What do you take? Any saving graces that I simply must know about?

My personal regimen includes:

Upon Waking:
Vitamin B-6 - 100 mg.
DL-Phenylalanine - 1000 mg. (this amino acid supplement is AMAZING for boosting mood and energy. The B-6 is for increased absorption.)

With breakfast:
EPA Fish Oil - 2000 mg.
Biotin - 5000 mcg.
Liquid Calcium - 600 mg.
Multi-Vitamin
Vitamin E - 800 I.U.
Acetyl L-Carnitine - 500 mg.
Vitamin C - 1500 mg.
B-50 Complex
Magnesium - 250 mg.
Papaya Enzyme

I started taking all of these about 8 months ago, after I quit taking drugs, and have really noticed a difference.

Unless your kidneys are some marathon runners, I don't understand why you must take such a cocktail of vitamins daily. Lets's just look at your vitamin C. The recommended daily intake is about 95 mg for a man (+35mg if you smoke because tabagism reduces the vitamin C rate). Some primates take over 2000 mg per day because they can't produce this vitamin. But you do!

I could go on and on with your Biotin 5000 mcg when 60 would be enough or your Vitamin B-6 100 mg instead of 1,3 to 1,7mg.

I suppose that you started to take care of your health after quitting drugs and it's an awesome change. But be careful not to go on the other extreme. The overconsommation of vitamins and supplements can have a bad effect on your organism. I wish I could give you the links that I just found about it but they are in french.

With a varying and balanced diet, I'm sure that you'll find all the vitamins and minerals that you need without buying so much of them in a drugstore.

You're probably right.....as for the vitamin C, I've read that taking large amounts of it clears your throat, which helps you up your chops if you're a singer. (which maybe a moot point, cause I am a smoker as well.)

As for the Biotin, I noticed that as well....I'm not sure why, but that particular brand actually releases it at 5000 mcg. I just started taking that one, and I was unsure why it was such a high dose.

I never really knew you could hurt yourself with too many vitamins and supplements. I'll be more conscious of it now. Thanks!

Really, I'm glad that you have such a positive reaction. I didn't mean to be moralist and even less to act as if I was an expert. But dietetic interest me a lot and I'm sure that many people are misinformed about the risks of overtaking vitamins and other supplements. I guess everything is a matter of balance.

I found an interesting website in english about the effects of a good intake of some vitamins, plus the side effects of overdosing for each of them, then the natural sources where you can find them.
B-Complex Vitamins: DRI/RDA, negative side effects, overdose & toxicity
Nickel Cobalt DRI/RDA, overdose, toxicity, negative side effects

ACK!