Astronomer

If the myth of vitamins is so prevalent, why are medical doctors and specialists still promoting the use of vitamins? I can understand that if someone goes to a health store with an uneducated stance on vitamins, what they do, and what their body needs and just grabs a bunch to take, that it could be dangerous. But if medical practitioners are suggesting you take certain vitamins, is THAT something that you should have second thoughts about? I'm not arguing against your suggestion, I'm just wondering, because a doctor reccommended I take Vitamin D and calcium supplements to help a medical condition I have, but I don't want to die... ha.

Also, what about pre-natal supplements and vitamins? Same thing?

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Guybrush

When I've asked my doctor about about vitamin supplements, she said I didn't need them, even if I'd gone for five days without being able to keep any food down. If your doctor recommends you get more of a vitamin, I assume they think you may have a deficiency or something and that their advice is good, but studies seem to indicate that if you're already of good health, you won't improve your health further by taking vitamin supplements. It is more likely to do harm than help you.

About pre-natal vitamin requirements, I have no idea!

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Something Completely Different

Astronomer

I know that some vitamins can be dangerous if taken in excess, which is why people need to be careful if they are taking multiple supplements at once BUT I can't find that many studies on dangerous vitamins when taken in excess, apart from Vitamin E, A and C, which already have FDA precautions on vitamin bottles, its just that many people ignore them because they just assume that the more vitamins they take the better.

Generally, I tend to believe that vitamin intake follows a bell curve type effect, so you might have a deficiency, then an optimal level, then a toxic level. Which means vitamins are still beneficial to your health if taken at the right levels for your body's needs. So yeah, I guess if you're in 100% good health without any deficiencies you won't need to take any supplements. So your doctor said that YOU didn't need any vitamin supplements, but this might not ring true for other members of he population. In this day and age people aren't eating as healthy, exercising as much or getting outside as much so many individuals DO have deficiencies.

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Burning Down

That vitamin water or enhanced water, whatever it's called, is bad for you because they generally contain an excess of vitamins. I always see people guzzling those things down like there's no tomorrow.

Astronomer

Those vitamin waters are awful! They are basically sugar!

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Burning Down

And they just taste disgusting. Ugh. People get so brainwashed by energy drinks and other products that are supposed to be "good" for you or make you more beautiful or whatever, while in reality they are just placebos and it's a mind over matter issue.

That's why I like this thread because Tumor has showcased some simple tips for beauty and hair and skin care that are not really fads or all the rage, and that will work for most people.

sopsych

Consume Omega-3's (but don't rely heavily on fish). That can fix dry skin and produce other benefits (in, for example, brain function).

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Arya Stark

I was also told to do this for years when I was a veg!

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Queen Boo

But if you're eating fish oil are you really vegetarian?

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Burning Down

You can get Omega 3 fatty acids from flax seeds and kiwi fruit, but not near the amount you get from fish.