Niacin, Vitamin C, Andrew W Saul (Ph.D, Therapeutic Nutrition Specialist and Author)???

[Stacey♥]

I watched Food Matters for the first time over the weekend and was wondering if anyone here in the hab are taking high doses of Niacin and Vitamin C as mentioned in the video by Dr. Saul?

I must admit I don't take any vitamins and since watching the video I have decided that I need start taking at least a good multi-vitamin and consider taking vitamin C and niacin, too.

Would be interested in hearing opinions about vitamins and what people here take on a daily basis.

 

[djd]

I don't take any supplements.  I get plenty of vitamins from my food.  You can check that with an app such as cronometer dot com.

[Kristen]

I should have answered the question here as well.  I take Niacin before I run and I have lost cellulite without intention of doing so.  I took 300 mg which might not be sufficient for someone else, but it was what I flushed at.  I understand that many people must take over 1 g to get the flush.  So many people fear the flush and consider the flush a bad side effect when in fact it is the vessels/cells releasing the toxins and fats (my cellulite).  Doctors are known for prescribing it to reduce cholesterol in folks that have too high.  These fats are released because of the Niacin opening the vessels so it is quite necessary.  I hope people can learn that so they are able to enjoy the benefit of Niacin.  

**I was taking the Niacin for an emotional boost as the sunlight in Sweden is quite low during the winter months and Niacin helped so much 

[Kristen]

I also love Andrew Saul and I listened to an interview on the radio here in Sweden.  He explains things so clearly.  Incase you did not know, as you might, he has a wonderful website  Link removed by Admin (See House Rules)  He's shares so much great information about so many concerns.  I hope you have already found the site, but if not I thought I would say.  

Happy eating :)

[Supermom]

I enjoyed the film Food Matters.  I also love "Forks Over Knives".

I love what Jane replied, and her choices resonate with me. I also tend to agree with what Laura said about vitamin supplement pills are isolates that the body may not be able to use in that form. 

If you calculate what you eat onto the Cronometer, you can check to see if you are eating enough nutrients.  It is fun to play with your menu ahead of time, to up the nutrition, and see how power-packed fruits and vegetables really are! Amazing!!!

Some researchers have pointed out that supplements are some of the most processed foods. Whole foods give you the vitamins along with the water, fiber, enzymes, anti-oxidants, and minerals.

I would rather eat lots of citrus fruits than take a vitamin C pill, but I think that water-soluble vitamins are okay to take a little too much of, because your body can get rid of the excess in the urine.

[Jane]

I  think taking supplements is an individual matter, which changes and evolves over time, depending what’s going on in one’s life.  When I first became a vegan, decades ago, I didn’t take any supplements at all (although I had the resilience of youth on my side).  There wasn’t as much readily available information about, say: B12, D3 and Omega 3, etc.  After a few years I developed a vitamin B12 deficiency, which, thankfully, was picked up early by a blood test and easily treated with a couple of shots and supplements.  Otherwise I haven’t really had any problems; I once had mild iron deficiency anaemia (in my pre-greens days), which I cured myself eating: sprouted lentils, dried fruits, greens and oranges, rather than supplements, but that’s about it.

I take:  sublingual B12 3-5 times per/wk; sublingual (vegan) D3 most mornings (not during 3-mths of summer when I can expose my skin to good quality sunlight for 15-20 minutes a day); a kelp supplement once a week (unless I’ve eaten seaweed).  I also have a heaped tbsp of either: ground flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds or 2 tbsps of hemp or flax oil most days, but that probably doesn’t count because it’s food.

I have a bottle of niacin in the cupboard but I rarely use it; during the winter I sometimes take it when I’m very cold or I’m struggling to sleep because the niacin flush warms me up and seems to relax me.  But I only take it when I’m on my own because I turn beetroot red from head to toe!

I loved Andrew Saul in 'Food Matters'; he's so witty.

[Laura Harshbarger]

Robert Morse recommends not to take vitamins.  Vitamins are isolates and the boy cannot use them.  You can get all of the vitamins you need from whole, raw foods.