vitamins and suppliments « Back to Group Discussions

[KellyandKatie]

What are you taking?

Why are you taking it?

What do you like/dislike about the brand you are using?

I take Vit D3, a B complex ( but I forget how much B complex I should be taking a day) , I am using a generic multi vitamin, but would like to hear suggestions for prenatal that folks like.  I gobble up papaya enzyme for heartburn, I am taking Erythro Pro Blood builder, and am wondering if I need to take floradix with it- or if the blood builder works find on its own.  I need to also find a good omega supplement.  I take primrose oil tablets later in my pregnancies- much later.

[nettlesoup]

I'm taking Now Prenatal gels, and on occasion a fermented cod liver and butter oil capsule. I want to take Floravital, but I'm not sure it's a good idea. I know I'm low in iron but I don't know to what extent, so I don't want to accidentally overdose.
 

[momzilla]

I'm taking

-8,000 IUs of Carlson vitamin D3 drops one time a week (per my Naturopath's recommendation)

-Once Daily Rainbow Light Prenatal Vitamins (I have a bladder condition just diagnosed last year (IC-interstitial cystitis), and these vitamins don't aggravate my condition). I take these at night.

-Neuromins DHA 200 mg/daily

-Enzymatic Therapy acidophilus once/daily...working up to 2 daily

-Oh, and just adding in a calcium supplement once daily in the morning.

-I usually add Floradix in a few weeks and take 20 ml/daily. Though, I don't know if it will effect my IC.

[aidenn]

I take the Up & Up brand gummy vitamins in the morning.  They contain most of what I need, because with this pregnancy mystarting Hg is awesome at 13.5.  My past pregnancies I was vegetarian and nearly risked out of my homebirth last time due to mild anemia (10.6), so I began eating meat again after Floriadix didn't move my numbers enough.

I also take a B complex vitamin at night to help with the nausea.  I think that coupled with eating all the freaking time is really keeping my nausea at bay.

[cmu204]

Just doing New Chapter prenatals (3x/day) and 1 fish oil. Liking these vitamins bc they don't make me queasy.
Last time I had to add Floradix; am hoping to avoid d/t constipating effect.

[amanda bee]

I tried the new chapter pre-natals but the smell makes me totally nauseous.

The progressive prenatal multivitamin formula (also made with whole food concentrates along with ginger and cranberry extracts)

is a better fit for me (3x/day) as well as prenatal DHA Nordic naturals (2x/day) and 1mg of folic acid. 

My OBGYN also recommended 2000mg of Vitamin D a day (living so far north).

After reading everyone's posts I have added:
Probiotics : 1 tbsp bio-k / day
I just tried vitamin code raw prenatals ( totally loved them & they did not make me queasy so I will be replacing the progressive formula (3x/day)
2 cups of freshly juiced fruit & veggies every morning ( apple, carrots, kale, celery, etc.)
Edited by amanda bee - 1/31/13 at 2:47pm

[SuzieSmiles]

I'm currently taking:

~Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal (3/day)

~An additional 3000 IU Vitamin D (my multi has 1400 IU)

~An additional 18mg of Iron (multi has 18mg)

~An additional 200 IU of Vitamin E (multi has 30 IU)

~Nordic Naturals Pro DHA Total Omega 3s 580mg (EPA 90mg, DHA 450mg) 

~Wild Yam (425mg)

~Spirulina

I also take apple cider vinegar and black strap molasses every day. I used to take Krill Oil but my midwife switched me the the supplement mentioned above the Nordic Naturals... I'm going to order some Iodine today and will start taking that as well (putting it on my skin so I only absorb what I need). Anyone have any recommendations for Iodine supplementation? Thinking of ordering Lugol's Iodine Solution... 

[KellyandKatie]

yep, I almost risked out of my homebirths twice now for anemia- I have used floradix with all of them, but when my chiro friend gave me the erythro Pro blood builder it really moved my numbers

thank you for all the suggestions

[chispita]

- Prenatals (New Chapter)

- 2 fish oil with vit D pills (the ones where the oil comes from small fish, salmon, and mackerel - I haven't been able to find it without the vit D lately, but since I would have added vit D myself [though different amounts] it should be fine)

- 1 walnut

- 1 Brazil nut

- 1/2 prunes (to try to keep the constipation at bay ... this is new, so we'll see how it works out)

[splath]

Fish oil
D3
prenatal

I need to start up with magnesium again.

