Vitamin holiday
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free skin care · Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:50 am

I have seen that quite a few EDS-members take diet supplements on a daily basis. I take 10 different supplements every day for general health issues and hair, nails and skin.

Recently I found information on a few websites saying that people who take supplements can benefit from taking a break off, either 1 or 2 days a week, or perhaps take longer vitamin holidays once in a while.

A doctor, who is head of product development in Physician Formula (a diet supplement company), advises consumers to take breaks. In the article in the link below, he lists some of the supplements that should not be used continuously and the reasons why.

As a general rule, you can take supplements for prolonged periods with hardly any breaks if your dosage is very low. If the dosage is high, you would need to take more frequent breaks.

He told that some of the most common supplements can be used daily, BUT he still recommends a day off every week. This advice applies to:

Vitamin B (less than 30 mg daily of B1, B2 and B6), vitamin C (less than 1000 mg), vit E (less than 200 units a day), vitamin D (less than 600 units), vitamin A (less than 15000 units), carotenoids, flavonoids, green tea, probiotics, glucosamins, chondroitin, fish oils, most minerals, such as calcium and magnesium,and quite a few common herbal supplements.

These are the types of supplements I take myself, and I intend to make every Saturday a vitamin-free day from now on. It saves some money, too.

I am curious whether other people on the board take breaks from their supplements. I must admit I had not really thought about it until recently.

http://www.physicianformulas.com/store/scripts/newsletterpage.asp

free skin care · Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:27 am

That's interesting. I guess too much of a good thing is bad! Thanks.

free skin care · Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:38 am

Hmm, interesting idea. I am very good about taking my supplements during the week as I have a small tupperware type container full of my supplements that I keep at work. I do tend skip sometimes on the weekend as I am out the routine.

I take probotics every morning on an empty stomach. This is one supplement that I notice a huge difference. I will run out of my probotics and will be fine for a couple of days. More than 3 or 4 days and I notice my digestive system is not working as well.

I also take milk thistle. I will finish a bottle and then take a scheduled break for at least a couple of weeks. Believe it or not I read that MT helps with cystic type acne along the jawline. I tried it and it does seem to help me. It took a month to see results.

free skin care · Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:45 am

Septembergirl:

What supplements are you currently taking? Do they help particular health issues?

I am taking a multi, calicum, extra vitamin C, E and Omega 3.

I am currently trying Grape Seed extract. I read that it can help allergies. I have a contant running nose and so far within 2 weeks this seems to be better. It could be a fluke. But I am willing to finish the bottle.

Off Milk Thistle for the time being. I will pick up a bottle again. See previous post for skin reasons.

Probotics.

I have a B complex that I will take once in a while; 1 x week max.

Cran max forumla as needed (preventative UTI)

free skin care · Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:06 am

autumn95 -

I am taking barley grass, spirulina, green/white tea extracts, Brewer's Yeast (vit. B), acai berry, vit C ester, vit D, Beta Glucans 1.3/1.6, Alpha-lipoic-acid, krill oil and a complex with pycnogenol, bilberry and some marine ingredients.

My philosophy is to take quite a few different types of antioxidants, preferably from natural sources, in low dosages, in stead of taking a few supplements in high dosages. Antioxidants are supposed to work synergistically with the Omega 3 in krill oil.

My favorites:
* Barley grass is rich in beta carotene and gives skin a healthy colour and overall better appearance.
* Krill oil contains both Omega 3 and the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin. I believe it has helped with keeping eczema at bay.
* Beta glucans 1.3/1.6 is beneficial for the skin and immune system. I have only used it for two months, but there are some convincing studies about its immunological benefits, and its ability to protect, repair and renew skin cells.

By using this cocktail of supplements, I have noticed that my eczema is more or less gone, outbreaks of scalp psoriasis has decreased from 3 to 4 times a year to almost none, nails grow fast and never break anymore, eyelash growth has increased. I also believe I have higher levels of energy.

