OT: Vitamin D

[polygonum_on_google]

ment rather than just one.

Not necessarily.

Many multivitamins fight themselves. For example, iron compounds can affect the absorption of many other substances. Taking a multivitamin which conta ins iron therefore sees some of the constituents less well absorbed. There has been at least one company which made a two (or more) part multivitamin

- something like take A in the morning and B in the evening - so as to avoi d some of these interactions.

Also, sometimes multivitamins contain forms which are less well tolerated o r absorbed.

Some companies very much appear to want to obscure what their products cont ain. Centrum for Men says "vitamin D" without saying D2 or D3. Iron - but n ot which form. Vitamin K - claims it helps with bones - but doesn't express whether it is K1 which is largely related to blood clotting or K2 which is largely concerned with calcium.

[Jack Harry Teesdale]

Unless you have a particular vitamin deficiency, vitamin supplements are a complete waste of money. IMHO

[Scott]

Do you think it is justified to be tested for every conceivable deficiency? If not, how would you ever know?

[Jack Harry Teesdale]

That is not normally necessary, if you have a serious enough vitamin deficiency it will usually manifest itself.

[polygonum_on_google]

plement rather than just one.

fect the absorption of many other substances. Taking a multivitamin which c ontains iron therefore sees some of the constituents less well absorbed. Th ere has been at least one company which made a two (or more) part multivita min - something like take A in the morning and B in the evening - so as to avoid some of these interactions.

ed or absorbed.

contain. Centrum for Men says "vitamin D" without saying D2 or D3. Iron - b ut not which form. Vitamin K - claims it helps with bones - but doesn't exp ress whether it is K1 which is largely related to blood clotting or K2 whic h is largely concerned with calcium.

If I were to become a vegan, I might start off perfectly replete for B12.

Over the years, I'd end up deficient.

It makes far more sense to start taking B12 before there is a deficiency th an to await the inevitable deficiency and only then take supplementary B12.

I also suggest that thought on the subject will also suggest that there are some who definitely should NOT supplement with certain vitamins and minera ls. For example, those with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy should spec ifically avoid cyanocobalamin (the usual form in multivitamins). Those with haemochromatosis should usually avoid all iron supplements.

The "take a multivit+minerals" approach tends to go in the direction of giv ing less consideration than is might be needed.

[Scott]

Does every deficiency have its own specific characteristics to allow diagnosis of which vitamin is deficient? What if it is not serious enough to show symptoms but enough to cause longer term issues? Is there no place for the precautionary principle in your view?

[Jack Harry Teesdale]

No.

[GB]

The complete waste of money argument seems a bit exaggerated. Boots will sell you a year's supply for £8.

[Joshua Snow]

They get the Vitamin D from what they eat.

[tabbypurr]

lement rather than just one.

Well...

ct the absorption of many other substances. Taking a multivitamin which con tains iron therefore sees some of the constituents less well absorbed. Ther e has been at least one company which made a two (or more) part multivitami n - something like take A in the morning and B in the evening - so as to av oid some of these interactions.

or absorbed.

Obviously the situation is far more complex than that. Sure minerals & vita mins affect the absorption & use of other ones, but that is not a reason to not take them! Vitamin & mineral deficiencies are widespread. A reasonable multi is one of the cheapest easiest ways to solve a useful percentage of problems.

ntain. Centrum for Men says "vitamin D" without saying D2 or D3. Iron - but not which form. Vitamin K - claims it helps with bones - but doesn't expre ss whether it is K1 which is largely related to blood clotting or K2 which is largely concerned with calcium.

Does the ingredient list not say? I'd be surprised if that is the case. But admittedly I would not consider buying 'centrum,' so don't look at them.

NT

[tabbypurr]

plement rather than just one.

fect the absorption of many other substances. Taking a multivitamin which c ontains iron therefore sees some of the constituents less well absorbed. Th ere has been at least one company which made a two (or more) part multivita min - something like take A in the morning and B in the evening - so as to avoid some of these interactions.

ed or absorbed.

contain. Centrum for Men says "vitamin D" without saying D2 or D3. Iron - b ut not which form. Vitamin K - claims it helps with bones - but doesn't exp ress whether it is K1 which is largely related to blood clotting or K2 whic h is largely concerned with calcium.

Hardly, for 2 reasons. No, 3.

1. Vitamin & mineral deficiencies are widespread
2. Optimal intake levels, which are typically far above non-deficiency leve ls, are required to reduce the risk of many serious diseases
3. And of course vitamin d deficiency results in a 25x greater risk of covi d mortality. The details aren't fully know on that, but there's a major cor relation.

Really it's an ignorant person that doesn't take them.

NT

[tabbypurr]

If you want something cheap I'd look for 100% RDA for most things. Levels w on't be 100% for minerals. Iron is the one thing that's open to question as to whether supplementation is a good idea. As a rough rule of thumb guide, a fair answer is no for men, yes for most women. A detailed answer is rath er more complex.

