vitamins...

and weight loss...?

a connection?

what helps...

what doesn't?

Food for your hair...

again, from Real Age:

Foods for Your Hair
Here are five important things to keep in mind when considering how your diet affects your hair: 1. Cover Your BasesFirst and foremost, you want a balanced diet that covers all the nutritional bases -- because certain nutritional deficiencies may hinder hair growth. If you're eating a balanced diet, chances are good that your hair is getting what it needs. How healthy and balanced is your diet? Take this nutritional assessment to find out. 2. Think About Your B's The most important vitamins for hair loss are B vitamins, like B6, biotin, folate, pantothenic acid, and niacin. So make sure your diet includes things like bran, beans, peas, carrots, cauliflower, nuts, eggs, and other foods rich in vitamin B. (Find out how eggs help your brain, too.) 3. Get Your OmegasAlthough there's no solid evidence yet that they help with hair loss, we do know that omega-3 fatty acids -- found in fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, and canola oil -- are good for hair in general and can make it shinier. 4. Don't Be an AnimalHair loss may be one more reason to cut back on the T-bones. Fat, especially from red meat, can lead to more dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production and hair-follicle damage. Here are some great ways to start reducing the meat in your meals without sacrificing taste. 5. Thinking Outside the BoxIf you're interested in trying a little something extra, there are a few more off-the-beaten-path choices that may help support hair. Early evidence suggests these items may help slow hair loss -- but it's too early to say for sure. Still, none of these foods is particularly dangerous -- in fact, most are good for you! -- so adding them to your diet in moderation won't hurt:
Avocados and avocado oil may prevent follicle-killing DHT from binding to receptor sites. Watch this video for an avocado-seeding shortcut.
Green tea has been shown to slow DHT production in early research. (Revisit Issue 2 to find out why DHT matters.)
Caffeine is thought to decrease DHT levels. But before you brew a pot of java, read this caution.
Pepper has been shown to knock out DHT in animal studies.So there you have it. All the foods that may support healthy hair can be found right in your average supermarket. In the next issue in this newsletter series, you'll find out how your general hair care can affect hair follicles.

Fight Stroke with Vitamin D

at least, that's what THIS article at Real Age suggests...

hmm

what to post about today?

i'm doing pretty well with my daily vitamins

what topics should i cover?

antioxidants

tea is loaded with them!

and i'm drinking it

b/c it is calorie free, hydrates, and has antioxidants which help boost immunity!

vitamins and weight loss?

i use cayenne fruit and biotin to stimulate my metabolism

cayenne is pretty intense, but it works

and biotin is a daily vitamin that boosts metabolism

what else do people use for metabolic boosting?

lunch vitamins

fish oil

l-arginine

helps the skin, joints, and blood flow...

biotin makes your hair grow

yes, it does

and it strengthens your nails

i cut mine once a week now that i'm on 2 biotin per day

it's great for your skin, hair, and nails...so says the bottle

and it appears to be true.

fast growth, thicker hair, better skin

damn

i missed my lunch time fish oil...better go take it!

vitamins w/lunch?

yes!

biotin, fish oil, and l-arginine...oh my!

biotin and hair

my hair is thick...

thick in the back, especially.

I think the biotin makes it grow incredibly fast...

so fast

The girl who cuts my hair always comments on the amount of growth in the 3-4 weeks between cuts.

Now, I may have SOME natural propensity for thick hair...BUT, i maintain that the biotin (twice daily) really helps. A LOT!

should've had cayenne fruit with that...

big dinner last night

i'm up 1/2 pound...but cayenne fruit and a long walk could've helped me maintain.

that stuff works, but you need a strong stomach!

knee pain

RAIN=Knee pain.

yes, i've taken aspirin

yes, i'm still taking fish oil.

but OUCH

what else can i do?

night

2 fish oil
1 l-arginine
1 biotin


my knee is really hurting tonight... could be the cooler weather

hopefully, the fish oil will help

the cold missed me...

yep.

in a house with 2 people who are sick... and i am NOT

b12

vitamin c

when you feel the cold coming, try it... :)

mid-day vitamins

1 fish oil pill

1 l-arginine

good morning

2 500 mg chewable vitamin C and 1 b12 yesterday... and NO cold today. My daughter and my wife have a cough/cold. I felt it coming on yesterday and TOOK ACTION.

