Are supplements necessary?

[PrincessM]

I'm not feeling the idea of taking supplements & I know my mom wouldn't be for it

(I'm 19 but she's still the boss lol). Do you guys feel that it's that much of an important part of your regimen?

 

[FineChyna]

its only needed if you are not getting a balanced diet, which most people fall into the catagory. there is nothing wrong with taking vitamins, if anything health professions will encourage you to use them. take something like hair skin and nail vitamins if you think your mom would be that upset over it.

 

[vevster]

I think you should focus on a really good multi. Your mom shouldn't object to that....

 

[PrincessM]

Thanks

. I'm thinking of starting to use Flintstone chewables again. lol I thought it was a silly idea but I did a search and some on the board take them.

 

[henrilou]

I think that vitamins are necessary. I think that the change will be subtle, but they do help. But talk with your mom. Show her some of the vitamin threads on this site. Flintstone's is certainly a start. But the main thing is to talk it over and find out what exactly your mom is against and see where you can go from there.

 

[localhost]

I believe that supplements are very necessary....some experts say that your hair, skin, and nails are a direct reflection of your health, which I believe is true. No matter how healthy I eat, I've always had very dry skin, brittle nails, and dry hair, but now that I supplement, I've noticed drastic changes. I've moved into the 'normal' range of skin and hair care, so supplementation is a must for me.

I agree with henrilou and vevester in that a good multivitamin is a good place to start. I'd also recommend grapeseed extract (studies have shown faster hair growth in lab animals!) and primrose oil or flaxseed oil (to help combat dryness and to 'condition' the scalp).

 

[Stormy]

Yes and No. As far as my hair and nails are concerned? No not really. They were growing quite well even before I started taking vitamins because I've always had a healthy diet. I only started taking them because I was under a lot of stress and they say that stress depletes the body of vitamins and nutrients. So if you're not eating right or getting all that you should than yes I highly reccommend them. Always better to be safe especially with all the things they're doing to food now, so Flinstones should be alright I guess. I'm starting my son back on them. Ask your Doctor what's the best one for you then have him discuss it with your mother too.

 

[pressncurl]

PrincessM, make sure the multivitamin you're taking has enough iron, which is important for overall energy, but also hair growth. I wouldn't think flintstone vitamins would have a high enough dose for a menstruating (assuming) woman, but if you like them--and they don't have enough iron--I would recommend an iron supplement also.

 

[Supergirl]

Well,

I don't think it's necessary. Seems to me that my supplements haven't increased my growth-rate. They have made my hair stronger, but perhaps TOO strong because my hair has not been taking relaxers as well since I've started them. I also think the supplements may have something to do with me gaining weight. Ugh!!!!!!!!

 

[ngaa]

pressncurl how does iron help with hair growth??

 

[prettygirl]

Well as a student i AM ALWAYS ON THE GO AND DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO PICK OUT FOODS CONTAINING THE VITAMINS AND MINERALS FOR MY HIAR AND BECAUSE THE HAIR IS THE LAST TO GET ANY NUTRIENTS I DEFINETLY TAKE SUPPLEMENTS BUT IF YOUR DEIT INCLUDES A WIDE VARIETY OF NATURAL FOOD THEN YOU DON'T REALLY NEED SUPPLEMENTS BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND AT LEAST A MULTI VITAMIN THAT CONTAINS MINERALS ALSO

 

[Stormy]

Well Supergirl that may be true about the weight gain. Have you noticed an increase in your appetite? I can't eat much at once and I've always eaten about 5 small meals throughout the day. Along with snacking.

when I started taking my multivitamin as reccommended (2 a day)that changed! I was hungry ALL of the time and started eating larger portions. I could stand to gain some weight so I didn't worry about it at first, but it started getting too expensive! Running upstairs all day to our cafeteria at work. lol! Then I couldn't get to sleep at night! The vitamin E was keeping me too wired! So I cut down to one a day. That's much better for me. I'm back to normal now.

 

[Supergirl]

Stormy,

I'm not sure if the supplements increased my appetite when the weight gain first started. That's a possibility--I just didn't pay attention to it! But for the last 3 months, I've been writing down everything I eat along with the calorie counts and I've kind of tapered off on my vitamins.

 

[vevster]

I must add:

Everything on this board is in the form of a suggestion. If you don't want to do Vitamins, don't.

Nothing is mandatory.

 

[PrincessM]

I was just asking for opinions