Vitamins as we age

A question about calcium: We usually think of dairy products as the source for calcium in the diet, but how do people and animals that don't eat dairy get calcium from food?

In other words, we drink milk from a cow to get our calcium, but where and how did the cow get her calcium from to put in the milk? If cows naturally eat mainly grass and don't drink milk past babyhood, could that mean that animals and people really get their calcium from food such as green vegetables?

Also there are some cultures that just don't eat any dairy. Even a Chinese diet that hasn't adopted modern Western milk-drinking contains almost no dairy at all. How do these people's calcium-related health compare with that of people whose diets contain dairy products?

Hi Val, interesting, and this is off the subject some, but what to do when one cannot eat food so easily? Are there any easy to eat "miracle foods" out there that have vitamins? A friend is recovering in a rehab after being on a respirator, and the food there shocks me. Peas–where is the nutrition? Pasta–different sauces. Cake. She hates ensure or anything sweet, but her swallowing reflex has been affected. I really wish you might do a story on geriatric nutrition–. Thank you.

Hi, I am 64 yrs. old . I have taken Vitamins for 25 years . The only time I have been to see a doctor is for a UTI. I agree that a well balanced diet is very very important. But unless you can get veggies that have been grown in soil that has plenty minerals and all the nutrients our body needs you will not be getting enough vits.& minerals. "FRESH" is another "MUST" veggies and fruits lose a lot of their nutrients as they age. So supplements are indeed very "IMPORTANT." Don't forget "NUTS." and YES, Omega 3 is a "WONDERFUL" thing along with Co Q 10. My Health has improved so much since I have been taking all of the above and eating veggies grown in good soil.The soil in this country is so depleted of the minerals we need that we just "Can't get the amount our bodies need. Do like I do and grow your own, It "SURE" makes a difference.

I would echo Barbara's comments. The RDA's are based upon a sedentary person's diet and activities. If you are active, you need more. Probably not the mega doses that some people take, but clearly more. If your diet consists of mostly processed foods, then you definitely need to take more than the recommended RDA.

I take vitamins. Been doing that since I was old enough to make my own decisions. In my 50's now and never been sicker than the flu.

Also important to pass on the huge chunks of beef and eat lot's of veggies and fruit. I recall back in the day, as a teen when I passed on the meat everyone around me gave me such a hard time about it, now I'm laughing all the way to the bank of good health.

Not everyone has the space for a garden or the time to tend one, bummer. Now if we could just bring down the cost of healthy food...

I am turning 60 years old in July 2008 and have been taking the following Centrum Select ( one a day) Flaxseed oil capsules (2 a day) , garlic capsule (2 a day)
If for some reason, I seem to be getting a scratchy throat then I will take a Vitamin C that desolves in water.
If an upper respiratory problem crops up – orgeano caps will be taken after my meals (2) tablets to fight the infection.

All these things keep me healthy.

My Mother is turning 99 years young on June 11th. She takes the same thing to keep her healthy!

My Mother has just recently retired Nov. 2007 from her p/t job cutting up cardboard boxes for her Grandson's business! Working keeps her young!

At age 54, found out that I can no longer eat anything that has fiber, so I have to rely on Chewable vitamins so that my homocysteine levels don't run amuck. Yes, i would rather eat the veggies and fruit, by living in the salad bowel of America doesn't mean that we can afford to buy the food grown here either.

Does anyone know of any definitive studies on Co-enzyme Q10?

Your suggestion to "ask you doctor" is useless. American doctors receive no training in nutrition or natural supplements. They believe in expensive pharmaceuticals. It really isn't hard to figure out why. There are plenty of European studies that show the efficacy of many supplements. American patients need to do their own research and certainly not rely on their doctors' opinions in this area.

I do not take any suppliment at all. I just eat right and excersice daily. and I drink red wine. I think I am in good health. so I think each is own. on the supplment issue. Just listen to your body. By the way my Husdand does not agree with me. again to each his own. Thank you.

I'm a 62 year old woman and have been taking my multis, vitamin c and vitamin e since I was about 40 years old. Just recently I added a calcium supplement to my daily routine. I don't take any medication, never have, and hopefully never will have to. If I ever do, then I'll have to refrain from taking my vitamins because I feel vitamins and medication, and medication with other medications is a downfall for the elderly unless it's a dire necessity. My diet consists of a fiber cereal for breakfast in which I add soy milk, flax seed, and banana. My vitamins are taken with my cranberry juice. The only caffeine I have is coffee I drink when I read my newspaper before I have my breakfast. I take my calcium supplement with my dinner which always consists of a salad with romaine lettuce and just a touch of dressing. My husband and I cook with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, onions, and lots of spices. Spices are an added health benefit and makes everything taste so much better. Sweets have never been a problem for me because of the fact I just don't like them. I do have only 1 beer or 1 glass of red wine before dinner. I occassionally snack on popcorn, and recently started adding nuts to have as a snack, but just a serving size, beacause of the health benefits. I keep hydrated all day with adequate amounts of water. Along with a good diet I try to keep stress at bay by changing a stressful situation into something positive. Because no matter how healthy a lifestyle someone trys to lead, stress can still manage to weaken your immune system. Plus I stay active for most of the day. For the pass 25 years I've been a waitress. so I'm constantly kept moving. I also get my strength exercise from lifting trays so that's an extra bonus I get daily. I'm 5'5" and weigh 130 lbs consistenly so I guess I'm on the right track. Living to 100 is my destiny.

