Hello everyone!  I'm brand new to this board and site, but not new to healthy eating.  =)  My husband and I eat a vegan diet which includes 48 ounces daily of green smoothies (16 ounces in the morning and 32 in the late afternoon).  We are also taking several different vitamins and supplements, but we would really like to cut back on them.  We do take B12; which we do not wish to discontinue, and I also take alpha lipoic acid, glucosamine/chondroitin, (I'm 39 years young) and some probiotics, a multi vitamin and calcium as well as a fish oil capsule.  And yes, I do realize they are not vegan, but I can't seem to find one that is vegan that works as well as the one I'm taking.

Does anyone have any suggestions as far as essential fatty acids go?  I do add a couple of tablespoons of ground flax seed oil into our smoothies.  I'm taking the WholeMega complete omega formula and I have truly seen a difference since I've been taking them.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Christy

Hey Christie, I think you're doing pretty darn good!!! I too have stopped the salmon oil which I used to take 3000mg+ a day. I don't seem to find the flax oil supplements do as much good for the mood and the joints. I've just started Udo's and will do large doses, I hope it's better. I'm 47 and very peri-menopausal, so it's all about the moods!!!
What do you take the Alpha Lipoic acid for specifically?

Hi Lori--

I'm taking 2,000mg a day of the fish oil caps and my skin, hair, joints, everything has really taken a turn for the better.  =)  That's why I hate to change!

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an anti-oxidant.

What is/are Udo's?

Thank you for your response! =)

Udo's ( by Flora ) is a brand that makes omegas that are all vegan. Excellent rep, but I hate to admit it, nothing works like salmon! I was worried about the mercury in the salmon ( not to mention it's not vegan!) but I read that it's removed or just not in the oils...................it's a conundrum to say the least. My husband said his hips have been bothering him since stopping the salmon. I may just have to make an exception when it comes to salmon oil! ( shhh, don't tell :) )

Lori--I know what you mean!  They really do make a world of difference, I think.

Danielle--Thank you for the info!!  I love Arbonne and had NO idea they made anything such as that. 

Are either of you on Facebook?  I love meeting new people on there and swapping recipes and the like. =)

Never heard of Arbonne ( I'm in Canada! ) I'll have to look in to that, meanwhile I just bought an industrial size bottle of salmon oil, need help with the blues. For some bizarre reason, during allergy season when I get those pressure headaches and fogginess, I also tend to get depressed................weird,., though just knowing waht the reason is helps. Reminds me, better go take more...................!!!

Lori, Arbonne is a Swiss company that is sold worldwide...they should definitely sell it where you are at!

you all made me feel good. I take pretty much all those vitamins and supplements, I am 42 years young, hahaha, and my co-workers say that I take more pills than their grandmothers. Oh, well I do not have to deal with colds, being sick all the time and have to take any prescription medicine. Just brand new to vegetarian, I am still drinking milk, eating eggs and cheese.  But in only a week, I am digesting much better my meals and having more energy :-)

Good for you Nahir, if I could make one suggestion? Worry about the dairy before the meat................it does such awful things to you, and for some seems to be harder to give up than meat. I can't help but think that if we give it up first while not having to worry about meat, eggs etc, it would be alot easier, no? Just an observation :)

Thanks Lori, it is a learning process, and I am not ready to give it up yet, one step at a time... I hope I will get there. Thanks for your suggestion.

for protein, essential fatty acids and such i take hemp seeds or hemp hearts. i also take an organic multi vitamin for women made by New Chapters. they are great! and i also take a calcium supplement. i've only been vegan for just over 2 weeks and flirting for 2 months before that and i feel amazing.

do vegans need any suplements?for example b 12..

B12 is tough, there's a lot of literature out there regarding vegan/vegetarians and B12. i take a multi every day which has 12mcg's in it. i think the recommended amount is 2.4mcg's per day. i read that the reason multi's have so much is because it can be hard to absorb. even though i eat a very nutritionally rich and diverse diet, i take 2 supplements (multi and calcium) just in case.

thank u:)