What supplements are you taking?

[ddog27]

I was just curious what supplements everyone is taking while they are on LC? I am only taking a multi-vitamin. I have read where people are taking all kinds different supplements to assist them in losing weight. Do any of them work? If so which ones? Any others that I need to be on while doing LC?

[Dodger]

I take a multivitamin, some vitamin D during the winter and omega-3 fish oil. I don't think any of them helped in weight loss.

[Rachael71]

I take a good mulit vitamin, extra vitamin c, an E tablet, kelp, chromium picolinate, glutamine, tyrosine, and a calcium and magnesium pill, oh and a fish oil pill...........and if you count coconut oil, I take 2 tbsp of that too. :)
When I'm off induction I would like to start using some protein powder

[atmasters]

Well there are a lot of theme out there that will aid in weight loss for sure. The biggest thing is how they make you feel. I am taking a product called C2. I like it and it does help out big time in the gym. But that is just me I do know that a lot of people do not like to take this kind of approach.

http://www.synergymuscle.com/catalog/index.php

[Luzyanna]

I take a multivitamin, calcium and vitamin C every day. I take vitamin E every few days.

[kebaldwin]

As a minimum I recommend a "mega" multivitamin (not the one-a-day or Centrum types) and omega 3s. I take like 4 grams of fish oil per day. I take extra Zinc and Magnesium because I am trying to build muscle.

Chromium is my favorite for weight loss and appetite reduction. I was taking 800 mcg per day and just cut back to 600 mcg per day (was getting light headed). It will help smooth out the fluctutations of insulin.

Note how much you take is dependent on your weight. 800 mcg per day for someone that weighs 300 pounds is not that much. 800 mcg per day for someone that weighs 150 pounds is a lot.

Dr Atkins recommends lipotropics such as inositol, choline and methionine.

If you are over age 40 then hormone boosting supplements are recommended such as DHEA.

Antioxidants are a good choice because (as I understand it) your fat has stored a bunch of junk in it. As you burn fat the junk is released into your bloodstream. You have to remove the junk from your blood which is the job of antioxidants. You will hear a lot about waste removal from the blood / body from the experts.

I then take glucosamine for bad knee. the omega 3s do as much as the glucosamine.

Sorry, I know you were expecting to hear that magical over the counter supplement XYZ did amazing things overnight. But I'll bet that most of these magic weight loss pills contain these ingredients.

IMHO there are some, like cortislim, that get it a little backwards. For example, cortisol is a problem, but if you go low carb you cut your insluin which will cut your cortisol -- end of problem. You don't target cortisol -- you target insulin.

[riotkitty]

I take:
A probiotic with my breakfast
One a Day Weight Smart (don't ever take this without food)
L-Carnitine (1000 mil dose)
Enzymatic Therapy Thyroid support (has L-tyrosine, thyroid supporting minerals like b vitamins, manganese, magnesium, and iodine, and it has a little actual thyroid in it)
Potassium
15 drops grapefruit seed extract before bed
And I drink supplemental herbal teas, one is Yogi Fasting tea, and the other is Traditional Medicines Daily Detox

I have some CLA, but I'm not sure its helped me at all

[mable]

Hi

How much Chromium should one take? Currently, I am taking 200 mcg.

[Nancy LC]

A boat load:

Vit D3
CoQ10
Melatonin
Valerian (for sleep)
DHEA
GABA (for sleep)
Multivitamin
Fish Oil capsules (3 per day)
SAM-e (for ouchy joints and muscles)
St. John's Wort (sometimes)
Vit B1, Folic acid, B12 sublingual

[Kristine]

I take a multivitamin, calcium/magnesium, cod liver oil and vitamin C; not necessarily every day.

I have other "special purpose" supplements: oil of oregano for acne and colds, echinacaea for colds, potassium for leg cramps, B vitamins for when I know I'm short on them, vitamin D for when I run out of cod liver oil...

[kebaldwin]

Hi

How much Chromium should one take? Currently, I am taking 200 mcg.

It is sort of a combination of how much you weigh and how how bad your blood sugar problems are. When I was 300 to 250 pounds -- I found that 800 mcg per day was about right. After two years -- I started getting light headed so I cut back to 600 mcg per day.

My multivitamin has 400 mcg per day in it. So that may be a good minimum level. try 400 cg for a couple of weeks -- if you feel better and are heavy then you may want to try 600 mcg. If you start to feel light headed than reduce it.

[ProfGumby]

I take a few....

All from the Nutrilite Brand-

A daily mega multivitamin (3 pills in the am and 3 in the pm)
Omega 3 (3 softgels a day)
CLA (1 softgel daily)
Glucosamine (4 softgels daily)
Calcium/Magnesium/Vitamin D (one pill daily)
Vitamin C (one tablet daily)
Garlic (one pill daily)
Concentrated Fruits and Veggies (one pill daily)

I want to add more vitamin E and B complex vitamins as I was reading about their effectiveness with heart disease and things like cholesterol and homocysteine levels in your blood. I may also add a cinnamon suppliment as it is hard to get as much as I'd like to injest every day....fasting glucose levels, cholesterol and heart health as well as hypertension are all health concerns I need to keep an eye on....

