What kind of supplements do you take?

I'm curious what everyone takes. Here's my list:

Fish oil

Flax oil

COQ10

Niacin

Policosanol (for cholesterol) - I am borderline.

probiotic

NSI

CLA Tonalin  & L-Carnitine for weight management

I find acetyl-l-carnitine is better than L-carnitine b/c it crosses blood/brain barrier and improves memory and clarity and is easier for your body to use.

I also take B-50, multi, cal-mag-zinc

5-htp and SAMe for depression

I get flax and omegas from fish and flax wraps and flax oatmeal etc... instead of supplements (cause hey, I'm already taking enough!!)

tell me about 5-htp. Is it working for you?

I've tried SAMe, didn't feel any better

5-htp worked well for about 6 months, but I needed a bit more. So now I take 5htp one day, and SAMe the other day.

I was taking tryptophan for a year before the 5-htp - mostly to help me sleep, but I switched because I get a better bang for my buck with 5-htp

5-htp is what tryptophan turns into, before it turns into serotonin.

If the SAMe didn't help you, 5-htp should. They are equivalent to prozac and wellbutrin - prozac and 5-htp boost serotonin, SAMe and wellbutrin boost norepinephrine and dopamine. 

except, the supplements add them while the prescriptions block them from being re-absorbed (destroyed) in the body. (hence the side effects, cause it blocks other things too that it shouldn't)

(when I was on ADs I was on both of those, which is why I felt the SAMe would be a good addition, not a good substitute)

I felt less weepy & irritable with 5htp, but still sluggish and mopey, SAMe gives me the energy boost and overall feeling better.

When do you take these supplements?  With food or without? I get weird about taking too many things at once... I have Fish Oil caplets and haven't taken them b/c I don't know what the best time is... any advice is appreciated!

I take fish oil, a B complex, a multi vit for women, chelated cal-mag, and glucosamine-chondroitin.

I take them all at night, not too long after eating (I think the multi vit makes me feel a little nauseated if I take it too long after eating). Some people worry about fish burps, but I never get them (but once asleep, I don't know that I or my fiance would notice)

I take the SAMe OR 5HTP + Bvitamin in the morning after working out and before mid-morning snack, and the multi & calmag at dinner.

I take the carnitine on an empty stomach, it will compete with other proteins for absorption and I don't want to waste it. (same reason I take the 5htp/SAMe on a semi-empty stomach, but it can't be pure empty or I feel a little nauseous.)

(i have breakfast before I work out)

I looked at getting SAMe when I was feeling particularly down... expensive!  B complex seems to work - I notice the change when I forget to take it for a little while. Plus, it turns my pee funny colors...

Original Post by amethystgirl:

I looked at getting SAMe when I was feeling particularly down... expensive!  B complex seems to work - I notice the change when I forget to take it for a little while. Plus, it turns my pee funny colors...

 OMG i can't believe I forgot to say that! its like my motto!

B vitamins helped at least as much as the antidepressants!!! That is the one I NEVER forget to take and NEVER let run out!

the SAMe also makes me anxious if I take it 2 days in a row. It builds up pretty fast. Its really worked out well to go half/half with the 5htp.

RE: pee - see, this is why I can't gauge how well hydrated I am! LOL

Original Post by terra0514:

When do you take these supplements?  With food or without? I get weird about taking too many things at once... I have Fish Oil caplets and haven't taken them b/c I don't know what the best time is... any advice is appreciated!

Taking them at the wrong time is still way better than not taking them. 

My List:

- A Multivitamin with all the essentials (14 pills)

- 2 Fish Oil Soft Gels

- 3 Cognitex Soft Gels (for brain function)

- Calcium + Vitamin D + Vitamin K (5 pills)

- Vitamin D (5,000 IU - 1 pill)

- Resveratrol (1 pill)

- Very Berry (Berry Supplement because I don't eat fruit - 1 pill)

- DNA Protection (1 pill)

- Green Tea Extract (1 pill ON A FULL STOMACH)

- Vitamin C (1,000 MG - 7 pills)

- Magnesium (500 MG - 5 to 7 pills)

- Silymarin (Milk Thistle Extract - 2 pills)

- Digestive Enzymes (4 pills)

- Taurine (4 pills)

- Mitocondrial Energy (with acetyl-l-carnitine + more - 4 pills)

BTW I don't recommend 5-HTP to those with ADD/ADHD. It has the opposite effect and make you feel depressed.

:: once daily multi - vitamin
:: vitamin e
:: vitamin d
:: calcium
:: biotin

I take them right after dinner with water. 

I thought I was taking a lot. Your spending a lot! LOL Many antioxydants. what type of digestive enzymes giasbash?

whats biotin for?

i take a multi (one-a-day for women), iron, and vitamin D in winter.  if that's not more than enough to top me up, i'm doing something terribly, terribly wrong.

I just ordered Salmon Oil Plus, it's a bit expensive but I've read so many good things about it and I wanna see if it helps with anxiety cause, damn, I need it.

Does acetyl-l-carnitine help with anxiety? Mainly social anxiety.

I don't think the carnitine would do much for the anxiety. Maybe tryptophan, kava kava, or 5htp?

they'll all make you sleepy.

Do a search of the internets and really read up about them before you take them - You definitely do NOT want SAMe!

and don't take them if you're already on a prescription drug for that.

wow, i thought i was taking alot...gigi, that list is massive!

i take:

women's multi (on days where i feel i've eaten less than perfectly)

b-50 complex (per a doctor for stress management)

omega 3 (usually only 1)

iron

glucosamine sulfate (for knee pain.  in non-rainy seasons, 1.  rainy seasons, 2). 

Original Post by giasbash6260:

My List:

- A Multivitamin with all the essentials (14 pills)

- 2 Fish Oil Soft Gels

- 3 Cognitex Soft Gels (for brain function)

- Calcium + Vitamin D + Vitamin K (5 pills)

- Vitamin D (5,000 IU - 1 pill)

- Resveratrol (1 pill)

- Very Berry (Berry Supplement because I don't eat fruit - 1 pill)

- DNA Protection (1 pill)

- Green Tea Extract (1 pill ON A FULL STOMACH)

- Vitamin C (1,000 MG - 7 pills)

- Magnesium (500 MG - 5 to 7 pills)

- Silymarin (Milk Thistle Extract - 2 pills)

- Digestive Enzymes (4 pills)

- Taurine (4 pills)

- Mitocondrial Energy (with acetyl-l-carnitine + more - 4 pills)

 WTF? Are you serious?