Today, BETTER!

nightly vitamins

2 fish oil pills
1 l-arginine
1 biotin

plus, before bed i'll take another vitamin C to ward off this cold

got a cold!

and so....vitamin C (500mg twice a day) and 1 b12 a day... boosts the immune system to strengthen your ability to fight it off... plus, b12 boosts energy...which you need when your body is fighting a cold...otherwise you get tired.

thanksgiving

vitamins to help with the extra pounds?

suggestions?

another day...

more ginseng

i'm still only taking 1 a day... i'm telling you...intense.

i would recommend limiting caffeine intake if you decide to add ginseng to your supplement regimen

ginseng again

today will be day 3 on the ginseng.

anyone else have crazy side effects? i do feel an energy boost, but it's pretty intense and I don't think i could manage 2 of these a day.

i've also got l-arginine back in my system...which has meant some incredible night time erections

Day 2 on Ginseng

i can only handle 1 of these a day right now...what a burst of energy. wow. more later.

ginseng

ok, i've taken ONE ginseng today and i feel .. ALERT.

good for game watching... but wow. intense.

ginseng

so, i've bought some ginseng to go along with my new bottle of l-arginine...let's see if the combination has any exciting effects...

Vitamins in the Food I eat

So, the main courses of my meals today have been Kashi Brand products.

Here are the vitamins in the respective meals:

Breakfast -- 2 Kashi GoLEAN Blueberry Waffles -- Calcium, 6% RDA and Iron, 8% RDA (not many vitamins here, but I do take a multi- every morning)

Lunch -- Kashi GoLEAN Crunch and Yogurt

the cereal -- Calcium, 4%; Iron, 10%; Phosphorous, 10%; Magnesium, 10%

the yogurt -- Vitamin A, 15%, Vitamin D, 20%; Calcium, 20%; Phosphorous, 15%

So, today, I've had 30% RDA of Calcium, 25% RDA of Phosphorous, and nearly 20% RDA of Iron just from the food I've eaten. Still, it's hard to see how I could get to 100% without some kind of supplement.

This morning's vitamins

1 fish oil
1 biotin
1 multivitamin
1 baby aspirin

i'm all out of l-arginine...

l-arginine and sexual function.

This fascinating article does mention l-arginine's sexual performance benefits. The benefits are suggested....not proven. But improved blood flow to your bodies extremities is always good, right?


i think so. That's why i take it...plus, as someone with cold feet, the blood flow can really help.

read the article -- ginkgo, ginseng, and other supplements are also discussed.

Morning

today, I'm out of l-arginine.

I need more.

The stuff seems to work and has great benefits. Lots of blood flow, which boosts muscle production and also helps with sexual function.

antioxidants

are in tea and cranberry juice.

I drink an 8 oz glass of cranberry juice very morning with my morning vitamins

i drink tea with no sugar throughout the day

and I drink an 8 oz glass of cranberry juice every evening with my vitamins

Cranberry juice (100% juice, no sugar added) is rich in vitamin C and fortified with vitamins A & E ... Northland Juice has grapeskin, pomegranate and other added fruits to boost its antioxidant properties

antioxidants help keep your body healthy...and cranberry juice naturally promotes urinary tract health

night time vitamins

2 fish oil pills, 1 biotin, and 1 l-arginine

the fish oil helps keep cholesterol low and is good for general joint health.

biotin is good for metabolism and helps with hair growth

and the l-arginine is good all-around...especially for muscle building and for blood flow -- bringing blood ALL over ...

Morning Vitamins

Each morning, I take the following:

1 multivitamin
1 biotin
1 l-arginine
1 fish oil
1 baby aspirin

A friendly reminder

to anyone following this blog: I am not a doctor.

