Hey all,

I'm going through a 'cleaning out' phase of my supplements and trying to dertermine which ones to keep and which ones to discontinue/toss.  My problem is mostly that I take way too many supplements (were talking like 30-35 different things) probably mostly because I work in a health food store and get such a great (for better of worse) discount.

The number 16 came to me the other day, and I thought I'd try to get it down to about that number.

So the real question is:  How much is too much?  How many do you take, and do people think you 'take too many pills?'

(Eating away form home is always interesting as the pills come with me in a little container.)

Thoughts?

I believe nutrients best come from whole foods.

I feel that supplements should 'supplement' one's meals.

Currently, I am pursuing a protocol, so I am taking an additional two supplements..  On a regular basis, I have been taking 3 supplements daily; I tend to feel better with powder or whole foods type of supplement.

Alia

in my opinion even 16 is too much. 30 is HARMFUL. as someone whos been there and done that...food is the best way to go. however, i do take probiotics (from Dadamo) and one i got for free.

Also i would say it depends a lot on quality, not quantity. if u take quality supplements i dont see any reason to take so much. If you want a better answer, it might help list the supplements you are taking.

personaly i think too many people are "tricked" into taking taking so many supplements by corporations just interested in your dollar. Only you can know however, your trust level with the supplements you are taking. i have a low trust for supplements but i do trust NAP.

I forgot to add that perhaps you should try 'The Determinator' to see what is recommended:
http://www.dadamo.com/ingrediator/determinator.htm

Alia

I take Vit C (Solgar Rose C 500) Gingko, Horsetail, Echinacea from September to March, vit D as I am always low without regularly; Occasionally stinging nettle and Collinsonia Stoneroot for my sinuses.
I change Gingko with eleuterocccus or Withania for a week or three or four days to improve the adaptogen strenght of these herbs. Pplyflora and Polyvite of NAPare magic in giving me energy , but they are really expensive for a regular use and I feel well enough to use them only occasionally.
My two cents
Maria Giovanna

I'm taking supplements for the Antibiotic Support and the Pre/Post Surgery protocols so that is about 13 different pills, capsules, powder and tincture that I take 1-3 times a day.  Its only been 6 days and the shine is wearing off.

I wonder how you would feel Darko 2300, if you were to stop taking them.  If you had less energy perhaps

...and if so many supplements take up so much of the space in your stomach you would need to eat more food!

The Determinator is a good idea.  There are a whopping 69 different supplement ingredients in the 8-9 different NAP Formulas that the Determinator recommended in my case.

2 right now: multivitamin and probiotic as per my naturopath's treatment instructions.

Usually I would also take PhytoCal, Magnesium at night, and sometimes Catechol (taking regular breaks).  I only take more than that if I am doing a protocol or feel that I might be getting sick.  

It seems to me that it's not so much a matter of how many you take, but of what you are taking and what they are for.  If you have multiple serious health problems, then you may need more, or not.

Quoted from cindyt

It seems to me that it's not so much a matter of how many you take, but of what you are taking and what they are for.  If you have multiple serious health problems, then you may need more, or not.

Seems like a sensible approach to me. Others can elaborate if they wish.

I take on a regular basis: Deflect and Polyflora (both from NAP). I'm taking CandidaStat to get a handle on my candida overgrowth and I'm also taking Cortigurd and Attentia to help with my studies. I'm not sure if I'll continue with these last two after the bottles run out, though.

I'm also trying to downsize my supplements as well.  Basically I use the following:
Seacure
Magnesium glycinate every night
Calcium chelate with Vit. D
Vitamin C with bioflavanoids (corn free, based on amla fruit)
Harmonia in smoothies
Probiotic from Kirkman labs
L-tyrosine
Multi-vitamin (thinking of phasing this one out, but it has lots of B vitamins in it)
flaxseeds in smoothies, not the oil

Have added colloidal silver in the a.m.'s as well, but thinking of getting some Candex for yeastie issues, very low lying now as I stay away from most fruit right now, except wild blueberries.  I really think these supplements are very useful to me and help me, but supps can get soooo expensive, so I would love to phase something out.    

