Taking Multi-vitamins helpful?

[Tanya1]

Hey everyone- I went to CVS today and was looking for some multi-vitamins to help my HRT, hair and growth hormones. I also have a few questions on other things.

1) I'm thinking to return a multi-vitamin I bought because it contains these products Ginseng and Zinc- ginseng, I just researched contains phytoestrogens-bad for HRT. Zinc I read increase T and that I DON'T want.  Do you think I should not take these vitamins since they one of the nutrients will increase T and the other make HRT less effective?

2) I bought a Hair oil which contians Fenugreek---do you think this is anything to worry about?- I mean is it okay?- I read a news article that 8yr old boys were having breast growth because of their moms putting jasmine oil or balm(whatever) on their chest. what you think?(fenu greek increases breast milk)

3) what multi-vitamins products do you recommend that don't contain plant estros, increase T etc?- which product is best to increase my growth hormones too?



Thanks

[Ember Lewis]

I'm curious to know if anything can help too, cuz I wan't bigger boobs.

[gothique11]

I take multi-vitamins just cause they are good to take, not for HRT. I don't know if it affects it or not. I also eat and drink lots of soy, despite people trying to convince me that it's "bad" for HRT. I don't think it is, since the estrogen in them is pretty weak. I'm a 36B, and still growing. it just takes time, and genetics. Some people will get bigger or smaller than others.

I don't really buy into those breast enhancing herbs, since I've seen it fail so many people. They may help to some degree, but probably not as much as regular HRT. Some herbs can simulate the glands and make your breasts appear fuller (cause they are retaining water/fluids), but once you stop your breasts size will go down that little bit.

But then again, for some people it might work. As far as I know, there are no actual studies done on the effectiveness of herbals.

Being healthy, active, and eating a well-balanced meal will probably help you more so.


--natalie

[Tanya1]

so should I take it the multi-vitamins if they contain ginseng? and will zinc have any effect on T?- in moderate amounts?

[LostInTime]

Questions best asked to your endoc.

I take multivitamins because I do not eat balanced and nutritious meals. I did have to stop them for awhile after my calcium spiked so high that it totally freaked out my doctors.

[Tanya1]

Questions best asked to your endoc.

I take multivitamins because I do not eat balanced and nutritious meals. I did have to stop them for awhile after my calcium spiked so high that it totally freaked out my doctors.

^ yea defiently!- I already talked to my endo and he told me not to take anything with phytoestrogens because he said "it's retarded if your taking bio estro and then do it in conjunction with plant estro"- he said the two estros will fight together in the system which will just make results slower.

he said zinc won't do much at all if anything since I'm taking AA's and estro.


He recommended vitamin C because E depletes it and it is needed for E's metobalism- which is important for it's effectiveness. he also suggested Biotin for my hair along vitamin C.  He said it's a great idea for me to take these vitamins as it will make HRT MUCH more faster and it will keep HGH at peak

About the vitamin's going too high- he said to take the medication about 4 consecutive times in a week.- he said taking it every day isn't proper since your body with normal healthy food doesn't recieve that much nutrients. so 4-5 times weekly only.

Also he told me about vitamin A causing osteorpospis(typo)- he said he will monitor this.  he told me my stress will go down significantly because E depletes B vitamins.

[Tanya1]

^ nice!- I'll talk to my doc about the night thing- I'm sure he'll be fine.

[Lisbeth]

Taking a generic multi-vitamine is not a problem.  Vitamine E is helpful.  Be sure to take a calcium suppliment if you are on estrogen.

[Jaynatopia]

Vitamins are good. I am taking a multi-vitamin and I also have a significant amount of soy in my diet. Neither seems to have affected breast growth as I seem to be at the upper end of development for my time on HRT (16 mos.). All in all I think they are a positive thing you can do for health in my own opinion.

[Karla B]

Taking a regular multivitamin should be OK. I would be careful of the multi mega vitamins. I take a multi vitamin,mineral and some extra vitamin C. Try to eat a healthy diet, with lots of fresh veggies and fruit.
If you're on Spiro, be careful of taking products containing lots of Potassium and minimize your consumption of bananas.(very high in Potassium) Some other foods high in potassium are: apricots,avocados,bananas,lima beans,blackstrap molasses,brewers yeast,brown rice,dates,figs,dried fruits,garlic,nuts,raisins, spinach,potatoes,wheat bran,yams and yogurt.
This doesn't mean you should eliminate these foods from your diet,Just limit your consumption.

[shanetastic]

You know if you take too many multi-vatamins or other suppliments that it can cause toxins in your body and actually hurt you over time.  Just might be something to take into consideration if your like ODing on vitamins or something hehe

[Lori]

Taking a generic multi-vitamine is not a problem.  Vitamine E is helpful.  Be sure to take a calcium suppliment if you are on estrogen.

Exactly, and Calcium helps you burn fat, but it can constipate you so if you take calcium add Magnesium as well. I take both of those with a multivitamin daily.

[kalt]

i've posted this info a couple of times now, so pardon me if you seen it before

The Vitamin Bible says it helps if you take your vitamins before bed, because this assists with Human Growth Hormone production in the pituitary.

also important for HGH production are the amino acids Arginine, Tryptophan, Glycine, Tyrosine, and Phenylalanine.
These (and a lot of other amino acids) are all available in one liqui-tab.

