Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with supplement

Amount of D3 in wool

davar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:43:19 -0800

Vitamin D3 is often extracted from lanolin. I would like to know how much wool is necessary to produce say 1000 IU of vitamin D.

Help me absorb my vitamins & prevent my cold!!

Black_Umbrella — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:52:39 -0800

How fast do vitamins & Minerals absorb into the body? Alright, i am coming down with a cold, it is setting on fast and bad. I don't want it! My question is, does it help to take more vitamins then the recommended daily value?

I take Emergen-C as a supplement.

The first number is the amount, % is percent daily value

Emergen-C (super orange)
The first number is the amount, % is percent daily value

Vitamin C (as Mineral Ascorbates)
1000 mg 1111 %

Vitamin B1 (THiamine HCI)
.38 mg 25 %

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
.43 mg 25 %

Special Niacin Complexes
10 mg 50 %

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCI)
10 mg 500 %

Folic Acid
12.5 mcg 3.1 %

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
25 mcg 416 %

Pantothenic Acid
2.5 mg 25 %

Potassium
200 mg 5.7 %

Magnesium
60 mg 15 %

Calcium
50 mg 5.0 %

Zinc
2 mg 13 %

Manganese
1 mg 50 %

Chromium
10 mcg 8.3 %

Quercetin (Bioflavonoid)
10 mg *

Alpha-lipoic acid
2 mg *

So i guess my question is how long should i wait until i take another? If i take two at the same time do they build up and take two times as long to be used or does one just get passed on? If they do not stack how long should i wait until i take another?

Help our Pomeranian's Paws!

spacefire — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:06:33 -0800

What are some recommended Joint Supplements for a Pomeranian mix (17 lbs)? Our doctor warned us that the breed is susceptible to arthritis and at one point in time surgery might be needed. Are there any canine supplements, preferably in a tasty form, that could make our dog's life easier?

He is a 6 year old, 17lbs Pomeranian, possibly mixed with Eskimo (Pomino), we don't know, since he was a rescue. He likes to run around the house a lot. Unfortunately we have hardwood floors and he often slips, which the doctor said could cause joint damage. In the morning he stretches a lot, and she said that could be an early sign of arthritis as well. So we want to provide him with the best protection now, for a better life when he gets old.
We feed him Purina Dog Chow dry food.

Better sleeping through chemistry

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:22:18 -0800

Is there any supplement I can add to 5-HTP to help me sleep at night? Or do I need to try something different instead? I'd rather not... Reasons & stuff inside. I have a couple of issues, 5-HTP is really helping with some, not really helping with others.

Firstly, I have life-long issues with falling asleep at an appropriate time. Can't say much other than that I feel like my internal clock is off, and has been as far back as I can remember. For me to lay in bed for hours trying to fall asleep is the norm. I've tried everything between childhood and now, with no real solution, and suffered pretty awful consequences due to the issue for many years. I finally reached a point a few years back where I was just beyond tired of struggling with this.

My basic solution was to drink a glass of wine before bed. This has, over the last couple of years, turned into a 3-4 glass-per-night every-single-night situation. Basically I have been drinking myself rather drunk most every night for probably a year or so. The upside - No more trouble sleeping (obviously). The downside - I was basically being controlled by alcohol. If I didn't have anything to drink, knowing I would not have any to help me sleep caused me such incredible anxiety that there was no chance I'd sleep at all. I couldn't help but wonder if I was no longer anxious about not sleeping and just anxious about not drinking. My anxiety all day long was escalating in general. Also, I was becoming an increasingly surly and angry drunk. Not surprisingly, this whole thing was beginning to screw up my relationship.

I looked into some sleeping solutions, reasoning that if I could get to sleep another way, I'd at least not be drinking. I considered melatonin, but didn't try it (first, because I'd tried it years ago with little effect, and also because I read bout 5-HTP). I got some 5-HTP and i'm taking 2x 100mg pills every day. This has done wonders for my anxiety, I hadn't realized at all how bad it'd gotten. So my life is easier in that way. It has done nothing much for my ability to sleep at night, though. I'm getting 4-5 hours of sleep per night, and I just don't function well with that. Running constantly on empty this way has a lot of negative effects on my quality of life. I'm ending up in the exact situation that I started drinking to avoid, and I can't express how badly I don't want to go there. However, the anti-anxiety effects are really wonderful, and I hate to give that up.

