Multi-Vitamins making me dizzy??

Being that I am on a calorie restricted diet now with MFP, I make sure to take my mult-vitamins daily. I used to be on Herbalife and took their multivitmans and felt great. Recently I started taking GNC Active Multi-Vitamin and have been feeling...dizzy/woozy, just plain OUT OF IT.
The instructions say you are supposed to take 2 a day, so I have been taking one in the morning and one in the early afternoon.

Is this common? What could be causing this? Does anyone have recommendations on some great multi-vitamins that won't have this effect?

Thanks!

Replies

  • bumblebreezy91
    bumblebreezy91 Posts: 520 Member
    Are you taking them on an empty stomach?
  • Are you taking them on an empty stomach?
    I was just about to ask the same thing - if I take a supplement containing zinc on an empty stomach, guaranteed about ten minutes later it's all I can do not to violently throw up.
  • laylaness
    laylaness Posts: 262 Member
    How much are you restricting your calories? Do you get dizzy only after you take your vitamins?
  • AmyMalley77
    AmyMalley77 Posts: 72 Member
    Whenever I have taken a multi vitamin on an empty stomach, or a stomach that doesn't have substantial food in it (not just coffee or other beverages, I am talking breakfast), it can make me woozy or nauseous.

    Are you taking the vitamins with food in your stomach?
  • sharde8691
    sharde8691 Posts: 29 Member
    I only take the vitamins with food. I only feel dizzy after taking the multi-vitamins. Although, I definitely do need to eat more calories on the days I exercise, I don't think the calories are the issue.

    On days that I don't take the vitamins, I don't have the random dizzy spells. I want to keep taking them to make sure I get all the nutrients I need per day.
  • Switch brands or stop for a while to see if that is indeed the issue. A couple days without won't do you harm.
  • lynleeg88
    lynleeg88 Posts: 104 Member
    Are you taking them on an empty stomach?
    I was just about to ask the same thing - if I take a supplement containing zinc on an empty stomach, guaranteed about ten minutes later it's all I can do not to violently throw up.

    I was wondering what it was in vitamins that make me sick!
  • bumblebreezy91
    bumblebreezy91 Posts: 520 Member
    Also, do the multivitamins contain caffeine at all?
  • palmerdanielle
    palmerdanielle Posts: 341 Member
    I was taking multi vitamins for a short while, but my doctor actually told me I shouldn't, that it's better to take specific vitamins if you're deficient but he thought in the near future there would be a lot of studies saying multi vitamins aren't very 'good ' for us. Now I have no idea where he got his information so I'm not saying you shouldn't or that he was right, but personally I don't take them and I'm fine, but I know everyone is different. Just consider whether you actually need them or if you're ok without, or if it might help to get the vitamins from their natural sources.
  • Did you being calorie restricting and the multis at the same time?
  • sharde8691
    sharde8691 Posts: 29 Member
    Also, do the multivitamins contain caffeine at all?

    Looks like ginseng and green tea extract in the "performance, energy, metabolism" blend.
    I drink a cup of coffee most days as well or green tea.
  • sharde8691
    sharde8691 Posts: 29 Member
    Did you being calorie restricting and the multis at the same time?

    When i wasn't monitoring my calories (and getting bigger lol) I took vitamins and had the same issue. I tried the regular women's multi, energy multi and now active...same issue.
  • sharde8691
    sharde8691 Posts: 29 Member
    I was taking multi vitamins for a short while, but my doctor actually told me I shouldn't, that it's better to take specific vitamins if you're deficient but he thought in the near future there would be a lot of studies saying multi vitamins aren't very 'good ' for us. Now I have no idea where he got his information so I'm not saying you shouldn't or that he was right, but personally I don't take them and I'm fine, but I know everyone is different. Just consider whether you actually need them or if you're ok without, or if it might help to get the vitamins from their natural sources.

    I agree that it is much better to get my nutrients from fruits and veggies. I can get a bit paranoid that I'm not getting enough of something and feel the need to supplement.
  • sharde8691
    sharde8691 Posts: 29 Member
    Thank you all for your replies!
  • Optimum Nutrition makes a very good quality, tested multi that a lot of people like. You migth not have an issues with that.

