Do you take supplements?
By Cahaya
@cahaya1983 (11116)
Malaysia
September 10, 2015 12:38am CST
So I read about this plan to provide vitamins and supplements to treat the prisoners with violent tendencies in several institutions in the Netherlands.
I honestly don't know if that would actually have a significant impact on prisoners although a few researchers said it did show positive results in a few cases (apparently they tried this method in a few countries already).
I'm not a huge fan of supplements. I remember my mother used to buy bottles of EPO, Spirulina and all that stuff and took them religiously. I've nothing against vitamins and supplements but I can't say I'm very fond of them either.
Do you take any? If you do, what sort of supplements do you take?
P.S: You won't believe the names of some supplements. There's one named "Nuclear Garbage". Seriously.
23 people like this
25 responses
@sofssu (23662)
•
10 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 I wonder if it did anyone anygood other than making a huge hole in their pockets 
5 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
@sofssu I remember at that time all the direct-selling companies had spirulina in their catalogue. Oh, now I remember another one: Ginkgo biloba . It supposedly helps with increasing mental sharpness or something like that. Do you know that one?
. It supposedly helps with increasing mental sharpness or something like that. Do you know that one?3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
My aunt was prescribed calcium pills as well. Oh yeah I remember the hype surrounding Spirulina at one point, like everyone just had to have a bottle at home or something.
3 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
10 Sep 15
@simplyd when did you start taking them? can you take them all together?
5 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
That's quite a lot of supplements, I'm glad they've helped you! What type of fish oil do you take? Is it cod liver oil? That one seems to be very popular.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
11 Sep 15
@hereandthere I take them one after another , after breakfast . I have been taking them since i had my TAHBISO - total abdominal hysterectomy when i was 38 year old . They were prescribed to me by the gynecologist who did my surgery because she said i am now from then on , on forced menopause. They will help me retard my aging process , she said . 
3 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
10 Sep 15
Earlier this year a blood test showed that I needed more vitamin D. We usually get vitamin D from the sun and in the Danish autumn months and winter months there isn't much sun. I don't take them all year. In the summer months they aren't neccesary.
3 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
10 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 I think that I started taking them in February this year. From June to September I don't take them and I will start again in October when it starts to get cold and dark outside.
4 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
Oh wow, I never thought about that. We have tropical weather so there isn't really a problem of not getting enough sun. Did you start taking vitamin D supplements?
2 people like this
@allknowing (135331)
• India
10 Sep 15
Seniors need to take supplements as their resources in their body get depleted. I take calcium and a few other supplements such as cod liver capsules that keep triglycerides in check.
4 people like this
@allknowing (135331)
• India
10 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 I have not heard about krill oil.
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
Yeah, I guess that's a good reason why most people feel the need to take supplements. Cod liver oil seems to be quite popular. Do you know krill oil? I recently read about that and the article says it contains a higher amount of EPA.
2 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
10 Sep 15
I would love to have two of them at least if not more - Spirulina and O3 - I have been reading a lot about these two. I came to know about three - Aloe Vera - I have it up in my terrace, Omega 3 - which is a great anti-oxidant and very good for my health - I have ailments that need this, and Spirulina - I have to find one that comes with a very low protein value as right now, my metabolism cannot handle too much of it.
Unfortunately, O3 is not available in the local market and the chemist I asked to get me a regular supply of Spirulina has yet to revert back to me. I believe I have to wait more. So I am reading more about them for now.
4 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 15
How great that you have aloe vera in your terrace! I remember my grandparents used to have them too. I've only used aloe vera topically in gel form, it's really good for wounds and itchiness and stuff like that. I don't know much about the capsules though.
Is there any particular reason why Omega-3 is not available in the market there?
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
11 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 O3 is something that is quite new to us at least in this part of the world. More so, maybe the high costs can be a factor. I have read that the sources for O3 are quite limited and mostly, the most common form of O3 is via Cod Oil. Here we have only one available in capsules by the name Seven Seas which has been around since ages. But today, that is quite high priced - and there are no smaller packs available. You have to buy a 500 capsule pack which is almost 12 USD and as there is not much of sales, you dont get packs with longer expiry dates - for instance - if I go to buy one today, I might find a pack expiring by Dec this year.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 15
@thesids Ah okay that makes sense. Yeah Seven Seas is among the popular brands here. I can understand why people don't buy them there if it's that expensive, plus the short expiry date.
2 people like this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
10 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 It does help a little. I didn't know about it helping with blood sugar.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
@simone10 Yeah I came across an article about how different kinds of supplements work. That's what it says about magnesium, but I can't remember the details.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
I hope they've helped you. I heard magnesium helps with blood sugar control too.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
10 Sep 15
why did you mother take EPO and spirulina? did she notice any improvement?
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
She took EPO mostly because of the benefits for the skin. But I know she drinks a lot of water too so the healthy, supple skin might be a result of that as well. I'm not exactly sure about spirulina but I read somewhere that it's rich in protein. Do you take any?
I'm not exactly sure about spirulina but I read somewhere that it's rich in protein. Do you take any?1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
10 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 a little of this and that and not regularly. say, i'll buy some multivitamins but take it only when i remember it. i tell myself i should try taking fish oil or joint supplements etc but it's all intention, no action. like new year's resolutions!
