For 15 days, we’re exploring the topic of making our health and well-being a priority as part of the 15 Days to a Healthier You series. You can read Day 1 here, Day 2 here, Day 3 here, Day 4 here, Day 5 here, Day 6 here, Day 7 here, Day 8 here, Day 9 here, Day 10 here, Day 11 here, Day 12 here, and Day 13 here.
I used to be one of those people who felt like you could get all the nutrition your body needs from food alone. But my husband encouraged me to start taking a high-quality multi-vitamin on a daily basis years ago and after I experienced the difference that it made in how I felt, I was sold and have been a faithful vitamin-taker ever since!
The truth is, when I take my vitamins, I operate so much better, get sick less often, and have so much more energy. Every once in awhile, I’ll be out of vitamins or forget to take them for a few days and I’ll begin to wonder why I’m feeling more lethargic and run down… and then I’ll realize I’ve not taken my vitamins in a few days!
If you’ve not been taking vitamins and you’re wanting to possibly start, here’s my encouragement to you:
1. Commit to Trying It
I encourage you to try taking a high-quality multi-vitamin for three months and see if you feel any difference. If you don’t, at least you know you’re not hurting anything to be getting some extra vitamins and minerals. 😉
2. Do Your Research
There are lots of other vitamins out there to consider taking, but do your research before you just start popping pills. Too much of a good thing can sometimes be just that — too much.
In addition, I would recommend scheduling an appointment with your doctor to have routine bloodwork done to see if there are other vitamins or nutrients you’re deficient in. It’s very possible that your lack of energy is due to anemia or some other vitamin deficiency you’re experiencing and simply adding some additional vitamins or supplements might make a major difference.
3. Make It Part of Your Routine
I used to be really, really bad about consistently taking vitamins. Then, I learned a trick: I had to make it part of my routine. Instead of just trying to remember to take my pills sometime during the day, I made vitamin-taking part of my evening routine.
Now, it’s become such a habit, that I pretty much can’t go to bed unless I’ve taken my vitamins. And I feel so much better as a result!
Note: Many people will say it’s best to take vitamins in the morning. Because the multi-vitamin and 5htp sort of make my stomach queasy if I take them when I’m awake, so that’s why I’ve opted to take them at night.
Plus, I actually remember to take them then! I figure it’s better to actually get them taken — even if it’s not the ideal time — then not taken at all. 🙂
The Vitamins & Supplements I Currently Take
Over the years, I’ve come up with what the perfect vitamin combination is for me. I occasionally tweak it, but for the most part, I’ve kept it the same for quite some time. My favorite multi-vitamins are the NOW Foods Special Two Vitamins. I’ve been taking these for a long time and they really make a difference.
I also take a probiotic, Vitamin D-3, and 5htp.
I also LOVE essential oils! Some of my favorites are Balance and Calming, Immune Strength, Thieves, OnGuard, and Tummy Rub. I don’t use these daily, but more on an as needed basis.
Day 14 Project
1. Do you take vitamins and supplements? If not, I encourage you to consider adding at least one quality multi-vitamin as a daily habit.
2. Do your research and decide what multi-vitamin is best for you. Order or buy it.
3. Decide when you will take it as part of your daily routine. Let us know in the comments!
Looking for some more practical help?
- Want to work on getting more vitamins and nutrients from your food? Check out these Top 10 lists from Dr. Axe for ideas of what foods you should be eating.
- Wellness Mama has an extensive list of the vitamins and supplements she takes, why she takes them, and which vitamins and supplements she feels are important for kids to take, too. She also has a great post on Why You Can’t Out-Supplement a Poor Diet. I don’t agree with all of her conclusions in either article, but it provides some great food for thought.
- Looking for a gummy vitamin for your kids to take that is also fairly high-quality? We love the SmartyPants Kids’ Gummies.
Shane says
I have been taking vitamins for more than twenty years now and I feel great! Before I used to get sick often but not anymore. Vitamins really work.
denise says
Aren’t you supposed to limit the use of 5HTP to 2-6 weeks? I’ve taken it in the past but felt it unsafe to take for very long due to the label!
Crystal Paine says
I’d recommend talking to a doctor regarding that. I’ve been personally cleared to take mine indefinitely, but I would highly recommend asking a medical professional before taking it longer than a short-term period.
