Buying Supplements Thailand

[gargamon]

28 minutes ago, The Legend said:

I'm sure having a few scotches and water doesn't help. Full bladder, alcohol 

Drink better scotch and you don't have to add the water.

[The Legend]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

That was another plus to a good night's sleep, I stopped waking up midway to P.  Plus I think my prostate may have shrunk back a bit, since I cut my intake of most sugar & starchy carbs.

 

I've cut back as well on both and considerably so. Half a loaf of bread a week and Thai food I eat only half the rice. Probably helped with sleep, but I never was huge bread or rice consumer

 

I do eat oats with some sugar a few times a week. Oats are healthy, but I think it's a sugar spike and overall not good for my borderline diabetes

 

Gotta drop the yoghurt and canned fruit at 830pm lol.

 

 

[The Legend]

8 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Drink better scotch and you don't have to add the water.

Not untrue, but a dash of water even in best stuff opens it up a bit. I drink too much of it to buy top shelf or anything approaching that. It's Grant's or Dewers. I recently had a spot of "Dandy"  😳 at Big C tasting. It wasn't horrible.  Being priced as my typical sauce above I'd never buy it but at 450-475b I'd be all over it.

 

Noticing getting difficult to get 1L bottles. Most are 70cl. Maybe US 750.

[connda]

33 minutes ago, The Legend said:

Thailand has a massive pharma industry. I'm absolutely clueless why they don't manufacture this stuff here

It's been demonized as a possible date rape drug in the Thai legislature and Thai media which is an absolute ridiculous claim. The roadblocks to the sale of melatonin are rather recent.  Melatonin provided a hormonal edge to get to sleep, but comparing it to benzodiazapine sedatives is ludicrous. On occasion I'll take diazepam (I have a prescription) if I really need to get to sleep in order to get up early the next morning.  All the diazepam does is help to shut off the internal dialogue. Only use it on fairly rare occasions.

[ronnie50]

I buy Vistra and MEGA brands. Local brands and seem pretty good quality. Boots and Watsons stock them. Blackmore is always being pushed at me by the salespeople in the pharrmacies. I don't see any point in paying the inflated prices they have. I don't think that brand would be better quality just because the price is higher.

[IvorBiggun2]

Crushed garlic (chewed) reduces cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA and blood pressure.

 

[The Legend]

5 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

I buy Vistra and MEGA brands. Local brands and seem pretty good quality. Boots and Watsons stock them. Blackmore is always being pushed at me by the salespeople in the pharrmacies. I don't see any point in paying the inflated prices they have. I don't think that brand would be better quality just because the price is higher.

 

Thanks I'll focus or include in my search. Yeah, Blackmore is ridiculously expensive

[The Legend]

10 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Crushed garlic (chewed) reduces cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA and blood pressure.

 

That's idiocy. Chewing garlic.

 

In pik nam pla I often pick out the bits of garlic and eat them when super hungry and waiting for food.

 

Wife consumes too much raw garlic at times at lunch and I can smell it on her breath even after brushing and eating additional meal at dinner and beverages.

 

Just not worth it for inconclusive vague benefits ... and that's coming from someone that loves garlic and eaten it since childhood.

 

Chomping on a handful of raw garlic 555

[IvorBiggun2]

20 minutes ago, The Legend said:

Just not worth it for inconclusive vague benefits .

 

What ever Leg End.

 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic#body-detox

[gargamon]

39 minutes ago, The Legend said:

Not untrue, but a dash of water even in best stuff opens it up a bit. I drink too much of it to buy top shelf or anything approaching that. It's Grant's or Dewers. I recently had a spot of "Dandy"  😳 at Big C tasting. It wasn't horrible.  Being priced as my typical sauce above I'd never buy it but at 450-475b I'd be all over it.

 

Noticing getting difficult to get 1L bottles. Most are 70cl. Maybe US 750.

I'm pretty much a Macallan guy these days. EVA business to North America is serving Johnny Walker Blue Label that will do when necessary. Last time they gave me a big wine glass half full of JWBL. Some was actually left when I woke up in the morning.

[Moonlover]

50 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

The only suppliment one requires is a raw clove of garlic every morning. Job done.

 

 

47 minutes ago, The Legend said:

I'm Italian decent, don't want to smell like one though.

 

Probably consume 15 clove pcs weekly in foods. Love garlic.

I love garlic too and it goes into just about every meal I eat. But I only chew it raw on the rare occasions that  I have a cold, sore throat or similar.

 

It's a very ancient Chinese remedy which has always worked for me.

 

As far as supplements in general go, IMO they are a waste of money which simply results in expensive urine.

 

 

[KhunLA]

47 minutes ago, The Legend said:

 

I've cut back as well on both and considerably so. Half a loaf of bread a week and Thai food I eat only half the rice. Probably helped with sleep, but I never was huge bread or rice consumer

 

I do eat oats with some sugar a few times a week. Oats are healthy, but I think it's a sugar spike and overall not good for my borderline diabetes

 

Gotta drop the yoghurt and canned fruit at 830pm lol.

