How important are vitamins?

[kathlyn76]

I am leary of vitamins and for a good reason. I had a very bad experience with them several years ago and haven't gone near them since. I was taking centrum and not thinking much of it. After awhile I noticed that I was so dizzy everyday and then one day I was sitting at work with my heart racing and my face flushed. I would barely breathe and I asked my employer if I should go to the emergency room - what was wrong with me? He started asking me what I was taking medication wise and we ended up looking at my vitamins that had a lot of niacin in it. So..I'd rather skip the multi vitamin and just take the ones I really need for the Atkins lifestyle. Any comments or advise on this issue?

[matawguro]

Re: How important are vitamins?

What particular vitamins / brands were you taking?

The usual recommended multivitamin for Atkineers is Centrum Silver, mainly because it doesn't have iron and Atkins is an iron rich diet.

I don't know if you have a specific problem with niacin, but Centrum Silver has 20mg (the RDA or recommended minimum) and a typical adult can take up to 100mg a day.

Niacin or Vitamin B3 is water soluble, meaning it's quite easy for the body to get rid of any excess amounts, assuming you're drinking your water.

[Desertthorn]

Re: How important are vitamins?

LOL, I had the same experience with niacin, and It wasn't until I read the label that I new what was happening, Don't worry about it, take the Centrum and you shouldn't have any problems

[kathlyn76]

Re: How important are vitamins?

Thank you for those thoughtful answers. I will try the centrum silver. And I do drink a ton of water - always have had the habit.