I am a guy who reads a lot about vitamins and takes SOME vitamins and supplements regularly.

This is the space where I talk about my REAL experiences with vitamins and supplements. But, my advice is NOT medical advice. Just recommendations based on actual experience.

again on cayenne

I usually recommend (and practice) very healthy behavior -- smart eating and lots of exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

but, sometimes you want to look and feel great for a special event. Or, you have a date. Or whatever.

You've been working hard, eating right, and need a boost for the last couple pounds!

that's when it makes sense to use cayenne fruit.

just buy a bottle at your local store and follow the dosing instructions... i usually take half the recommended dose... and if i don't do anything else crazy (like eat a tub of ice cream) the cayenne can help me lose 1/2 to a full pound over 1-2 days. that's quite a metabolic boost.

I don't recommend taking it all the time b/c it "tears up" my stomach.

but... it works.

cayenne fruit

can really help with weight loss.. a good kick start, not an everyday thing...

BUT

wow. diarrhea.

got to be careful on the dosing.

stomach

ouch. my stomach is all rumbly.

What do i do?

What vitamins/supplements might help?

mid-day vites

biotin (for hair + metabolism), fish oil, and l-arginine

Biotin

is the word for today.

Hair growth plus metabolism.

It WORKS.

cayenne fruit and vitamin c

for weight loss and antioxidant properties.

cayenne fruit

aside for diarrhea, any horrible side effects?

this stuff warms me up... and helps me lose weight!

l-arginine

still taking it... and enjoying MANY benefits with no apparent side effects...

vitamins and colds

so, today i read that vitamin C is not really that great at preventing (or healing) colds...but that vitamin D in appropriate doses is important in winter b/c the sun is out less.

i sometimes take b12 when i feel a cold coming on ... and it seems to help

supplements and weight loss

...which are best?

does caffeine help or hinder?

vitamins to keep your hair

?

what are they?

does anyone take nature's youth rsf?

lunch

yogurt, cake, and fish oil + biotin

caffeine and hair loss

is there a clear connection?

Caffeine and vitamins

how does caffeine impact the effectiveness of vitamins/supplements. does it help or harm absorption? how much is too much?

Weight loss vitamins

which vitamins are best for boosting metabolism?

2 Biotin a day

helps keep a receding hairline in check.

that and nioxin every morning.

dark chocolate and cranberry juice

are GREAT sources of antioxidants...and tasty

plus, dark chocolate helps relieve stress... really, in small doses, this stuff is amazing!

biotin and metabolism

it's working

from 1 to 2 biotin a day and my diet is basically the same...plus, no real exercise due to rain -- but i'm holding my weight

what else about biotin and metabolism? good, bad, side effects?

Does l-arginine boost other vitamins?

i've always wondered...if l-arginine boosts the impact of other supplements -- it seems it should, since l-arginine promotes vasodilation -- meaning it relaxes your veins and eases blood flow... so, wouldn't that mean MORE vitamin quality delivered throughout your body?

b-12 and Vitamin C claim VICTORY

my wife was sick with flu-like symptoms -- so, I gave her carefully planned doses of vitamin C -- and, since she already had the flu (or at the least, a bad cold) i didn't want it -- so I took Vitamin C morning and night and b-12 mornings the last 2 days -- no cold or flu for me... :) and she's better and back at work!

careful use of vitamins to boost your system CAN have many benefits!

fighting the cold with vitamins

b-12 and C

my wife has a cold... and i live with her ... so, i don't want the cold. i've been giving her some extra vitamin c and this morning, added a b-12 to my vitamin regimen to boost my immune system... i feel very mild symptoms and want to head them off

stay tuned for my progress.

hello...

it is Sunday and I'm feeling a bit sick... cold-like symptoms.

vitamin C and B-12 to the rescue

admittedly, and I think, because of, my new vitamin regimen, I'm much less sick than I've been in a long, long time.

