I DECIDED TO stop producing expensive urine about two years ago when I could no longer persuade myself that the 30-40 vitamins and tablets I was taking a day were making any discernible difference to my body, health and life.
I started taking a variety of vitamin pills and supplements about 15 years ago when I was going on a four-month cycling holiday with unknown levels of available nutrition and the possibility of being exposed to unhealthy food. I was 42 at the time. I had 23kg of luggage, and my pills took up about 2kg. I had been to see a Nutritionist, and we talked about what might be missing from my diet and what I should take to boost my immune system. I faithfully took the pills and, with one exception, had a healthy body throughout the four-month trip.
When I returned, I continued to take my pills. I was in pretty good shape, slim, fit, and healthy, and I became very interested in health and fitness. I read extensively and added to the selection when prompted by a persuasive article in a newspaper or a friend’s advice.
I’d occasionally have a conversation with the sales assistant in the Vitamin shop who would tell me how to take the pills, for how long, point out some contra-indications and very occasionally the dangers to taking too much of a particular substance, but more often than not it was just a recommendation of which brand was “best”. I’d browse the aisles of Chemists and pick up something which seemed to provide everything I needed to stay healthy. Soon I was taking about 40 pills a day.
I took them twice a day for about ten years, a core of Menopause Support as I wanted to minimise any symptoms if possible, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Omega 3, Q10, Spirulina, Magnesium, and several more, often on a whim and certainly without medical advice. Once a week, I’d open my bottles and count out the pills into large daily pill boxes, my rule of thumb was they had to fit in a single box, and if not, I’d reduce the daily recommended dose.
Then I missed the morning dose, and then I’d miss a few days. I went on a long trip and replaced the space and weight with a yoga mat. I started to lose interest. But I also noticed that there was no difference in how I felt; my health, energy levels, digestion, skin, and brain function didn’t seem to be affected.
I stopped completely a few years ago, and when I moved house, the Scot in me made it very difficult to throw them out, so I started again only to realise that no, they had to go.
I don’t regret the time, energy and thousands of pounds I spent on my pill habit. Indeed, I sailed through menopause and I’ve had a very healthy 15 years, but that’s been with pills and without pills. Did the pills help or not? Taking them may have benefitted me, or it might have been a potent placebo effect. They certainly didn’t seem to do me any harm.
I still read articles with interest where Doctors and Nutritionists say what would be the only vitamins they would take, and I consider taking them again, but so far, I’ve resisted.
My takeaway is there may be a place for vitamins and supplements in your life, but whatever you take, always discuss with a professional and don’t self-medicate at a high street store. You should always start with improving your diet as the best source of vitamins and fibre.
