Help with all these supplements

[misschris]

Okay, I have WAY too many supplements. I have been trying to add things here and there, but I've taken a step back and want to make sure I'm not overdoing things (which I think I am)

I take a daily vitamin that has 400IU of Vitamin D and 200mg of Calcium. However, I also take a calcium supp (my osteo test came back very high, so I needed to add this) which has 800IU of Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol) and 1000mg of Calcium. Am I getting too much of either of these?

Also, I had purchased the D3 after hearing such raves about it, but haven't taken it because I am getting so much D from these other 2 sources, not to mention any found in foods.

I also take Cinnamon (for PCOS), Glucosamine, Green Tea, and was thinking about adding Chromium, but realized my dang vitamin has chromium (good thing for labels huh!) Not to mention my BCP meds and allergy meds, I feel like I do nothing but take pills!! My biggest concern is the D and Calcium. Also, I was going to add Magnesium and Potassium, my vitamin has 50mg of Magnesium and no potassium, so I am thinking I am lacking (especially in the potassium), but then it seems that everything else I take has the form of magnesium that is used for the coating or whatever, does that matter? Should I add these supps?

One more... I was taking fish oils for the longest time and someone mentioned since I was eating mainly meats, etc that I shouldn't take them. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm feeling very supplement stupid these days, but have fallen into a slump where I'm just not feeling 100%, and I really think it is supplement related and I'm missing "something", just not quite sure what!! :help:

[cs_carver]

Just read a story about a man who planned to live forever and takes > 120 pills a day to help. He hired someone to set out all his supplements on a daily basis.

I thought, "heck, I'm doing fine, at my 40-50 pills..."

The way I'd take out of the tangle you're in is through; you might need to study up and get more aware of what's what in supplement land. Dr. A's Vitanutrient Solution is a good place to start.

D: Depends on the type. D2 can overdose, D3 is virtually unlimited safety. I take 7000 IU in the winter and less in the summer. Some people on here take up to 15,000 IU in the winter; they know their way around the literature and have needs they believe are served by high dose D3. (I take high dose C, too, to the tune of 7 g / day and more if I feel bad; that's probably more than you're getting in a multi.)

What really matters is that those of us who skate far outside the RDA know our reasons and read up on the literature and are only conversing with strangers on the internet, but not necessarily trusting these posts for our decisions about what to take.

Hard to get much effect from supplemental OTC potassium, but you probably do need more if you think you do. Look to Lite Salt for more bang for the supplemental potassium buck.

Can't speak to magnesium. I take what comes with my calcium supplement (which is a 6-pill a day dose, BTW).

I take silica in addition to the calcium; it helps build bones too.

Bigger issue: Find a way to take your pills that doesn't drive you nuts. I'm guessing you're opening a different bottle every time you need a pill. I lay out 10 days worth of supplements, with 3 "sets" per day, into film cannisters. There are other things that will hold a mess of pills. Then when it's mealtime, I just swallow the handful that I've already selected, and I'm done. I can set up the pills while I'm chatting on the phone, so it's no real ding in my day.

You don't want to do this with the BCP (entirely different set of consequences for missing a dose), but quite probably there are better ways to manage the rest of the lot.

Good luck.

[misschris]

Carver, thank you so much! I used to prepare my pills ahead of time and use a container, not sure why I got away from that! I will definitely do my research and making a note of Dr. A's Vitanutrient Solution. There is just so much misinformation out there, it's hard to decipher the truth. I have been feeling my legs ALMOST go into cramps during the night, not full cramps, but close and I can feel them coming on, so I'm going to add some potassium. I will use the Lite salt, since I have some handy! Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated!!!!

[Nancy LC]

There is no vitamin D3 in food, other than minute amounts added to dairy, and the D in supplements mixed with other things is probably totally inert. Take the D3 in oil based capsules.

I don't know why someone would tell you not to take fish oil.
One more... I was taking fish oils for the longest time and someone mentioned since I was eating mainly meats, etc that I shouldn't take them. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
That makes no sense at all. You're taking the fish oil for the omega-3 fatty acids which are not found in meat, especially not in grain fed meats people eat today. If you were eating all grass fed meats, then you'd be getting a little more omega-3, but how much more I don't know.

Part of the problem with our health is that our ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 FA is out of balance. We used to eat a lot more Omega-3 but now we're eating way more Omega-6. It is thought this causes inflammation and cancer.

I'd suggest that you stop listening to random people spout random things and start doing the research yourself. Otherwise you're likely to get caught up in someone elses misconceptions.

[misschris]

Thanks Nancy! I think it was something about eggs and meat, but I can't remember, this was a while back. I have added them back in, as well as the D3 and CLA.

[FatJessica]

Yeah, definitely just use the fake salt for your potassium. It's way cheaper and a million times (I'm of course exaggerating, I can't remember the exact ratio) more potent and cost-effective than the stupid pills.