carey@seismo.UUCP (Marie Carey) (08/30/83)
On the subject of vitamins, I have also read in "Prevention Magazine", which I used to subscribe to, that taking vitamin C helps in the absorbtion of Iron. I also agree that it is wise to take all of the B vitamins at the same time, as in a B-complex vitamin to get the maximum results. I personally take many vitamins, at pretty high potencies, because I believe that the body does not absorb ALL of the vitamin that one is taking. I believe this because studies have been conducted, for example, that show that smoking cigettes and drinking alcohol deplete the vitamin C in one's body. This is just one example, but I am sure that there are other things that may deplete viamins in one's body. While I do not drink or smoke, I do think that if I did not take the Iron with the vitamin C, that my body would not absorb as much of the Iron. Alot of vitamins should be taken together because they work together in the body, such as zinc and vitamin A. They have been shown to work better together than seperately in keeping the skin clear of eruptions, such as acne. I have also read where vitamin A and vitamin D work better together and in fact, I have seen the two vitamins combined into one vitamin capsule in alot of vitamin stores. Well, hope I have been of some help to anybody out there. I think this is a really good topic of conversation in net.med. Maybe some other people would like to contribute any knowledge of vitamins that they may have. It certianly would be beneficial to at least myself if not alot of other people. Marie Carey :wq . :wq .
ariels@tekecs.UUCP (Ariel Shattan) (08/31/83)
Some vitamins are water soluble: C, B-complex are the ones that come to mind. These vitamins are passed out of your body as you excrete water (breathing and sweating as well as the usual method). If you take too much vitamin C or too much B-complex (and some individual B's too) the excess is excreted (there's a characteristic smell to each of these vitamins as your body gets rid of them, so you'll know if you should cut down to avoid wasting money). I'v found that taking a healthy dose (one mega-B-complex a day) of B's keeps the biting bugs off. They don't like the taste as I sweat it out. This only works for some people. Other vitamins are fat soluble: A and E are the ones I can think of most readily. YOU CAN OVERDOSE ON THESE!!! To much A gives Jaundice like symptoms. It's very bad for your liver. If you notice the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet, or the whites of your eyes taking on a yellow tinge, STOP TAKING VITAMIN A and go see a doctor. I don't know what too much vitamin E does to a body. Fat soluble vitamins usually come in an oil base (fish or soy) in those transparent gelatine capsules. My theory of vitamin therapy is that moderation is the way. If you notice anything wrong, be sure and tell the doctor you're going to about your vitamin-taking habits. Ariel Shattan decvax!tektronix!tekecs!ariels
larue@hao.UUCP (Martha LaRue) (09/02/83)
A recent article stated that taking large doses of vitamin C
is harmless, as the vitamin is water soluble. This is true,
UNLESS YOU ARE PREGNANT!!
Taking large doses of vitamin C while pregnant can result in
the baby developing scurvy after birth. (The baby is used
to the large amounts it received before birth, and the
dramatic decrease after birth results in scurvy.)
In general, one should be very,very careful when taking vitamins
while pregnant. Check with your doctor.
bill@utastro.UUCP (09/03/83)
Note also that vitamin D in high doses is *toxic*. The difference between an overdose and the minimum daily requirement of this vitamin is not that great either. I rather doubt that any of the water-soluble vitamins are excreted in the breath. Do they actually vaporize????? Bill Jefferys 8-% Astronomy Dept, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712 (Snail) ihnp4!kpno!utastro!bill (uucp) utastro!bill@utexas-11 (ARPA)
pig@ihuxe.UUCP (I.Glaser) (12/10/83)
Many companies used to sell multi-vitamins with 25000 units of "A". Today vitamin A has been dropped to 10000 units. Example is MYADEC. I personally believe 25000 is too high to take daily. I would not take more than 10000 daily.
wmartin@brl-vgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (03/12/84)
Has anyone read any info about the effect of non-daily doses of vitamins? I have the habit of missing taking my vitamins every other day for some time (usually a week or two), then taking them faithfully every day for a couple weeks, then backsliding again, etc... I take what probably would be characterized as "mega-doses" of vitamins, far more than the RDA amounts, but less than the real megadoses, like 6+ grams of C per day recommended by some. All the articles in the health-food press, Prevention, and the like, that I have read about vitamins, most of which claim that taking this or that will cure everything up to and including death, assume that you will take them daily. Is taking vitamins every other day exactly the same as taking half the dose daily? Or is there an effect that varies with the vitamins, due to rates of absorbtion, solubility, etc., that makes non-daily doses un-equatable to lower daily doses? Also, anybody have any input regarding avoiding certain vitamin combinations and/or food-vitamin pairings? I have heard that C and tea should not be taken together, for example, so I never take my vitamins in the evening when I may drink tea -- I try to take them in the afternoon at work instead, where I don't drink anything but water as a rule. Any other contraindicated combinations? I always just make up daily doses of the vitamins in a baggie and take the handful of pills & capsules all at once, so I probably am combining some that should be taken some hours apart. Will Martin