    Oh, and if you're having this issue with the GNC vitamins, return them to the store or call customer service. They will usually refund your money, or they might suggest a different multi.
  • Chellody22
    Chellody22 Posts: 95 Member
    I take Flinstone's Complete because women's one a day vitamins make me nauseous.
  • sharde8691
    sharde8691 Posts: 29 Member
    Optimum Nutrition makes a very good quality, tested multi that a lot of people like. You migth not have an issues with that.

    Oh, and if you're having this issue with the GNC vitamins, return them to the store or call customer service. They will usually refund your money, or they might suggest a different multi.
    Thanks! I will look into them at the vitamin shoppe
  • threefancy
    threefancy Posts: 93 Member
    I take Flinstone's Complete because women's one a day vitamins make me nauseous.

    Same here. The regular Women's One A Day make me nauseous, and the prenatals made me break out in head to toe hives both times I tried them.
  • AmyMalley77
    AmyMalley77 Posts: 72 Member
    Also, do the multivitamins contain caffeine at all?

    Looks like ginseng and green tea extract in the "performance, energy, metabolism" blend.
    I drink a cup of coffee most days as well or green tea.

    There you go...it's probably because they contain caffeine and if you are taking them with more caffeine, it could cause jitters.
  • robinmmurphy3
    robinmmurphy3 Posts: 65 Member
    I cannot take the hard vitamin pills like One A Day, they ALWAYS make me nauseous. I went to Super Supplements and got a multi vitamin that is capsule form, so the contents are a powder and I can take them just fine, with or without food, no nauseau. I have switched all of my supplements to either a capsule with power filling or an oil based gel cap (like the Vitamin D gel caps) and I have no nausea at all. Good luck to you!
  • sharde8691
    sharde8691 Posts: 29 Member
    Thanks everyone..looks like I probably just need a lower dose with no extra caffiene. I will talk to someone at the health food store and aim for a "lighter" vitamin.
  • leannraya
    leannraya Posts: 95 Member
    I actually thew up my car on my way to work once taking those vitamins.. They would make me sick to my stomach and extremely dizzy. Try gummy vitamins for adults.. I use the Vitafusion gummy vitamins and they are not only delicious, but they don't affect me at all, empty stomach or not. Give it a try :)
  • bumblebreezy91
    bumblebreezy91 Posts: 520 Member
    Thanks everyone..looks like I probably just need a lower dose with no extra caffiene. I will talk to someone at the health food store and aim for a "lighter" vitamin.

    I take a gummy vitamin with my breakfast every morning and it's easier on my stomach. You may want to consider something like that if you're more sensitive to the hard multivitamins, though I think eliminating the extra caffeine will do some good.

    Best of luck. :)
  • bumblebreezy91
    bumblebreezy91 Posts: 520 Member
    I actually thew up my car on my way to work once taking those vitamins.. They would make me sick to my stomach and extremely dizzy. Try gummy vitamins for adults.. I use the Vitafusion gummy vitamins and they are not only delicious, but they don't affect me at all, empty stomach or not. Give it a try :)

    Oh mannn, the Vitafusion calcium gummies are so good, I'm glad a serving is two gummies. I ran out of those on Sunday and I need to get some more, but I picked up some fiber gummies and they are Vitafusion too. I think they are called Fiber Well, but I can't be sure. My diary is always open if you really wanna know, but I think they make all around good vitamins! :)
  • Look at the label to find out whether it calls for taking the multivitamin with or without a meal. Oftentimes, if taken without food multivitamins can cause nausea and dizziness. Also important to note is many nutrients require food in order to be absorbed to their greatest extent. This is particularly true for fat soluble vitamins, like vitamin D for example. So to get maximum benefit, take the vitamin as directed.
  • michael1976_ca
    michael1976_ca Posts: 3,488 Member
    I take Flinstone's Complete because women's one a day vitamins make me nauseous.

    i have one a day mens multi it makes me sick before this i was taking the gummy one a day no problems. great question op
  • Did you ever figure out what was causing the dizziness. I started taking GNC MEGA MEN SPORT Multi-Vitamin today with food and about 10 minutes later I am dizzy and feel out of it. Any tips? Did you figure out what was going on?
  • obrientp
    obrientp Posts: 546 Member
    The zinc in multivitamins makes me nauseous if I take it on an empty stomach or even after a really light meal.
  • DeadliftAddict
    DeadliftAddict Posts: 746 Member
    Why not go back to what you was taking?