and i almost always use b-12 and vitamin C to shorten the impact/life of a cold. and it works.

is l-arginine also a muscle builder?

i think maybe it is...

supposedly, it helps release nitric oxide, which stimulates blood flow -- which, if you are lifting weights, you need blood to flow to your muscles both during the workout and in the crucial period AFTER you work out when your muscles repair themselves... if l-arginine can stimulate blood flow post-workout, it can help your muscles grow at a faster rate... but YOU still have to workout, YOU have to lift some weights, or the l-arginine's benefits will not help YOU...

post lunch

and pre snack... 1 500 mg l-arginine, 1 1000 mcg biotin, 1 1000 mg fish oil

biotin and metabolism

so, i've gone from taking 2 biotin a day to 1 ... and my weight has shot up by 4 pounds over 4 days.

yeah, i've eaten a little more than normal, but that was on the weekend (typical) and now it is a thursday.

i know biotin is good for skin and hair, but i also know it promotes metabolism, esp. of carbs. so, has going from 2 to 1 a day caused the increase in weight?

i'm not sure. but i definitely want the boost back if biotin was causing it.

how does l-arginine help diabetics?

well, from what i've read, the high sugar in the blood of diabetics makes it difficult for veins to relax... which restricts blood flow, which creates all sorts of problems at your extremities... feet, especially, but also hands and eyes and yes, causes erectile dysfunction.

l-arginine helps your body produce nitric oxide...which helps veins relax, which helps restore normal blood flow.

that's not to say you can just take l-arginine and be fine. but it is to say you can find some relief for your symptoms with l-arginine. and adding weight lifting to your arginine regimen can be helpful.

there are a couple articles linked to in previous posts with a little more detail. but the research seems promising and the side effects appear minimal.

my feet...

are freezing!

why?

how do i change it?

night time vitamins

2 1000 mg fish oil
1 500 mg l-arginine
1 8 oz glass cranberry juice

more on l-arginine and diabetes

here ... from science daily

it's not all good, but not all bad, either...

l-arginine and diabetes

one article talks about the benefits.

lunchtime vitamins

with my lunch (high fiber, high protein) I also had 1 fish oil pill and 1 500mg l-arginine.

l-arginine and diabetes

thoughts?

it seems to me that l-arginine could help diabetics...b/c it promotes all over blood flow, meaning those cold feet and hands may be a thing of the past? I'm not sure -- but I'm searching for info.

after lunch

time to take the fish oil

and l-arginine

with water

biotin

aside from positive hair growth and cleaner skin, what are the other positives of biotin? any weird/unpleasant side effects?

l-arginine -- liquid vs. pill form

does it make a difference?

Linda seems to think so... but I don't know why.

absorption?

vasodilation

Dilation of a blood vessel, as by the action of a nerve or drug.//-->courtesy of dictionary.com

dilation means the blood vessel relaxes, increasing blood flow...

vasodilation

what is it, what does it mean for you, and what vitamins and natural supplements promote it?

more l-arginine

i got a new supply this afternoon... missed my morning dose but took an afternoon dose about 30 minutes post-lunch

biotin on my head

so, i use Nioxin to promote hair growth... and I think it works. At least, I don't appear to be losing hair rapidly. and I've noticed one of the ingredients is biotin -- you're applying it directly to your head... I suppose to improve the general health of your scalp. So I'm taking biotin in pill form in the mornings -- and applying it directly to my head in the form of shampoo...

so, Linda is reading...

welcome, Linda!

And thanks for the useful information on l-arginine.

now, the real question -- how to tell if it is a quality supplement? I buy "nature valley" from Wal-Mart right now -- but how do I know if it is a good quality supplement?

and where do I find it in liquid form?