Denise says
I’m glad you have Drs approval! Mine had never heard of it but also had no issue with me taking it for a time when I was having some trouble with sleeping and some very mild depression.
Amy says
I took it for the same reasons and had great success with it, but I didn’t stop when my body had “refilled the tank” and started to have adverse effects. I sought the help of a homeopathic doctor about all of my issues and she said I was taking to much and to stop. I’m on other supplements now for sleep and moods, but that was a good one when used for a time.
denise says
I’d love to know what other options I would have especially for sleep.
Melanie says
Magnesium is a great supplement to assist with sleep and most people are deficient. My daughter’s neurologist has her taking for prevention of chronic migraines, and improved sleep is one of the side effects. There are many different types of magnesium, but it might be worth looking into.
Sarah says
Completely agree with Melanie on the magnesium. Magnesium chloride and the newest, magnesium threonate, both are well absorbed and have specific advantages to each.
Kristen says
I never felt a difference either with vitamins until I tried Plexus X-factor. It’s the only vitamin on the market with aloe which helps with absorption. I know they work by how fast my nails and hair grow and I also haven’t been sick in over 2 years.
Amy Rose RD says
I suspect Crystal’s noticeable change in energy is a placebo effect. Vitamin and mineral supplements only improve health if there is a deficiency. Once the deficiency is overcome, which it would be after weeks or months of daily supplementation, missing even a week of doses would not lead to a deficiency or change your energy status. It generally takes months to become deficient in a vitamin or mineral. And that’s if your typical diet is also deficient in a particular nutrient too. Aside from vitamins B12 and D, eating a variety of fruits, veggies, legumes, beans, nuts, and whole grains can provide all our needed nutrients, even if we eat some junk too. B12 is in animal products (vegans and some vegetarians should supplement), and D is hard to get enough from food, even with eating plenty of eggs, high fat dairy or “fatty” fish. Moderate sun exposure during the summer is the best source of D, and supplementing with D3 is the next best source.
You might see “energy” supplements often composed of B vitamins as well as certain herbs or, more often, a source of caffeine. Sure, B vitamins are essential for metabolism and therefore contribute to our energy level, but unless you’re deficient, more B vitamins are not going to boost your energy–they’re just expensive urine because we excrete any extra B vitamins (or extra C) that the body does not need at the time. Unless you are eating nearly no food or have very little variety in your diet, you are probably getting enough B vitamins. Multi supplements are good insurance if you are low on something or have a less than awesome diet.
If you consistently feel tired throughout the day, first make sure you’re getting enough sleep and drinking enough water throughout the day (fatigue is often just a symptom of dehydration!), try to plan meals and snacks that include more veggies and fruits, and do what Crystal says in this post: ask your doctor about having blood work done for nutrient deficiencies.
Micah @ MicahKlug.com says
I found when I started taking vitamins my biggest hurdle was just remembering to take them! For myself, I had to set an alarm on my phone to go off at a certain time every day for as long as I needed. As the weeks progressed it became a race to see if I would get to my vitamin or if my phone would go off first.
Crystal Paine says
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
Uma @ Centsible Indian says
I’ve been using this Rainbow light prenatal multivitamin for 4 years and in love with it. It’s a plant based multi-vitamin and 100% natural. I used to take one-a-day and switched to this one 4 years back. So far loving it.
http://amzn.to/2cTuODe
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for sharing!
Melanie says
My vitamins used to make me nauseous also, and I did some research. I discovered synthetic vitamins do that to some people. I switched to a whole food vitamin, which is a bit more expensive, but now I don’t ever have to worry about whether or not I’ve eaten, etc. My preferred brand now is Garden of Life organics. Hope this helps someone!
Lori says
Thank you for the recommendation- I want to try something other than synthetic but didn’t know of any.
Amy Rose RD says
If someone is nauseated from a multi supplement, it’s usually due to the iron, and taking it after eating or with food usually helps prevent the nausea.
Sarah says
It can be zinc that makes someone nauseous as well. Some people cannot tolerate even a low dose of zinc on an empty stomach.
Shauna says
I had a physical in March and found I was extremely low in vitamin b12. I have started taking a supplement and I am going to get my blood tested next month to see if my numbers have increased.
I have wanted to start a multi-vitamin and have even gone to the store to purchase but there is so many options. I just become overwhelmed and leave empty handed.
