Cheap Vitamins etc?

Cullumpster

I wasn't a big 'believer' in vitamins, but i was advised by a friend to take Kelp tablets and maybe even evening primrose as my hair refuses to grow further than my shoulders!

After a month of taking both together every morning (thought it was better than taking one and it not working) my hair is getting there, it's not really long, but it's a hell of lot longer than it was.

So now i'm a vitamin convert, i take every other day the fizzy tablet things for vitamin C it says to take 1 but i reckon that i need more it so i take 2.

Ps. if you stock up on your heinz baked beans and have beans on toast every night you'll be PACKED with Folic Acid they have loads in them

Nile

One for the girls

Evening Primrose Oil has been mentioned already but breast care hospitals recommend Starflower Oil 320mg GLA per day. You can pay a fortune buying them from Superdrug or Boots.........they are cheaper at Holland & Barrett Health Food Shops.

One for the boys

Selenium[/b] is helpful to prevent prostate cancer. Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium, so no need to buy expensive supplements.

Minerals in Food

Someone mentioned zinc, it's vital for growth and keeping your immune and nervous system in top form. Good sources of zinc are oysters, prawns, beef, lamb, eggs, brazil nuts, chicken, wholemeal bread, oats and ginger.

Did you know that Iron absorption is increased if you drink orange juice with your meal? Good sources of iron are offal, egg yolks, red meat, fish, breakfast cereals, parsley, green vegetables, wholemeal bread and dried apricots.

mutley74

Gillian McKeith's book, You Are What You Eat.

I am reading the above book at lunchtimes, amd its making me think twice now. I think it will make me think before i buy any processed food at home. I now try and eat less junk food and snacks, and keep these to a minimum. Book has helped as it gives some ideas on alternatives, but also the benefits of nuts, herbal teas etc.

Did read the Anthont Robbins Not for a Friends book (free a few months ago via this website)...

The 2 books combined should (SHOULD) make me eat better, but also mentally better and more positive. I believe in you are what you think, as well as you are what you eat.

Reaper

Time for the sceptic to make another apearance!

I think you ought to be aware Gillian McKeith has come under attack for a lack of scientific backing to what she states as facts.

For example here is the Guardian "Bad Science" column having a go.

She is by no means alone. The field is awash with people spouting "pseudo science", and that includes pretty much every newspaper column on nutrition.

EDIT:
P.S. If you want to read the earlier Guardian attacks on her see here and here.

snakey_2

can anyone please specify a decent web site, as in terms of experience, where to buy Vitamins from? I did a Google search and there are hundreds! Or is it just as well to buy from a Chemist/Supermarket?

Thanks

Ted_Hutchinson

can anyone please specify a decent web site, as in terms of experience, where to buy Vitamins from? I did a Google search and there are hundreds! Or is it just as well to buy from a Chemist/Supermarket?
http://www.zipvit.com/
Zipvit
Thanks

Zipvit

Savvy_Sue

For Iron eat... I can't resist... chocolate and Guiness! OK maybe that last bit of advice you should take with a pinch of salt but you get the idea.

Naw, a Terry's Chocolate Orange is a better bet: gives you the iron and the vitamin C you need to absorb the iron at the same time. And tastes better than guiness too, IMO.

I mentioned Evening Primrose Oil in an earlier post, and said I'd stopped taking it and hadn't noticed a difference. Ouch, spoke too soon! Back on it quick.

I think that just shows how hard it is to tell if something is doing you good or not: there is often a time lag between when you start and stop taking a supplement, and when you notice its effects.

veronarona

 I knew i was short of vitamin c as fruit gives me indigestion

You may well find that fruit digests very easily if eaten on an empty stomach. Fruit doesn't mix well with other food groups.

I was amazed when I started a Hay-type diet (separating carbs/proteins) and followed the advice to start the day on fruit alone - never a burp or a burn or a reflux!

veronarona

bylromarha

Does anyone know where I can get some?

Boots seem to be the only place that stock fish oil for under 3's, and they're on 3 for 2 at the mo, and a voucher in the machine, but before I stock up on those, I want to check if anyone knows where I can get it cheaper.

All the named companies that make fish oil are only for over 3's, so Savers would be great if they stocked more than Haliborange, which is only for those who are 3 times the age of my boy!

Any ideas where I can look for it? Thx

Ted_Hutchinson

From [size=+1]Essential fatty acids, DHA and human brain.[/size]
Most of the brain growth is completed by 5-6 years of age. At birth brain weight is 70% of an adult, 15% brain growth occurs during infancy and remaining brain growth is completed during preschool years. DHA is the predominant structural fatty acid in the central nervous system and retina and its availability is crucial for brain development. It is recommended that the pregnant and nursing woman should take at least 2.6 g of omega-3 fatty acids and 100-300 mg of DHA daily to look after the needs of her fetus and suckling infant. The follow-up studies have shown that infants of mothers supplemented with EFAs and DHA had higher mental processing scores, psychomotor development, eye-hand coordination and stereo acuity at 4 years of age. Intake of EFAs and DHA during preschool years may also have a beneficial role in the prevention of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and enhancing learning capability and academic performance.
Boots SMART FISH OIL says it's for over 6 months but I cannot find the analysis which details the total omega and the amount of DHA. You will see from the above quote that it is particularly DHA than your child needs while the brain is developing. However supplements aren't the only way you can ensure sufficient omega is available.
How can I get more omega 3 fatty acids in my daily meal?
The Haliborange capsules which say they are for over 3's contain.
Average Values Per 2 capsules %RDA*

Fish oil 400mg*

Providing
Omega-3 Nutrients 60mg

of which DHA 200mg

of which EPA 28mg
Vitamin A 800µg 100

Vitamin D 5µg 100

Vitamin E 3mg 30
Vitamin C 60mg 100
These capsules are useless for over 5's (they contain insufficient EPA to be worth taking) however they would be suitable for younger children so I don't understand the age restiction. Perhaps it's to do with the extra vitamins provided.
Probably the best value is ZIPVIT who sell product no A216J omega Juice. They don't specify an age limit on this and I can think of no logical reason why it shouldn't be given to younger children.
A 5ml teaspoon provides 600mg DHA and 900 EPA
So a half teaspoon would be sufficient providing 300 DHA and 450 EPA. This is £4.95 for 360 ml which would last a couple of months at 1/2 teaspoon daily.
There isn't a problem with overdosing with omega and providing there are sufficient base components the body metabolises one form of omega to another. So EPA can be changed to DHA and vis/versa but the omega oils can only be obtained from fish oils or the vegetarian sources listed at the Worlds healthiest foods link provided above.