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
@hereandthere Haha I know those resolutions too well. 
1 person likes this
@Magnolia74 (67)
• Philippines
10 Sep 15
Me and my kids take Vitamin C daily. I have been taking it since I was younger and I guess it has helped boost my immune system as I have never been seriously ill. I hope it will have the same effect on my children.
3 people like this
@Magnolia74 (67)
• Philippines
10 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 My 7 year old's vitamin C is in candy form. Mine is chewable as well. For some reason, we do not like to swallow tablets, lol!
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
That's great! That reminds me of one brand of orange-flavored vitamin C that was very popular when I was a kid.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 15
@Magnolia74 Our local pharmacies here sell a few of those gummy chewable vitamins for kids, but the ones they had there seem to be a bit high in sugar so I didn't buy any. Oh, I hate swallowing tablets too!
2 people like this
@writerjo (2540)
• India
10 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 Generally I don't take any supplements .
I believe in natural foods like grains , nuts , green leaves , dry fruits like that .
In my childhood I remember I had Calcium Sandoz , Seven Seas , ProtienX
I believe in natural foods like grains , nuts , green leaves , dry fruits like that .
In my childhood I remember I had Calcium Sandoz , Seven Seas , ProtienX3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
Oh yeah I'm all for nutrition from whole foods too. Seven Seas is still very popular here, actually.
2 people like this
@gregario888 (1276)
• Aurangabad, India
10 Sep 15
The supplements make sense, in these days of unbalanced diets. Diets deficient in good nutrition. But one should be absolutely sure of the quantities, since their residuals may prove harmful.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Sep 15
@gregario888
I take vitamin D on my doctors advise.
2 people like this
@gregario888 (1276)
• Aurangabad, India
10 Sep 15
@Marcyaz any surfeit of vitamins, usually drains out of the body. But this doesn't happen with residual minerals, or supplements. so one has to be careful with them.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (470798)
• Switzerland
10 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 That is what I think. I believe that vitamins from fruits and vegetables are healthier.
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
That's what I prefer as well. Plus, supplements are never meant to substitute the nutrients you get from food anyway, they're exactly what they are - supplements.
3 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
10 Sep 15
Other that a few prescription meds, my husband and I both take calcium.
3 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
10 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 I will know when we get our next bone density test.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
Hope the supplement helps both you and your husband.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
I hope they do help to increase your vitamin D levels.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
10 Sep 15
While we have to feed prisoners moderately nutritious meals, until medical science comes along to say that supplements cure recidivism amongst released inmates, I see no reason for anyone to spend extra money on special supplements for prisoners.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
10 Sep 15
I imagine it would be pretty costly, too. Actually the food scientists and nutritionists were saying that it's better for those institutions to focus on what's prepared in the kitchen - improving the cooking and menu - instead of resorting to supplements. We'll just have to see how things turn out, I guess.
3 people like this
@redvakaurvaki (4216)
• Indonesia
11 Sep 15
I'm not fans of supplement actually. Once I took vitamin E supplement for period of times, but then I stop it because I'm boring
1 person likes this
@redvakaurvaki (4216)
• Indonesia
15 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 So, how do you get your vitamin E, dear? From fruit and veggie?
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 15
I've only used vitamin E moisturizer but never took any capsules.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
15 Sep 15
@redvakaurvaki No, it was a vitamin E skin moisturizer, in the form of a cream. I only use it topically, never taken them orally.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
11 Sep 15
I take some vitamines suring the winter, I prefer vitamine C for cold and flu protection. It always makes me feel better quickly. I haven't tried any other supplements, I am trying to take all the vitamines my body needs from food. If it wasn't enough for me, I would consider taking supplemets.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
13 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 Pomegrante is very effective as well It's a seasonal fruit though and I can find the fresh juice only in spring. The rest of the year it's only available in the super markets in juice boxes or tablets but it tastes different.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
13 Sep 15
@besweet I agree, the ones in the market are usually processed ones, can't be compared to fresh pomegranate juice for sure.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Sep 15
I was recommended to take vitamin C tablets for cold too and I did take them for a while, but now I've started taking pomegranate juice for cold.
1 person likes this
@sprinklesare4winners (531)
• Avenel, New Jersey
11 Sep 15
i dont know how it would help people with violent tendencies.... that seems a bit out of the realm of what vitamins can do lol i used to take vitamins but i stopped and honestly i dont see a difference either way. i read our bodies dont absorb them that well in pill form, best to get the vitamins we need through food
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 15
Yeah I find it surprising too. It would probably solve the vitamin deficiency issue but not exactly sure how significant the effect would be on curbing aggression. I also read that the best way to get vitamins and minerals is through food, provided that they meet quality standards.
@IvySaysHi (4467)
• United States
11 Sep 15
okay yeah no one in their right mind should take something called nuclear garbage! But I was planning on taking supplements for weight loss. Does a hunger suppressant count as a supplement?
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 15
I know right. From what I've understood there are different types of hunger suppressant, and supplement is one of them.
From what I've understood there are different types of hunger suppressant, and supplement is one of them.