If We can't Notice Any Visible Effects How Do We know Multivitamins Work?

[SadFatty]

I take one but I have never noticed a difference inside or out except for a bright yellow pee. How do I know the vitamin is actually working?

[partsRheavy]

Quite a few years ago, I traveled in Europe during the winter for a few months. I caught several colds, enough to have an embarrassing incident where some acquaintances (one of whom was rather health-conscious) made fun that I was letting myself get so run-down. After I told him I was usually getting enough sleep, he recommended that I take vitamins.

I was stubborn and didn't follow the advice then, but more than ten years later, I do.

I know it's impossible to prove a negative, but in the past couple years, when I've taken vitamins, the number of colds/flu I experience has gone way down, and I haven't had a serious one. No flu shot, either.

You probably won't "feel" any different with the vitamins unless your diet is deficient in something. However, if the particular multi you're taking has a good level of B vitamins, you might feel a little bit more energy.

[Tatyana]

Do you notice your body converting food into ATP?


You need vitamins as cofactors for enzymes in glycolysis and Kreb's cycle to do this.

If they didn't work, you would soon have clinical symptoms.

This is only one example of where vitamins are used.

You don't really notice the reactions going on in your body.

[SadFatty]

Thanks PartsrHeavy. I'm glad you noticed a response.

[The Big Sexy]

It's just something I do and not question it LOL - I have read the "science" on it - don't fully understand it all - but I know it is something I need to have supplemented (as well as other things) so, I take it.

[SadFatty]

It's just something I do and not question it LOL - I have read the "science" on it - don't fully understand it all - but I know it is something I need to have supplemented (as well as other things) so, I take it.

I'm the same way but I can't find any articles that show it is a "proven" thing so I'm wondering if I'm wasting my money.

[The Big Sexy]

I'm the same way but I can't find any articles that show it is a "proven" thing so I'm wondering if I'm wasting my money.

Naah... you're not wasting your money. If you are working - your body more than likely needs them. I know mind does - even if I don't "feel" it

[DistinctChoice]

When your body works normally, you don't notice any symptoms of problems. The fact that it ends up in your urine shows that your digestive tract absorbed it and is filtering it out through your kidneys after use. Otherwise, it'd just remain undigested in your digestive tract and you'd excrete it. Vitamins and minerals (from food or supplement) support the normal function of your body, just like oil changes support the normal operation of your car. You don't notice a huge change in the car's performance when you change the oil as recommended, but keep changing your oil and there's a much greater likelihood that the engine does NOT stall, waste gas, accelerate slowly, spew toxic fumes, and ultimately fail long before it should. Keep taking your multivitamins (and do whatever else you include as part of a healthy lifestyle) and you will have a much greater likelihood of not succumbing to health problems A-Z as you get older. Multivitamins shouldn't be perceived as a remedy to a problem (reactive), but rather a way of constructively building health (proactive).

[SadFatty]

When your body works normally, you don't notice any symptoms of problems. The fact that it ends up in your urine shows that your digestive tract absorbed it and is filtering it out through your kidneys after use. Otherwise, it'd just remain undigested in your digestive tract and you'd excrete it. Vitamins and minerals (from food or supplement) support the normal function of your body, just like oil changes support the normal operation of your car. You don't notice a huge change in the car's performance when you change the oil as recommended, but keep changing your oil and there's a much greater likelihood that the engine does NOT stall, waste gas, accelerate slowly, spew toxic fumes, and ultimately fail long before it should. Keep taking your multivitamins (and do whatever else you include as part of a healthy lifestyle) and you will have a much greater likelihood of not succumbing to health problems A-Z as you get older. Multivitamins shouldn't be perceived as a remedy to a problem (reactive), but rather a way of constructively building health (proactive).

What an excellent post! Thank you !

[sassy69]

Its not so much visible proof as lack of visible bad stuff. If you stop taking stuff & then observe for the negative case, you've got "proof" by inference.

[DistinctChoice]

Its not so much visible proof as lack of visible bad stuff. If you stop taking stuff & then observe for the negative case, you've got "proof" by inference.

Thanks for translating my geekspeak into plain English, sassy69!

[fits]

I find it hard to remember to take mine lately which is strange as I never forget my fish oils. The only Multi vit I ever actually 'Noticed' a difference with, was one called STAR STUFF from Australia. It was a whole food multi vit and mineral supp and contained some substance from bee pollen too in the outback.

It was a green powder you put on your tongue with a tad of water for a few minutes before swallowing. a week or two using it and I felt 'good' all the time. I remember at times during the day just feeling great! I had waves of euphoria (sounds pathetic but its the only way I can describe)

I can't find it now for love nor money!!!!! maybe there was more in it than was listed!