At 57 I take a mulit vitamin, red rice yeast, B complex, grape seed extract, cranberry, potassium and a baby asprin.
At 47 I was on Lipator (on a low fat diet my bad col. was 275) and Nexium.
At 57 I need no medications, my good col. has doubled and my bad is under 190, my ratio's are good. After my last bloodwork my doctor said I don't know what you're doing, but keep on doing it.
I don't worry about my fat intake as much as I limit my sugar intake.

I am taking Centrum Vitamins....before I go to sleep...oh,boy, when I get up in the morning,it's make me feel so good.And ,of course,I am eating mostly any kinds of vegetables, a lots of fruits ....seldom eat meat and mostly I eat fish with rice,also try oster in the can.

I worked 12 hours everyday but I don't feel tired when I come home.Also, you should sleep at least 6 hours .I don't have any problem at all right now . Always drink water and do excercise to get wet...wow....it's make your day wonderful!

I'm almost 37 i just start taking a multivitamin supplement because of i always been low in iron & now i'm low in vitamin d. so far i'm doing fine.

I am 36 years old. I have taken many vitamins since I was in my mid-20's. I take a Women's One a Day, calcium, vitamin E, fiber therapy, vitamin C, fish oil and vitamin B12. I realize these may not serve a "great" purpose in the whole scheme of things but........I do notice a difference in how I feel if I forget them for a few days. I live a very busy and fast paced life and don't always eat as healthy as I should. I am not a fast food junkie by any means, but I don't get enough fruits and veggies just due to lack of time. I don't think it hurts a thing to take these as a "just in case" method. I mean we aren't afraid to spend money to put ice cream, alcohol or other things in our bodies which we know aren't good for us....why not take a chance and spend money on something that "could" make a difference! Have a great day!

Speaking of vitamins, I have been taking a daily dietary supplement for about 18 months called Zija. It is made from an extraordinary plant called Moringa. It's a plant that has all the nutrients that could be found in a perfect food. 100% Natural with only 19 Calories. Z-Atin is the power behind the smart supplement Zija. It has the perfect, balanced, natural combination of ZEATIN: A supreme antioxidant with powerful anti-aging properties; QUERCETIN: A vital flavonoid with antioxidant properties. It is one of the best naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents available; BETA-SITOSTEROL: Blocks "bad" cholesterol absorption from food, normalizes blood sugar, enhances the immune system, and acts as a supreme anti-inflammatory agent; CAFFEOYLQUINIC ACID: Exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity; KAEMPFEROL: Proven to encourage healthy cell growth and function.

Zija has been a life saver for my family and I because of our busy schedule. We are unable to prepare the perfect nutritious meal daily. Zija allows us to get the vitamins and minerals that we need. It is the first available nutritional health beverage (100% natural liquid dietary supplement) from the nutrient-rich Moringa oleifera. It's packed with 90-plus verifiable nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids (all of them), omega oils, phytonutrients, supreme antioxidants and anti-inflammatories found in Moringa. Zija contains 30 grams of Moringa (fruit, leaf, seed), natural cane sugar, natural flavor, citric acid (natural preservative), agar, acacia and ester gums, fruit pectin (assists suspension), and purified spring water. It is great and I would truly recommend it for everyone.

Ok, I take a lot of vitamins. I try and hit every part of my body with two or three–I have plastic champagne glasses left over from new years and I basically fill it up: Here's a partial list:
Four antioxidents in the morning, four in the afternoon plus
magnesium, alfalfa, CLA, L-carnatine, fucoxanthin, sublingual B-12, Folic acid, niacin, Copper, manganese, ginko biloba, echenacia (correct spelling?), golden seal root, calcium, zinc, lysine, probiotic enzyme, internal aloe vera, biotin, milk thistle, Liveraid (a brand a liver supplement), Glucosamine, bilberry, cinnamon, grape seed and about seven or eight others, basically everything in a multi vitamin I take individually plus omega-3s 6s and 9s and the weight loss stuff. The article said that nutritionists doubt if most of this is doing me any good, that would be disappointing. But why, how could I break it up so it would be more effective. What I want to hear is, sure it's doing everything it's supposed to buddy, but I'm nervous.

I am 54 what is the require calcium or iron supplement should i take

I am a Black female 57 years old , I take no vitamins I had a complete
hysterectomy a few years ago I was unable to take hormones. What type of vitamins should I take to replace what I need in my body.

I am a Black female, who made 30 years old this year. I've been taking a multi-vitamin, garlic pills, and vitamin C for about a year now (even before I turned 30). I take the multi-vitamin because it has a little bit of everything and I know it's good to take vitamins (and my Gyne recommended a multi-vitamin as well), I take the vitamin C (500mg) and garlic pills(500mg) to boost the immune system (there's nothing wrong with mine, but I figured I would give it a little something extra, plus it can't hurt), and I take biotin(3,000mcg) for my hair which was damaged due to coloring and too much blow drying. I just started the biotin 2-3 weeks ago, so I have a little while to go before I can see any real results.