To take a supplement?

[Royalmailer]

I'm vegetarian and a bit fatigued. Have started taking a vitamin b supplement and I do feel like it's making a difference- but is this psychosomatic?

The wiki article seems to think they're all a load of old cobblers. I want the straight truth- are they snake oil?

I take a lot of suppliments, not all are snake oil. I take magnesium & vitamin d3, these are things most people are deficient in. I also take a multi-vit, kind of like an insurance because I eat very well. I also take high stregnth omega 3 oil, because our diet is too high in omega 6s and I am trying to balance it out.

Just realised this doesnt help you one little bit

I don't think they are ineffective. I took pregnancy vits and carried on whilst breastfeeding; I ran out a few months in and quickly became run-down. Bought some more and was soon fine. This happened several times (because they weren't cheap and I'd have preferred to have managed without!)

I'm sure there have been studies into vitamin D that have shown clear results from supplementation.

If you are short of something, then a supplement will help. If you aren't, it won't. I reckon if it works, why not? Though in the longer term, you'd be better to adjust our diet if you are short of something.

I take B12 and I know if I haven't taken it. I feel exhausted and run down and start having migraines.
I had a blood test before starting them though, so I knew I was deficient, and why.
Have you had a chat with your practice nurse / GP about how you are feeling? There may be an underlying reason as to why you are vitamin deficient.

If you a fatigued then it might be Vit D you need. A lot of people are deficient and it won't hurt to 5000iu a day. Make sure it's D3 you get.

Often people that are iron deficient can experience fatigue.

Can you ask your GP for some simple blood tests?

If you are fatigued then it might be Vit D you need. A lot of people are deficient and it won't hurt to take 5000iu a day. Make sure it's D3 you get.

I've always taken multi-vits and minerals (since I was a kid). I eat a fairly good diet but I'm busy so want to make sure I'm now low on anything.

I'm veggie
I take a daily multi vitamin and iron tablet, stops me feeling woozy sometimes, esp at that time of the month

also take oil of evening primrose, keeps everyone happy .

YADNBU

I think we should all take a good multi vit and mineral supplement.

Apparently some foods have less 'goodness' in than when they were tested 40 years or so ago.

And no I haven't got a link for those who think that I'm talking rubbish.

FarBetterNow This? - depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/anthro/faculty/mitrovic/davis_2009_food_nutrient.pdf

The gist of it - www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1880145,00.html