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Help! So confused about vitamin supplements

4 replies

automaticallygenerated · 10/06/2023 11:20

In addition to eating a healthy balanced diet and exercising regularly, I’m trying hard to make sure I also take all the right sorts of vitamins and supplements as I age. I’m in my 50s and post menopausal. However, I’m finding that as soon as I research a particular supplement (I tend to Google and then watch a number of YouTube videos put up by medical experts) I’m inevitably faced with a range of conflicting opinions.

As an example, I’ll read around and then watch 4 videos on vitamin K2 where the experts are all happily singing from the same hymnsheet and then I’ll happen across another 2, or read an article, which will say don’t take it if you don’t have a gallbladder (which I don’t!) or will contradict the recommended levels suggested by other experts. Then others will say you should take vitamin K andD3 together but will say in the same breath that you have to be very careful about overdosing on vitamin D3 whereas it’s safe to take vitamin K2 daily! So is it better to take them separately? Who knows?!! And this is without all the comments under the videos arrggghh! The more information I consume it seems the more confusing and overwhelming it becomes! So I just end up leaving it.

It’s all a total minefield. Many video are American and they recommend getting your levels checked before starting on supplements who seems to make sense but is hardly likely to be entertained by an overstretched NHS when you’re ostensibly perfectly healthy so I’m wondering if it’s possible to consult a private nutritionist who can really explain all this? Has anyone here gone down that route, and if so how did you go about it and how did you find the experience?

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 10/06/2023 11:24

If you are eating well, you don't need extra vitamins.

You only need extra vitamins if you have a shortage of something. Eg in the UK we are generally recommended to take vitamin D from Oct to Mar as we won't get it from the sun. I take an iron and folic acid supplement because my GP recommended it to me after a blood test.

Nutterjacks · 10/06/2023 12:05

After some routine blood tests a few years ago, I was deficient in Vitamin D, B12, Folate and my iron levels were at the lower end of normal so my GP advised me to take supplements. I usually have yearly blood tests and the vitamin levels are included so I'm able to keep an eye on them.
I only take them 3-4 times a week now to maintain healthy levels.

automaticallygenerated · 11/06/2023 11:24

I’ve just watched a video today which says that blood analysis to detect vitamin deficiencies is not reliable - only tissue analysis is! Hair analysis is the way forward apparently and there’s only two genuinely reputable labs worldwide who can perform it. Honestly, it just gets worse!

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 11/06/2023 11:26

I read the latest Tim Spector book recently and the basic conclusion that I took from it is that there is little to no evidence behind most supplements (with the exception of probiotic or prebiotics, can't remember which) presuming you're not eg anaemic.

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