3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community - Do you take a multivitamin?

3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community (https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/)

- 100 lb. Club (https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/100-lb-club-55/)

- - Do you take a multivitamin? (https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/100-lb-club/107534-do-you-take-multivitamin.html)

I take a multi-vitamin (when I remember) because my doctor says so and I'm of child-bearing age.

I also take calcium/magnesium supplement because I was on Depo-Provera for a long time and that affects your calcium absorbtion.

Finally, I take 2000 mgs of fish oil every day (read: when I remember) because it's shown to do wonders with heart disease and that runs in my family.

Very interesting.... thanks everyone.

Oh, question. Folic acid = folate?

I take a bunch of stuff. Some people think I'm crazy, but my mom has taught me the value of preventative health care.

For overall health:
Multivitamin w/iron
EFA's (fish oil, flax oil, borage oil)
B-Complex

These supplements are for overall health as well, but have a benefit with weight loss:
CoQ10
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Acetyl L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine

I take a whole foods based(for better absorbsion) multi-vitamin and mineral formulated for women. It also has herbs and "greenfoods". There's not really any mega doses, but taken just in case. I'm usually pretty good about the variety of foods, but sometimes it's just not possible.

Remember that you should check your vitamins, you need 400 micrograms daily if you're of childbearing age. :)

I take a generic one a day vitamin. I have problems remembering to take it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aprylcadabra (Post 1619740)

Very interesting.... thanks everyone.

Oh, question. Folic acid = folate?

Yes! Folate = Folic acid (Vitamin B9) = folacin

My little excuse for not taking one is that I've heard you need to be careful about which kind you buy - some have barely any absorbable vitamins inside. And I don't know how to tell which are which. Has anyone else dealt with this issue? Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaepepper (Post 1621086)

I've heard you can put a vitamin in water and see if it dissolves in an hour to test it. I try to look for gelatin capsules (with loose powder inside) over the tablets.

As far as brands, my mom swears by HSN's Andrew Lessman, but they are expensive. I like Vitacost's NSI brand. Their vites and supplements are really affordable and have no fillers. There are several other brands as well, I'm sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantforgetthis (Post 1620171)

I take a whole foods based(for better absorbsion) multi-vitamin.

Me too. I've taken them for a few years now. There are times when I got out of the habit and I do notice a "gradual" difference in how I feel.

Regarding the "acid test" - you can do it to find out if your multi—or any other pill!—dissolves properly.

Quote:

1. Place approximately one cup of white vinegar in a small bowl and warm it to 98 degrees or so by placing it inside a larger bowl of water that you "top up" several times with warm water from the tap. (The goal is to keep the vinegar reasonably close to 98 degrees - body temp -for half an hour.)

2. Drop your multi-vitamin (or other pill) into the vinegar, and jostle it about every five minutes or so by gently shaking or swirling the cup. While you can also stir the mix with a wooden stick or toothpick, be careful not to touch the tablet itself.

3. The tablet should dissolve within 30 minutes. (This is the USP standard for all pharmaceutical tablets.) If it doesn't dissolve within a full hour, it's not doing you much good. Get another brand!

I've skipped step 1 and tried it with room temp vinegar and mine disolves within a few minutes.

My diet doctor also recommends that I take a multi-vitamin. (along with my extra strength iron pill because I am anemic.)

Yes, I take the Walmart Equate Brand of Women's One A Day and I notice a difference of having more energy.:^:

I used to.

But then my dermatologist put me on accutane and told me I had to stop taking it because it contained vitamin A, and since accutane contains a large amount of vitamin A, the multivitamin would increase the side effects of accutane. :(

I take a One A Day Maximum...when I remember. I figure, it won't hurt anything, and it probably helps.

I also try to take a Vitamin C with Bioflavinoids during cold season and a Cal/Mag at night before bed. I usually end up forgetting those two though.:o

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinupdreams (Post 1617503)

growing up i was always told by my mother that vitamines made you gain weight so ive had that mentality every since, hence why i dont take them. doctors have told me that they do not make you gain weight, but i just dont want to risk it.

I do seem to want to eat more while on my supplement. It's like my appetite seems to get healthy.:smug: But mainly when I first start taking them. After about 2 weeks, they do not seem to make me want to eat.