Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Five Vitamins and Supplements That Are Actually Worth Taking
Smithsonian ^ | Feb 14, 2014 | Joseph Stromberg

Posted on 02/17/2014 12:02:28 AM PST by Innovative

Vitamin D

...the researchers found that adults who took vitamin D supplements daily lived longer than those who didn't.

Probiotics

...they're useful in very specific circumstances, but it's not necessary to continually take them on a daily basis.

Zinc

...the mineral significantly reduced the duration of the cold, and also made symptoms less severe.

Niacin

...Also known as vitamin B3, niacin is talked up as a cure for all sorts of conditions (including high cholesterol, Alzheimer's, diabetes and headaches) but in most of these cases, a prescription-strength dose of niacin has been needed to show a clear result.

At over-the-counter strength, niacin supplements have only been proven to be effective in helping one group of people: those who have heart disease. ​

Garlic

...on the whole, taking garlic daily reduced blood pressure,

(Excerpt) Read more at smithsonianmag.com ...


TOPICS: Food; Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: cancer; corona; covid; covid19; garlic; health; heartdisease; medicine; niacin; probiotics; supplements; vitamin; vitaminb3; vitamind; vitamins; zinc
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-50 next last
Gee... niacin in OTC doses... "only" helps heart disease

I personally believe that most vitamins are helpful and beneficial, of course everything in moderation.

It's not mentioned in this article, but I also read somewhere that garlic is helpful even against bacteria resistant to antibiotics, of course in larger doses.

1 posted on 02/17/2014 12:02:29 AM PST by Innovative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Innovative
Niacin is easily and abundantly available in 500mg and 1000mg capsules. A daily dose of 3000mg is very effective in raising the good cholesterol. Statins work on the bad cholesterol, to bring it down. In combination, statins and high dose niacin are dynomite for cholesterol control.

The problem, of course, is that a high dose of niacin produces a bad side-effect in about two-thirds of those who try to use it. Fortunately, I'm in the one-third that tolerates it well, though I had to ramp to to that dose (3000mg) over a period of a couple of months.

Google these words to get further information: niacin cholesterol

2 posted on 02/17/2014 12:43:11 AM PST by Brandybux (Oportet ministros manus lavare antequam latrinam relinquent.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Brandybux

Thanks for the info.

I guess it’s ability to raise good cholesterol levels is what helps heart disease, which is what they mention in the article, but without the details.


3 posted on 02/17/2014 12:45:09 AM PST by Innovative ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

And not to overlook magnesium and B12.


4 posted on 02/17/2014 12:46:09 AM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Garlic has impressive antibiotic properties when fresh cloves are crushed. I don’t think the heart benefit is proven.


5 posted on 02/17/2014 12:48:30 AM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gene Eric

allicin in garlic and onions is the antibacterial compound that kicks’ass.


6 posted on 02/17/2014 1:01:05 AM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Brandybux

nicin will increase your lifespan, so much of it is broken down in the cells for dna repair and cellular energy.


7 posted on 02/17/2014 1:06:14 AM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Innovative

It sure is confusing out there. One group says these vitamins are good for you, another group says they do you no good, and another group says they can harm you.


8 posted on 02/17/2014 1:35:31 AM PST by rawhide
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Secret Agent Man

And chewing slowly on a fresh clove can be quite the experience... I did so as a home-ready once when traveling, and wow!


9 posted on 02/17/2014 1:41:47 AM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

home-remedy


10 posted on 02/17/2014 1:42:25 AM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Innovative
The items featured, D, yogurt,zinc, niacin, and garlic are exactly those which I have come to have confidence in over some fifty years of experience.

Although I have tried long periods of high intake of vitamin C, laevo-ascorbic acid, of both natural and manufactured sources, I have found that it gives little advantage over the benefits of a balanced diet with vitamin C-containing foods.

Throughout my studies toward advanced degrees, I came to mistrust the conclusions of Linus Pauling in every area that his self-promoting (but persuasive) theories touched. Particularly, he concluded and endorsed the concept that everyone would be benefitted by large and regular superdoses of vitamin C, and it became a widely accepted recommendation.

However, medical literature showed that elevated blood acidity could, and did, affect the onset of seizures for individuals experiencing ideopathic epilepsy, hence I was very sure that extremely large doses of ascorbic acid--which shows up in the blood--could be a very unacceptable result of following Pauling's advice that such overdosing would be beneficial for everyone, which he offered without any demurrers.

To my thinking. Linus Pauling was one of the biggest and most damaging B(aloney) S(hoot)ers found in the annals of post-Einstein modern quantum chemistry.

Foods (oranges, apples, cabbage, sauerkraut) bearing enough nutrients to prevent scurvy is enough vitamin C intake, IMHO.

