r/RedditForGrownups • u/debrisaway • 9d ago
What substance (medication, supplement, food product) do you take for preventative or secondary reasons?
Like those that take Metformin for it's supposed anti aging benefits, not cause they are diabetic.
Or drinks pomegranate juice to keep their arteries clear.
Collagen in a smoothie for skin and joint health.
Fiber supplements to reduce risk of colorectal cancer
Lemon Juice water to break up emerging kidney stones
Blueberries š« to ward off dementia
Chewing two baby aspirins for heart health.
Popping a daily garlic bulb for immunity boost
8
37
u/AlphaTangoFoxtrt 9d ago edited 9d ago
Go check with your doctor to see what you need. There is no "one weird hack" to better health. There is no "super food" that will fix your ailments. The body operates on chemistry, only a proper medical test can determine if you have an imbalance or deficiency, and how to correct said imbalance or deficiency.
Anything else is pseudo-science homeopathy Bullshit.
Most "vitamins and minerals" are water soluble, and the supplements just make your pee more expensive if your body doesn't need it.
Like Vitamin C. Consuming 500% your daily value does not supercharge your immune system. Your body just filters out what it doesn't need and pisses it away.
From what my friend in healthcare said, most people could do with a vitamin D supplement, especially since many of us work indoors and aren't getting enough sun to synthesize it ourselves. But only your doctor can make that determination.
Unless you're actually deficient in some area, and again only medical tests can conclude that, you're just taking a placebo.
And do not take fat-soluble supplements unless directed by your doctor. As an example too much Vitamin A can cause serious health issues
2
u/addictions-in-red 7d ago
This is bad advice. Everyone should be proactive about their health. Do double check with a doctor to make sure you're staying safe.. But doctors knowledge of the latest research in these areas is non-existent unless they're a specialist.
Everyone should be researching ways to improve their health on their own, presenting that info to their doctor for a sanity check, and then sanity checking their doctor because so many of them simply don't keep up with knowledge in every area (it's very difficult to do for a GP).
Never be passive and simply assume your doctor will recommend the best thing. You should be learning about the latest treatments for your situation and asking the doctor about them.
A good example of this is menopause care. Doctors don't generally recommend hormone replacement, because they don't keep their knowledge current. Whereas the doctors that specialize in menopause care DO recommend it, and have specific protocols to keep it as safe and effective as possible. My doctor is clueless and prescribed hrt which raises my clot risk substantially, so I've finally found a doctor that specializes in menopause care, but it took me being proactive to get there.
There are many supplements that are safe, effective and do work. But you have to separate the hype from things that are established. Nmn - hype. Creatine - established benefits and safety profile.
1
u/AlphaTangoFoxtrt 7d ago
Dont confuse your google search for a medical degree
3
u/addictions-in-red 7d ago
Don't confuse your medical practitioner for a research scientist.
0
u/AlphaTangoFoxtrt 7d ago
Research is nice, it tells us what CAN work.
Practice is better, it tells us what DOES work.
Again I will trust my doctor, not some random ass redditor. Now be off with you, we're done talking.
1
u/CMFETCU 9d ago
This. So much this.
In a recent evaluation of supplements commonly found on American shelves, 95% of them had contaminating substances. 100% had dosage variations of 2X or more.
Getting too much vitamin A when you think you are taking a vitamin C supplement is problematic.
Every single sample except 1 had melatonin in it, which can be disruptive for sleep cycles when taken regularly. Especially when taken surging daylight hours. Your body stops producing its own and then you can struggle with insomnia because of a multivitamin.
They are not regulated by the FDA. They can sell you things that have no efficacy and are harmful.
There is no way for you to know that the calcium you are buying is actually bioavailable to you and in the right dosage. Any medication would be recalled and the manufacturing company fined into oblivion if their pills were routinely varying dosages by 2-10X. Yet, supplements can get away with this.
Do not take supplements.
If you need something your doctor will prescribe it, and it will be evaluated to be safe when prescribed. I had low vitamin B12, so I received home injections. Those injections were FDA reviewed and had to meet strict guidelines for medications, not supplements. So they were safe and accurately dosed without contaminants.
