Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by Tor3 2798 days ago
> 'who knows that they ate 2000 years ago, what their actual health was?'

That's not so difficult as you think. What you eat is preserved in your teeth and bone. See https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-did-gladiators-ea... As for what their health was - again, you can find out a lot from bones. And, as you said, they needed to fight. You don't do that for very long without a certain level of health.

When you describe your exercise regime you seem to assume that more exercise == higher doses (of trace elements) needed. But that's the thing: For nearly all of the common trace elements, it doesn't change. Of course it varies with weight - there's a difference between a 45kg small woman and a 100kg man. Probably. But your size and weight is well inside the general and means very little in this respect.
1 comments
saiya-jin 2798 days ago
If I am 15-20% heavier than average human, then getting extra 15% of minerals with supplements sounds like a good idea to actually meet daily requirements. You make claims that we are all OK and shouldn't take anything, but you have no clue what I eat, how much, or what are specifics of my body - that's not very scientific statement. I still haven't seen anything scientific stating that 15% extra intake in most common minerals should bring anything but benefits.

What minerals can be used for - Mg for preventing muscle cramps (scientifically and practically proven), Fe for altitude acclimatization (more red blood cells to transport oxygen), Ca for teeth and bones. Its proven that weightlifting makes your bones denser/thicker, so I supply my body with a bit of extra of material.

As for Vitamins, water-soluble will be washed away (and its always good to have a bit extra of vitamin C), and the fat-soluble are actually less than recommended doses last time I checked (particularly Vitamin D, and as said I take 1/2 of it).

What I consider important is to take it with big meal which contains tons of stuff - especially fats and some fiber. That way body has a more gradual intake of these, and stays in stomach/intestines for longer.

link