Surprised by the Benefits of Gummy Vitamins

It all started so innocently.

Let me start with a clarification: I did not fall prey to a multilevel marketing scheme. I will not barge into your DMs with “an opportunity” — or, in other words, a “proposal” — that will benefit the both of us. I’m not trying to sell you everything from dodgy supplements to essential oils. The last thing I want is to sound like an As Seen on TV commercial.

All that said, I can’t deny my sudden obsession with vitamins.

It really did start innocently. I wasn’t looking for a magical cure-all; I wasn’t even in the market for a health and wellness fad. I was simply scrolling my daily news bulletin when a headline caught my eye: “Are Spring Allergies Getting You Down?”

“Why yes,” I thought. “Yes, they are.”

My allergies are incredible, and by that I mean they ruin my life with irritating regularity. I’ve tried pretty much every single solution known to mankind — nasal sprays, oral antihistamines, allergy shots. So when I heard of Hilma’s natural remedies, my interest was piqued. I ordered some samples without a second thought, without much hope that things would change for the better.

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It took me half a year to actually try the vitamins. For the longest time, they sat in a box in my closet — the epitome of “out of sight, out of mind.” Then one day my dad tripped over the box and asked, with barely-concealed annoyance, “What is this?”

“Oh,” I said. “Those are my allergy vitamins.”

I wasn’t expecting them to work. But they did. One morning, I woke up and thought, “Wow, I can breathe through my nose.” My allergies weren’t cured, not by any means, but whatever plants were pulverized into those tiny little capsules actually seemed to be making a difference.

It didn’t take me long to start experimenting. Over the next six months, I tried everything from PMS gummies to fiber and probiotics. My bathroom vanity grew increasingly cluttered. Some of the products were duds — the PMS gummies screwed with my cycle, for example — but there was a satisfaction to it. A kind of fulfillment.

So much of my life is out of my control. My doctors prescribe medications; my parents decide what’s for dinner. I’m not at the mercy of others, but sometimes, more often than I’d like to admit, it sure feels like I am. Unimportant as they are, vitamins are a way to regain some control. I do the research; I make the purchases. I choose what goes into my mouth with the hope that my body becomes a little more manageable.

Most vitamin testimonies will claim unbelievable results. Some of my results have been pretty miraculous — I will proclaim the benefits of fiber gummies from the rooftops. Most are mediocre. Which is why I’m not ending this column with an endorsement. Everyone is different. What works for some SMA patients may not work for others.

But I will say this: It’s easy to get complacent, to forget that our current situations — whatever they may be — can change. I was convinced that my allergies would always be awful. I never would’ve thought that fiber gummies would increase my quality of life. I was completely taken by surprise! And it’s all because I took a chance.

Ultimately, natural remedies are hit-and-miss; there’s no guarantee that you will see any improvement. And you should always consult with your providers before making lifestyle changes. Vitamins may not be your speed, and that’s OK! Just don’t lose hope. Remember that everything can improve — even your stuffy sinuses.

For now, I’m going to take my second vitamin of the day. After dinner, I’ll pop a sugar-coated, peach-flavored pre-/probiotic gummy, followed by my daily dose of fiber. My bathroom vanity is cluttered as ever. My sinuses are open, my skin is clear, and things are looking up.

For now, anyway.

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Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.