# Supplements: Do You Take Them And They Work? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 11, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706 "2009-07-11T20:06:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/21 "2009-07-12T05:35:08Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > I’m also taking the fish oil, as prescribed by my doctor. I don’t know if it’s helped yet 'coz I haven’t been back yet to check. It is hideously expensive; one month’s worth is $168. What the hell fish oil is that? Caviar? 14 bucks gets me 300. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/22 "2009-07-12T16:35:49Z")
Glad to see I’m not the only one who was like, “Is **NinetyWt** buying fish oil in drums?” ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/23 "2009-07-12T18:10:20Z")
I take ground-up Rhino horns, and a powder made from dried Tiger’s testes, everyday. Works! I wear dried squid stuffed inside kelp in my underpants. Works! Also, I take a drop of snake oil, everyday. Works! What, _you think the stuff you’re all taking is any better?_ ---
**Author:** ![horsetech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@horsetech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horsetech)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/24 "2009-07-12T19:24:11Z")
My impression is that a lot of Linus Pauling’s work on “orthomolecular medicine” was, well, horse sh\*t. Some of his ideas have turned out to potentially have merit but the claims put forth went well beyond actual evidence. E.g., there is plenty of evidence that vitamin C does NOT do anything to prevent/treat colds in the general population, the exception being people under extreme conditions. See the Mayo Clinic site linked above. My take on supplements is that some of them may provide some small benefit and a few might provide some larger benefit. Those who poopoo ALL herbs and supplements would do well to remember that many useful drugs, from painkillers to chemotherapeutic agents, are derived from plant sources. Just because it has not been made into a convenient white pill yet doesn’t mean it doesn’t have biological effects. On the other hand, those taking supplements should try to educate themselves on the (often scant) available evidence and temper hopes with a realistic view of chances of success and potential risks. To get back on topic, I do not currently take any supplements, mainly because I can never remember to take a multivitamin, which I probably SHOULD take unless I get better about eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. I’ve been thinking of taking a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement. I have evidence on exam of some early cartilage damage in my knees (that is, when the physical therapist or doc does certain moves to put pressure on the joint, I’m apparently not supposed to say, owgoddammityesthathurt!), including moderate joint effusion on bad days, and I’ve sprained and abused my ankles enough that they are probably at risk of developing problems (I have also seen mild joint effusion in my ankles at times). I am also planning to ask my pulmonologist about spirulina (blue-green algae extract), which has a small amount of evidence to suggest that it may help with allergies. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/25 "2009-07-12T20:22:50Z")
The only supplement I take is Coenzyme Q10, because my doctor told me to after I had a bad reaction to Lipitor. I still take it for now, and I do see some difference in muscle stiffness if I don’t. I’ll probably stop taking it when I finish the bottle though. ---
**Author:** ![lshaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e36b37/32.png) [@lshaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lshaw)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/26 "2009-07-12T22:23:16Z")
I always take calcium supplements since as an Asian woman, I’m in the highest risk group for osteoporosis. Do they work? Hopefully. I’m assuming they do because my doctor suggested that I take them. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/27 "2009-07-13T01:05:03Z")
> [@horsetech](#): > > My take on supplements is that some of them may provide some small benefit and a few might provide some larger benefit. Those who poopoo ALL herbs and supplements would do well to remember that many useful drugs, from painkillers to chemotherapeutic agents, are derived from plant sources. Just because it has not been made into a convenient white pill yet doesn’t mean it doesn’t have biological effects. On the other hand, those taking supplements should try to educate themselves on the (often scant) available evidence and temper hopes with a realistic view of chances of success and potential risks. This is very true. People should also remember that some people have difficulty, for whatever reason, absorbing vitamins and minerals even from a well-balanced diet. A supplement can help these people out. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/28 "2009-07-13T01:10:24Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Glad to see I’m not the only one who was like, “Is **NinetyWt** buying fish oil in drums?” I wish !!! This is some kind the doctor prescribed for me. “Lovaza” (trademark) “omega-3-acid ethyl esters”. Each capsule has 900 mg of omega-3. I’m supposed to take four of them daily. A bottle of 120 capsules lasts a month. I asked the pharmacist about buying the over-the-counter, but she said they weren’t strong enough. Interestingly, I get no fishy burps. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/29 "2009-07-13T03:05:10Z")
