his who has done extensive research into ortho molecular oncology, advised them not to take it, as Iron is pro inflammatory.
So they've stopped taking it. Not sure if that's a great idea as he is anaemic, but as it can apparently negate the treatment they are having for cancer, they are willing to take the risk.

Since taking Vit D and Vit B, my chronic back pain and tendonitis have improved greatly. It’s so good not to be in pain!

I also take magnesium. I’m a perimenopausal insomniac, and this helps with sleep and anxiety.

I recommend trying Omega 3. I can't believe how it helps the perimenopausal insomnia and anxiety. Not solve for it completely, but helps. Apparently Omega 3 is often recommended as a natural supplement for people with depression and anxiety, so that makes sense.

Thank you

I do like the sound of that

Do you mean flaxseed?

Magnesium citrate
zinc
vitamin D
iron (floradix)
menopause supplement (Tescos)

Just a multi vitamin that has iron it in. Since I had the good sense to take this everyday without fail, I haven’t needed prescription iron in years ( I needed it on and off since my teens) and my dark I need iron under eyes are gone.

I always drink 1 x vitamin c fizzy tablet everyday for about a week before my period as it makes my period go quicker, averages 2-3 days.

B complex. My skin goes mental without it.

Oh, I remembered that I also take an effervescent vitamin c daily.

Be careful taking iron and vitamin C as the combination can cause ulcers and inflammation
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC340385/

Magnesium glycinate for tiredness linked to peri-meno
Vit D for general health- have been taking this for a few years
Omega 3 but not as regularly
Psyllium husk EVERY DAY for the fibre- has been life transforming in relation to bowel regularity

I take a supplement that has the following in : flaxseed oil (omega 3), Vitamin D, B12, Biotin, vitamin A. Can’t remember what else but it seems to work and I haven’t been sick much this year at all.
I have Spatone as previously anemic and run lots.

At night I take Magnesium glycinate to sleep plus Cherry night. L-theatine is amazing if I’ve had a glass of wine to help sleep

Ashwagandha from time to time to help anxiety.

Also collagen powder.
Drink kefir, kombucha etc.

Interested in Lion’s mane - about to listen to a podcast with some research on this and Alzheimer’s so interesting to hear it helps with perimenopause brain fog (this is what the podcast is talking about I think).

Can’t take HRT and I sleep badly (though better with the supplements) so need to throw lots at it - I rattle but feel healthy. No aches or pains. Mood steady now with these supplements.

It bemused me that Tim Spectre from Zoe claims we can just get everything from our diet and don’t need supplements. I don’t think he even supports vitamin D taking. Spoken like a man who has no idea what perimenopause is like! Plus farming methods have changed so soil is less nutrient dense.

I eat very well - 30 plants, huge variety, cook from scratch, all the prebiotic and probiotic food but I do need that extra help. And with the best will in the world and a good diet I still struggle with things like oily fish twice a week (Omega 3 so important m).

'It bemused me that Tim Spectre from Zoe claims we can just get everything from our diet and don’t need supplements. I don’t think he even supports vitamin D taking. Spoken like a man who has no idea what perimenopause is like! Plus farming methods have changed so soil is less nutrient dense'

He does take B12 though and eats a lot of mushrooms to make sure he gets his vitamin D so I wouldn't take his views on supplementation too seriously.

I do think however it is important to also be aware of the dangers of too many vitamins and also how they interact, for example taking zinc lowers your magnesium etc.

I guess what I mean is that it is so individual. Some people may be able to get all the vitamin D they need from mushrooms, others can’t even with high supplementing.

I agree we need to know the dangers and interactions. I think at some point in the future we will have a very individual, tailored approach to supplements.

It’s definitely worth getting tested if you can afford it. I was quite high in vitamin D (not dangerously so) so I’ve dropped that down a bit.