Is there anything I can add to the 5-HTP to help me sleep? I'd be looking for something that would pretty actively make me at least a little drowsy (I don't feel drowsy after taking 5-HTP). I do know that the sleep aid in Tylenol PM makes me feel like crap the entire next day, worse than if I hadn't slept. Also have tried taking Benadryl, it doesn't do anything for me. But I'm not sure what, if anything, I can take along with the 5-HTP. Or if I should increase the dose? Am taking the two pills 12 hours apart - would I do better to take them both before bed since I'm looking for help w/ insomnia? Or do one in the morning and two before bed?

You're not a doctor, and neither am I. Am just looking for someone who might take the same supplement for insomnia (or combined it with something else) and had good results.

Where can I order melatonin online, which will ship internationally?

chrisbucks — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:40:37 -0800

What are some reputable American websites which will ship supplements internationally? More inside specifically regarding melatonin. (I've checked the other online pharmacy questions and they all appear to be in regards to prescription only meds rather than OTC)

After trying a lot of different things to help ease my problematic sleeping patterns I've finally found the miracle that is melatonin supplements. However, I've found that it is also prohibitively expensive in my country. In New Zealand it is prescription only and to compound things it is also a "Section C Restricted" (?) medication, meaning I cannot pick it up the same day as I give the pharmacy my script, since they have to order it in from a specific company.

Currently it is costing me about $20 - $30 per 30 tablets (3mg). Unless the pharmacist (and my doctor) are incorrect, I don't need a prescription if I'm ordering it from a country where it is an over-the-counter supplement (eg: USA).

I found one place which I can get 100 tablets for $2, given this price is substantially lower than brands I question the quality. (I note though that the same site has the same brand I'm getting at the moment for only about $6 or so for 120 tabs).

So:
What sites are reputable?

and what brands of melatonin supplement are likely to be the safest bet? (prerequisites being that the site ships internationally and without charging some huge fee).

(bonus points if the site sells other supplements as well, since I've noticed a lot of stuff is cheaper overseas than locally).

Do weight training supplements do anything -- good or bad?

liquado — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:14:04 -0800

I'm looking to shake up my workouts, shed the excess poundage, and get some more definition -- basically, I'm bored, not making much headway, and would like to get over the hump to better health/muscle shape. Since it's hard to tell the difference between the shills and the real online reviews, advice, etc., I need some Mefite first-hand experience with hydroxycut or similar supplements. YANMD. I am not looking for a magic bullet. However, I've had a few friends who used creatine-type supplements in the past to get big/cut/etc, and while I'm no more vain than the normal person, it would be nice to turn some of my muscle into more defined muscle.

I'm not normally a supplement/pill/insert fad here, but I'm stalled in my workouts, and would love to get a little jump start to reinvigorate my drive to keep it up.

This is also potentially part of a reinvigorated calorie reduction and healthier eating pattern (stupid night-time snacking), so I do have the long view in mind, as well.

FWIW, I'm 34 and in good shape, other than carrying more weight that I should be -- no significant health problems of any kind (knocks wood).

A pill as big as a small town.

howiamdifferent — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:00:31 -0800

Is this multivitamin supplement safe? Is it safe to take this multivitamin & multimineral supplement without a prescription? I am asking because the pill is suspiciously humongous, and the percentage of the contents relative to the daily recommended value is much, much more than 100% for most of the vitamins/minerals.

Can it, for example, affect the liver negatively? I am taking 1 pill per day, btw.

Iron Maiden I Am Not

missjamielynn — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:30:37 -0800

What kind of iron pills can I take that won't upset my stomach? My doctor recently told me that I'm severely anemic. I've been a vegetarian for 12 years, so it's no real surprise. She recommended I take these iron pills called "Slow Fe", which is time released and therefore supposedly easier on the stomach. Unfortunately, my body is really sensitive and these pills weren't so easy on my stomach. I had terrible cramping and indigestion.