[nettlesoup]

Chispita and Splath; do your prenatals have fish oil in them already? My prenatals do, and I want to also take my fermented cod liver oil, but I'm a bit paranoid about overdosing on vitamin A or something. This is also the reason I have yet to take my floradix at the same time. I won't be able to ask the midwife about it for another two weeks.
 

[splath]

Yes, but it's not much.

[KellyandKatie]

for fish oil- what brand do you like- are the fermented fish oils in gel tabs? or tablespoonfuls of oil?

[sarahl918]

I was taking New Chapter Organics Perfect Prenatal, but I recently switched to CitraNatal Assure and Life's DHA. Because I am homozygous MTHFR for C677T, I can't rely on traditional, synthetic folate/b6/b12, so I'm also taking these which are easier on my body to absorb: 

Seeking Health's Active B12 Lozenge w/ L-MTHF (2/day) 

Jarrow B-Right B Complex w/ Methylfolate

Baby aspirin 

Crinone 8% progesterone

40mg Lovenox injection (not really a supplement but I thought I'd include anyway)

It's a lot of stuff to take, but if it'll get me a healthy baby... I'll do whatever it takes! 

[chispita]

Originally Posted by KellyandKatie 

for fish oil- what brand do you like- are the fermented fish oils in gel tabs? or tablespoonfuls of oil?

Gel tabs are easier to swallow. Though I think my fish oil might not be fermented, not sure.

[MaybeSparrowMaybe]

Im taking Prenatals - Jamieson brand

-Omegas

-Probiotics

i feel like i should be taking more as i suffered a miscarriage 2.5 months ago. suggestions?

[nettlesoup]

I take the Green Pastures Fermented cod liver and high vitamin butter oil in gel tabs.

I'm actually starting to have trouble swallowing my prenatals without gaging on them and almost puking. They are huge gel tabs and I have to take three a day. I did start the floradix last night though, at least that's drinkable!
 

[CookAMH]

SuzieSmiles - that's the brand of iodine I have though I'm not very regular in taking it.

I'm taking folate by Solgar. I read online that folic acid isn't used by our bodies as well and to just take folate http://www.amazon.com/Solgar-Folate-Metafolin-800-tablets/dp/B001LR2RVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359151560&sr=8-1&keywords=folate

Amla C by Pure Planet - a potent, natural source of vitamin C.  http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Planet-Amla-C-tablets-Health/dp/B000EBPIDO/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1359151647&sr=1-2&keywords=amla+c. I make sure to take plenty of C for my immune system and for a healthy amniotic sac

Milk Thistle - pre-conception and first trimester to avoid nausea (worked for 2nd and 3rd pregnancies so far after a nauseous first pregnancy)

Cod Liver Oil - Green Pastures. Best brand there is for nonsynthetic fermented CLO. It's a liquid that I put 3/4tsp with a dropper into a shot glass of OJ. My family takes this way too, and we buy the cinnamon flavor.

Vitamin D drops - immune system. Seems to work fantastically when taken with CLO - the A in CLO really helps D to absorp http://www.amazon.com/Biotics-Research-Bio-D-Mulsion-Forte-1oz/dp/B000UQOCCQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1359151804&sr=1-7&keywords=vitamin+d+drops

Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil - for omegas; CLO doesn't have enough on it's own so I bought this. Fishy, so we take it before eating. http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Factors-Alaskan-Softgels-180-Count/dp/B000CQQLF0/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1359152712&sr=1-1&keywords=wild+alaskan+salmon+oil

Catalyn by Standard Process - whole food multi vitamin http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Process-Catalyn-360-Tabs/dp/B0006IID64/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1359151876&sr=1-1&keywords=catalyn

Magnesium - orally and transdermally with spray. Happy with brand, use it as most people are deficient and magnesium is important for pregnancy

Bio-Kult probiotics - all around good stuff. Love the brand; potent

I also need to buy more Organ Delight - a blend of glands and organs, since I'm not a fan at all of eating organ meats but know I need its nutrients. My iron's always been good so I've never added an iron supplement. I cook with cast iron so maybe that helps.

Man I take a lot!! :) Many of these I take when not pregnant.

[amanda bee]

Originally Posted by chispita 

-
- 1 walnut
- 1 Brazil nut

I am so curious as to what for & why only one of each?
(for protein & good fats?)

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by amanda bee 


I am so curious as to what for & why only one of each?
(for protein & good fats?)

The brazil nut provides the right amount of selenium in one nut...more is not needed. I'm assuming the same is true for the walnut but I don't know which nutrient it provides.