Can vitamin supplements actually lengthen your life?; Tell me something good; You can now order remote video-streaming tickets for The Oldster Variety Hour March 4th...
Oh my gosh, I was in the bathroom at Christie's NYC yesterday (long story) and heard these 2 women at the sink who must have been talking about this very story. One of them was worried about seeing her boyfriend after two weeks apart. According to her, he has been taking some supplements containing collagen and she was worried he'd look so young he wouldn't want to be seen with her! Meanwhile, she looked about 30 and had rich people skin.
I took collagen briefly until I read that it takes about six months of consistent use to have an effect...I promptly gave up. Seemed quite expensive when I could just eat food with naturally occurring collagen
No, you can make bone broth that's made from beef or chicken. I make 4-6 litres to last a week. I use it for soups, splashes of it to heat up food on the burner, or to cook with rice (instead of water). I can't be counted on to take my vitamins, but I can be counted on to eat regularly, lol.
There is something about if you simmer your bones for too long it can have a histamine effect, but i'm no expert! I'm sure info can be located online, if that's a concern as it is for many people with various allergies
Most supplements have never been double blind tested and are no better than a placebo. But there are several studies of multi vitamins taken by adults that have shown that taking a daily multivitamin can slow cognitive aging. COSMOS Studies (21,000 adults) show benefits in 3 areas, cognitive aging, memory improvement and cardiovascular health. Note taking more is not better. Talk to your doctor first.
I take two supplements that are pretty well grounded in science: Vit D3 and Vit B12. As an older person living in the northern hemisphere, who does not go out into the sun, D3 is essential. And, as a lifelong vegetarian, B12 is also required. That's it. I trust Dr Gregor at Nutritionfacts.org for all my supplement info!
One of the reasons I trust Dr Gregor is, his site is science-based AND nonprofit. All the profits from the sales of his books, his speeches, etc. are funneled back into public education.
Vitamin D is essential, living in the far north of Scotland, though I only take it between October and April... I also take a vitamin B complex a few times a week as I'm vegetarian. I did get sucked into the collagen craze a little while back, spending a fortune on a vegetarian version (cannot remember what it was made from) but it made not a blind bit of difference to my skin, or joints or anything. It's tempting, when someone in your family seems more healthy, ages better and lives longer than others, to attribute it to one specific thing (like vitamins, with your Dad). My Nan used to regularly eat dripping on toast (do you have dripping in the US? It's basically the fat from port or beef, that you spread like butter!) and lived until she was 89!
My late mother-in-law, who lived to be 94, at ham sandwiches with mayo on white bread, and her favorite breakfast was stale marshmallow peeps plus black coffee with sugar. So who knows…
I once attended a lecture series given by a biochemist and she said to be a supplement person without taking supplements. Meaning, eat in a way that optimizes the chances of getting your micronutrient needs met. There are some that aren't available naturally (D in northern climes/winter) but it's easy enough to check your levels at your doctor's. And being a supplement person like your dad means that he's attuned to health in general and probably leads a healthier life overall than most so you can't say for certain that supplements account for his longevity.
Early this morning I found in the kitchen an empty bottle of B12 dissolvable tablets on the counter near where we keep medicines, supplements, etc. My 99.5yo father was out of B12. I told him I still had some, but they were not dissolvable and he has trouble taking pills. (He stopped taking one of the prescription meds he has because the capsule dissolved in his mouth and left a burning feeling that lasted two hours.)
I take way too many vitamins and supplements, but B12 is a good one for us since we do not eat any animal products except dairy and eggs. I probably get more than enough vitamins from my healthy diet, but sometimes my father eats a dinner that consists of a blueberry muffin or, just the other night, half a bagel with jelly. We figure at his age, he can eat what he wants to, right? So he probably needs the vitamins.
An article (NY Times, maybe?) a few months ago convinced me to stop taking melatonin and turmeric because at the dosages I had, they could cause harm. I was unable to find the recommended smaller dosage pills or capsules in several supermarkets and drugstores.
I think the law on supplements and vitamins that Sen. Orrin Hatch pushed through Congress decades ago has caused a lot of harm. I remember I used to take some supplement that was supposed to help with sleep in the 1980s or so and then several people were poisoned with it. (Senior moment: I can't recall its name. But a lot of vitamins and supplements are doing more harm than good.
I remember reading about Gary Null, mister supplement himself, suffering from a vitamin D overdose. Seriously, these need better regulation and dose advisement.