[dawninHI]

Ok here goes!!
one industrial stength mulit vit w herbs and minerals
dhea
antioxcident
calcium
Vit d
cod liver oil
flex seed oil
milk thistle
St johns wort
a fiber pill

all standard mil once per day in the morning

[Beeblebrox]

Multi-vitamin
Extra potassium
Extra magnesium
Cod Liver Oil

[Zuleikaa]

Twice a day with a meal
1 High Potency Multivitamin with minerals no iron
7 (2-7 depending on season) Vitamin D3, 1,000 mg
2 calcium with magnesium, 300/150 mg
2 potassium, 99 mg
2-150 mg oregano oil
1 CoQ10, 100 mg
1 alpha lipoic acid, 300 mg
1 Ester C,1000
1 Vitamin C capsule,1000
1 L-Carnitine, 500 mg
2 salmon oil, 1000 mg
1 borage oil, 1000 mg
1 flaxseed oil, 1000 mg
1 lecithin, 1000 mg
1 GTF chromium, 200 mcg
1 gymnema sylvestre, 400 mg
2 cinnamon, 375 mg
2 L-glutamine, 500 mg
2 glucosamine condroitin & MSM
1 red clover blossom, 430 mg

Once a day (mixed into one or the other above doses)
copper, 2 mg
kelp, 225 mcg
zinc, 50 mg
selenium, 200 mcg
magnesium, 400 mg
vitamin E, 400 mg
B-6, 100 mg
Balanced B-50
PABA, 500 mg

Additionally upon arising and before bed
1000 Ester C
1000 Vitamin C capsules
2-150 mg oregano oil
200 mcg GTF chromium

Upon arising
50 mg DHEA

4-5 times a week
1 psyllium powder capsule
virgin coconut oil

when I get leg cramps at night
3 potassium and 1 magnesium

when I'm on FFP
milk thistle, 500 mg
dandelion root, 515 mg
tumeric, 720 mg
ginger root, 540 mg
virgin coconut oil daily

when there's sickness around or I'm feeling off
extra vitamin C and oregano oil

with all meals but especially when I have wheat
2-3 peptidase complete enzymes

[Dodger]

Zuleikaa,

I can't imagine how you keep track of all the supplements that you are taking. I take only a few and still have trouble remembering to take some, or can't remember if I took one at breakfast or not.

[Zuleikaa]

Zuleikaa,

I can't imagine how you keep track of all the supplements that you are taking. I take only a few and still have trouble remembering to take some, or can't remember if I took one at breakfast or not.I bag my twice a day supps in advance and put in separate stashes, then I just have to count out bags.

My morning and night ones I keep over the sink.

My potassium and magnesium for cramps I keep by my bedside and also carry some with me (you never know when a cramp might hit, lol!!).

I carry enzymes with me (you never know when you might go out to eat).

My feeling off ones I keep bottles at home and at work.

[kebaldwin]

Zuleikaa

And I thought I had a supplement problem :-)))

You have me beat.

[Zuleikaa]

I admit it, lol!!!!! But I haven't ever had a problem since my late 20's except my weight, knees, and gluten sensitivity and I don't have anything wrong with me now, except for the same things, over 20 years later. I'll take swallowing those pills over drugs any day!!!

[Nancy LC]

Wow! That's something like 50 supplements a day. :x

[sarar]

Did I read somewhere about L-Tryptophan or something like that?
Sara<><

[kebaldwin]

Did I read somewhere about L-Tryptophan or something like that?

http://www.vitacost.com/store/products/ProductSearch.cfm?SearchText=Tryptophan+&SearchBy=HL&ss=1&.x=18&.y=9

[CindySue48]

I take a MVI, Potassium, ALA, CoQ10, Vit E, B Complex, Folic Acid, Calcium and Glucosamine. I'll also be adding Magnesium on payday. Fish Oil and Flax too, but they tend to upset my stomach, so I stop and start them.

I also bag up the pils....I use the 2X3" plastic bags and fill them once a week. I have some I take in the AM and others in the PM. The AM ones I take with either breakfast or lunch, the PM ones usually with dinner. I cannot take pills without food, so if I forget them I have to have at least a snack.

[Anthony123]

carb smart multi, chromium, l-carnitine, omega 3's

[cnmLisa]

In divided doses at lunch and at dinner:
Multi-Vit
Vitamin D & A 400IU
Tyrosine 500mg X2
GTF Chromium 200mg X2
EPO 1300mg X2
Borage Oil 240mg GLA X2
CLA Tonalin 800mg X2
CoQ-10 150mg
Magnesium 400mg X2
Sam-E 400mg


Cod Liver Oil-(lemon flavored) during the winter

[ProfGumby]

Since this post resurfaced I thought I'd update...