Phew!  Thanks for all your responses guys!

I thought I'd add that a lot of my supplements overlap (I have 4 different enzyme products for example and take some herbs seperately.)  This might help explain  why that '30' number was so high.  I didn't mean to scare anyone.  

In any event, I've paired things down to the 16 I take now and I thought I'd list them and see what you guys thought.  

1.) New Chapter Every Man Multi-Vitamin (www.newchapter.com)
2.) Cortisol Formula (called 'Om')containing Holy basil, Aswaganda, Magnolia bark, L-Theanine) (www.highlandvitamins.com)
3.) A Quercetin/Nettle/Bromelain Combination (works great!) (www.highlandvitamins.com)
4.) Sublingual Methylcobalamin (B-12 made by KAL)
5.) Butyrate tablets (doesn't give me the side effects of Intrinsia - made by Nutricology.)
6.) New Chapter's Zyflamend with some Boswellia taken with it.
7.) Garden of Life's Primal Defense Ultra (Very strong probiotic supplement) (www.gardenoflife.com)
8.) Source Natural's Acetyl-L-Carnitine with Alpha Lipoic Acid (www.sourcenaturals.com)
9.) Digestive enzymes (brands vary)
10.) Chlorella
11.) Bacopa/Ginko Combination (www.planetaryformulas.com)  Michael Tierra rules! lol
12.) A green and white tea blen made by New Chapter
13.) Nature's Way Coral Calcium mineral complex
14.) Super Anti-Oxidant Formula (Extra C, E, Zinc, Selenium, NAC, ect.)
15.) CoQ-10 60-120mg a day depending.
16.) Deflect!  Yay!

So that's it!  My only major health problems are: 1) Ulcerative Colitis (which is slowly but surely getting better) and some past periodontal problems.  (I've had two grafts done on my gums - no one can figure out why they were receeding since I don't have any risk factors - I blame stress.  I think that my body just wasn't dealing well with it at the time and took it out on my gums.)

I guess I should also mention that I take Cod Liver Oil and Flaxseed Oil as well, though I consider those food.  (Even if the government doesn't, lol.)

Sounds like you are your best customer Dark...

right now I am taking  3 times a day
one for adrenals
acidophilus since I was on antibiotics a few weeks ago almost done with them

and a multi vitamin every once in a while
I drink Licorice and mint tea. I feel is better than any pill for the issues I do have.

since I have increased my fresh food intake I feel I don't need a lot of supplements but when I am fighting a specific sickness or condition I will take a few more but I don't like to take the same ones for more than a bottles worth at a stretch.
before I was on the BTD I was taking some for joint pain, tummy problems and stress and some I don't even know why I was taking them. but after a few months on the BTD I just don't need them anymore.
everyone is different in their needs and current health issues so you and your ND are best to answer what is really needed to better health. IMO

I do a little bit of polyvite.
-Nitricycle
-Bromelain

I also take zinc and magnesium form other manufacturers, as wel as Dr. Dave`s  Instant Einstein.

I guess my fish, flax and olive oil usage can be viewed as supplements, too.

I do keep very close eye on what I eat though and drink a lot of fresh juices, as well as smoothies with lots of berries.

When it comes to supplements containing plants I can get a hold of fresh, I really try to use that instead.

I would probably rely a bit more on supplements if I traveled more.

Quoted from oddos

I do a little bit of polyvite.
-Nitricycle
-Bromelain

I also take zinc and magnesium form other manufacturers, as wel as Dr. Dave`s  Instant Einstein.

I guess my fish, flax and olive oil usage can be viewed as supplements, too.

I do keep very close eye on what I eat though and drink a lot of fresh juices, as well as smoothies with lots of berries.

When it comes to supplements containing plants I can get a hold of fresh, I really try to use that instead.

I would probably rely a bit more on supplements if I traveled more.

Hi I was wondering what u meant from fresh juices ... do u buy them or make them urself ?
Do u really eat a beet a day ??
Thank-u  

Always make them myself. I usually drink them right after I make them or I may bring some in a thermos flask that I`ve kept in the freezer over night for lunch.(The flask, not the juice. That I make just before I leave.) Buying is too expensive, hard to find here and I probably wouldn`t get organic stuff.

