To think we don't need daily vitamins

[user87382294757]

Just been reading about how taking day multivitamins might not be necessary and even cause harms in some - I have taken them for a while, quite expensive and not even sure any use. Had Vitamin D test a while back at the GPs which was a bit low so maybe just take that as is ultra cheap and discard the others.

Given the intensive inputs for modern agriculture plus how many calories we eat & how fortified many processed foods are & how consistently nourished folk are now compared to 75 yrs ago, I expect we tend to get a lot more micro-nutrients now than 75 yrs ago.

I think having a well balanced diet is sufficient.

I'm a bit puzzled by the assertion that we can't get enough VitD from sunlight in winter in the northern lattitudes.

People have been living in those countries for thousands of years. I know that in the past daylight exposure will have been higher, and diets will have been different (but surely more restricted?), so how the hell have we ever managed to keep stable populations in these northern climes, if we literally cannot absorb enough Vitamin D?

Or is that that current lifestyles mean it's harder to keep stable levels?

The other supplement that I would imagine is worth it is cod liver/ evening primrose oil. A friend had been taking it for about 10 years, had a minor heart attack and his cardiologist said it would’ve been much worse without the cod liver oil and he thinks everyone should take it past a certain age.

OP- your marmite won’t be any good, think how tiny the portion you eat of it is

Specific vitamins and minerals to meet specific deficiencies are a godsend to me

I had bariatric surgery in 2000 so have reduced absorption. I have regular blood tests which pinpoint the areas I have deficiency and take supplements to compensate.

Some I take all the time because every time I stop my levels drop again (B12, B compound, iron, D3) others because stopping soon triggers issues or low levels on testing (Magnesium, zinc).

A multivitamin, when you have a healthy diet and no comorbidities, is generally a waste of money I think

FudgeBrownie which supplements do you take for your thyroid pls?

*I'm a bit puzzled by the assertion that we can't get enough VitD from sunlight in winter in the northern lattitudes.

People have been living in those countries for thousands of years. I know that in the past daylight exposure will have been higher, and diets will have been different (but surely more restricted?), so how the hell have we ever managed to keep stable populations in these northern climes, if we literally cannot absorb enough Vitamin D?*

MS rates are higher in these areas which is linked to low vitamin D.

In terms of marmite, 8g contains most of the B vits needed daily (according to Wikipedia) so is actually quite good for a small amount- it is more whether could stomach eating it daily!

yabu
everyone should take vit d3 unless you are working half naked outside every day from april/october
other vitamins or minerals need to be supplemented if dietary restrictions warrant (vegans need vit b12 supplements) it or if medically necessary (many women need iron due to heavy periods).

Hacateh can I ask who does your blood tests the GP? As I have had bowel surgery also. Thanks

I'm a bit puzzled by the assertion that we can't get enough VitD from sunlight in winter in the northern lattitudes.

People have been living in those countries for thousands of years. I know that in the past daylight exposure will have been higher, and diets will have been different (but surely more restricted?), so how the hell have we ever managed to keep stable populations in these northern climes, if we literally cannot absorb enough Vitamin D?

people took cod liver oil which basically is a vit d3 supplement. they also ate more oily fish and offal which is another good source.

'spring fatique'was common, as were bone diseases, like osteoporosis.

I felt like death, until my GP told me I was deficient in vitamin D and I should take 2,000 iu a day. Since then, I have felt my normal self. I have very pale skin and while I do try to spend half an hour sunbathing in the garden now, I suspect much sun exposure would lead to melanoma (being in mind DM with the same hair colour, has had stage 2 melanoma)!

Anybody who says we don't need to take vitamin supplements has clearly not suffered vitamin D deficiency!

I think if you have a good diet you can get everything you need from it, except vitamin D vimeo.com/120372122 That you should supplement.

Obviously if you have any health conditions you may need others, but generally speaking only vit D.

(DM has only been out of this country once and that was to Paris, not known as a sunspot for sunbathing)

I have to take vit d for a particular condition.
If I don't take it, and my levels get extremely low, I could be extremely ill. So I guess for some situations yes it's vital to take them.
I personally believe though that a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water, means you don't need to take special vitamins. I think the skin and nail one is particularly a con.

People spent more time even in the very recent past outdoors being active. That is why people now so often have low vitamin d.

I take vit D daily as I keep testing low for it. Also daily iron because I'm anemic. I try to take a vit C drink too if I'm not able to have orange.

I do tend to take a multi vit/min if I'm feeling a bit low because it seems to help. But my diet isn't the best (working on that) and I spend most of my time inside because I can't cope with the sun/heat.

And even people who do spend time outdoors often put on suncream, so do not absorb enough vitamin D.
The recommendation is if you have fair skin, 20-30 minutes outside 3 times a week without suncream, to get enough vitamin D. Lots of people do not do that.

Also eat oily fish at least once a week, eggs and fortified milk.

You should only take vitamins if prescribed or told to by a GP.

I'd be more concerned with what your iodine intake is. That is something missing generally in the UK's shittier diets and is contributing to lowering IQ levels, increases in pain disorders and thyroid issues.

My friend who is an endocinologist mentioned a while back that a fairly high portion of pain disorders under umbrella diagnosis (fibro etc) could simply be down to iodine deficiencies.

Blood tests - I use a commercial service, Thriva (DM me for £25 discounts, folks!), which told me I was doing absolutely fine on vits apart from D which was at the bottom of acceptable. I'm spending more time outdoors and taking 2000 madeupunits of D3 a day now and I'm still near the lower end of that.

I do not take any other vitamin supplements, I just eat my greens and salads as well as my meat and ice cream.

Dont forget rickets @orangeshoebox ...

@jennymanara 20-30 minutes 3 times a week is not enough.

Unless you spend a significant amount of time in the sun every day in full sun, minimal clothing and no sunscreen (2.10 in the video^) you aren't getting enough.

I eat a healthy balanced diet but due to deficiencies I have strong prescription strength Vitamin D, Iron and I have B12 injections every 12 weeks. Nothing else has been tested but I guess if I have absorption issues then I may be deficient in other things. I think I might actually start taking a multi vitamin now and see if I feel any better!

I have an indoor job and I think over the winter I rarely see much daylight so it’s a culmative effect that my Vit D levels plummeted over winter and then increase over summer but don’t sustain. I am taking a weekly dose of 20,000mg vit D (the one you buy in a chemist) and I do feel better!
As for my iron that is due to bleeding

Multivits do have their place. They cost about £1.50 in Aldi if you wanted to do it cheaply it wouldn’t be such expensive wee!