Hi lettalove,
Yes, I do recommend vitamins as unless you are fortunate enough to eat all oraginically grown veggetables, what we get from the supermarkets is anemic. In farming today which is basically chemical farming with chemicals applied to kill weeds, kill pests, fertilize the crop etc, the only thing the dirt does is hold the plants in place. I live in a farming community in southwestern Idaho and the spray planes begin flying as soon as the weather warms up and things get going. The soil is depleted of minerals, microbes and all the good things that create healthy plants holding high levels of nutrients.
I'm not saying don't eat your veggies from the supermarket at all. For most it is the only place they think they can buy them. For many though, gardens are still planted, expecially in rural America, and there are more people producing organic produce all the time. Even the major supermarkets like Albertsons and others are offering orgainic produce.
Vitamins and minerals are foods. They should be thought of a part of the diet and eaten or taken with or after meals on a regular basis. I don't want to sound like a commercial, but I like NOW Natural Foods products. They have been around for some twenty-five years and always test good for us. I use their Special Two multivitamin. It is a powerhouse of nutrients including green superfoods. Log onto
www.vitaglo.com and you'll find a really good source of Special Two cheapoer than I can buy it wholesale from the Company. I can't buy carloads and they can. You can get bottles of 180 for just under twenty dollars. A really good buy as I have to charge $16.99 for bottles of 90, so I am recommending to my clients who are online this source. Learn to be a label reader. If you don't know what's in it, don't buy it. Becoming a label reader is a really good idea for anyone. I also use on a regular basis other supplements like CoQ10, Omega 3-6-9 from NOW, Vitamin C on a regular basis and Calcium for sure.
Almost all functions of the body use and need calcium for efficient function. I use NOW's calcium & Magnesium reverse ratio 1:2 It has twice the magnesium as calcium and includes zinc and vitamin D. Or if I don't test as need that much magnesium I use Calcium with magnesium, zinc and vitamin D which has twice the calcium as magnesium.
There are many different brands on the market and it is up to each individual to choose their favorite, but be sure to read the label. Special two is loaded with good amounts of all nutrients including minerals and other ingredients. I would not buy the old one a day vitamins you find in the drug store or supermarket. I've not read a label of those what had anything more then the "minimum daily requirement or required daily amounts."
I also take a green food supplement that I blend and have encapsulated. It contains spirulina, broken cell wall chlorella and barley grass. This is quite literally a perfect food. For an informative few minutes, log onto
www.chlorellafactor.com There is a thirty-nine page booklet written by a medical journalist on the benefits of these humble microalgae. Yes I said microalgae. Spirulina and Chlorella are single cell microalgae. Chlorella is the richest source of chlorophyl on the planet, it has cancer fighting properties and a whole lot more.
Spirulina is 60% protein by weight and contains almost all of the amino acids, all of the B vitamins including B-12. It contains minerals and is simply a powerhouse of nutrition on its own. I mentioned these humble single celled plants are a perfect food and a person could live and be well on these foods alone. Yes I know that sounds like phooey, but in sufficient quantities it would sustain life as it contains all the nutrients needed for efficient function of the human body. Now, I don't take that much daily but I do include four capsules of my blend with each meal. Spirulina and Chlorella are not cheap even when bought wholesale, but I think it worth the price.
The simple fact is that if a person supplements their diet with good quality vitamins and minerals, they will do themselves a favor. They are foods and their benefits are wide ranging, yet their benefit is generally not felt as a great boost, but subtle and cell building. Many people do notice a difference in the beginning, but the real benefit is long term.
If vitamins and minerals are included in the grocery budget and eaten as part of the diet, in the long term, that person will receive the benefit of improved health.
This is just my humble opinion based on thirty-five years experience using and studying nutrition and natural health.
Dr Terry
I'm not sure how meat and fats are related to avoiding bowel disorders though?? 
There is also a sticky on the subject at the top of the Introduce Yourself thread menu.
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