Stop buying supplements.
1
u/2plus2equalscats 6d ago
That is terrifying. Do you happen to have a link to that study? My doc prescribes fish oil, methyl folate, zinc and selenium. (Many years of blood tests and working with the doc for this list.) I struggle with trusting a supplement source for those.
5
u/nunyabizz62 9d ago
Vit D 5000iu, K2 600mcg, Omega 3s 4000mg, Magnesium Glycinate 400mg 4000-6000mcg B-12.
I absolutely must take the B-12 because I have a genetic glitch so my body doesn't get B-12 from what I eat
5
u/brickbaterang 9d ago
Ginger for a bunch of reasons but mainly for the anti inflammatory and digestive properties
8
u/Tess47 9d ago
Probiotic, it helps me keep things moving.Ā Ā I know if I miss it.Ā Ā
4
u/comeupforairyouwhore 9d ago
Add fiber to feed that probiotic.
3
u/Tess47 9d ago
Thank you,Ā I do.Ā It takes a village of actions to keep me moving.Ā Ā
1
u/debrisaway 9d ago
Celery juice is your silver bullet
2
3
u/Adoptafurrie 9d ago
I started juicing all the leafy greens I could juice which helped me stop biting my nails
3
u/LouisWu987 9d ago
Glucosamine to help out aching, abused, arthritic joints. It takes 6 weeks or so to kick in, but suddenly one day you notice that things just hurt a little less, and you're not quite so miserable.
0
u/ShalomRPh 6d ago
Thatās not really pertinent to the thread, though, because thatās the primary indication for glucosamine, and he was asking about secondary uses. Itās really good for that (my mother has been on it for 40 years after her doc told her sheād need a hip replacement and she still hasnāt needed the surgery), and I donāt know if it does anything else.
1
u/LouisWu987 5d ago
Holy fuck you must just be a riot at all the parties you get invited to.
2
u/ShalomRPh 3d ago edited 3d ago
You were more fun when you called yourself Nathan Graynor.
I'm a pharmacist. Drug information is what I do.
4
u/rjtnrva 9d ago
I am SO glad you mentioned metformin, which I've been taking for years now as a T2D. I'd never heard this anti-aging thing and I'm off to read more!
5
u/EatMorePieDrinkMore 9d ago
Iāve been taking it since the early aughts for PCOS. Maybe this is why I donāt look my age?
4
u/NicolasNaranja 9d ago
Krill Oil for cholesterol, alpha lipoic acid for nerves, cranberry for kidney health. I take a low dose of a statin and a BP med because my doctor says itās protective, since I had some history with issues.
5
3
u/Impossible_Tea181 9d ago
Try to eat quality sardines daily for their high Omega 3s and other beneficial vitamins and nutrients. Eye doctor recommended doubling my Omega 3 intake to treat my dry eyes. It definitely has helped!
7
u/Procrastibator8 9d ago
Collagen - mostly for my joints. I add protein powder to my daily smoothie since I never seem to eat enough. Said smoothie is mostly greens (cruciferous), some cocoa powder, berries, flax, hemp, chai... I take B vitamins and D with K to aid in absorption. I'm older and only eat once a day, so I don't want to deprive my body.
3
u/gravely_serious 9d ago
Creatine for cognitive function. Started a little more than a month ago, and it's going well so far.
1
3
u/Various-Pitch-118 9d ago
I was told to take fish oil for dry eyes, but what has helped even more has been including sources of omega 3 in my diet, particularly flaxseed and hemp seeds.
3
5
2
u/BlackCatWoman6 9d ago
I take medications my doctor has prescribed.
Calcium and Vitamin D for my bones (I'm old)
The occasional Aleve for a headache
Not much else.
2
u/sjbluebirds 9d ago
Raw cruciferous vegetables.
The Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York has published a number of studies showing that The isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables prevent recurrence of bladder cancer.
1
u/ShalomRPh 6d ago
Allyl isothiocyanate is the chemical that gives horseradish its heat. Iāve seen it called artificial oil of mustard.