Eliminating sugar from my diet has definitely been beneficial, as well. Smile

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:33 am

Septembergirl, so r u saying that whatever supplements we are taking, we should take a day off once a week?

hhm that would be nice...it helps save money too haha Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:34 am

Stardustdy wrote:

Septembergirl, so r u saying that whatever supplements we are taking, we should take a day off once a week?

hhm that would be nice...it helps save money too haha Very Happy

Yes, according to the article I gave a link to, and also some other sources, it seems like a good idea to take a day off a week. Always nice to save some efforts and money. Smile

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:21 pm

This is a good idea, it gives the liver a bit of a rest too.

How are you finding the lipoic acid? I took it for a while a couple of years ago. It made me feel tired, I discovered that it can cause a biotin deficiency, taking that made me feel better but I just went off it for some reason. Interested to know what you think of it.

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:23 pm

Camelia wrote:

This is a good idea, it gives the liver a bit of a rest too.

How are you finding the lipoic acid? I took it for a while a couple of years ago. It made me feel tired, I discovered that it can cause a biotin deficiency, taking that made me feel better but I just went off it for some reason. Interested to know what you think of it.

Nice to see you picking up another vitamin thread.

I have been taking Alpha-lipoic-acid (ALA) supplements for nearly a year and felt an initial energy boost that I believe is still present.

During the last year I have added quite a few supplements to my routine and cannot say for sure which pills are doing what. All I know, is that the cocktail of vitamins I'm currently taking, seems to work very well.

There are convincing claims about ALA as a strong antioxidant being able to stabilize or even reverse cell damage. Sometimes one will need to believe in the long term benefits rather than see results right away. The fact that ALA is a prescription strength drug in Norway and has to be smuggled from Sweden, made the temptation to use it even stronger.

The antioxidant action of ALA is more important than satisfying my criminal mind, though. Eh?

Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:37 pm

I usually take one day off a week as well one month off once or twice a year depending on what I am taking.

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:04 pm

Quote:

There are convincing claims about ALA as a strong antioxidant being able to stabilize or even reverse cell damage. Sometimes one will need to believe in the long term benefits rather than see results right away. The fact that ALA is a prescription strength drug in Norway and has to be smuggled from Sweden, made the temptation to use it even stronger.

The antioxidant action of ALA is more important than satisfying my criminal mind, though.

LOL, that is intriguing! Black market ALA!

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:11 pm

Camelia, when you said taking breaks from vitamins, it gives the liver a rest too... I know liver is responsible for filtering out toxins and wastes but would vitamins & supplements add to its load to the liver? I thought supplements are supposed to be nourishing therefore do good to your entire body so good to the liver too?? Correct me if I'm wrong Confused

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:57 pm

Hi Stardustdy

I know what you mean, generally taking vitamins and not exceeding dosages should be fine. Care should be taken with fat soluable vitamins, particularly vitamin A. For example, someone might think the dosage they're taking is fine but forget that they're also eating liver each week, it might be enough to push the levels up to a toxic level. Niacin and iron are others to look out for, iron can build up in the liver. Herbs such as skullcap and valerian can be dangerous for the liver. Those who smoke or already have other health problems could be at greater risk.

Science Daily recently had an article on a Consumer Lab Report that had tested various mulit-vits and found that Vitamin Shopper's multis had high levels of lead in them!

I think Septembergirl is just wise to rest for a day a week, after all nature intended us to get our nutrients through food not popping vitamin pills with all the various fillers that are added to them. In today's busy lives it's not always possible to get everything just through food. I take many vitamins too because
I want to ensure that I'm getting enough.

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:58 pm

Hi Camelia, by Vitamin Shopper's multis, do u mean the brand from Shoppers Drug Mart??

hhm do u think iron supplements are damaging to the liver then? I'm taking iron supplements cuz I'm low in iron. So you're saying that iron won't excrete thru the liver and they just stay there?

sry for sounding paranoid but I'm just worried sometimes... Sad

Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:07 pm

I've started taking "Blackmores pregnancy and breastfeeding GOLD" vitamin supplement and my nails have never been better.

I'm still not pregnant yet, but I've got killer nails.

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:08 pm

autumn95 wrote:

I take probotics every morning on an empty stomach. This is one supplement that I notice a huge difference. I will run out of my probotics and will be fine for a couple of days. More than 3 or 4 days and I notice my digestive system is not working as well.

