For Health: What Vitamins and Natural Herbs Do You Take?

[GAC]

I'm a 50+ year old male who was always, when younger, healthy as a horse. But over the last few years I've started to "suffer" various physical symptoms that simply go along with aging. My body is gradually giving out on me. Of course my mind says otherwise and refuses to listen to the body.

Now one area of concern for aging men is prostrate/prostrate cancer. I've had my troubles over the last few years with chronic prostatitus and various dietary issues. I've had biopsies down in the past, and they've found what they call "irregular" cells. It doesn't mean it's cancer; but it means I need to be monitored regularly. And I am. For any of you that are familiar with what a PSA is, mine has spiked at 6.3 (which is very high).

Besides changing my diet and eating habits - I stay away from spicy foods, pop, caffeine (coffee - for the most part), drink lots of water daily, take fiber, eat more fresh fruits/vegetables - one of the herbs I am starting to take is Saw Palmetto. I was told by a fiend, with a similar problem as mine - that it helps.

Another one I just bought is Omega 3 Fish Oil. I don't have any heart/circulation problems at all. My cholesterol is fine. But I heard it helps with joints, arthritis and such.

So what all do some of you take and recommend?

[RedsBaron]

GAC, as you know, I'm much, much younger than you, but I do take a few supplements. In addition to a multi-vitamin, I take an 81 mg aspirin every day for heart health, 1000 mg Omega 3 fish oil softgel daily (again for heart/circulation), Glucosamine/Chondroitin for bones & joints, and Selenium for prostate. One orthopedic surgeon did recently suggest that I take the pill for bones & joints; everything else is self-prescribed. I always drink both tea and potfulls of coffee--according to some studies coffee apparently reduces one's cancer risk. Oh, I drink red grape juice as well.
Of course I need to exercise a whole lot more and lose weight, either of which is probably more important than all the pills. Reducing stress would also be nice.

[GAC]

Glucosamine/Chondroitin for bones & joints, and Selenium for prostate.

So I can get these (above) over the counter, such as a GNC store?

[RedsBaron]

So I can get these (above) over the counter, such as a GNC store?

Yes. If you really want to freak out some people here, try Wal-Mart.

[GAC]

Yes. If you really want to freak out some people here, try Wal-Mart.

It's where I got mine. Same brands, yet far cheaper then going across the street to the GNC store.

A buddy of mine also takes acidophilus (Lactobacillus acidophilus) which is a friendly inhabitant of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It, as well as some related strains of bacteria, is known as a probiotic. Probiotic organisms secrete enzymes that support healthy digestion.

Our intestinal flora helps regulate our digestion and stool patterns. Yeast also lives in our intestines. The yeast and the bacterial flora are constantly competing for space, and generally they keep each other in check. Sometimes, however, our bacterial flora can get depleted, such as when taking antibiotics. This allows the yeast to overgrow, which can then lead to a variety of problems:

[Chip R]

Our intestinal flora helps regulate our digestion and stool patterns. Yeast also lives in our intestines. The yeast and the bacterial flora are constantly competing for space, and generally they keep each other in check. Sometimes, however, our bacterial flora can get depleted, such as when taking antibiotics. This allows the yeast to overgrow, which can then lead to a variety of problems:

TMI.

[Sweetstop]

GAC, as you know, I'm much, much younger than you, but I do take a few supplements. In addition to a multi-vitamin, I take an 81 mg aspirin every day for heart health, 1000 mg Omega 3 fish oil softgel daily (again for heart/circulation), Glucosamine/Chondroitin for bones & joints, and Selenium for prostate. One orthopedic surgeon did recently suggest that I take the pill for bones & joints; everything else is self-prescribed. I always drink both tea and potfulls of coffee--according to some studies coffee apparently reduces one's cancer risk. Oh, I drink red grape juice as well.
Of course I need to exercise a whole lot more and lose weight, either of which is probably more important than all the pills. Reducing stress would also be nice.

Leaving nothing to chance are you, Counselor..

[HumnHilghtFreel]

I take a multivitamin every morning with a glass of juice and a pill I get from GNC called "Ripped Fuel" that helps with metabolism and energy when I go to the gym. That's about it as far as supplements go though.

[cincinnati chili]

The Cream, The Clear, Colt 45, Beef Jerky.

Glad I could help.

[Heath]

If you folks read the title quickly, you'll notice that he's talking to me.

[creek14]

I take 2 multi vitamins a day. One in the morning and one at night. I take biotin - my hair was falling out at an alarming rate, and since I started taking biotin it hasn't been falling out and looks healthier. I take Omega 3. And I take Glucosamine & Chondroitin, although it doesn't seem to help my ankle. Finally I drink pretty much nothing but water. I'll occasionally have cranberry or orange juice, but not all that often. And I limit alcohol to a drink every couple of months, if that often.

Of course, I'll make an alcohol exception for the Gathering. :all_cohol

Oh and I don't buy any of it at Wal Mart. :

[KittyDuran]

I drink a lot of tea (hot and iced)... but not herbal teas. Also cannot stand the taste of green tea (which is good for you). Always drink tea w/o sugar (no artifical sweetners as well).

Otherwise I'm in pretty good shape and I've lost 15 pounds last month. Had a scare last month when my regular mammogram showed up abnormal, but another specialized mammogram and ultrasound showed up negative.

The hardest part in keeping fit and healthy is that I HATE to exercise and I have a hard time drinking lots of water.

Rarely drink alcohol - my biggest vice is chocolate (any kind) and pizza... two things among others that I've given up for Lent.

[Sweetstop]

I drink a lot of tea (hot and iced)... but not herbal teas. Also cannot stand the taste of green tea (which is good for you). Always drink tea w/o sugar (no artifical sweetners as well).

Otherwise I'm in pretty good shape and I've lost 15 pounds last month. Had a scare last month when my regular mammogram showed up abnormal, but another specialized mammogram and ultrasound showed up negative.

The hardest part in keeping fit and healthy is that I HATE to exercise and I have a hard time drinking lots of water.

Rarely drink alcohol - my biggest vice is chocolate (any kind) and pizza... two things among others that I've given up for Lent.

If you drink Earl Grey tea, you might like Bigelow's Earl Grey Green Tea. It's got that natural oil of bergamot flavor, which makes it taste less green tea-ish.

I like iced teas, also...unsweetened...with a piece of fresh mint (my favorite) or slice of lemon.

As you probably know, a bit of dark chocolate can be good for you, evidently. I usually eat a small piece of Dove dark or a bite of good single-origin chocolate every day. Helps take care of sweet tooth but less calories than cookies, etc.

[WebScorpion]

I take a multi-vitamin, Move-Free(glucosomin/chondroitin), I drink a black tea called PG Tips (from England), and I eat yogurt every day which contains L. Acidophilus. I eat chocolate, drink alcohol, coffee, and caffienated soft-drinks sporadically...less than every day, but more than once per week.

[KittyDuran]

If you drink Earl Grey tea, you might like Bigelow's Earl Grey Green Tea. It's got that natural oil of bergamot flavor, which makes it taste less green tea-ish.

I like iced teas, also...unsweetened...with a piece of fresh mint (my favorite) or slice of lemon.

As you probably know, a bit of dark chocolate can be good for you, evidently. I usually eat a small piece of Dove dark or a bite of good single-origin chocolate every day. Helps take care of sweet tooth but less calories than cookies, etc.

Unfortunately, Earl Grey is one of regular teas that I'm not fond of... Tho' a co-worker swears by Bigelow's Green Tea with Lemon - so I might have to try that.

I luv dark chocolate and Walgreen's a couple weeks ago had some of the special dark on sale - got a couple bars.