Oats are way too much fiber for me, and seem to suck up all the moisture in the intestines, making it a bit uncomfortable when purging the excess, non dietary fiber.  Another reason why I cut the starchy carbs, beside the sugar, as really don't want the extra fiber.

 

All good now, with the higher fat, protein, and fibrous carbs (greens; broccoli, asparagus, kale & cabbage mostly).  Never was a rice fan, especially boring white rice.

 

Bread is my Achilles heel, as made a loaf of rye yesterday, and 3 slices in already.  1 slice still out, the rest in freezer.   Use to do half loaf a day, which is quite a bit, since my loafs are 800+gr.  Got it down to a few slices a week, instead of 2 loafs 

 

Might consider making your own yoghurt, as easy enough and will be sugar free.  If you eat a lot.

[The Legend]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Oats are way too much fiber for me, and seem to suck up all the moisture in the intestines, making it a bit uncomfortable when purging the excess, non dietary fiber.  Another reason why I cut the starchy carbs, beside the sugar, as really don't want the extra fiber.

 

All good now, with the higher fat, protein, and fibrous carbs (greens; broccoli, asparagus, kale & cabbage mostly).  Never was a rice fan, especially boring white rice.

 

Bread is my Achilles heel, as made a loaf of rye yesterday, and 3 slices in already.  1 slice still out, the rest in freezer.   Use to do half loaf a day, which is quite a bit, since my loafs are 800+gr.  Got it down to a few slices a week, instead of 2 loafs 

 

Might consider making your own yoghurt, as easy enough and will be sugar free.  If you eat a lot.

I sorta gave bread up decades ago. Just keep it for quick eats at home. So much good food in central Bangkok.

 

Oats no problem, but sometimes I'm running to the toilet after a big bowl + big black coffee 😂

[The Legend]

1 hour ago, Moonlover said:

supplements in general go, IMO they are a waste of money which simply results in expensive urine.

TBH I've always believed you get your vitamins from foods. Having said that I've a few reasons to try these specific supplements. I'll give it six months.

[The Legend]

1 hour ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

 

What ever Leg End.

 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic#body-detox

Healthline lol.  How about two medical journals stating conclusive proof?

 

That's the trouble with all supplements. There's just no research on them.

[Moonlover]

2 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Crushed garlic (chewed) reduces cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA and blood pressure.

 

 

1 hour ago, The Legend said:

That's idiocy. Chewing garlic.

 

In pik nam pla I often pick out the bits of garlic and eat them when super hungry and waiting for food.

 

Wife consumes too much raw garlic at times at lunch and I can smell it on her breath even after brushing and eating additional meal at dinner and beverages.

 

Just not worth it for inconclusive vague benefits ... and that's coming from someone that loves garlic and eaten it since childhood.

 

Chomping on a handful of raw garlic 555

In a book I had on Traditional Chinese Medicine the following is recommended. 'Chop a clove of garlic and leave it to 'breath' for around 10 minutes, then chew and swallow'. 

 

This is necessary because there are 2 elements within the clove that need to be exposed to oxygen so that they can combine and release their healing powers. Swallowing a whole clove will not provide the same benefit. Interesting article on the benefits of garlic here.

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/6-mind-blowing-benefits-of-chewing-raw-garlic-on-an-empty-stomach-101718002056827.html

[connda]

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Bread is my Achilles heel, as made a loaf of rye yesterday, and 3 slices in already.

Me too.

[connda]

5 hours ago, The Legend said:

TBH I've always believed you get your vitamins from foods. Having said that I've a few reasons to try these specific supplements. I'll give it six months.

Probably being is that as you get older your gut doesn't work as well so supplementation almost becomes a necessity.  Doesn't have to be daily though.  I take a multivitamin with minerals and a B complex every two or three days. Also take a B12 shot once a month.  Other than then try to eat a balance diet. 

[The Legend]

4 minutes ago, connda said:

Probably being is that as you get older your gut doesn't work as well so supplementation almost becomes a necessity.  Doesn't have to be daily though.  I take a multivitamin with minerals and a B complex every two or three days. Also take a B12 shot once a month.  Other than then try to eat a balance diet. 

 

Thx. Other than my back and lost upper body strength I'm fit. I'm never sick but my softness is taking a toll. I gave myself a hernia from only moderate exercise last year. Never gut problems. Living before in India, Cambodia, Indonesia. Travel everywhere and eat everything.

 

 

[newbee2022]

On 2/23/2025 at 8:55 AM, The Legend said:

I want to start taking fish oil / vitamin E, astaxanithin, magnesium and chelated zinc. I've looked about on Lazada and Shopee but concerned about the expense and fake products. I'd rather not do an overseas order, but any all advice appreciated.

