Question about vitamin/pill intake...

Question
Hi,

I'm a guy trying to become as proportionate as possible. I am currently between 5"2 - 5"3 and weigh around 150 pounds (high 60kg to 70kg, it fluctuates) and I'm trying to see if I can do anything to increase my height and decrease the weight, the typical trend nowadays. I'm relatively confident and outgoing, and I never really paid attention to eating and exercising for a long time, as I've dedicated most of my life in academic fields during my puberty. Now that I'm in college, I've been encouraged by my friends, families and even my girlfriend that I should be more attentive to my health aspects.

I've been told that people generally stop growing in any significant rate after 18, but I've been told that few inches are possible (not counting the posture) if I did decent exercising with some vitamins and other related pills. I've been told that calcium/magnesium, glucosamine and chondroitin, Vitamin D and Multivitamin really helps with height growth, but I'm not sure if it's safe to consume all of the listed pills at the same time. I'm currently taking Vitamin B-50, as it apparently helps with metabolism and enhances the fat/carb burning rate.

Is it safe to consume all these pills at the same time, or is there unforeseen consequences in this? Any other weight losing pills that aren't short term and relatively healthy?

In case if you need it, I think I should share my typical diet, and what my lifestyle is like.

I think I eat healthy... I don't complain veggies and I eat them along with meat. I eat 3 square meals, do not eat snacks at all, and I generally enjoy mix of western and Asian cuisine. (Rice with meat (beef/chicken and some pork) / (celery, carrot, cauliflower, broccoli, salad... kimchi (Korean cuisine... basically cabbage with hot spice... very traditional with healthy reputation) but we don't stay away from occasional fast food like a plague. I usually drink water, milk and orange juice... and I rarely indulge with soft-drinks... I might drink a root beer from A&W once a month, give or take. I walk often for school and hang out with friends, but I never saw the need to exercise beyond that. I don't often drink coffee or tea, though I'm thinking about green tea again... just little worried about caffeine level. I always held onto the idea that as long as I can walk and run without difficulty, I'm in ok shape... oh, and I do sleep little... 11-1 -ish to 7 am... which isn't all that little for college life.

Answer
Hi John,

It's just great that you are now ready to pay attention to your health. It's important that you don't go overboard with the supplements! Mostly it can hurt your pocketbook :)  But there are dangers on overdosing with certain nutrients.

To my knowledge there is no such vitamin as B50 and I'm not sure what the compound is they refer to as this "vitamin".

This site from the USDA will show you the vitamins that have "daily allowances" and what those amounts are. It's important not to overdose especially on vitamin D. This can cause calcium deposits in the soft tissues and organs of your body. http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=3&tax_sub...
Yes, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D are important for bone growth and health, but once the growth is complete these bones cannot be further lengthened. It's largely a factor of genetics. Are your parents short in stature? Once you are past 18 there really is no way to "catch up" on bone growth even if a child is malnourished and does not get enough of these nutrients when he/she is very young.

From now on you can eat healthy to prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and some forms of cancer. Maintain a healthy weight (about 125 pounds for your height), get plenty of fiber from whole grains and fruits and vegetables; don't eat too much fat or salt.

Trying to take supplements to maintain health may just be like chasing your tail--you're always going to have someone else tell you "take this other supplement" or hear research that says "I know we thought this was GOOD for you last year, but now we think it's BAD for you"!  So learn to enjoy a variety of foods in moderation.

By the way, green tea is not caffeinated like black tea is so you ca enjoy it.

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