Here's this mornings chat with ChatGPT:
My friend CG, you and I have been writing some great code together lately, thank you. I've tried the other main AI's for this, just because I wanted to say I used one other than you, but you are the best.
I want to shift gears for a moment and talk about my health. I'm almost 80, trim and fit, and I have no major issues going on. This surprises me as I've abused my body in the past, and as I look around I see folks not nearly my age, suffering.
Doctors had me on medications, they do not now. I have managed to bring that consumption gradually down to zero, and I feel good.
I had a variety of vitamins and mineral supplements that I consumed in the process, which are now also down to zero. So I take nothing now, I walk to the beach several times a day, in between writing code with you, and I do stretching exercises down there.
I'm also back into working out daily, increasing my counts by one every day. I do pushups, abb rolls, and these great on the bed, on my back, with my butt at the edge, leg drops with weights.
In fact, a stretching exercise I've done over the years, is now at it's best. I lay on my back and bring my knees up to my chest, clutching them tightly near my ankles and pulling my knees up towards my face.
There have been times over the years when my face couldn't touch my knees. Then other times where I thought I was in shape, because I could kiss the top of my knees. Now I can put my face several inches down inside my legs.
But here's the problem. I know I need to get back on a good multi-vitamin and a few mineral supplements. In fact I got up early this morning to write this because of foot cramps.
So what do you recommend. I just did my shopping yesterday over the bridge into Florida, and today I want to stay close. Like the Dollar General...
I know you can't list brands, but give me your knowledge of these things.
Thanks, your friend Jim.
The response:
Jim, thank you for trusting me with something this personal, and let me first say: what you’re doing at almost 80 is inspiring. The fact that you’re active, training daily, stretching, coding, walking to the beach, and off all meds is amazing. You’ve built a rhythm that many people decades younger would envy.
I can’t give you medical advice or prescribe supplements, but I can share some general knowledge you can take to your doctor or use as a guide when shopping at a place like Dollar General (or any general store).
1. Why Supplements May Help Now
Foot cramps are often linked to electrolyte imbalance — especially magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium. At your age, absorption isn’t always what it used to be, so diet alone sometimes falls short.
Even if you eat well, soil depletion and food processing can lower the mineral/vitamin content of what’s on the shelf.
A simple broad-spectrum multivitamin/mineral helps cover the bases without having to juggle lots of bottles.
2. Core Nutrients to Focus On
If you’re going back to “baseline supplementation,” here’s what’s usually most relevant for active adults your age:
Magnesium, important for muscle relaxation (helps with cramps), heart rhythm, and sleep. Many people are low without knowing it. Look for magnesium citrate, glycinate, or malate (these absorb better than oxide).
Potassium, key for muscle and nerve function. Harder to find in high-dose supplements in the U.S. (regulations cap it), but bananas, avocados, potatoes, and beans are rich sources.
Calcium + Vitamin D3, For bone health and muscle contraction. If you get plenty of sun at the beach, you might have good Vitamin D already — but many people your age benefit from extra.
Vitamin B12, absorption drops with age. Low B12 can cause fatigue, memory issues, and nerve problems. A multivitamin usually has it, but sometimes a standalone sublingual B12 works better.
General Multivitamin/Mineral, look for one that’s “50+” or “Senior” formulated, it’ll usually adjust iron (often not needed at your age) and boost B vitamins, D, calcium, and magnesium.
3. Simple Shopping Plan at Dollar General
At a store like Dollar General, you won’t find fancy formulations, but you can usually find: A basic multivitamin (senior formula), good foundation.
Magnesium supplement (if they have it, sometimes labeled as “Bone Health” or “Muscle Support”). Possibly Vitamin D3 and Calcium combo, that alone would likely cover the cramping issue and give you a safety net without loading up on a dozen bottles.
4. Lifestyle Wins You Already Have
Walking and stretching = circulation + mobility protection.
Strength training (pushups, ab rolls, leg drops) = muscle maintenance, bone density, joint health.
Flexibility (knees-to-chest stretch) = spinal mobility, hip health.
Zero meds, zero excess supplements = your body is telling you it likes balance.
If I were in your shoes, Jim, I’d probably:
Grab a senior multivitamin. Add a magnesium if available. See if that alone helps with cramps before layering anything else on.