NT

[polygonum_on_google]

pplement rather than just one.

fect the absorption of many other substances. Taking a multivitamin which c ontains iron therefore sees some of the constituents less well absorbed. Th ere has been at least one company which made a two (or more) part multivita min - something like take A in the morning and B in the evening - so as to avoid some of these interactions.

ed or absorbed.

tamins affect the absorption & use of other ones, but that is not a reason to not take them! Vitamin & mineral deficiencies are widespread. A reasonab le multi is one of the cheapest easiest ways to solve a useful percentage o f problems.

contain. Centrum for Men says "vitamin D" without saying D2 or D3. Iron - b ut not which form. Vitamin K - claims it helps with bones - but doesn't exp ress whether it is K1 which is largely related to blood clotting or K2 whic h is largely concerned with calcium.

ut admittedly I would not consider buying 'centrum,' so don't look at them.

No - ingredient list is dreadful.

[polygonum_on_google]

upplement rather than just one.

affect the absorption of many other substances. Taking a multivitamin which contains iron therefore sees some of the constituents less well absorbed. There has been at least one company which made a two (or more) part multivi tamin - something like take A in the morning and B in the evening - so as t o avoid some of these interactions.

ated or absorbed.

s contain. Centrum for Men says "vitamin D" without saying D2 or D3. Iron - but not which form. Vitamin K - claims it helps with bones - but doesn't e xpress whether it is K1 which is largely related to blood clotting or K2 wh ich is largely concerned with calcium.

vels, are required to reduce the risk of many serious diseases

vid mortality. The details aren't fully know on that, but there's a major c orrelation.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are, as you wrote, widespread. And there a re many reasons. I am personally aware of many who seem to produce inadequa te stomach acid and, possibly, inadequate digestive enzymes. Result is poor absorption even if the diet appears good.

The other day, NICE published something saying the effect of vitamin D on c ovid-19 is next to nothing.

[Scott]

Was that the same people that said facemasks were next to useless or the ones that said that facemasks are essential to maintain the nation's health?

[alan_m]

[polygonum_on_google]

That is the US site - not certain the products are the same in the UK.

If you actually go to a product - it will say "vitamin B12", not "cyanocoba lamin", "hydroxocobalamin" or "methylcobalamin".

The UK site, for the men over 50 product, lists:

Ingredients per tablet % NRV[*] Vitamin A (RE) (50% as beta-carotene) 800 µg 100% Vitamin E (?-TE) 24 mg 200% Vitamin C 80 mg 100% Vitamin K 30 µg 40% Thiamine 1.65 mg 150% Riboflavin 2.1 mg 150% Vitamin B6 2.1 mg 150% Vitamin B12 7.5 µg 300% Vitamin D 15 µg 300% Biotin 75 µg 150% Folic acid 300 µg 150% Niacin (NE) 24 mg 150% Pantothenic acid 9 mg 150% Calcium 200 mg 25% Phosphorus 105 mg 15% Magnesium 135 mg 36% Iron 2.1 mg 15% Iodine 100 µg 67% Copper 500 µg 50% Manganese 2 mg 100% Chromium 40 µg 100% Molybdenum 50 µg 100% Selenium 45 µg 82% Zinc 5 mg 50%

As with so many products, they claim vitamin A but 50% of that is as beta-c arotene. Some people do not convert that adequately into vitamin A. It is j ust a precursor. No idea what form the selenium is in, which form of vitami n D, or B6, ...

[tabbypurr]

supplement rather than just one.

affect the absorption of many other substances. Taking a multivitamin which contains iron therefore sees some of the constituents less well absorbed. There has been at least one company which made a two (or more) part multivi tamin - something like take A in the morning and B in the evening - so as t o avoid some of these interactions.

ated or absorbed.

vitamins affect the absorption & use of other ones, but that is not a reaso n to not take them! Vitamin & mineral deficiencies are widespread. A reason able multi is one of the cheapest easiest ways to solve a useful percentage of problems.

s contain. Centrum for Men says "vitamin D" without saying D2 or D3. Iron - but not which form. Vitamin K - claims it helps with bones - but doesn't e xpress whether it is K1 which is largely related to blood clotting or K2 wh ich is largely concerned with calcium.

But admittedly I would not consider buying 'centrum,' so don't look at the m.

another reason to not buy centrum then.

[tabbypurr]

supplement rather than just one.

n affect the absorption of many other substances. Taking a multivitamin whi ch contains iron therefore sees some of the constituents less well absorbed . There has been at least one company which made a two (or more) part multi vitamin - something like take A in the morning and B in the evening - so as to avoid some of these interactions.

erated or absorbed.

cts contain. Centrum for Men says "vitamin D" without saying D2 or D3. Iron - but not which form. Vitamin K - claims it helps with bones - but doesn't express whether it is K1 which is largely related to blood clotting or K2 which is largely concerned with calcium.

levels, are required to reduce the risk of many serious diseases

covid mortality. The details aren't fully know on that, but there's a major correlation.

are many reasons.

All I can think of offhand are inadequate intake, malabsorption and wasting .

and, possibly, inadequate digestive enzymes. Result is poor absorption eve n if the diet appears good.

yes, those can be tackled by taking something of course. Digesting enzymes, acid & salt.

covid-19 is next to nothing.

Lol.

NT

[tabbypurr]

balamin", "hydroxocobalamin" or "methylcobalamin".

-carotene. Some people do not convert that adequately into vitamin A. It is just a precursor. No idea what form the selenium is in, which form of vita min D, or B6, ...

Yup, but the above is not an ingredient list.

NT