I'm just wondering why you want to take all these "supplements". Are you fastening, drinking only water all day?😳

[ronster]

If I buy anything from Lazada like supplements, vitamins etc I buy only from boots , Watson or a place that has the Lazmall logo on it . Everything else possibly fake .

[FlorC]

I buy B12 and D3 from lazada (Doctor's best) and when I was back home I took them the day before I had my blood tested

and my levels of them were too high. So they really work.

[TheFishman1]

What is COQ10 and what is it taking for thank you for your reply in

[orchidfan]

On 2/23/2025 at 10:46 AM, connda said:

Melatonin is a problem to obtain.  It can't be purchased at all on iHerb as the shipper refuses to ship it.  You can buy it on Lazada but the prices are ridiculous.  Can't find it at all on Shopee.  Tried LINE Shopping.  Bought some from a retailer who had multiple choices, and then I got a message indicating they are out of stock and they'll refund my money, which opens a whole other can of worms.  Won't do that again. My trust in LINE shopping went to zero.

I still purchase most of my supplements from iHerb but also purchase some from Lazada and Shopee as the break-even point after shipping from the US is about the same.  Unlike the OP, I'm not worried about "fake products" as my experience has been that the supplement products are genuine. 

Yes, what is it with melatonin in Thailand ??

My local pharmacy can only sell "strips" of 10 tabs!!

"That's all that we're allowed to sell in Thailand " says the lady..huh? Why ??

 

I go regularly to Hong Kong where I can buy (for example ) bottles of Jamieson brand Melatonin, 130 tabs, for about Thb400 equivalent.

No problems, no restrictions, purchase 5 bottles if I wish!!

 

So what's the problem here?

[JamesPhuket10]

On 2/23/2025 at 9:07 AM, KhunLA said:

I buy from LAZ & Shopee, and so far so good, price and non fakes.  Easy to tell, as urine will be deeper yellow, as excess is purged.  I notice the effects of the supplements, so the few I take aren't fakes.

 

If concerned, iHerb is pretty competitively priced, and supposedly source their wares from the manufacturers of.  Free shipping (1400 THB orders), + 7% tax.

 

Simply scrutinize the online vendors as much as possible.  Savings of local vendors is minimal, considering the amount, over months of taking.

 

If not online shopping savvy, just order from iHerb.

 

Thanks for the info, I just looked at iHerb and downloaded the app to my iPhone, it looks genuine and is giving 20% off for the first order so I will order a large batch of supplements plus I can pay in Baht.

 

I tried twice to order a large batch from Amazon UK but the package was turned back at Heathrow Airport so I suppose they can not be shipped by the regular route.

[JamesPhuket10]

31 minutes ago, orchidfan said:

Yes, what is it with melatonin in Thailand ??

My local pharmacy can only sell "strips" of 10 tabs!!

"That's all that we're allowed to sell in Thailand " says the lady..huh? Why ??

 

I go regularly to Hong Kong where I can buy (for example ) bottles of Jamieson brand Melatonin, 130 tabs, for about Thb400 equivalent.

No problems, no restrictions, purchase 5 bottles if I wish!!

 

So what's the problem here?

 

The problem here is you do not know iHerb exists online and you can buy as many as you want in Thailand. 

[Globalres]

On 2/23/2025 at 10:57 AM, The Legend said:

Good price and qty. Thank you.

 

I didn't ask about melatonin but since you brought it up. I don't sleep well. Brought back a bottle of sleep tabs (Benadryl). I still wake up to pee, but generally fall asleep ok thereafter. I've read on the internets that this med for sleeping is not good over time. Found melatonin to be semi effective and expensive everywhere outside of say Costco

L-theanine, An amino acid found primarily in green tea is known for its calming effect and cognitive enhancing effects also known to improve sleep quality.  Apigenin, a molecule found in celery and camomile, mainly used for making senescent cells “behave” , but is also a precursor to GABA which helps with sleep.  So taking those two with magnesium glycinate about 30-60 mins before bed is great for sleep.

[orchidfan]

4 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

The problem here is you do not know iHerb exists online and you can buy as many as you want in Thailand. 

Thanks for that.

Yes I do know that iHerb exists, but my post was about WHY Thailand severely restricts the local sale of Melatonin (it appears that, from other posters, even some online suppliers will not handle it to Thailand )

 

I think someone partially answered this by saying that its deemed a "party rape" drug!!

Melatonin ??? Really ??

[JAS21]

We buy from a guy who imports from the USA,,. He supplies a reasonable range… if anyone wants his contact details you can pm me..

[gargamon]

22 minutes ago, orchidfan said:

Thanks for that.

Yes I do know that iHerb exists, but my post was about WHY Thailand severely restricts the local sale of Melatonin (it appears that, from other posters, even some online suppliers will not handle it to Thailand )

 

I think someone partially answered this by saying that its deemed a "party rape" drug!!

Melatonin ??? Really ??

Maybe 30 years ago the Canadian gestapo (immigration/customs) took all mine saying it was a hormone. Freely available now.