I can attest personally to the muscle enhancing benefits, by the way... taken post-workout, it works!

side effects of l-arginine?

what are they?

can you take too much?

does it disturb your liver?

i haven't read much negative about this stuff, but I'm sure somewhere it is out there... what is it?

vitamin c to reduce stress?

that's what i'm reading.

too much vitamin c could be bad, but getting a nice vitamin C boost very couple of days can help... take it naturally, via fruit juice or citrus fruits... and then supplement... i have noticed that when i get a nasty breakout, typically stress-induced, the vitamin c (500 mg, chewable) can help make it go away fast... and speed the time for the skin to heal properly. Of course, i also regularly take 3-5 1000 mg fish oil pills every day, and these are supposed to work wonders for your skin...

vitamins for a stronger erection?

you bet! l-arginine -- blood flow! it works... take it as recommended, 1-2 pills three times a day... and you'll notice a boost in a few days... also, i've noticed that when i take vitamin c at night (500 mg) i wake up with better, stronger erections... so, yeah, take the right vitamins, get strong erections

what vitamins do you take?

i take a small sampling...but i'm interested in what vitamins others take - esp. those used to supplement workouts and/or alleviate pain/stress from running/exercise...

Ward off colds with Vitamin C

yep. It works. studies (i'll cite some at some point) show that taking vitamin C and some b12 at the start of a cold can shorten the cold's duration and severity. Most colds can take up to a full 7 days to leave your system. But the vitamin C added (500 mg twice a day) plus a b12 (500-1000 mcg) added can help boost your immune system and shorten the cold... keeping you focused.

I only blog about things I do myself -- and when i feel a summer cold coming on (or a cold in the fall, as may be the case now) i take extra vitamin C and a b12 and it works for me.

Morning Vitamins

Today's morning vitamins:

1 fish oil pill
1 biotin
1 l-arginine
1 multi-vitamin

i'm all set for the day

probably take some fish oil around lunch

ran last night and still no knee pain. it works!

biotin...

wow!

i've been taking biotin and i'm furry

not just on my head, either

i was taking 1 1000 mcg pill every day, but now I take one in the morning and 1 at night... probably for the last 4 months

my hair is thicker (several people have commented on this) -- which is great... but i also am growing a thin bit of hair on my back and my other body hair seems to be growing more quickly...

i'm not complaining too much. i can keep most of it in check... but just be aware that the right dose of biotin can work

Fish Oil and Joint Pain

So, I've read some about fish oil and joint pain.

and i think it works.

i have mild osteoarthritis in my left knee.

and i'm taking fish oil mainly for the benefits of lowering my cholesterol (works primarily for triglycerides, but also can impact LDL)... but my joint pain has subsided over the course of the fish oil regimen (since january, i've taken 3 1000 mg pills a day...) sometimes 4 or 5 on the weekends.

i used to have pain everyday. now, it is much more limited (rainy weather is the biggest trigger)... of course, I've also lost about 8 pounds since january and i'm maintaining a healthier weight.

vitamins for muscles...

what vitamins should i take to boost muscle growth?

i take l-arginine to boost blood flow and it works... i mean, guys, it works... good for muscles and helps blood flow to every part of the body!

i lift regularly and take in a fair amount of protein...

what else should i be doing to boost muscle growth?

other vitamins of note

b12 and vitamin C for colds

yes, i get colds in the summer... kind of annoying

so, when i feel them coming on, i take extra vitamin c (500 mg chewables twice a day) and one b12 (not sure on the dose, more later...)

and ... it works!!

just worked out

and finished with 1 500 mg l-arginine

i'm starting to notice nicer definition, especially in my biceps and pecs

yeah, i'm working hard.. but can't deny that my progress has to be expedited by the supplements... i mean, i'm a nerdy guy

Cranberry Juice

not really a vitamin, but it has lots of vitamin C

well, Northland Juice does

plus, it can help maintain a healthy urinary tract...not exciting, i know. But if you have ever had a UTI, you know that preventing infection is a very, very good thing.

plus, vitamin C boosts immunity.

how i'm getting ripped!

no, it is NOT easy.

but, with some focused lifting AND some l-arginine, it is happening.

see, l-arginine is supposed to help blood flow -- so, if it take it just before or right after a workout, it helps supply blood to your muscles when they need it - -like when they are trying to repair themselves from an intense workout.

you may not want to be all veiny...but you may want to help your muscles out -- 1-2 l-arginine after a workout helps...

i'm trying it, it's working!