As for the beet. I guess I eat one and juice another one pretty much every day.

My basic veggie juice is just carrot beet and ginger. Then I add whatever I feel like. Leafy greens I really prefer to eat whole. I think most of them taste great, but I don`t like them in my juice. I really just juice stuff that would be hard to for me to consume a great amount of n any other way, or stuff that I don`t like eating raw. Like if I do asparagus for dinner, even if I just steam them carefully, I`d probably throw the hard ends in there and maybe a little more just to be sure to get some raw stuff.  My lunch and dinner pretty much look like a mountain of sallad.

Right now I'm taking a joint formula for arthritis (it has the antioxidants vitamins plus some herbs for inflammation), some minerals (cal, mag and biosil) omega 3 fish oil and sometimes I take digestive enzymes plus on and off I take pbx.  I take Vit D from November to March.  In the summer I take herbs for stress.  

Quoted from oddos

Always make them myself. I usually drink them right after I make them or I may bring some in a thermos flask that I`ve kept in the freezer over night for lunch.(The flask, not the juice. That I make just before I leave.) Buying is too expensive, hard to find here and I probably wouldn`t get organic stuff.

As for the beet. I guess I eat one and juice another one pretty much every day.

My basic veggie juice is just carrot beet and ginger. Then I add whatever I feel like. Leafy greens I really prefer to eat whole. I think most of them taste great, but I don`t like them in my juice. I really just juice stuff that would be hard to for me to consume a great amount of n any other way, or stuff that I don`t like eating raw. Like if I do asparagus for dinner, even if I just steam them carefully, I`d probably throw the hard ends in there and maybe a little more just to be sure to get some raw stuff.  My lunch and dinner pretty much look like a mountain of sallad.

Wow, I'm so impressed !!!
I do love red beets and also carrots 'cause they add sweetness to my dishes especially mixed
in with green vegetables; furthermore, they also strengthen the liver hence that's a bonus

I make an amazing risotto with red beets, red onions, parmesan, olive oil and butter dish ...
really very yummi !!

however; I had read to NOT eat red beets on a daily basis ... sigh

Thanks for sharing  

What did you read about red beets on a daily basis?

(my guess is he heard they are hIgh in oxalic acid)

2x30mg's of Q10,2x a multivit-mineral espec. for women,2x200mg's of alphalipoic acid, 3x500mg's of evening primroseoil,1x 25'000IU mixed carotenoid complex, 1x kelptabl. 2x menopauseformula

= 13 pillies a day ------ oups forgot 3x2 MSM joint formula = 19 pillies a day ouch.....


not true add some 3x1 1000mg's of Vit. C = 22 pillies a day nice huh

but that's nothing against our beloved C.th.Dabler

Quoted from Victoria

What did you read about red beets on a daily basis?

Hi Victoria ... hope u're well ?

Here u go ...  
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=49


Can you tell me what oxalates are and in which foods they can be found?
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=48

Cheers  

Quoted from jayney-O

(my guess is he heard they are hIgh in oxalic acid)

Bingo jayney-O !!

Bromelain-500mg, once a day
B-Complex 100,once a day
Dandelion Root, 500mg,twice a day
Maca, 500mg, twice a day
Glucosamine Sulphate 1000mg, twice a day
Super L-Carnitine, twice a day
L Tyrosine, 500mg, twice a day
Rice protein powder, thrice  day

Have checked the ingredients list for avoids..but nothing seems to jump out at me. I however have   about gelatin, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, cellulose, cellulose & glycerin coating, and silica-all related to the covering of the capsule.

I also notice that ever since starting on all the above suppliments, I have massive breakouts along my jaw starting just below the left ear ending midway to the right ear...indicating lymph node congestion,  More on this in another thread. But if anyone finds any suspects in the above mentioned ingredients list please alert me!

might be, my dearle, that you do have reactions onto the sulphate, mostly breakouts of thingies similar to akne, might be a reaction on that stuff too......  may I ask ya...why l'carnitin? to loose weight ?