You really have to make sure you are taking them in context. Calcium is an excellent example. You want Calcium Citrate, or else it won’t get absorbed. Then, you have to take Vitamin D with it, or it won’t get used. And if you take it at the same time of day as your iron supplement, the iron will stop your body from using it. For some reason I notice a lot of manufacturers combining it with magnesium - dunno what that’s about. I do know that a few years back multiple media outlets were touting the benefits of Magnesium, but the study they were citing turned out to be on Manganese. So, I take Calcium in the evening along with my multi which includes Vitamin D, and I take it with a varied meal (protein, natural starch like potatoes or corn, and two veggies.) To that add flax seed oil and fishoil - both habits I began while pregnant and just have not given up. If I start to feel run down I take a mineral supplement (including Iron) in the morning. But this requires a good breakfast, so I don’t always have time for it. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/30 "2009-07-13T08:07:25Z")
My wife feeds me a dozen or so different mystery supplements every day. Do they work? Hell yeah - if I stop taking them I experience all kinds of negative side effects like a repeated, nagging voice telling me to “take the damn pills!”. ---
**Author:** ![Aangelica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Aangelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aangelica)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/31 "2009-07-13T16:03:22Z")
I take a pre-natal vitamin as I’m attempting to get pregnant. Plus, I have a family history of spina bifida, so being \*absolutely certain \*I’m getting all the folic acid I need is of vital importance to me. When I wasn’t trying to get pregnant, I took a multivitamin largely to be sure I was getting all the vitamins and minerals I needed - since my diet tends towards the monotonous. It’s not unhealthy, but it is very much the same from day to day. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/32 "2009-07-13T16:58:28Z")
One thing I’ve learned about taking supplements is that the little fuckers tend to multiply. I know a lot of people take one multi a day and that’s it, but I’ve found that there’s this tendency to, I dunno, _creep_. Start with a multi. Once a day, or as often as you remember. 😃 So you start out at once a week or so, but eventually it becomes a habit. Then, you’re already swallowing a pill with your meal, anyway, and your friend mentions an aunt who shattered her hip and you think, “Damn, that sucks. Maybe I \*should \*take some calcium. Can’t hurt, right?” Then you catch a cold and get a big bottle of vitamin C. Then some posters on the Dope start to swear by this biotin stuff, and, boy, it sure would be nice to have shiny hair and nails that don’t split when you look at then funny. Then suddenly you realize you’re one of those people with a half-dozen bottles scattered around your main meal area. Start out chewing a Flintstone’s every so often … wind up taking shit you can’t even pronounce right. (My co-workers SO TOTALLY cannot agree on how to say “acai” so everyone has their own annoying take on it.) But to answer the OP: I take a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement, a multi, and occasionally a B-complex if I feel like complete crap. Gluc/Chon - I have a relatively healthy body (for a 20-something-year-old who’s staring 30 in the face) but have always had “clicky” joints. Except some of them, it’s more “thud” than “click.” You can hear my right hip from across the room, I’ve been told. So I started taking the joint supplement pills to see if they would help, and (warning: confirmation bias and anecdotal evidence ahead) I think my joints have made less noise and functioned more smoothly in the year or two that I’ve been taking them. Multi - the whole “it can’t hurt, right?” thing. Figured it makes up for any glaring lack of nutrition in my diet, which tends to be very protein-heavy by most people’s standards. B-complex - supposed to be good for energy levels, and I started taking it around when I went on The Pill since I read that it was supposed to interfere with body levels of the various Bs. Dislike taking it since the one I’ve got dissolves instantly and bitterly the minute it hits my tongue and is difficult to swallow without something slippery like Jello to help it move. Also, makes me pee highlighter-yellow. Damn, though: now I kinda want to try this biotin stuff. My nails have been thin and prone to breaking my whole life. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/33 "2009-07-13T17:01:49Z")
Melatonin. I take it religiously and it has absolutely had a positive effect on my life. Before Melatonin, I would sometimes stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning, on worknights, steadfastly unable to get sleepy. With Melatonin, I take 3 tablets and I’m out like a light within 45 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/34 "2009-07-13T17:04:15Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > My wife feeds me a dozen or so different mystery supplements every day. Do they work? > > Hell yeah - if I stop taking them I experience all kinds of negative side effects like a repeated, nagging voice telling me to “take the damn pills!”