Hello! Just wondering what brand(s) of probiotics everyone is utilizing. Do you find any brands are better than others? There seems to be different 'technologies' as to how they are buffered against stomach acid. Been thinking I should take some of these due to the antibiotics I have been on in the past. Thanks!

free skin care · Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:22 pm

Here's the link for the lead contamination:They're called Multi Shoppe vitamins. I'm sorry I don't where they're from as I'm in the UK.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16655168/

Regarding iron toxicity, I'm sure the dose that your doctor has prescribed for you will be correct. The iron is important for you if you're anaemic. It will be fine if you're being monitored every now and again.

I've been anaemic before and personally find that spreading the daily dose over 3 meals is more effective than one big dose once a day. Do you know what your ferritin level was when they tested your blood?

A lot of the toxicity spoken about is due to self medication. Post menopausal women (ie: no blood loss occuring each month)and men are much more at risk and children should never be given anything without the doctor's advice.

free skin care · Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:05 am

I think a break is necessary if you are supplementing synthetic vitamins and minerals, even various "extracted" nutrients of adulterated quality should not be taken for prolonged periods.

If you are taking supplements in the form of concentrated or condensed nutrition, I don't think that is harmful at all, it would be like eating a lot of healthy foods. Also because the modern diet is so lacking in nutrition, often taking supplements which provide nutrition beyond the RDI % will be like just getting a little more than the RDI anyway.

free skin care · Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:11 pm

Camelia wrote:

Here's the link for the lead contamination:They're called Multi Shoppe vitamins. I'm sorry I don't where they're from as I'm in the UK.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16655168/

Regarding iron toxicity, I'm sure the dose that your doctor has prescribed for you will be correct. The iron is important for you if you're anaemic. It will be fine if you're being monitored every now and again.

I've been anaemic before and personally find that spreading the daily dose over 3 meals is more effective than one big dose once a day. Do you know what your ferritin level was when they tested your blood?

A lot of the toxicity spoken about is due to self medication. Post menopausal women (ie: no blood loss occuring each month)and men are much more at risk and children should never be given anything without the doctor's advice.

When they 1st tested my blood, my Ferritin was 11 and after 2months of iron supplements, it went up to 42 so it's still within the normal range I guess....

free skin care · Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:45 am

Quote:

When they 1st tested my blood, my Ferritin was 11 and after 2months of iron supplements, it went up to 42 so it's still within the normal range I guess....

That's a good increase Stardustdy, are you experiencing higher energy levels now? I have to find out what mine is, I've definitely noticed less hair in the plughole.

free skin care · Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:47 am

Septembergirl, on another thread you said you were taking the Dr Brandt liquid supplement. Please tell me more... I know that it's hard to identify which supplement is doing what if you're taking many vitamins but do you feel that it's worth it?

free skin care · Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:55 am

Camelia wrote:

Septembergirl, on another thread you said you were taking the Dr Brandt liquid supplement. Please tell me more... I know that it's hard to identify which supplement is doing what if you're taking many vitamins but do you feel that it's worth it?

I have noticed an improvement in skin, nails and hair from the supplements I am currently taking. Unfortunately, I am not able to point out exactly what role the water boosters have been playing to achieve the results.

The boosters contain various degrees of fruit and berry extracts in addition to green and white tea, which I believe is a good thing. I intend to continue taking the boosters - despite the high price.

free skin care · Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:44 pm

Well I take a break regularly as I never remember to take my vitamins..or I do remember and can't be bothered. I do have a mainly green veg juice every morning though so I get a good dose of vits from that.

The one thing that does make a big difference to me when I take it is a probiotic. I take Udo 8 which was recommended to me by a nutritionist. I get it at the health food shop down the road from me so it has minimal time in transit between fridges.

free skin care · Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:29 pm

daisylondon wrote:

The one thing that does make a big difference to me when I take it is a probiotic.

What kind of results do you achieve? Does it contribute to better digestion, or other benefits?

free skin care · Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:48 pm

Yes, better digestion which, at least for me, leads to a flatter stomach and clearer skin.

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