Today's vitamins

I took my morning vitamins about 10 minutes ago.

1 biotin
1 Fish Oil Pill (1000 mg)
1 multi-vitamin
1 l-arginine

I cannot stop talking about the Fish Oil. Amazing stuff.

And since I've been taking biotin regularly, my wife has noticed my hair is thicker. That's a great thing because I'm 34, my hairline is receding, and I want to keep my hair as long as possible.

vitamins to stimulate weight loss...

i've taken cayenne fruit to stimulate weight loss in the past with some success -- and some gastric discomfort

wondering if anyone else has tried some vitamins to stimulate weight loss...?

Vitamins after meals...

some vitamins are best absorbed on a full stomach.

For example, fish oil should be taken with water after a meal... it helps your body absorb the good fats.

After my lunch today, i took 1 fish oil and 1 l-arginine

I'm not usually with my vitamins at lunch (though I should pack them) -- but i do like to get extra fish oil when i can.

Vitamins for the day

i'm still on the same regimen:

1 1000 mg Fish Oil
1 biotin
1 500 mg l-arginine
1 multi-vitamin...

Fish Oil has many interesting benefits, including improved joint health...which is great for me because i've started running in the last few months and experienced some mild knee pain. The fish oil taken consistently seems to help...esp. if you take it after you run.

VITAMINS

so tonight, i worked out especially hard...30 solid minutes, heavier weights and more sets

then, followed it up with 2 fish oil pills, 1 l-arginine, and 1 biotin

i'm telling you, the arginine helps with blood flow... all over

we'll see about my cholesterol levels in January

Today's vitamins

this morning:

1 l-arginine
1 1000 mg. Fish Oil pill
1 biotin
1 multi-vitamin

I'm telling you, the l-arginine is really doing its job!

Vitamins tonight!

After my evening workout, i took these:

2 1000 mg fish oil pills
1 l-arginine
1 biotin

The fish oil helps my skin and has helped my joints since I've been taking it

the l-arginine helps with blood flow, supporting muscle growth

the biotin is good for skin and also seems to help with hair growth

My morning vitamins

Every morning I take the following:

1 1000 mg fish oil

1 500 mg (i think) biotin

1 500 mg L-arginine

1 multi-vitamin

The fish oil is to help my heart and lower my bad cholesterol while boosting the good

The biotin is to help my skin and promote hair growth (and it seems to work)

the L-arginine promotes blood flow (muscle repair) and generally keeps blood flowing all around the body

the multi-vitamin is to cover my bases and ensure I get a base amount of nutrients every day

Post workout vitamins

so, I worked out tonight...lifting weights for 20+ minutes

then, I had an 8 oz glass of cranberry juice and the following vitamins:

2 fish oil pills (1000 mg)
1 l-arginine
1 biotin

The l-arginine is to help with blood flow, helping your muscles recover more quickly and boosting your workout results

Fish Oil

I take one fish oil pill in the morning and one right after lunch

just ate

now I'm taking Fish Oil with water

The Vitamins I take EVERY Day

I take Biotin in the morning and at night

I take Fish Oil.

I take L-Arginine

I take a multi-vitamin

I also drink cranberry juice in the morning and at night -- because it is high in vitamin C, helps maintain a clean urinary tract, and can help lower LDL cholesterol

When I feel sick, I sometimes take extra Vitamin C and B12

This is it!

This is my blog about vitamins.

I take vitamins and they make me feel better.

I take them for lots of things...

And here is where I'm going to tell the story about the vitamins I take. And about vitamins that might work for you.

I am NOT a doctor. And you should definitely tell your health care provider about medicines, even vitamins, you are taking.

I'm just a guy with a blog who takes vitamins.