I can remember, decades ago, listening to him on, I think, WABC AM 770, and he was talking about all the things he took over days because he was coming down with a cold. It seemed like it would have been a catastrophe for him to have a cold. To me, that just seemed crazy. If you have to take 20-25 pills to stop yourself from having a cold, you need psychological counseling, if not psychiatric care. Getting minor illnesses that are self-limiting in youngish otherwise healthy people is just part of life. That is when I stopped listening to Gary Null.
I'm 74, and I've had an intermittent relationship with vitamins, most of my life--buy expensive supplements because . . . whatever . . . take them some days and then forget about it entirely, finally throw them all away because they're so old and start again. Mostly I find it hard to swallow pills. Then I was taking care of my mother who died four years ago at 95 and noticed she had gummy vitamins! So my mother was responsible for me now taking a multivitamin, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin C everyday! Not sure how I'd know the difference they make, but I feel better about it.
I take 4 things: Calcium, D3, cordyceps and red yeast rice. Calcium and D3 for my bones; red yeast rice to keep my LDL low (instead of statins); and cordyceps for a whole bunch of reasons (it’s amazing, and more studies are coming out all the time - check it out). I think of them all as backups to eating and sleeping well, having lots of good social connections and work I love, staying active, and mastering my mindset. 😊
Happy Anniversary you two kids. And don’t forget to take your vitamins, even if they are placebos. They’re investments in a long and happy future together.👏🫶
Congrats to you and Brian, Sari! I have been married to the same wonderful partner for 45 years, and youi know what? Let the cynics sneer. It gets getter every year and retains as much romance as any old codger could ever handle!
My darling Sari,
Keep humoring me! I suffer no guilt! It’s love that makes me a “nudge”. Love is the best of all supplements 🥰 Dad
That’s really true, dad!! Love you. 😘
Happy Anniversary to you and Brian, Sari! I think living and loving well are the best vitamins.
Well said, Catherine! Thank you.
Oh my gosh, I was in the bathroom at Christie's NYC yesterday (long story) and heard these 2 women at the sink who must have been talking about this very story. One of them was worried about seeing her boyfriend after two weeks apart. According to her, he has been taking some supplements containing collagen and she was worried he'd look so young he wouldn't want to be seen with her! Meanwhile, she looked about 30 and had rich people skin.
I took collagen briefly until I read that it takes about six months of consistent use to have an effect...I promptly gave up. Seemed quite expensive when I could just eat food with naturally occurring collagen
Wait, food has collagen?! Do I have to eat shellfish? I'm deathly allergic.
No, you can make bone broth that's made from beef or chicken. I make 4-6 litres to last a week. I use it for soups, splashes of it to heat up food on the burner, or to cook with rice (instead of water). I can't be counted on to take my vitamins, but I can be counted on to eat regularly, lol.
I can do this. Thank goodness I don't have to suck on shrimp pellets or anything.
There is something about if you simmer your bones for too long it can have a histamine effect, but i'm no expert! I'm sure info can be located online, if that's a concern as it is for many people with various allergies
Yikes! I'll ask my doctor about this. Ugh. Being healthy is complicated.
Wow!!!
Most supplements have never been double blind tested and are no better than a placebo. But there are several studies of multi vitamins taken by adults that have shown that taking a daily multivitamin can slow cognitive aging. COSMOS Studies (21,000 adults) show benefits in 3 areas, cognitive aging, memory improvement and cardiovascular health. Note taking more is not better. Talk to your doctor first.
Thank you!
I take two supplements that are pretty well grounded in science: Vit D3 and Vit B12. As an older person living in the northern hemisphere, who does not go out into the sun, D3 is essential. And, as a lifelong vegetarian, B12 is also required. That's it. I trust Dr Gregor at Nutritionfacts.org for all my supplement info!
I’ll check out Dr. Gregor’s site! Thanks, Bette.
One of the reasons I trust Dr Gregor is, his site is science-based AND nonprofit. All the profits from the sales of his books, his speeches, etc. are funneled back into public education.
I take 2 dozen supplements and they give me the illusion that I can control my health, so worth every penny.
Ha! I’ve read that faith in something—anything, legitimate or not—can have healing properties.
pretty much the definition of placebo!
Vitamin D is essential, living in the far north of Scotland, though I only take it between October and April... I also take a vitamin B complex a few times a week as I'm vegetarian. I did get sucked into the collagen craze a little while back, spending a fortune on a vegetarian version (cannot remember what it was made from) but it made not a blind bit of difference to my skin, or joints or anything. It's tempting, when someone in your family seems more healthy, ages better and lives longer than others, to attribute it to one specific thing (like vitamins, with your Dad). My Nan used to regularly eat dripping on toast (do you have dripping in the US? It's basically the fat from port or beef, that you spread like butter!) and lived until she was 89!