All from the Nutrilite Brand-

All taken right before a meal-

A daily mega multivitamin (3 pills in the am and 3 in the pm)
Omega 3 (3 softgels a day)
CLA (3 softgels daily)
Glucosamine (4 softgels daily)
Calcium/Magnesium/Vitamin D (2 pills daily)
Vitamin C (2 tablets daily)
Garlic (one pill daily)
Concentrated Fruits and Veggies (one pill daily)
Vitamin E (one softgel daily)

I break them down like this....

My morning batch is-
1 omega 3
1 CLA
2 Glucosamine
1 Vitamin C
3 Multi Vitamin (remember, each dose is 3 different pills)

Lunch batch is-
1 Omega 3
1 CLA
1 Vitamin C
1 Cal/Mag/D
1 Garlic suppliment
1 Concentrated Fruits n Veg

My Dinner Batch is-
1 omega 3
1 CLA
2 Glucosamine
1 Cal/Mag/D
3 Multi Vitamin (remember, each dose is 3 different pills)

I know these are not suppliments, but there is much talk of how good they are for you, so instead of adding them in supliment form, I incorporate them into my diet....
I get my B complex from an XS energy drink daily.
I eat at least 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in my food daily.
I use Turmeric in a lot of my cooking, it is amazing what you can put this in!
I use coconut oil daily, either in things or to fry things with.
I am using cayenne Pepper in place of black pepper in a lot of things.
And lastly, I eat about 2 tablespoons of flax meal daily.

I still intend to add COQ 10 and Cromium one of these days....

I also drink a hopped up protein shake after every workout, and occasionally use one right out of the can as a meal replacement when traveling etc...

I also want to add Probiotics and pick up some digestive enzymes in an attempt to kick my Acid Reflux prescription to the curb. I am tired of worrying of being on the PPI Meds for as many years as I have been.

[Joe Joe]

I thought I took a lot of sup's, but I guess it's pretty average.

Multi-Vit
CLA
Green Tea extract
Vitamin E
Salmon Oil

I also take creatine and protein supplements before and after my workouts.

Today I just picked up a little bottle of Greens +, so I'll start taking that tomorrow. I don't get enough fruits and veggies in my diet, so some folks at the gym recommended it.

[kywillis]

Is flax sed oil a good alternative to cod liver oil?

[kywillis]

sorry....flax seed oil.

[kebaldwin]

Is flax sed oil a good alternative to cod liver oil?

the omega 3 books I have read disagree on this. Some say to only take fish oil -- some say that a mixture of fish oil with other oils is a good idea.

Some doctors say to avoid vegetable oils.

I was thinking that fish oil was the only oil that contained EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)? A small amount of ALA (from flax oil) can be converted to EPA and DHA -- but it does not seem like a significant amount.


http://www.vitacost.com/Science/hn/Supp/Flaxseed.htm
http://www.vitacost.com/Science/hn/Food_Guide/Polyunsaturated_Fats.htm

http://www.vitacost.com/articleResults.aspx?Ntt=fish+oil&Ntk=articles&ss=1

http://www.mercola.com/2002/apr/3/evolution.htm

Fish oil versus Flaxseed oil
Q. What is your opinion on fish oil supplements, and why not just take flaxseed oil since it has omega 3s? How much is needed to take daily?
A. There are several Omega 3 fatty acids. They are named ALA (alpha linolenic acid ), EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid). ALA is found in flaxseed oil whereas EPA and DHA are found in fish oils. ALA is able to convert into EPA and then into DHA, but this takes several enzymatic steps in the body, and not everyone efficiently converts ALA into EPA and DHA, particularly with aging. So, the bottom line, I prefer fish oils to flaxseed oil, although a small amount of flaxseed oil is also good to take. For those of you who don't want to take any fish products, DHA, extracted from algae, is sold by itself.

http://www.raysahelian.com/flaxseed.html

[Whoa182]

Vinpocetine - Enhances concentration and memory
EPA BRITE
Ginger
Garlic
Vitamin C 500mg
Zinc Copper balance (every other day)
EGCG MAX - Green Tea
Flax Oil

