Multivitamin?

AliciaBeth78

Someone once told me that it's easier to lose weight and be healthy with a good multivitamin.

To be honest, I have never taken one, but I've been curious about them lately. So in my Black Friday "I haven't slept for over 20 hours" shopping extravaganza I decided to break down and hit up GNC. The sales person sold me on the Women's Ultra Mega Active packs which includes:

And yes, this is taken from the GNC website-

1. Women’s Ultra Mega® Active without Iron – Our premium timed-release, clinically studied formula includes vitamins and minerals to supplement key nutrients that may be missing in your daily diet. Women’s Ultra Mega® Active contains 1,600 IU of vitamin D-3 for breast and bone health and immune support, as well as, B-vitamins that are important for carbohydrate metabolism and energy production.* It's enhanced with 500 mg of bone strengthening calcium and joint cushioning blend with vitamin C, collagen and hyaluronic acid. It also combines a broad spectrum of cell-protecting antioxidant nutrients that also support immune health with key electrolytes that help regulate body fluids.*

2. Energy Enhancer – This clinically proven thermogenic formula helps to enhance your metabolism and improve your ability to burn more calories.* Includes a powerful combination of ingredients designed to help give you the extra boost of energy you need in your busy day.

3. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) – A naturally occurring fatty acid derived from safflower seeds. Clinically studied CLA to enhance your diet and is a healthy source of natural energy.

4. L-Carnitine – An amino acid, L-carnitine helps to facilitate the metabolism of long chain fatty acids.* L carnitine is stored in skeletal muscles where it is needed to transform fatty acids into energy for muscle activity.*

5. Calcium 600 – This bone supporting caplet combines 600 mg of bone building calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D-3 to enhance calcium absorption.

The problem is these pills are huge and taste funky (yes, I am totally aware that vitamins aren't supposed to be delish!)... But do you guys think that something like this is beneficial for weight loss and overall health?

cmriverside

I think it is nearly impossible to obtain all the needed nutrients on a reduced calorie food plan, such as what you would be on in order to lose weight. Unless you are heavily juicing vegetables, you won't be eating enough to obtain the nutrients.

That said, a good multivitamin/multimineral supplement is helpful in my opinion.

I wouldn't spend the high $$ at GNC. I take a Centrum and an additional Vitamin D supplement and fish oil capsule.

Vitamins often have that after taste. Take them at night, with food to combat the discomfort.

Savemyshannon

I personally take multivitamins, and I love the feeling of when I'm on then versus when I am not. I just take a basic multivitamin three times a day*, along with fish oil, calcium + vitamin D, and fiber supplement. I'm not sure how often you are supposed to take those vitamins you have, but women aged 19-50 should be taking in 1000 mg a day, which is 400 more than your supplement offers, so make sure you are drinking your milk.

You should also look into fish oil, which are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower bad cholesterol, help with fat loss and joint inflammation. Omega-3 is an essential unsaturated fatty acid that does not occur naturally in the body, so we need outside sources for it. If you go for fish oil, though, spend the money. You want a good pill that won't give you that fishy after taste and is made with quality fish.

*I've always been taught that a one-a-day multivitamin isn't as good for you as a pill you take multiple times a day, the reason being that if you try to pack all the vitamins you needed every single day into a single pill... well the pill isn't big enough, and your body won't be able to use all those vitamins before they leave your system (google bioavailability), so it's more beneficial to take 3 smaller-packed pills a day versus one giant one-a-day.

AveryWays

I started taking Multivitamins once I joined MFP in August this year. After a week of logging my foods and understanding reading the macro-nutrients portion, I realized there were a lot of things that my body wasn't getting from my daily intake. I take Berkley & Jensen's (BJs) Multivitamins for women to cover all that I am missing and an extra supplement for Iron and Acai to help with my metabolism. Yes these multivitamins and supplements can be big and funky tasting but I don't mind them any more since my breakfast normally consist of a delicious fruit with whey protein smoothie.

I have a tendency to become iron deficient (anemic) which basically makes me sluggish and tired. Ever since I started taking the additional iron supplement, my energy level has remained consistent. It's nearly impossible to get all the micro-nutrients your body needs on a constricted caloric goal so taking multivitamins is a good idea

ChirishGirl

My doc recommended that grouping, so I'm taking the same one. It does help when you aren't getting certain things through your daily diet. But make sure you drink PLENTY - as in MORE than you normally do - of water. And don't take ALL of the pack at once. I break it up to where I take a few in the morning and a few at lunch time - with food. I got really nauseated when I took them all at one time. Bleh!

AliciaBeth78

My doc recommended that grouping, so I'm taking the same one. It does help when you aren't getting certain things through your daily diet. But make sure you drink PLENTY - as in MORE than you normally do - of water. And don't take ALL of the pack at once. I break it up to where I take a few in the morning and a few at lunch time - with food. I got really nauseated when I took them all at one time. Bleh!

Thats too funny that you say that! Both Friday and Saturday I took them all at once and seriously could barely peel myself off the couch! Yesterday and today I split them up and feel much better!! I wonder if it works the same splitting them up throughout the day?