Vitamins, etc.

[tnm75]

What type of vitamins, protein pills, etc. are people using post-op? Brand names, how much, etc.?

Thanks, Kristy

[nothereanymore]

From my understanding, it really is personal based on your needs. I used a protein calculator to help me understand how much I needed each day:

http://www.healthcalculators.org/calculators/protein.asp

I then chose my protein based on my protein needs and product. When I first started I used Perfect Isopure Low Carb Isopure, Dutch Chocolate. Only 220 calories and 50 grams of protein per serving. (I mixed it with fat free milk/water and brought it up to 300 calories and 58 grams of protein) It was the highest calories I would get in the day. Also I was working out so I needed it to keep my weight loss moving.

Since I don’t need as much protein now I buy the single serving box protein Premier at Costco.

Personally I’m a little bit different to most, I can tell that Jude takes vitamins based on her personal needs and preference – that’s how I am as well. I spread my vitamins throughout the day and I try to “eat” as many as possible. (I hate calcium pills so I work my tail off to eat enough between yogurt and milk)

To understand what vitamins I need I take Dr. Weil’s questionnaire.

https://www.drweil.com/vitamin_advisor?aid=...;aparam=gateway

You don’t have to buy from here – but it’s a great way to understand what vitamins you need based on the answers to the questionnaire. Just print it and go shopping, online for price comparison. (It really is a good one and he truly cares about it, and doesn’t care if you buy from him, he just wants people to be healthy) Its based on the latest studies and changes often based on new findings. (When I'm shopping online, for example I just put Perfect Isopure Low Carb Isopure in search and start shopping).

However one note - if your the type of person that needs to just take one pill or you wont take anything - just grab a good multivitamin that is once per day. There's so many out there - take a look at the ingredients and see if you can find one that matches your recommendation.

All the best and good luck,

Lisa

[JazzyJude]

From my understanding, it really is personal based on your personal needs. I used a protein calculator to help me understand how much I needed each day:

http://www.healthcalculators.org/calculators/protein.asp

I then chose my protein based on my protein needs and product. When I first started I used Perfect Isopure Low Carb Isopure, Dutch Chocolate. Only 220 calories and 50 grams of protein per serving. (I mixed it with fat free milk/water and brought it up to 300 calories and 58 grams of protein) It was the highest calories I would get in the day. Also I was working out so I needed it to keep my weight loss moving.

Since I don’t need as much protein now I buy the single serving box protein Premier at Costco.

Personally I’m a little bit different to most, I can tell that Jude takes vitamins based on her personal needs and preference – that’s how I am as well. I spread my vitamins throughout the day and I try to “eat” as many as possible. (I hate calcium pills so I work my tail off to eat enough between yogurt and milk)

To understand what vitamins I need I take Dr. Weil’s questionnaire.

https://www.drweil.com/vitamin_advisor?aid=...;aparam=gateway

You don’t have to buy from here – but it’s a great way to understand what vitamins you need based on the answers to the questionnaire. Just print it and go shopping, online for price comparison. (It really is a good one and he truly cares about it, and doesn’t care if you buy from him, he just wants people to be healthy) Its based on the latest studies and changes often based on new findings. (When I'm shopping online, for example I just put Perfect Isopure Low Carb Isopure in search and start shopping).

However one note - if your the type of person that needs to just take one pill or you wont take anything - just grab a good multivitamin that is once per day. There's so many out there - take a look at the ingredients and see if you can find one that matches your recommendation.

All the best and good luck, Lisa

Lisa said it all really. Each person's body is different and you may require a higher dosage of one thing, whereas I don't need it. As like Lisa, I would 'eat' as much vitamins I can and the rest would be in vitamins and supplements and the brand I like. I totally agree that if you haven't been taking any vitamins or supplements up til now, at least get a good multivitamin you would take once a day. Dr. Miranda at OCC suggested taking the chewable Centrium Multivitamin during the preop and so on, which I am currently using ~ but I am going to switch back and forth with a gummy multivitamins because it's a slight change in variations of ingredients I personally need more of AND also, it would help me to prevent any tiredness/achyness in my jaw/teeth should I have any.

Good link references Lisa provided...browse through and take the time to read the labels to suit your needs.

Hope this helps...

[tnm75]

Thanks girls. You have been a tremendous help! I have been taking a vitamin each morning, but I've been really wondering how to make sure that my body's needs are being met.

Kristy

[JazzyJude]

Thanks girls. You have been a tremendous help! I have been taking a vitamin each morning, but I've been really wondering how to make sure that my body's needs are being met.

Kristy

Sweetheart ~ you are hitting a broad subject that is difficult to answer, to be precise. Your body and my body are different and so we require or need certain vitamins and supplements to continue to stay healthy on a daily basis. So, what you don't 'eat' you need to supplement with a pill, per se. I love talking about vitamins, minerals, and supplements. It's interesting as to how you benefit from them and how best to get them in your system. Obviously, eating is the best way but there is no way, as a bandster, you could eat enough food to reach your own daily requirement without overeating.