After talking with my doctor about the side effects, she told me it might be ok for me to take a multi-vitamin that has iron in it. The only problem is, it's not enough. I've ended up nearly passing out at inconvenient times and am getting out of breath from climbing a few stairs. I clearly need a stronger iron supplement. What brand(s) are easy on the tummy?

Give me dopamine, or give me death.

Listener — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:51:05 -0800

What's a good source of GABA tablet supplements? I've heard GABA is an excellent supplement for people who have difficulty enjoying life, ie, depressoids. I'd like to try it. I don't see it at the health food store here in Canada. Can you suggest a good place to buy it online? A search of online supplement dealers simply makes me want to have a bath and purify myself, as they seem more than a tad slimy, but maybe there's something decent out there.

The Price is Right?

hermitosis — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:34:39 -0800

Why is this particular glucosamine & chondroitin product so much cheaper? It's way cheaper than any other comparable glucosamine at that dosage, and I have to say I'm a little skeptical. Can anyone either explain why it's so much cheaper, assure me that it's just as good, or recommend anything stellar at a decent price?

Supplement (or other solution) for PMS cravings?

mintchip — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:35:18 -0800

Supplement (or other solution) for PMS cravings? I am a slim woman, but every single month I get such intense PMS that I go on what is basically a 10- to 14-day binge where I eat approximately double of what I normally eat. I gain about 4 to 5 pounds during this time (this always drop off when my period comes).

The weight gain and overeating, which tend to make me feel really sluggish and unnattractive, are irksome. I can't help but wonder if I'd lose 5 or 10 pounds if I didn't have PMS. Also, I have a strong history of diabetes in my family so I worry about the effects of overeating (even though I'm thin).

My cravings are not so much cravings for specific foods (although milk products and the grease/carbohydrate combo are always appealing) as they are for large quantities.

What causes this, and is there a supplement or other treatment that might help me overcome the urge to eat so much at this time?

Vitamins stink - do I?

loiseau — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:01:57 -0800

Vitamin supplements stink. Do I stink too? I really, really, REALLY hate the smell and taste of most vitamin supplements.

I've tried many varieties of multivitamin, for example, and have difficulty not puking while taking them or for several minutes afterwards while I get the aftertaste. I take Flintstones vitamins, and have for years without much trouble, but I've tried adult/women's varieties and can never finish a bottle due to the strong stink and my revulsion to it. I honestly have no idea how people do it.

I have been taking a B-50 supplement for a while, when I can muster up the will to take it. The taste is so revolting, I can not explain. It tastes awful going down, it tastes awful until I can eat a meal, and the first few times I pee afterward it smells very strongly like it tasted taking it. I drink lots of water daily, and probably 3/4 of a litre with/after the tablet, so it's not a dilution issue. I also take a flax oil supplement at the same time but it doesn't matter. Even if I take them with juice, the aftertaste rises up.

I can deal with the consequences of this: I just do the best I can and take it every day I feel I can stomach it. My concern is, do vitamins make me stink as badly as they taste? It terrifies me to think that maybe my sweat or my hair or my saliva or my [TMI] lady parts smell and/or taste like THAT. It seems to follow that they do, though, and I wouldn't be able to detect it because it's throughout my system. I've become a bit uncomfortable with the idea of certain intimate activities because I'm not sure if my girl bits taste and smell badly. (Fortunately/unfortunately no one's been patronizing my parts lately.)

The worst part is, I really want to take them. I feel better when I'm taking them. But I'm so grossed out by them and grossed out by the possibility that I smell and taste like a giant walking B-complex.

So my question is twofold: Am I foul? And if I am, how do I stop being foul?

Bonus points if you can tell me how to stop thinking about that taste now...

How to boost testosterone levels?

Thistledown — Thu, 10 May 2007 12:15:36 -0800

Are there any safe, legal methods of raising testosterone levels in conjunction with a weightlifting regime? My search-yu yielded a lot of stuff about protein, which I'm already using. Interested in a supplment or foods that contribute to greater testosterone levels - or both. Thanks in advance.