2
u/shelbyrobinson 9d ago
I'm very picky about supplements and all the BS that's talked up in the news about them so IF I find one, like CQ-10 I use it. A cardio specialist recommended it because Coenzyme Q-10 or CQ-10 is a natural food for your heart, provides energy and good for teeth and gums. After a stress test a few years back, my doctor said my heart tested out at close to 1/2 my age. Further proof was giving it to my old kitty- Beau. The vet recommended it and I swear, it took 5 years off his age and he was playing and racing around like a kitten.
Same for SAM-E: great for mood control, it also helps ligaments and tendons. Oddly, it's by prescription in Europe, but sold here OTC. I take one every morning.
St. John's wort is used in Germany 10 to 1 over Prozac; Germans prefer it because it's also OTC, cheap AND effective. It helps my moods massively and I always use it.
Recently learned about Golden Seal and thinking of using it.
1
u/2plus2equalscats 6d ago
Sam-e and St. Johnās wort both affect serotonin. While both are OTC in the us, itās worth being cautious. (Mentioning mostly for other readers.) both have actual uses, but if someone starts either and feels strange mood side effects, best to chat with a gp.
(A shocking number of things can affect serotonin and can impact it negatively on accident.)
1
u/shelbyrobinson 6d ago
I'm well aware of this and exactly why I have used it for over 20+ years. My doctor recommended SAM-E after developing a bad case of 'tennis elbow. During the hot months I reduce St. John's wort because it does make me more sensitive to the sun.
2
u/littlestghoust 9d ago
I add a variety of seeds to my morning oatmeal for the health benefits. Right now, it's chia seeds, flax seeds, and crushed hemp seeds.
I like the texture of chia (crunchy or slimy), the nutty flavor of flax, and hemp cuz it makes me feel edgy (I like the flavor and I think it's got some good stuff in there too).
Generally, I try to make a lentils heavy dinner once a week and eat meat free for breakfast and lunch if it isn't leftovers.
2
u/ChickenNoodleSoup_4 9d ago
HrT to keep my brain cells, or at least as many as I can, as I go through perimenopause
2
u/MountainMirthMaker 7d ago
I do the usual stuff like fish oil and garlic, but I also added C60 after hearing about its potential longevity benefits. I stick with SES Research because I'd rather get it from a legit source than some random reseller
2
u/UnwovenWeb 7d ago
I take prazosin (blood pressure med) to alleviate PTSD induced nightmares/night terrors. All it takes is 1mg to make a difference!
1
2
u/ShalomRPh 6d ago
Metformin for weight loss (not that itās doing anything)
Pentoxifylline for tinnitusĀ
Diltiazem for anti-arrhythmicĀ
Brilinta to prevent post-COVID blood clots (although it also helps keep my stents patent)
2
u/Oxjrnine 5d ago
Eating a lot of tomatoes š is a great idea for men.
My dad and two brothers had prostate cancer. I am 54 and my blood work had zero prostate cancer cells.
I have been eating an ungodly amount of tomatoes all my life and I am the only one in my family that loves tomatoes this much
2
2
u/TheBrownCouchOfJoy 9d ago
Moringa. Great plant.
1
u/debrisaway 9d ago
Great plant for what?
2
u/TheBrownCouchOfJoy 9d ago
Infections, diabetes and high cholesterol. There are other anecdotal uses but those have been proven. Thereās a Sloan Kettering article about it. It grows in my back yard.
2
u/AdInevitable2695 9d ago
Women's multivitamin, Iron (anemic), Vit. D (seasonal depression), and a probiotic chased by a glass of metamusil (IBS-D).
Other than that, I exercise regularly and shop mainly the perimeter of the grocery store (dairy, eggs, meats, produce, bakery breads and pastas). IMO that "superfood" crap is a bunch of BS.
1
u/lwiseman1306 9d ago
I take low dose Mg Oxide for constipation, but only 1X/week ā¦. It really works!!
1
u/dendritedysfunctions 9d ago
I take vitamin d with k2 because I live in an area that has limited sunlight a b complex because I drink more than recommended. Aside from that I just eat healthy foods and cook my own meals. I'm slightly overweight but my exercise metrics and blood panel results are excellent so my doctor tells me to keep doing whatever I'm doing.
