Supplements page

[Beefsister]

Hello MDA. I've been eating VLC, and am worried that I'm not getting enough nutrients. I do not plan on eating VLC for an extended amount of time, but I logged what I ate into fitday, and I'm low on quite a few different vitamins/minerals. That being said, I know nothing about vitamin supplements, and was wondering if somebody could point me in the right direction, or give me a good brand to buy. I'm a very active 14 year old girl, if that helps you out. Thanks, guys!

[Stabby]

Some companies vary in quality with different products. Which supplements do you think you need?

Also I am very jealous of you. I didn't stop pwning myself with bad food until I was 21. Blarg.

[Beefsister]

According to Fitday, I'm low on vitamin E (I'm not so sure about this one. I buy fresh eggs, which I believe have rather high amounts of vitamin E), vitamin D, which is also not a problem since I am outside in the sun for much of the day, copper, Vitamin C (This one is at 0%. Hope I don't die from scurvy), iron, manganese, magnesium, and calcium, but I think the RDA for calcium is too high anyway, but I guess I could just eat more cheese.

Oh yes, I'm very glad I found this site at such a young age. While my friends eat themselves into a CW induced heart attack, I'll be laughing and enjoying my steak smothered in butter and cheese.

[Stabby]

Vitamin E: free-range or omega 3 enriched eggs will have plenty. Conventional eggs, which fitday uses as their example aren't good sources.

Copper and iron: beef heart. I do not like the idea of getting these two from supplements since there is greater potential for toxicity with supplements. You don't really need a lot, just a little sliver with your steak. I swear it's not gross (at least once cooked). A lot of nutritional deficiencies are resolved when we eat organs. Failing that I suppose just more steak for iron and creamed coconut for copper and manganese. The creamed coconut (that has included the water) will have a little bit of sugar but no more than in some carrots so it's not so worrisome.

A simple cal/mag looks good. I take this magnesium http://well.ca/products/now-foods-ma...ate_18903.html and I honestly don't know of any good cal/mags so hopefully someone else does.

[healthseekerKate]

>> I honestly don't know of any good cal/mags so hopefully someone else does.

I've been using this one, and have been very happy with it:

Now calcium citrate/magnesium/zinc/copper/manganese tablets
http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Calci...blets/472?at=0


One caveat is that those are relatively large tablets, but I personally don't have a problem swallowing them bc they're shaped well.

This product is also available in capsule form, which is more expensive per unit Ca but smaller in size:
http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Calci...Vcaps/479?at=0

I like this Now product because a) calcium citrate is the most bioavailable and easily digestible form of Ca; b) it contains the Zn, Cu & Mn that also aid in healthy bones; c) it has a 2:1 Ca:Mg ratio, which, according to general expert consensus (although not unanimous), is a desirable ratio of these two minerals, d) it's very reasonably priced (tabs cost $0.20 per day if you take 4 per day (1200 mg Ca total/day); caps cost $0.47 per day for the same dose of Ca).

[skeedaddy]

Beefsister, For vitamin C information check out www.vitamincfoundation.org. If so inclined read Irwin Stones book, referenced in the left column... Best wishes!