Will a Slab O'Clay Keep The Doctor Away?

maryh — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:47:39 -0800

Why would someone ingest powdered clay? Is this harmful, or are there some nutritional benefits? I was picking up some of this powdered bentonite clay (for it's use as a facial) at a local health food store. The sales clerk started giving me tips on mixing it with protein drinks, which sort of shocked me. I hadn't thought of drinking the stuff before, and the suggestion of ingesting the stuff reminded me of studies I'd read about pica, an eating disorder. She assured me that lots of customers used bentonite as a mineral supplement. There are apparently capsule forms of the stuff, but somehow the powdered form in a drink mix seems really questionable to me. Wouldn't this really mess with your digestion? Just using the powdered clay as a facial, it seems to be very, shall we say, absorbant. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?

No-Xplode says "Do not shake"

LordSludge — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 08:30:22 -0800

No-Xplode says "Do not shake" on the label. Why not? Getting back into weight lifting, and, on the recommendation of a friend, one of the supplements I'm taking is No-Xplode. It's basically a pre-workout energy-drink/workout-enhancer, but it comes in powder form, ready to mix with water. For some reason there's a pretty prominent warning on the label that says:

While mixing N.O.-Xplode
DO NOT SHAKE
Stir powder with utensil

Now I'm typically mixing & drinking this in my cube at work, so it's logistically easier to shake it to mix rather than deal with a stirring utensil. It doesn't seem terribly carbonated or anything, so fizzing is not a problem. Here's the only related bit Google turned up, which simply says:

Also NOTE to anyone reading this, read the label of NO-XPLODE if you take it...DO NOT SHAKE! STIR! I found this out the ackward and hard way

I'm really more curious than anything, in a "WTF??" way: Why shouldn't I shake it if I wanna?

is it possible to reverse breast shrinkage after going off the pill?

Anonymous — Sun, 21 May 2006 19:55:24 -0800

after being on birth control pills for many (8+) years, i had to go off them (permanently) for medical reasons. six months later, my breasts have noticeably shrunk almost a full cup size. i wasn't busty to begin with - when i first started on the pill, i was between a large A and small B cup; on the pill, i went up to a full B cup. off the pill, i've shrunk to a small A - in fact, almost a double-A. none of my bras, camisoles or swimsuits fit any more, and nearly all my shirts, dresses and blouses gape open or look baggy. i haven't had any weight loss that would otherwise explain the size decrease.

sure, i could buy a bunch of padded bras in order to wear my clothes again (or go broke and buy a whole new wardrobe) but understandably, i'd rather not! (my husband has been very cool about the whole thing - he's indicated no disappointment in having less boobage to play with - but he also understands why this is upsetting for me.)

i have NO interest in breast implants - i would just like to return to my previous size (or at least get a back in the neighborhood). so are there any non-surgical ways (supplements, exercise, etc) to enhance breast size that work - ie., aren't total scams?

(and please, no suggestions of going back on the pill, or trying the ring/patch/different brands/etc. it's a medical thing - i can't be on any form of hormonal birth control ever again, full stop. and please don't tell me to get pregnant, either.)

No, it doesn't have to be Guinness Flavoured

antifuse — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 02:55:53 -0800

Where is a cheap supplement store in Dublin? LeprechaunMuscleheadFilter: I'm looking for a place to buy my protein. I moved to Dublin (Ireland, not Ohio :) back in September, and I've been buying my protein from my gym (LA Fitness in Dartry). The thing is, the prices I'm paying are RDICULOUSLY high (42 euro for 2lbs, compared to the approximately 5lbs that you would get for that price back in Toronto). Does anybody know of any good supplement stores in the city? My google-fu yielded lots of online stores, but no bricks and mortar.

Greens plus

loquax — Fri, 18 Jun 2004 07:49:01 -0800

Does anyone have any experience with "greens plus"? Is it a waste of money, or can one really absorb 7 servings of vegetables with three tablespoons of powder? Google seems to be biased as to that question, and I haven't seen it mentioned in any of the other health and nutrition questions on here. Help?