Here are some quick tips to consider to getting the right vitamins:

> Eat a healthy diet ~ A multivitamin will provide some insurance against deficiencies so choose a daily diet rich in proteins, veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts and healthy oils but go easy in red meat and unhealthy fats.

> Choose a daily multivitamin ~ A daily multivitamin is an inexpensive way to get in your nutrients, to fill in the gap what you don't eat ~ take one every day.

> Think about Vitamin D ~ Not only is it great for bone health as well as getting some extra vitamin D but studies shows it can help lower the risk of colon and breast cancer. To me, this is a good thing! I am trying to get between 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day, which on some days I may need to take a vitamin D pill, in addition to my multivitamin, to meet my requirement benefits.

> Don't do mega doses ~ Normally you would avoid mega-dose vitamins and mega-fortified foods. Now higher doses of vitamin E may help to prevent heart disease, but most multivitamin have enough to have health benefits. In addition, a regular multivitamin also have enough folic acid, so you should avoid foods that have high amounts of folic acid added to them (such as beans, poultry, tuna, mushrooms, oranges, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, bananas, strawberries, and cantaloupes to name a few). Vitamin D is an exception, as many people need more than the required daily amount.

> Avoid “super” supplements ~ Save your money for healthy food choices and a good vacation. That being said, don’t be 'swayed' into buying those TV infomercials products about their wild health claims on their health supplements. If they sound too good to be true, you can be sure they are. Besides, you can most probably get the same thing at your drug store at a cheaper price.

Hope this helps...

[jhawkchick75]

I agree it's so different for everyone. You just need to listen to your body and do some trial and error. I do a multivitamin and I also do some extra fiber (always needed serious help in the bathroom dept. and still do!) but that is really it. I do protein bullets too b/c I found my hair was falling out and I was feeling tired. I'm also going to start looking for something I can take with extra calcium.

[JazzyJude]

I agree it's so different for everyone. You just need to listen to your body and do some trial and error. I do a multivitamin and I also do some extra fiber (always needed serious help in the bathroom dept. and still do!) but that is really it. I do protein bullets too b/c I found my hair was falling out and I was feeling tired. I'm also going to start looking for something I can take with extra calcium.

Shelby, for the extra calcium, I occasionally have the Tums...they are great calcium supplements!

[nothereanymore]

Here's the suggested Calcium Intake and then what you can eat to reach your daily needs. I reach my max between my latte, my protein shake and my daily yogurt. Add in my veggies and fish and most of the time I'm over 1000 milligrams per day.

Ages Milligrams

Women

19 to 50 years 1,000*

51 years and older 1,200*

Pregnant/lactating 1,200

Postmenopausal; on estrogen 1,200

Postmenopausal; not on estrogen 1,500

Men

19 to 50 years 1,000*

51 years and older 1,200*

(One thing I'm adding on - based on some new studies, men should try and "eat" their calcium - not take calcium pills)

Food Serving Calcium (mg)

Milk (skim) 8 oz 306

Milk (low-fat, 1%) 8 oz 290

Milk (whole) 8 oz 276

Nonfat yogurt 8 oz 452

Low-fat yogurt 8 oz 415

Frozen yogurt ½ cup 103

Goat cheese (hard) 1 oz 254

Part-skim mozzarella 1 oz 207

Cheddar cheese 1 oz 204

Low-fat cottage cheese 1 cup 155

Feta cheese 1 oz 140

Sardines with bones 3 oz 325

Canned salmon 3 oz 181

Collards 1 cup 357

Turnip greens 1 cup 249

Okra (cooked) 1 cup 176

Spinach 1 cup 291

And Shelby is right on, the best way to tell if your needs are being met is to take a close look at yourself, how do you feel, how does your skin look, your nails and hair.

We all have those days when we look at ourselves and we’re glowing, our hair is shiny, are nails are good and we feel awesome and have great energy.

Then we have those days when we look dull, our nails are cracking and our hair is breaking or falling out, we don’t feel great and can barely get out of bed.

The way we feel and look may have something to do with how our body is reacting to what we put in it. Food is our fuel – we’re like a car – we will run better if we give our bodies better fuel and what it needs. Most Doctors will tell you that they’d rather you eat your vitamins instead of take them in pills. But its harder for us to get everything our bodies need since we eat less than most.

So take a look at yourself – see how you feel and how you look. If everything is running great you may be getting enough supplements with your diet. If not, you may need to add on. Whatever you end up taking remember it takes up to 90 days to truly see and feel a change so give it time and try to be consistent.

All the best, I can't believe its almost Christmas Eve!!

Lisa