VITAMINS
Vitamin A
Retinol (Palmitate) ...................................... 150 mcg 500 IU 16.70%
Beta-carotene (natural (D. salina)) ..................... 6 mg 9990 IU 3330%
Vitamin B Complex
B1 (Thiamine) ............................................... 12 mg 1000%
B2 (Riboflavin) .............................................. 13 mg 1000%
B3 (Niacin (as 63 mg Inositol Hexanicotinate)) .... 50 mg 313%
B5 (d-Ca Pantothenate) ................................ 100 mg 2000%
B6 (Pyridoxine) .............................................. 17 mg 1000%
B12 (Cyanocobalamin) ................................... 24 mcg 1000%
Folic Acid .................................................. 800 mcg 400%
Biotin ....................................................... 300 mcg 1000%
Choline (from Bitartrate) ................................ 500 mg 36%
Inositol ...................................................... 100 mg *
Vitamin C (as Magnesium Ascorbate) ................. 450 mg 500%
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) .............................. 25 mcg 1000 IU 167%
Vitamin E Complex .......................................... 100 mg *
Tocopherols: .................................................. 90 mg
alpha-tocopherol ........................................... 15 mg 22 IU 186%
beta-tocopherol ........................................... 1.5 mg *
gamma-tocopherol ......................................... 52 mg *
delta-tocopherol ........................................... 22 mg *
Tocotrienols: .................................................. 10 mg
alpha-tocotrienol ............................................ 3 mg *
beta-tocotrienol ........................................... 0.1 mg *
gamma-tocotrienol .......................................... 6 mg *
delta-tocotrienol .......................................... 1.3 mg *
Phylloquinone ................................................ 80 mcg 67%

MINERALS
Boron (Citrate) .............................................. 1.8 mg *
Calcium (Citrate-Malate) ................................. 540 mg 54%
Chromium (Picolinate) ................................... 100 mcg *
Copper (Citrate) ............................................... 1 mg 111%
Iodine (Potassium Iodide) .............................. 150 mcg 100%
Magnesium (Aspartate, Oxide, Ascorbate) .......... 210 mg 50%
Manganese (Glycinate) ................................... 2.3 mg 100%
Molybdenum (Na Molybdate) ........................... 45 mcg 100%
Potassium (Chloride) ........................................ 99 mg *
Selenium (Se-Methylselenocysteine) ............... 200 mcg 364%
Silicon (Na Metasilicate) .................................. 50 mg *
Vanadium (Citrate) ........................................ 18 mcg *
Zinc (Citrate) ................................................ 11 mg 100%

[mike_d]

Totals a day with food:

1-2 High Potency Men's Multivitamin with minerals no iron
1 Biotin 300 mcg (total)
2 calcium with magnesium and zinc, 300/150 mg
2 cups lite salt potassium drink 600 mg KCL
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
2 Flax oil caps 2000 mg
2 Ginkgo Biloba 240 mg
2 Vitamin C capsule,1000
2 Coral Calcium
2-3 SF Tums
Daily grapefruit extract
2 Tablespoons raw psyllium husk

[binki]

AM:
Vitamin K (for bruising from martial arts)
Quercitin (for asthma brought on by food allergy)
B Complex
Centrum-type multivitamin
Super CitriMax
Vitamin D- 2000 mg
Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc
Vitamin C- 4000 mg
Coenzyme Q10
L-Carnitine

Later: Vitamin C 4000 mg

Afternoon:
L-Carnitine
CoQ10
Vitamin C 4000 mg

Night:
Vitamin E 1000 mg
Borage Oil 1000 mg
Fish Oils
Cal/Mag/Zinc
Vitamin D 2000 mg
L-Carnitine
CoQ10
Vitamin C 4000 mg

If I work out, I'll have a teaspoon of L-Glutamine powder afterwards, and one before bed if I remember.

I recently started the large doses of C, Carnitine, and Q10. Not sure which one is responsible for my overall good feeling, increased energy and normalized body temperature... but I don't care.

I get most of them from Swanson Vitamins, other than the ascorbic acid powder and glutamine powder, which I get from bulknutrition.com. I've found these places to have good prices and good products. It's still expensive, but since I am an uninsured American it's what I use for health care.

[alberteen]

why do people take lecithin?

[Gostrydr]

Lecthin is supposed to emulsify fat..it also has lots of choline which is great for the brain. Unfortunately most lecithin is from soy these days which is a very bad thing.

I like egg lecithin when I can find it taken in a shake.

[alberteen]

thanks for the reply....yes, I know soy is bad.. I was just diagnosed with hypothyroid, and I think my generous soy consumption had something to do with it... anyway. where do you get egg lecithin?

[Gostrydr]

I have found it at some health food stores..I think Now has one or perhaps Twinlab, but it is very hard to find.

[donnyjd200]

These are the supplements I take on a daily basis.

Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Forksohli
Chromium Picolinate
Taurine
VPX NO Shotgun
Vitargo Glycogen Loader
ALRI Venom (Fat Burner)
Gaspari Nutrition Super Pump
Optimum Nutrition Casein Protein
CLA
Flax Seed Oil
Optimum Nutrition Multi Vitamin
R-ALA
Calcium Complex
Green Tea Extract
COQ10

[Going2BFit]

CLA
Multi