Vitamin/Supplement Question

Hi Guys!
This is the first time I've started a discussion, but I was hoping someone could shed some light. In addition to my regular Bariatric Multi, Calcium, and B12, I have been taking Garlic, green tea, vitamin c, and magnesium for over all health.
Has anyone heard whether we absorb these supplements less and if I should be taking more than recommended on the bottle. Or if there is anything else that people take for healthy skin, digestion, etc?

Any insight would be appreciated!
-Alli

Hi Alli,

   Please don't take more than the recommended allowance unless you okay it with your Dr.  I take a Multivit (Centrum) then add the following supplements.  B-50 Complex, Biotin (for skin & hair), Vit. C, Calcium Citrate w/ Vit D, Fish Oil, Zinc, Gentle Iron. I also take a B-12 injection once a month.  My lab results have always been good.   
 
   Everybody absorbs things differently, so you have to really pay attention to your body and your lab results.  Lots of water is good for your skin and your digestion.  Protein, Iron and Biotin are good for hair and skin as well. 

 What about Vitamin D?  When was your last labs?  We tend to be deficient in Vitamin D and have to take a lot usually.  My labs a year ago, said that I was in the low 20's.  I should be around 86.  I jump my intake of Vitamin D to 50,000 IU a day for 3 months.  My labs in October show that I was toxic at 236.  I now take 50,000 IU once a week.  My new labs are in February.  Hopefully, I will be right on target with it.

Like with everything - make sure you are OK first.
Garlic is good - but too much garlic - can be a problem, specially for people who may be allergic or develop allergy to it. (i.e my  friend is)

I take  a lot of supplements - but I took them before. 
i increased some post op RNy due to symptoms, and lab work  results.
i.e. I have to get b12 weekly. not monthly. I do not fell OK with my B12 below 800.
I take B-50, and I take additional dry A, dry D3. I also take probiotics and Vit K-complex (K is fat soluble - I was having problem with that)
I also take supplements to help my Thyroids.
I eat garlic, and take some supplements (extra C biotin, etc) as needed - some daily.

I take mega dose of Magnesium probably 1000- 2000 mg. per day.  But I do not need any stool softeners. magnesium takes care of that.
I also take fish oil (actually I switched to Krell oil),a and CoQ10, and so on.  

If you now what and how much you need - go for it.  But make sure you introduce one supplement at a time.  and watch for side effects.

If you take supplements that are fat soluble and too much may have toxic effect on the body - make sure you get tested to monitor that (i.e. vit D, A, K, iron  etc.) Supplements that are water soluble - theoretically will be washed out of your system so it is a less change to get toxic levels.  But - too much Magnesium - will give you diarrhea. Too much simple C - same things. Some supplements may affect your kidneys, other your liver.  

Thanks so much everyone! I haven't had my labs tested in a long time, so I'll be scheduling that soon:)