This motivates me to try to find something again. I think vitamins are important and I know my diet doesn’t give me everything I need.
tina says
I disagree, and so does Adam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29v6rNFjlLI
Stephanie says
Totally love Adam 🙂
Jen says
Thanks for sharing Adam! My husband and I watched a bunch of his videos last night, so funny and interesting.
I don’t take any vitamins, but I do fish oil.
Dee says
I don’t feel any different when I take vitamins regularly either, so I haven’t been taking them this month. I guess everyone is different. I just can’t see spending the money on something that makes no difference. :p
Jessica says
If you take in too much of some vitamins, you just pee it right out!
On the other hand, some people do have a proven deficiency. Without a vitamin D supplement, I hover around 10 where normal is 30-100. To maintain a normal level, I have to take 3,000 to 5,000 iu daily depending on the season! Vitamin D is important to calcium absorption and bone health as well as muscle performance and mood.
Amy Rose RD says
One of my dietetics instructors used the term “expensive urine” in reference to high doses of water soluble vitamins (the Bs and C; fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K stay in the body).
Vitamin D also supports the immune system. Good for you getting your blood work done to detect the deficiency! I wish more people would do that.
Shannon says
This. I’d consult with your Doctor before starting any supplement regime beyond maybe a basic daily multivitamin. My physician told me the same thing as Jessica: “It is a waste to take megadoses of many vitamins because they are not absorbed by your system and .” And certain supplements/vitamins can actually cause harm. For example, I ended up with very high Oxalate levels from too much vitamin C and was on the way to developing kidney stones. After stopping, at the strong recommendation of a professional nutritionist, things have improved. If you do have a proven deficiency — and most people in the north do when it comes to vitamin D — your doctor should know about it and advise on what and how much to take as appropriate for your levels and health needs.
Annie says
Shannon, that’s good advice about vitamin D. I had lab work done that showed I was deficient in this vitamin, and I live in North Dakota.
lyss says
Hmm…maybe I should try the ones you take. I never feel any better by taking vitamins, so I don’t have a habit of it. I also can’t swallow pills, so that’s another reason. I get sick of mixing them in peanut butter, which is the only thing that will somewhat mask the taste…
Jennifer says
Try gummy vitamins!! They make them for adults and they taste great!
Amy Rose RD says
I’d recommend gel capsules or gummies if you don’t like the pills. If you take the gummies and have low iron (deficiency can be determined by your doctor), you might need to take an additional iron supplement.
I suspect placebo effect is the reason Crystal feels better from taking vitamins after a few days of missing a dose. (See my comment below for more info, if interested.)
Sarah says
Dr. Teitelbaum, who specializes in Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, formulated a great multivitamin in a powder, to minimize the number of pills that people, especially the very sick, have to swallow.
Also, there are MANY other great, organic whole foods supplements that can help supplement your diet. Most people don’t eat as well as they should and studies have shown that today’s foods are not as nutritious as they should be in many cases (for many reasons), but buying organic can help quite a bit.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/soil-depletion-and-nutrition-loss/
Teitelbaum’s multivitamin powder:
http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?N=0&ss=1&Ntt=energy%20revitalization
A couple of the many whole foods powders:
http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?N=0&ss=1&Ntt=garden%20of%20life%20powder
http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?N=0&ss=1&Ntt=energy%20revitalization
http://mightymacagreens.com/
Also, you need to look at your own iron levels, specifically ferritin, to know whether or not you are deficient. Doctors don’t always test ferritin, which is a more accurate way to know what your iron stores are. Doctors often won’t declare you “deficient” until your ferritin levels have hit SERIOUS lows and by that time, you are so deficient, it can take years of regular supplementation to get your levels up. Being deficient in iron will affect many things, including your thyroid, your periods and even the status of your hair (thinning and loss).
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ferritin/
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/heavy-period-iron-supplement
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/05/18/hair-loss-may-be-caused-by-iron-deficiency.html
Amanda says
As a fibro and cds sufferer I am a huge fan of Dr. T’s.
Sarah says
Sorry you’re suffering, Amanda, but glad you know about Dr. T. He has done a lot for the CFIDS/FMS community.
Amanda says
Thank you. I get excited when I hear his name outside his website lol.
Theresa says
There are gummy vitamins for adults that you could try. My sister has the same issue and that’s what she takes.
Barb says
Do you take 4 pills everyday?
Crystal Paine says
I take 2 multi-vitamins every day.