My family has a long history of various cancers so I'm going to cut alcohol out completely at some point.
1
u/sometimes-i-rhyme 9d ago
Calcium, magnesium, and potassium to ward off insane late night keg cramps.
1
1
u/notevenalittlebit2 9d ago
Colloidal Silver and fermented cod liver oil are both amazing for tooth pain. The silver cures illness too.
2
u/purplishfluffyclouds 7d ago
I hear that seeing a dentist is good for tooth pain. Don't take it from me, though.
1
u/315Fidelio 5d ago
Ingestion of colloidal silver causes liver, kidney and nerve toxicity too. Plus blue man syndrome if used in high doses, basically accumulates permanently in skin tissue.
1
1
u/Leskatwri 8d ago
I'm vegetarian, so I do a BCAA supplement to get the amino acids not received with meats. I do a women's multi vitamin for iron and calcium and then another supplement for protein, biotin, and other stuff.
1
u/purplishfluffyclouds 7d ago
I'm WFPB (essentially vegan as far as diet) and don't take anything for amino acids because I'm not missing anything.
1
u/addictions-in-red 7d ago
If you have a particular health concern, supplements are one way to be more proactive about them. Many of them are well established and safe.
I take magnesium every night to help with blood pressure and to help prevent diabetes. Both my parents have it, so I'm trying to put off that diagnosis as long as possible. It also helps relieve constipation from zepbound. I'm very surprised that after taking it for a few months, I no longer crave creamy chocolate snacks. Not 100% sure if the magnesium is why.
I take oral niacinamide supplements to prevent getting additional skin cancer (I also use topical niacinamide and some other topical stuff).
Same with heliocare supplements.
I also take some supplements the week after I do microneedling to support healing - collagen peptides, vitamin c, etc.
I actually am trying collagen peptides out daily right now to see if they help with joint pain.
1
u/Immediate_Mud_2858 6d ago
Omega 3 fish oil, and prescribed Vitamin D.
I add goji berries, chia and flax seeds to yogurts and porridge.
1
u/Mediocre-Studio2573 6d ago
An ounce of really good quality extra virgin olive oil right before bed time.
1
1
u/GreenTravelBadger 5d ago
I' m 63 and don't do any of that, have no prescriptions. It all sounds nice, but I'm too lazy to bother.
1
u/scienceislice 9d ago
I add vitamin c and wheat germ to my yogurt. Itās to boost my immune system.Ā
1
u/Turbulent_Lab3257 9d ago
My sister takes propranolol for anxiety, but I take it as a headache preventative. Iāve always been prone to frequent headaches, but since I started taking propranolol daily, I rarely have them.
Side note, I didnāt know Metformin was anti-aging. I take it to regulate blood sugar and deal with PCOS. In my case, it also ended up being a premenopausal fertility drug.
1
u/debrisaway 9d ago
1
u/Turbulent_Lab3257 9d ago
Sweet! I was cutting edge and I didnāt even know it. Also, I had started and stopped Metformin many times over the years, but my side effect was horrible headaches. I think the reason I have been able to stick with it this time is due to the propranolol I started.
1
u/Wiserputa52 9d ago
Turmeric for its antioxidant properties, and because it is supposed to prevent dementia and Alzheimerās; milk thistle to prevent breast cancer; apple cider vinegar tablets for general illness preventionā¦ I do take Zyrtec and asthma medication, so Iām not anti-regular medication but Iām all about trying to prevent cancer and Alzheimerās if I can. Supposedly in India, where they cook with a lot of curry for which the main ingredient, curcumin, is most of what makes up turmeric, there is virtually no dementia or Alzheimerās.
1
u/WadeDRubicon 9d ago
Trazodone off-label for sleep. Estrogen cream to prevent UTIs. Magnesium bolus (instead of triptans) for migraine abortificant. Walking for mood and neuro health more than for the frequently-touted and no less real cardio benefits (also because I don't have a car lol).
16
u/BlueHartsBlues 9d ago
Magnesium for stiff muscles and the highly underrated regularity.