Or, another way to get amino acids is by taking collagen, Type I & III, which is widely available in nutrition stores. The one that I have lists the amino acids in percentages rather than milligrams. One scoop per day, and if you take this, you don't need to take the liqui-tabs.

Yet another source is 100% Whey powder with protein isolates. This provides very high dosages of amino acids. very high dosages should be avoided, especially with Arginine. 1 tablespoon in water, per day. do not use the large scoop which comes with the package.

All types of amino acid supplements must be taken on an empty stomach, and you should wait at least 1/2 hour before eating, once you take it.

The vitamins and minerals needed to stimulate human growth hormone within the pituitary are:

Vitamin B-6, Niacin, Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Vitamin C.

Most of these are included in a good multivitamin, though of course, you may need to take a little additional Calcium and Magnesium to get these closer to 100 percent.

Also, Boron helps keep estrogen in the blood longer (also in most Multivitamins).

since most growth hormone production takes place within 90 minutes after falling asleep, take these vitamins and minerals before bed.

i also take an omega 3 fish oil capsule 1 to 3 times daily, to ensure that the estrogen has a constant fat source available.

Please use caution not to over-do the dosages with either vitamins or amino acids! personally, i do not even understand why one would even need to take an amino acid supplement if they eat a proper amount of protein each day. however, breast growth is really important to me, so i take a small amount of amino acid supplements every day.

*these are nutritional guidelines, not recommendations. always talk to your Dr. before changing your nutritional or supplement regimens.

Sources:
Earl Mindell, Vitamin Bible, 1991
Wikipedia

First off, soy protein is better than whey protein.  Whey protein goes through the system so fast that not much of it can be absorbed compared to what the dosage on the product says.  Soy protein also is cholesterol free, fat free, and so on.  Many whey protein products these days are targetted at bodybuilders, this means they'll also have small amoutns of creatine in there, and other bits of this and that that could be detrimental for a MtF.
Second off, considering how quickly these products go through the system, I've NEVER met a bodybuilder, distance runner, or athlete of any kind that took these on an empty belly.  They always take it with something solid, a bagel or oatmeal.  Furthermore, most of these products are oven and microwave save, that means you can cook with it.  Pancakes, cakes, muffins, lots of interesting doors are opened.
It's rarely safe to take any kind of medication or supplement on an empty stomach.

Other than that, good stuff^_^

[Tanya1]

HRT has REALLY heightened my smelling senses- I was a at phys ed class today and this kid smelled so bad.-i can smell people really well now!- I have smelled lots of good smells and lots of bad. people also can't recognize me much for some reason.-could be the face.

[gothique11]

HRT has REALLY heightened my smelling senses- I was a at phys ed class today and this kid smelled so bad.-i can smell people really well now!- I have smelled lots of good smells and lots of bad. people also can't recognize me much for some reason.-could be the face.

That's pretty common. Most people report that there senses are more sensitive.

[kalt]

Kalt, thank you for your input, but you are getting the information mixed up. this is not good.

a) Notwithstanding Natalie's remarks earlier, there are many threads on this site discussing why it is a bad idea to take soy or other plant estrogens while on HRT. the reason, as i understand it is that phytoestrogens can bind to your receptors, thus blocking the HRT from doing so.

b) amino acids should be taken on an empty stomach, according to the Vitamin Bible (p. 110) and according to the directions on the label for Collagen Type I and Type II. Why this is so, i couldn't say.

c) as for 100% whey protein isolates being laced with creatine, that just doesn't make sense. yes, you could look at it as a danger because these aminos are usually sold in the body-builder section, along side creatine products. or you could see it as a benefit that sports nutrition has helped make this important nutrient available to the wider public. so, here's your disclaimer: when you go looking for 100% whey protein isolates, make sure you choose 100% whey protein isolates, not creatine or creatine blends. 
when you consider that the daily requirement of amino acids needed to assist HGH production is such a small amount (e.g., Arginine, 2 grams per day) i don't see any reason to scare people away from this source of complete protein when used in these small amounts. i personally prefer collagen, but it's really expensive. Liquid amino caps are more affordable, but not cheap. but you can get more than 2 pounds of 100% whey protein isolates for around $30, which, unless you're taking megadoses, will last a long long time. this is by far the most affordable way to supplement your aminos, among the choices mentioned here.

-ell

Your'e always welcome to anything and everythign I know that could help.

I've never seen convincing evidence regarding soy protein as contradictory to HRT.  Surely conclusive research could have been done on menopausal women to reveal more than simple speculation.  It's a matter of personal choice.  There's also milk and peanut butter protein powders.  The differences is that Whey is like 99.2ish, Soy is 98ish, milk is 96ish, and peanut butter is 98ish too.  The potency of one over another is minimal, while the health effects, absorbtion rates and even taste(haha, that matters) are all highly apparent.

I work in the fitness industry and participate in it online and in real life, working with professionals and experts.  Protein is best taken with food.

Yes, your'e right, one could buy 100% whey protein, but that wouldn't change that there are better forms of protein powders out there over whey.

RaWR, I gotta go take mine right now actually.