[dumbfox]

Okay, here's my list again, with when and why I take them:

~Magnesium 300 mg~
Magnesium is essential in the body’s use of insulin and the burning of carbohydrates. Several important studies have found that getting insufficient amounts of magnesium increases the risk of both types of diabetes as well as insulin resistance (which often leads to diabetes). It also helps regulate blood pressure. It must be taken with B6 to be used efficiently by the body. Most magnesium supplements have B6 in them, as well as a little calcium. I take it 3x a day, with meals.

~Biotin 5,000 mcg~
Also called Vitamin H and it's one of the B vitamins. Confusing, I know. It helps your body process the foods you eat, especially fats, into glucose energy the cells can use. It also plays an important role in the production of the fatty acids that ensure healthy hair, skin and nerves. I actually take this for two reasons - 1) This is my hair loss miracle. Phen and thyroid problems caused major hair loss for me. After about 2 months of taking Biotin, the amount I was losing was back to what's normal for a person and I was noticing a lot of new growth. 2) I have epilepsy and take anti-epileptics, which interfere with biotin being absorbed, leading to a deficiency, which could have also caused some hair loss for me. I take it all in one dose, right before I go to bed.

~Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum) 2 Billion CFU~
I don't drink milk or eat much dairy products for that matter. I've been taking it for almost 10 years. Chronic sinus infections when I was a child, followed by constant dosing of antibiotics caused candida in my blood (this is the bad bacteria that causes things like thrush and yeast infections). Probiotics are good bacteria, which kill off the bad bacteria. I take this first thing in the morning without food.

~L-Tyrosine 500 mg~
It's an amino acid, needed to make epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, all of which work to regulate mood. Tyrosine also aids in the function of organs in the body responsible for making and regulating hormones, including the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands. This is why I take it, for thyroid reasons...though I do notice being more apt to deal with stress in a positive way, that's the dopamine working. I take this with my phen and Z-Bec when I get to work. It also needs to be taken with a B vitamin to work properly but will not come with one in it.

~Tonalin CLA 3,000 mg~
This is a newbie for me and I have a hard time remembering to take it. CLA is an amino acid, that supposedly promotes an increase in lean muscle mass and a decrease in percentage body fat. The jury is still out for me.

~Folic Acid 400 mcg~
Another B vitamin, vital for energy support (read: less fatigue) and it's essential to make healthy, new cells. It also prevents neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Women should take this during their child-bearing years, even before they start trying to have a baby. It also helps make normal red blood cells, prevent anemia (which I'm prone to), and produce the nervous system chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin. I usually take this at lunch time.

~Calcium 1,000 mg~
Again, I don't drink milk or really eat dairy. I don't want to be some hunchback when I'm 50. I take this at dinner or sometime in the evening.

~Z-Bec (B Complex)~
B Complex supplements are helpful for a variety of reasons. I take it due to my thyroid and epilepsy. It helps with energy. I take it when I get to work with the L-Tyrosine.

~I also go get a B12 shot every week (sometimes every two depending on my schedule).~
I'm a B12 shot junkie. They give me a serious boost of energy, plain and simple.

How did I know to take them? I'm a medical geek and reading about this stuff thrills me, lol. I was tired of being tired and looked into natural ways to improve my energy. Most supplements are very safe, so doing a trial to see if you benefit is worth it. However, always make sure you do your own research into side effects and proper dosages. If you have any questions, post or PM me and I will try to help. I have access to a lot of information on supplements.