. HAH! **Primrose Oil** : If I don’t take it, I am bloaty, crampy, moody x100, bitchfest, boobs hurt when I get my period. When I take it, it is a much easier transition where my period shows up quietly, instead of like a out of control freight train. (Got one of my best friends to start taking it. She noticed a difference in the boobs hurting and cramping.) **Acidiphilous** : Since I have been taking these I haven’t been sick at all. **Horsechestnut** after having leg cramps during my period since I was a teen and being poo-pooed by the doctors MY ENTIRE LIFE, I found these to be the first thing to make my legs stop hurting during my period. **Condroiton Conglusamine** : has helped with my knees and shoulders. Didn’t realize how much it helped until I ran out and could not afford to buy any ( I don’t go for the GOLD of any brand.) I’m only 42 and walk sometimes like an old lady because of stiffness.) **Melatonin** for occasional use at night. To help get back into the regular sleeping schedule if I’ve been out of sync for a weekend. It is awesome, but some people complain about really vivid and disturbing dreams. I get them, but I like them. Next international flight I will probably use this with Valarian Root to help sleep on a flight ( since we are broke, it isn’t any time soon.) **Valerian Root** Another sleep aid. Much more mild than Melatonin. Works great on anxiety for large dogs who are scared of fireworks/thunderstorms. I have \*alot \*of migraine issues. One thing I have noticed that if I get off my sleeping schedule I am asking for a tension headache that will bloom into a migraine. Sleep is very important to me. **Flaxseed** goes into pancakes, bread, oatmeal…anything I can get it in there. **Vitamin B complex** to help prevent migraines. **Magnesium** for migraine prevention. **iron** needed. **A multivitamin** geared towards women. **Garlic** : blood thinner. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/35 "2009-07-13T17:21:27Z")
I’m in my 60s and have several chronic health concerns, for which I take several prescriptions a day. In conjunction with these I take several supplements. The ones that I can monitor, that pertain to things like blood pressure and cholesterol, seem to be having a positive effect. But others cannot be measured, and I just assume that if a number of reliable sources recommend them, they’re probably doing some good. I’m also being very careful with drug/supplement interactions. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/36 "2009-07-14T19:24:01Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > I’m also taking the fish oil, as prescribed by my doctor. I don’t know if it’s helped yet 'coz I haven’t been back yet to check. It is hideously expensive; one month’s worth is $168. Whoa! Get thee to a Costco. I take [Fish Oil from Costco](http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11072245&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1) at about $10 for 400 gel tabs. J. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/37 "2009-07-14T19:44:33Z")
I try very hard to eat well and get my nutrients first and foremost from food, but I take a couple of supplements. I take a multi, omega 3 fish oil, and glucosamine/chondrotin daily. The glucosamine’s benefits haven’t been proven but my knees seem to hurt more when I run out of it, so even if it’s just a placebo effect I keep on a-taking 'em. I also take creatine and whey isolate or BCAA’s around workouts. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/38 "2009-07-14T19:47:46Z")
> [@jharvey963](#): > > Whoa! Get thee to a Costco. I take [Fish Oil from Costco](http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11072245&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1) at about $10 for 400 gel tabs. > > J. I’m going to ask the doctor what’s so special about this stuff he prescribed for me. It’s not over-the-counter stuff. Are those people serving fish oil capsules at their wedding ?? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Never\_Say\_Dice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee59a6/32.png) [@Never\_Say\_Dice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Never_Say_Dice)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/39 "2009-07-14T19:58:17Z")
Do NOT take niacin without a doctor’s supervision. And probably not then even. There’s a little in every vitamin pill, but the supplement pills made me get red in the face and tingle all over. When that happened I looked it up and found it’s really dangerous and can damage your organs. Even the “all day slow release” form is dangerous. It ought to be a prescription product. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706/40 "2009-07-14T19:59:32Z")
As I have food allergies my diet can be restricted - this was more significant when I traveled on business, and when I’m under a lot of stress (like when I was caring for my mother her last month of life) I either have a less than ideal diet, don’t eat enough, or both. In such times I take a daily multivitamin. I take vitamin C in winter, but since right now I’m eating a lot of vegetables fresh out of the garden, and also buying seasonal fruit ('cause when it’s in season it’s within my budget) I don’t see it as necessary. Given that I am vampire pale and I work outside for hours at a time several days a week I doubt that I am at risk for vitamin D deficiency at the moment. In winter, I take a multivitamin with D as well as calcium. I love dairy products, and eat fish like sardines and salmon. I haven’t been checked for bone density - then again, my grandmother fell down a flight of stairs in her 70’s and the only thing hurt was her dignity so I suspect I have some good genes in my background. At some point I’ll probably need my bones checked, but between a decent diet and physical activity I shouldn’t be too bad off. In other words, it’s not my most pressing worry. I have used ephedra for my allergies and asthma in the past, but OTC pills are much more consistent in effect. In any case, I think ephedra is banned from sale in the US these days. I have used kava kava as a sleep aid when under significant stress. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supplements-do-you-take-them-and-they-work/502706.md?page=3)