Medicine question

[wildr0se2]

What is the line with medication? I have a bottle of Tab-A-Vite multivitamin w/ iron. I've been taking it because I need the nutrients and I am borderline anemic. Currently I don't have a ton of money to buy vegan versions. Am I violating my vegan principles if I take these meds and wait to get organic/WFPB ones?

 

[silva]

What is the line with medication? I have a bottle of Tab-A-Vite multivitamin w/ iron. I've been taking it because I need the nutrients and I am borderline anemic. Currently I don't have a ton of money to buy vegan versions. Am I violating my vegan principles if I take these meds and wait to get organic/WFPB ones?

You have to do what feels right to you. When I first made the decision to be vegan I obsessed. If I saw an ingredient that could be sourced from either plants or animals I avoided. As I've learned more about how I liked to eat plant based and felt it to be my normal I've become far more lenient in extraneous ingredients
You already have these products. You could try and give them away....but then spend money on others taking away from something else.....
I vividly remember a day years back when I was out of algae DHA. I had found taking these significantly improved my focus (ADD). I went to a CVS drugstore seeing them on sale as buy one get one, and big bottles. I was shocked to find that while they were vegan, algae, they were in gelatine capsules! (strangely enough the fish oil ones next to them were in veg caps ). I walked around that store, went back to my car, back inside, and finally felt I was being stupid. I bought the pills. I never regretted that decision.

I am a firm believer in doing your best, and being true to what that means for you.
People with higher incomes, only needing to think of themselves I put far greater standards of strictness. Those living paycheck to paycheck, or with families, I feel far more grace

If I were you I'd finish the vitamins, taking the time to research other options

 

[silva]

Oh, and remember, foods with iron should avoid tea (real tea). Vitamin C, and acidic foods like tomatoes increase iron absorption. Cast iron is a big help. I was always low on iron eating meat, but putting some thought into it going veg I was always good

 

[Lou]

How about this?

I am a big fan of DEVA vitamins and supplements.

They are vegan. and their prices are similar to the brand you mentioned.
My favorite is DEVA Tiny Tablet Multivitamin. Which has a little bit of everything.
but if you want something stronger - they also make a Multivitamin and Mineral supplement.

I prefer the Tiny Tablets because my diet is pretty good and I just want a multi as sort of insurance. And if you are just borderline anemic it should do the trick.

If you pay attention to @silva's tips, and just improve your diet a little bit you might not even need a supplement.

 

[shyvas]

.

If you pay attention to @silva's tips, and just improve your diet a little bit you might not even need a supplement.

Mod Post

The above is an opinion and cannot replace a medical doctor's advice. We always advise members to seek a medical opinion if you have concerns concerning iron deficiency. It's not always deemed simple as taking supplements.

Eating a healthy well balanced diet is always beneficial but may not be enough, if there is an underlying condition.

Iron deficiency anaemia

Find out more about iron deficiency anaemia, including what the symptoms are, when to get medical help, the tests and treatments you may have, and the possible causes.

www.nhs.uk

 

[Lou]

Anemia is pretty common. Something like 30% of women are anemic. (1) So it's not just a vegan thing. No stats but I think in might be a safe assumption that that number is higher amongst vegans.

Anyway, back when I gave blood, and before I was vegan they always tested my blood for iron and I was often borderline anemic. I got a bag of dried apricots and ate them during the week before the blood donation and was pretty much fine.

After becoming vegan I became concerned with my other nutrients and went with the DEVA Tiny Tablets. At $3 a month it is pretty cheap insurance.

One piece of advice I have for all new vegans who are concerned with nutrients is to use CronOmeter. It's a web site and an app. And it's free. There is a bit of a learning curve with it but once you get it all figured out you get a good picture of your nutrition in about 5 minutes a day. Just your intake. you have to get a blood test to see how the absorption of the nutrients is going. But is a nice way to see how your nutrition is and how you can make improvements. And you don't have to use it for the rest of your life. Just until you get a good handle on nutrition. maybe again when your diet or lifestyle changes. And maybe once or twice a year as a check.

There are many posts about CronOmeter right here on the forum. or you can just google it. The site has some good tutorials that reduce the learning curve.

one other thing worth mentioning. Iron is not water soluble like many micronutrients so you don't just pee out excess. So it can build up and become toxic. However our bodies have a warning system. If your poops turn black and rock hard you are eliminating iron thru your stools. If your diet is already good and you take a supplement that has a lot of iron - well that happened to me.

oh, one last thing. Heme iron is not vegan. Non Heme iron is vegan. (2)
Non Heme iron is not absorbed as well as heme iron.
DEVA is vegan.

Worth repeating
best solution is a good diet.

Iron

Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world so it is important for everyone to know which plant-based foods are the best sources of iron.

www.vegansociety.com

1- Products - Data Briefs - Number 519 - December 2024
2 - Office of Dietary Supplements - Iron