35 year old male,New to being Healthy, Where do I start? - Vitamins & Supplements Message Board

szaemon · 12-31-2007, 03:42 AM

Hi. This is my first time posting here so if I violate any protocols in my post please feel free to correct me

I just turned 35 and am trying to get my body into a reasonable state of good health. I think I should be taking some kind of Vitamins, but I'm overwhelmed with all the information both Pro and Con on each issue. Where do I start to sift through the Hype and the Cautions to get some clear and reliable information? So far with what I've read I'm thinking I should be taking a Daily Multi, some C to help boost my immune system, some Calcium and D for my aging bones, some kind Protein and B-Complex to help me in the gym, and something

for my fading memory(maybe Ginkgo). Oh, and perhaps something to supplement my bedroom activities, though I am completely lost as to exactly what I should choose. To those of you who are "in the know" How does this sound? Is this too much to start with? Am I missing something? Anyone who could offer me some directed feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also, I would like a bit of guidance as to what to consider regarding the quality of vitamins I am buying. Companies to trust.
My thanks in advance to this community for providing a place that I may ask for such assistance.
Sincerely,
szaemon

janewhite1 · 12-31-2007, 02:10 PM

Congratulations on working to improve your health.

If I were you, I would just try a men's multi. It should have some B, C, and D in there already. If you are also eating healthy, including lots of vegetables (seaweeds are vegetables) and you don't have any special health problems, you should be getting enough vitamins and minerals. Don't go nuts with supplements. It's expensive, possibly unnecessary, and occasionally dangerous. Too much vitamin A and iron are no good for men, for example.

I don't know which vitamins to buy, but there are some independent companies that test them for purity. Look up one of them.

Have you already started going to the gym? Or are you about to start? If you are lifting weights, you need protein.

And make sure someone is teaching you to do the exercises right, otherwise all your enthusiasm will just earn you joint injuries.

szaemon · 12-31-2007, 10:52 PM

Thanks for your insight Jane and Happy New Year to you!
Yes I'm going to the gym already: weight lifting 5 times a week . Looking for a good (and conveniently portable) source of protein outside of "Weight Gainer" drinks. I don't need to increase my mass(already 2m and 105kg), but I will accept that some increase in mass is likely to accompany an increase in strength.
I would also like to take up an aerobic sport, perhaps tennis and/or dance. However, I am constantly tired. Yawning all day and I really drop off between 1pm and 4pm. Reducing my total caloric intake has helped quite a bit with that, but I still can't manage a great deal of "zest". So outside of sugar, anything you know of that I can take to increase energy? I've heard that eating more spicy food helps.
Overdosing on vitamins is a major concern. "A" I knew was problematic, but I hadn't considered that iron could be dangerous. Thanks for that in particular.
Hope you have/had a great New Year celebration!
szaemon

Texanne · 01-03-2008, 11:22 AM

Ditto what Jane said. Arginine is thought to add "stamina" by increasing nitrous oxide to the "extremities". Not harmful in proper doses, helps metabolize protein in various ways. Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon University is a good place to find research on vitamins, supplements, etc...Save yourself a lot of money by doing research before spending. If results can't be duplicated in clinical studies, then odds are against it working for you. Plus, sugar and processed flour may give you a quick blood sugar rush at lunch, you may "flat" for a few hours after, IE: 1-4pm. Try a protein and veggie lunch (omelet, steak/chicken/fish and oil & vinegar salad (cheese okay), sugar-free, and see if that helps. Try to avoid white flour/rice and go with 100% whole wheat bread or tortillas, or brown rice instead. Look up glycemic index/load, read about the effect of white bread/white rice on your blood sugar. Consider that sugared sodas and fruit juice is what diabetics carry around in case of a low blood sugar episode to get the blood sugar up FAST, and you will understand why sodas and juices are not beneficial.