Exactly one month ago I began a vitamin routine. Five days a week I take a prenatal multivitamin (purely for the vitamin use, not trying to be a mommy any time soon), and iron and calcium supplements. Within two weeks I felt the effects but thought it could just be in my head. Once month later, I have noticed longer and stronger nails. My skin is has been rather clear. I am sleeping really well. I feel completely energized throughout an entire day. My sister, nutrition major at Clemson University (and aspiring Registered Dietitian), can provide technical feedback.
This is my best at explaining things without making it too scientific lol:
First of all, it is always ideal to eat food to recieve your daily amounts of vitamins and minerals rather than take supplements. Unfortunately, most people do not eat enough of the right food to get the amount of vitamins and minerals we need. So in that case, it is a good idea to take supplements. Now, prenatal vitamins were recommended to us by mom because they tend to have higher B vitamins doses (this is to support fetal and brain development in a fetus). Since B vitamins are water soluble we can't overdose so it is not harmful for us to take daily. B vitamins are our energy metabolizing vitamins, meaning they help our bodies use the fuel that gives us our energy. As a side not I also take biotin (B7) supplements as this is the vitamin that will help your hair and nails grow.
I would also highly recommend any vegeterians taking B12 supplements, the only natural source of it is in meats (small amount in dairy), and although you can get enough of it from fortified foods (like cereal). If you don't eat a lot of meat, especially red meat, you may be anemic. Anemia is most commonly cause by deficiency in B12, folate, or iron and can cause fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches among many other symptoms that can become much more serious.
Most people probably get plenty servings of dairy to be sufficient in calcium (need approximately 3 servings a day). But if you don't get enough you can cause impaired bone development (bones develop till age 26). I would maybe also recommend taking vitamin D supplements because the recommended amounts has increased and studies are showing most people do not get enough (you can find it in fortified foods like orange juice or through sunlight). You need vitamin D to use calcium efficiently.
I would recommend taking the vitamins every day, and it takes about 3 months to get full results.
-Victoria (aka Tori) Hayden
Wow- I feel like I should take notes lol. Thanks sissy!
Note: Not eating meat will not directly cause you to be anemic; anyone who doesn't eat properly can get anemia! And this is something that would have to be diagnosed from a doctor based on lab values, but if you feel especially tired all the time I would consider writing down what you eat and seeing if you feel like you are eating an adequate diet! It is amazing how writing down what you eat will make you realize what you have to much or too little of in your diet! If you have any questions about nutrition and vitamins I would love to answer them!
ReplyDeleteOther side note: You can be a vegeterian and be perfectly healthy! It just takes a little more work to make sure you get all your nutrients and enough protein!
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