Intimidated and confused about Vitamins. Please help.

[Houston]

Hi all. I'm on Day 8 of Induction and have been following all of the rules, but I know that I need more in the way of supplements. I've read all of the Vitamin threads on ADBB and feel overwhelmed by the options and details of the correct regime to take. Which ones? What brands? How much? Could there ever be such thing as taking too many vitamins? From what I've read on this board, I think I want/need to take the following:

Multi (w/ no iron) -- But which one?
B complex -- How much?
Vit C -- How much?
Calcium w/ Vit D -- How much?
Total EFA (Omega 3,6,9 w/ Borage, Fish and Flax Oils) -- Is Total EFA a brand name I'll be looking for?
Acidopholus -- How much?

How does this look to you all?

Is there anything I'm missing? or too much?

I've never taking this many supplements in my life. I'm trying to figure this out but feel a little lost. Any help you could give would be most appreciated!

Kristen

[Gabriella28]

Very good question .. I am also confused about vitamins. I have not been taking a multi-vitamin. Is it important to do so?

[momtomany1]

Try the brands with 'Silver' attached, like Centrum Silver for a multi with no iron.

For B, you want HI Potency, anything that says hi potency or stress complex should be fine. And many have C added, which will take care of the next question!

C, take plenty, hard to get too much C, but there is a way to tell. If it gives you diarrhea, back off down the dosage.

Don't actually know a lot about Vit D/Calcium, I think I would just look at the bottle for the standard dose and start there.

I just take fish oils... I get my flax from flax!

Do you need acidopholus for a particular reason?

[Houston]

Thanks so much for the reply! Some follow-up thoughts...

My overriding confusing probably comes from the fact that we need to take so many vitamins on TOP of the multi-vitamin. I don't know much about supplements, so I worry about how much of each add'l supplement to take on top of what might be in the multi.

How much B complex should I take? Just follow instructions on the bottle?

Maybe I don't need extra Calcium. I was just following what a few others had said on some of the supplement threads. Not sure.

Okay, I'm a novice. Is the Fish Oil you take a capsule that I can buy at the drug store? Will it cover my need for Omega 3?

Again, new to this (sorry). Not sure what you mean by you get your flax from flax. In your food? As a pill?

And about the Acidopholus. I read another post that someone here takes it as an alternative to fiber or the other things you can take to improve your system. I think I could benefit from a "system helper."

My apologies for all of the beginner questions. You are so helpful! Thank you!!!

Kristen

[Cinnamonstick]

I am taking a PNV because of possible future pregnancy...good to be on those WELL advance......has loads of iron. Guess that is why I am SOO backed up...hehehe....PNV and this diet--wow.

Adding Flax when I can...and just bought COLACE--(generic) as my SYSTEM helper.....

[Gabriella28]

I am also having difficulties with BM's. I bought Metamucil but it was 3grams of sugar. So I decided not to take it. Does colace have any sugar?

[momtomany1]

Fish oil is a gel capsule, and yes, you can find it in the drug store. That will definitely give you Omega 3s.

Acidopholus does aid digestion, I was just wondering if you were interested in taking it for a particular reason. Acidopholus, however, does not do the same job fiber does. Acidopholus is a probiotic, it boosts the 'good bugs' in your system, but that is a different matter from fiber. Fiber provides bulk that helps things move along.

I use flax ground from flaxseeds for fiber. It is easy to add to foods, you basically don't even notice it in most things. I use it instead of breadcrumbs in salmon patties, toss it in tuna salad, cook small amounts of it with protein powder for a sort of cereal substitute. It is so mild flavored, you wouldn't even notice it in scrambled eggs.

Why do you need more supps on top of a multi? Because the Standard American Diet, hereafter referred to as SAD, is woefully deficient. You will be making up a nutrient deficit that practically all of us have. It will make a difference in how you feel in a few weeks, really. Folks who start taking B vitamins for example, find their anxiety lessens and energy increases.

For the Bs, just get a good Hi Potency and use the standard adult dose.

Try not to overdo laxatives, they tend to make you 'need' 'them the more you use them.

[livelaughlove08]

I usually just take a multi vitamin but i didn't know it had to be without iron?

[Cinnamonstick]

No idea if (generic) colace has sugar of any sort. DIDNT see it listed. No calories are listed though.

I was going to get METAMUCIAL also but saw that it only had 3 grams of fiber and I thought.....that is not exactly a lot???? Colace was cheaper (100 generic for $5.00)

ps---I am also doing the flax