Supplements: How do I know right balance of vitamins & minerals?

After my cancer diagnosis I met with a nutritionist who stated it’s always best to get your vitamins & minerals from food. With that being said she also encouraged supplements if the diet fell short. Finding a nutritionist to discuss your needs might be helpful and using an App to track the vitamins/minerals obtained from food could also be good.
Doctors don’t have as much knowledge in nutrition & supplements, their knowledge is medicine.
Recently I reduced the supplements I take and now I take CoQ-10, Beet Root Extract, Folic Acid, Iron, Vitamin D, and a Multi-vitamin.

Thanks for the info. I really don't know at this point what to do. I'm taking them and if I have a reaction I'll soon find out. Would have thought the doctor would have at least referred me to someone who was willing to answer my questions but it appears he didn't want to or didn't have a clue.

First ask for blood test to find out your levels. Maybe mentor here can state what blood tests will reveal enough to get you on your way confidently.

@dablues
@fastrategizer
I am curious how you decided on your particular vitamin regimes and what dosages to take?
Do you have risk factors that may interfere with how your body processes nutrients?
I take an iron supplement because of frequent blood product donations.
Also B9 (folic acid) because both my seizure medications interfere with Vitamin D. Both my seizure medications are enzyme inducing. The vitamin D is metabolized faster leading to lower levels.
I admire that your interested in all facets of your health and hope you find a physician who shares your concerns.
Jake

I personally chose my supplements based on how they react to medication I’m taking, my Dr’s warnings, where I believe my diet falls short and based on recommendations for CRC from a Nutritional Healing book. Before taking supplements it needs to be discussed with your Dr how they interfere or react to your medical regimens. Dr’s are not usually well versed in nutritional & supplemental health but they’re knowledgeable in reactions & dos/don’ts.

It’s frustrating when you don’t receive the support expected. Try your asking your insurance company for recommendations, sometimes an insurance company will offer additional services that you don’t know about. I’ve found a lot of resources at the library too, just be careful for the promise to cure everything books. I wish you all the luck!!

Thanks for the info. I so wish my family doctor was still having his own practice. He was the best and I certainly am not satisfied with who I have now. I think I'll have to see if I can find another one.

It is not the 'good ol' days' when doctors really KNEW you and CARED...thus taking your condition seriously. ljn

Unfortunately, doctors, God bless them, aren't trained in nutrition. Agreed, it is best to get your nutrition from food, but it's almost impossible to eat the amount of food required for that. That's why we need to supplement.

Here are some useful resources from Mayo Clinic, including this special report
- Vitamins and Minerals: What You Should Know About Essential Nutrients https://www.mayoclinic.org/documents/mc5129-0709-sp-rpt-pdf/doc-20079085
Inside
•Do You Need a Supplement?
•Vitamin D: Are You Getting Enough?
•Choosing and Using Supplements
•Vitamins and Disease Prevention
•Vitamin-Rich Foods

- Supplements: Nutrition in a pill? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/supplements/art-20044894
- Nutrition and healthy eating: Nutritional supplements https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/basics/nutritional-supplements/hlv-20049477
- Supplements: What you need to know: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/supplements-what-you-need-to-know