Fit Friday: Vitamins and Supplements

I’m not a big “supplements” fan.  I think that food should be your fuel and if you aren't getting everything you need, you probably aren't eating the right foods.  

When I started getting serious about running again, I looked into vitamins and supplements, since I knew I wasn't getting everything I needed.  I’m not an expert, but after discussing with my doctor and doing a little research on my own, I put together my own set of daily vitamins and supplements.  These are my daily “essentials” now:

1. Daily Multi-Vitamin For Her

I've found that I train better and feel better if I take a multi-vitamin.  Also, my doctor recommended that I take one daily.  So I do it.  

2. Vitamin D-3

My doctor told me I was Vitamin D deficient the last time I had a blood test done.  This deficiency has a range of associated consequences, which includes decreased athletic performance and an increased risk for certain types of cancers.  So, she prescribed Vitamin D-3 for me (even though you can buy it over the counter).  Now I take it every day.

3. Vitamin B-12  (sublingual)

I take the B-12 for energy, on my mom’s recommendation.  The sublingual tabs dissolve under your tongue and they don’t taste too bad.  Now I feel sluggish if I don’t take it in the morning, I've gotten so used to that energy boost!  


4. Fish Oil (burpless)

For the Omega 3.  I don’t eat seafood, or any of the other prevalent food sources of Omega 3, and it is a powerful “brain food” that lowers triglycerides and lowers blood pressure.  Bonus: improves cardiac health and good for the joints. I get the “burpless” capsules because no one wants fishy burps.  Ew.  


5. Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM

As far as my joints go, my knees have really taken a beating over the years.  Running will do that.  Military service didn't help either.  Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM is a lifesaver for my knees.  This is probably because the supplement “promotes joint health”.  After just 2 weeks of taking it daily, my knees and other joints feel noticeably better.  


I might add an iron supplement eventually, but I think I have been getting enough.  (I haven’t been turned away from donating blood for low iron, so I think I’m doing alright).