My late mother-in-law, who lived to be 94, at ham sandwiches with mayo on white bread, and her favorite breakfast was stale marshmallow peeps plus black coffee with sugar. So who knows…
that's more tempting to me than a cupful of vitamins (or dripping on toast, for that matter!)
I once attended a lecture series given by a biochemist and she said to be a supplement person without taking supplements. Meaning, eat in a way that optimizes the chances of getting your micronutrient needs met. There are some that aren't available naturally (D in northern climes/winter) but it's easy enough to check your levels at your doctor's. And being a supplement person like your dad means that he's attuned to health in general and probably leads a healthier life overall than most so you can't say for certain that supplements account for his longevity.
Yes, who knows if it’s actually his diet and exercise and the placebo effect all working in his favor.
Early this morning I found in the kitchen an empty bottle of B12 dissolvable tablets on the counter near where we keep medicines, supplements, etc. My 99.5yo father was out of B12. I told him I still had some, but they were not dissolvable and he has trouble taking pills. (He stopped taking one of the prescription meds he has because the capsule dissolved in his mouth and left a burning feeling that lasted two hours.)
I take way too many vitamins and supplements, but B12 is a good one for us since we do not eat any animal products except dairy and eggs. I probably get more than enough vitamins from my healthy diet, but sometimes my father eats a dinner that consists of a blueberry muffin or, just the other night, half a bagel with jelly. We figure at his age, he can eat what he wants to, right? So he probably needs the vitamins.
An article (NY Times, maybe?) a few months ago convinced me to stop taking melatonin and turmeric because at the dosages I had, they could cause harm. I was unable to find the recommended smaller dosage pills or capsules in several supermarkets and drugstores.
I think the law on supplements and vitamins that Sen. Orrin Hatch pushed through Congress decades ago has caused a lot of harm. I remember I used to take some supplement that was supposed to help with sleep in the 1980s or so and then several people were poisoned with it. (Senior moment: I can't recall its name. But a lot of vitamins and supplements are doing more harm than good.
I remember reading about Gary Null, mister supplement himself, suffering from a vitamin D overdose. Seriously, these need better regulation and dose advisement.
I can remember, decades ago, listening to him on, I think, WABC AM 770, and he was talking about all the things he took over days because he was coming down with a cold. It seemed like it would have been a catastrophe for him to have a cold. To me, that just seemed crazy. If you have to take 20-25 pills to stop yourself from having a cold, you need psychological counseling, if not psychiatric care. Getting minor illnesses that are self-limiting in youngish otherwise healthy people is just part of life. That is when I stopped listening to Gary Null.
He seems pretty nuts.
I'm 74, and I've had an intermittent relationship with vitamins, most of my life--buy expensive supplements because . . . whatever . . . take them some days and then forget about it entirely, finally throw them all away because they're so old and start again. Mostly I find it hard to swallow pills. Then I was taking care of my mother who died four years ago at 95 and noticed she had gummy vitamins! So my mother was responsible for me now taking a multivitamin, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin C everyday! Not sure how I'd know the difference they make, but I feel better about it.
Interesting!
This is fascinating!
I take 4 things: Calcium, D3, cordyceps and red yeast rice. Calcium and D3 for my bones; red yeast rice to keep my LDL low (instead of statins); and cordyceps for a whole bunch of reasons (it’s amazing, and more studies are coming out all the time - check it out). I think of them all as backups to eating and sleeping well, having lots of good social connections and work I love, staying active, and mastering my mindset. 😊
"cordyceps"? Is that made from dinosaurs?
Ha. I believe it’s a kind of mushroom.
A herbalist recommended it to me after my brain injury. I took it, but I can't say definitively if it worked or not (still recovering).
It is indeed a mushroom, from China. It’s adaptogenic, which means it does what your body needs it to do.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary you two kids. And don’t forget to take your vitamins, even if they are placebos. They’re investments in a long and happy future together.👏🫶
Thanks, Irwin! <3
Congrats to you and Brian, Sari! I have been married to the same wonderful partner for 45 years, and youi know what? Let the cynics sneer. It gets getter every year and retains as much romance as any old codger could ever handle!
Love to hear that, Sydney! Congrats to you two, and thanks for the sweet wishes.
Happy Anniversary to you both! ❤️
Happy anniversary ❤️