I have mixed feelings about taking supplements. I try to eat really well, but I also take a low dose multi vitamin and a few other supplements. I'm not sure if they're helping me or just wasting my money... - 6/5/2012   10:29:33 AM

I take a multi, but I also take many other vitamins, C, B, D, Calcium, zinc, Omega 3.
I used to take E, then I heard it was doing our hearts more bad, than good. I stopped them, then. I do take iron as well, but only for a short time, as I recently got my knee replaced and the Dr. recommended it. - 3/15/2012   5:23:11 PM

I take a Multics and many supplements. I hadmy physical yesterday and my bloodwork came back in a new format, including genetic markers, and minerals. My doc told me to cut nothing back, it was all working well for me. I was so relieved--my friends and family give me so much grief about my supplements. - 3/15/2012   2:03:57 PM

Studies have proven your body does not absorb most of the vitamins found in supplements. I try to make sure I eat a balanced diet and have never found myself short of anything upon testing. - 3/15/2012   12:57:52 PM

I take multiple and some others for my health. I try to eat fresh as much as possible but with prices, especially in winter, it is difficult. Summertime is different with the fresh local produce and what I can grow in the garden. But I try to reassess every now and then as I try to improve my eating. If I stop on the echinacea and Vit C I usually start to come down with something. Same with Glucosamine if I stop then the aches and pains of joints start showing their ugly head. - 3/14/2012   3:01:04 PM

I have always been wary of multi-vitamins, not that I'm opposed to them or think they're bad or anything. I always wondered how they could be helping me since most multi-vitamins contain far more than the daily amount of any given vitamin or mineral that you need. And from what I understand, anything that isn't immediately absorbed is excreted by the body. So you can't absorb 100% of your recommended daily amount in one sitting (this is true of vitamins/minerals from foods too). I recently had a full physical and asked my doctor about multi-vitamins and my worry about not getting enough vitamins & minerals. She is not a fan of multi-vitamins either for the same reason I was wary of them. I don't know if it pertains to potassium only but she told me that I shouldn't worry about not getting enough potassium since my kidneys will adjust their function even if I'm not getting the recommended daily amount. She said that if I did have any sort of deficiency, that I should only supplement with that particular vitamin. As it turns out, I have low vitamin D so I now supplement with 2000 IU of D3 daily. I guess I'll find out next year at my next physical whether or not it's helping. - 3/14/2012   11:13:10 AM

I have trouble getting proper nutrients naturally on my budget, so I take a multivitamin for women 50+ and tons of Vitamin C. I also take glucosamine and chondroitin religiously, because as long as I maintain a steady intake, the osteoarthritis in my knee is manageable, and far more painful when I have lapsed because of the cost. - 3/14/2012   11:09:41 AM

I wouldn't listen to a doctor regarding what supplements to take. Western doctors get practically no nutrition in med school. I listen to my naturopath, a Chinese doctor or a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. I take a number of supplements including calcium-magnesium, K, D3, krill oil, antioxidants and B vitamins.

Most of our food supply is compromised from mass production, genetic engineering and travel. I buy local when I can and organic as often as possible. - 3/14/2012   10:35:45 AM

I take a multivitamin, fish oil and calcium. I think we have to question what we are putting into our bodies all the time. Do I really need this? If you listened to all the "Dr." shows on TV you would have a cabinet full of pills. Not for me! - 3/14/2012   9:43:11 AM

I take a one a day for women my age, Omega oils, C at the early onset of a cold and calcium/D3. I'll be switching my calcium intake to a lesser dosage soon as I'm getting it in my diet better now. But I can never seem to eat enough potassium no matter how hard I try in my 1550 calorie budget. I'm planning to talk to my doc about that. There have been too many warnings against taking potassium supplements without a doctor's guidance. - 3/14/2012   9:31:36 AM

One a day for me. I had been taking more, but since I am eating better, only one. - 3/14/2012   5:28:33 AM

I have a variety of supplements (protein, fiber, vitamins, etc.). I track all the various nutrients on sparkpeople and mix and match my supplements according to what I am lacking on any particular day. - 3/13/2012   11:39:57 PM

I guess you mean "what vitamins do I take to OPTIMIZE my health?" I take a daily multivitamin, fish oil supplements, vitamin C and vitamin E. Also take a baby aspirin a day. - 3/13/2012   8:59:11 PM

I take calcium with D3 because my doctor gives them me to help off-set the risks associated with taking corticosteroids.

I get B12 injections because my Crohn's disease has stopped it absorbing properly in the past.

I don't take any other supplements: I eat a balanced and varied diet instead. I would only do supplements/vitamins if my bloods showed a deficiency. Even then I'd look to increase food sources too (the ones I take now, I increased the amount from food sources too).

Like the person who mentioned potassium - I'd consider eating more bananas first! - 3/13/2012   6:51:26 PM

When I read studies like these I can’t help but wonder if other lifestyle choices come into play. Do the subjects involved make poor food and fitness choices believing supplements will cover a multitude of sins? Just a thought… - 3/13/2012   10:15:22 AM

i like whole food vitamins. from what i understand they are extracted from actual food that is good for you instead of synthetic. - 3/13/2012   10:10:38 AM

I take two Flintstone Chewables with Iron, since they absorb best rather than pass through as many HARD vitamin pills do for older people. I take NO SALT for potassium each day. - 3/13/2012   9:21:47 AM

You know I dislike taking pills. Which at this time is a problem ,because I have several that I have to take daily. So, when I do see my doctor the last thing I asked if to take more.. She sugguested several other vitamin but no a multi-vitamin what appear to be low according to my blood test. So, I do think you can get vitamin in your diet as well. I rather eat and drink my dosage of vitamins. - 3/13/2012   9:05:35 AM

Let's see, my doctor recently recommended that I take Vitamin D to prevent colds, aspirin to prevent heat attack, and potassium (Hydrochlorothiazide) for my blood pressure. When using the nutrition tracker, I frequently get flagged for not having enough iron. Is an iron supplement appropriate then? - 3/13/2012   8:56:36 AM

I am a nurse and was told by a pt that a friend of hers had a low potassium level and needed a supplement. The friend encouraged my pt that she too, should take an OTC potassium supplement. I almost had a heart attack myself. I told her to NEVER listen to what others tell you without clarifying it with your PCP. Messing with a potassium level would surely have thrown her into an abnormal heart rhythym!!!! You did the right thing. - 3/13/2012   8:34:58 AM

I hate swallowing pills, so I do my best to get my nutrients naturally (and I can keep an eye on them by adding them to my nutrition tracker), but my husband takes a multi-vitamin and a Vitamin C supplement daily.

I think it's a good idea to get advice from a doctor before starting any vitamin regiment. Someone told me runners should take iron, so I went to my doctor to be tested. It turned out I was naturally on the high end of the normal range, so it's a good thing I didn't just start taking it without being tested! (She also never heard of runners needing extra iron. It's always good to do extra research when you hear something like that!) - 3/13/2012   6:33:34 AM