(And be a bit leery of the resveratrol content of Concord-type grape juice beverages, for some reason not mentioned here, though currently a popular topic. Ordinary non-alcoholic blood of the vine ought to supply enough that you will ever need.)

11 posted on 02/17/2014 4:18:25 AM PST by imardmd1 (Fiat Lux)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Innovative

Garlic keeps vampires away.


12 posted on 02/17/2014 4:20:07 AM PST by Drango (A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: imardmd1

I think “everything in moderation” is the way to go.

But regarding Vitamin C, they are discovering that it’s good for you afterall.

Regarding Linus Pauling, I think you need to assess him based on his epoch. At that time people didn’t know about vitamins and his discovery that vitamin C is good for your was indeed a great discovery.

I don’t quite know what drove him to become a “peace” activist though... just found out, it was his wife! — was just reading his bio in Wikipaedia. Also looks like he was taken in by the communist propaganda.

But he was right about the vitamin C, though.

A current article:

Vitamin C linked to reduced risk of stroke

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272741.php

“A study due to be presented at a conference later this year suggests that eating foods containing vitamin C, such as oranges, peppers, strawberries, papaya and broccoli, may be linked to a reduced risk for hemorrhagic stroke.”


13 posted on 02/17/2014 4:29:49 AM PST by Innovative ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Brandybux; Innovative
I suggest that you consider another search:

liver damage from niacin

One article in particular is:

LiverTox

The article contains a case history:

"Key Points

Medication: Niacin (4.5 grams daily)
Pattern: Hepatocellular (R=24)
Severity: 3+ (jaundice, hospitalization)
Latency: 6 months
Recovery: 4 days for symptoms, 49 days for ALT
Other medications: None" (The article includes a table of blood chemistry values at various stages.)

Various articles I have read claim that sustained release niacin is the most dangerous form. One theory is that the liver has a better chance of recovering from a once daily assault.

I personally take about 300 mg of niacin (not sustained release) with other vitamins every day. I also try to keep to a Zone diet and take 2 tsp of fish oil daily. My most recent results are:

Triglycerides: 63
HDL: 79
LDL: 85

My other blood chemistry values are in the normal range (no suggestion of liver damage).
14 posted on 02/17/2014 4:32:22 AM PST by Ragnar54 (Obama replaced Osama as America's worst enemy and Al Qaeda's financier)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Drango

“Garlic keeps vampires away.”

And everyone else too...


15 posted on 02/17/2014 4:32:25 AM PST by Innovative ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Innovative; Bloody Sam Roberts

“Garlic keeps vampires away.”

And everyone else too...

You are not kidding! My mother is into taking vitamins and herbal supplements like it’s a religion. She and my stepfather (she makes him take them too) swallow so many garlic capsules that they ALWAYS SMELL HORRIBLE. Garlic excreted through the skin does not smell like it does when garlic is sauted for cooking. Too much of a good thing, is not a good thing!

(And by the way, they still end up catching every cold and flu that comes along.)


16 posted on 02/17/2014 4:58:40 AM PST by Mrs. B.S. Roberts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: imardmd1
Linus Pauling was one of the biggest and most damaging B(aloney) S(hoot)ers

Rachel Carson comes to mind also.

17 posted on 02/17/2014 5:02:03 AM PST by Salvey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: rawhide
One group says these vitamins are good for you, another group says they do you no good
Your body needs vitamins and minerals to help keep you healthy - and you get most of them through your daily diet.
Taking a multi-vitamin doesn't really help, and most certainly, taking mega doses of vitamins can cause real problems.
On the other hand, if you know you're low in some area, like iron or Vitamin D, taking those specifically, can help.
18 posted on 02/17/2014 5:32:34 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Innovative
I never understood all the fuss made over the smell of garlic. Yes, garlic has a smell to it but it's not an unpleasant smell. Bread baking or chicken roasting has a smell to it too but nobody every complains about that.

With regard to vitamin supplements, I try to avoid them and get the vitamins I need from the foods that I eat. I don't like orange juice that much but I force myself to drink a glass each morning as that is best way to get your vitamin C. Vitamin D is the only thing I would take supplements for because from about mid-October to mid-February, the sun is just not high enough in the sky to throw off any Vitamin D.

19 posted on 02/17/2014 5:50:05 AM PST by SamAdams76
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Innovative
I never understood all the fuss made over the smell of garlic. Yes, garlic has a smell to it but it's not an unpleasant smell. Bread baking or chicken roasting has a smell to it too but nobody every complains about that.

With regard to vitamin supplements, I try to avoid them and get the vitamins I need from the foods that I eat. I don't like orange juice that much but I force myself to drink a glass each morning as that is best way to get your vitamin C. Vitamin D is the only thing I would take supplements for because from about mid-October to mid-February, the sun is just not high enough in the sky to throw off any Vitamin D.

20 posted on 02/17/2014 5:50:05 AM PST by SamAdams76
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-50 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson