A Questions About Vitamins

LuHox
LuHox Posts: 136
in Food and Nutrition
If you want to take a daily multivitamin supplement, how do you find the right one?

Knowing that the cheap ones I've always bought supposedly don't get absorbed very well, I'd like to buy a better vitamin, but I'm not sure where to start. I can't just go pick out an expensive one whose label makes it sound healthy because I don't trust that. What should I look for if I want a good multivitamin that I will adequately absorb the nutrients from? Are there any brands you particularly recommend?

Also, what about specialized vitamins: Vitamins for women/men, weight loss vitamins, etc... is it worth it to invest in two separate vitamins for me & my husband, or does it matter so little that we should just take the same one?

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Who told you cheaper vitamins don't get absorbed as well?

    Problem with supplements is they are virtually unregulated and therefore not that reliable, no matter who is selling them.


    I've just decided to go with the drug store brand or generic brand. I eat really well and get most of my needs met that way, but I figure it can't hurt. If you have a lot of disposable income, buy the more expensive ones if it makes you feel better.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    edit to say, probably any of the big companies' supplements are as good as the next guy's. They certainly aren't going to hurt you if you don't take too many of them. Some things - especially the metals - shouldn't be over-supplemented unless you actually need them; but the water soluble ones are probably safe in drug store doses. I take way more Vit D than is recommended, and I feel better than I ever did beforehand, so I know they do something..

    .
  • LuHox
    LuHox Posts: 136
    Thanks for your reply. It's just something I've heard & read in various places and from various people.
    I buy them from Walmart or Walgreens and usually either get Centrum, One-A-Day, or the store brand imitation of those brands. I think I have a women's vitamin right now.

    I've also heard "get raw vitamins" or "only get [insert super expensive brand I can't afford here] because the rest don't absorb."
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    People will try to give you advice on everything, and we're all experts, doncha know? :laugh:
  • LuHox
    LuHox Posts: 136
    Well if they were right and I'm wasting my money at least I'm not wasting too much :-)
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    I think GNC and some of the Multi Level Marketing scams use that "they don't absorb" as a scare tactic/marketing scheme.

    Ask them to prove it. It can't be proven because there is no regulation on supplements. Supplements can make all kinds of crazy claims. Ever hear of Shakeology?
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    I've been taking Centrum or store generic vitamins all my adult life. Who knows if I even need them....they're $13 for 300 of them and I agree with you. At least I'm not wasting a lot of money.

    Beware of anyone who tries to sell you super expensive online supplements, is my thinking.
  • LuHox
    LuHox Posts: 136
    I think GNC and some of the Multi Level Marketing scams use that "they don't absorb" as a scare tactic/marketing scheme.

    Ask them to prove it. It can't be proven because there is no regulation on supplements. Supplements can make all kinds of crazy claims. Ever hear of Shakeology?

    Funny you should mention that. GNC is one of the places I heard it right before a guy sold me a $50 months supply of vitamins. *doh!* And people selling things like Shakeology. I was hoping to hear a convincing and logical explanation of how they know your body does not absorb cheap vitamins. Really, I just wanted to understand.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Cheaper vitamins have a lot of nasty fillers in them which is why they aren't the best for you. I took women's one a day years ago and the fillers -- which the list was a mile long -- made me sick. As for absorption, your body will absorb what it needs and discard the rest. Also be mindful that there are vitamins that are water soluble (like a regular multi) and others that are fat soluble (like fish oil) and the fat soluble ones need to be taken with food.

    I am not advocating more expensive vitamins but do your research.
  • LuHox
    LuHox Posts: 136
    Cheaper vitamins have a lot of nasty fillers in them which is why they aren't the best for you. I took women's one a day years ago and the fillers -- which the list was a mile long -- made me sick. As for absorption, your body will absorb what it needs and discard the rest. Also be mindful that there are vitamins that are water soluble (like a regular multi) and others that are fat soluble (like fish oil) and the fat soluble ones need to be taken with food.

    I am not advocating more expensive vitamins but do your research.

    The thing about "do your research" is that I don't know where to start. I'd like a pretext for what info I'm looking for, hence I'm trying to get a conversation going that might help me understand a little better. I'm a smart girl, but science was always my weak point, so there are some things I start reading and it turns to gibberish lol. I was hoping some people here could help break it down for me so it's not all gibberish.

    Fillers in vitamins makes sense, and there are certain vitamins I have taken that make me sick whether I take them on a empty stomach or with food.

    Does that mean you should take your multi on an empty stomach or that it doesn't matter whether or not you take it with food?

    What exactly am I looking for on packaging if I'm shopping for vitamins?

    Are there any brands you recommend as "good vitamins?

    http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Vitamin-Nutritional-Supplement/dp/B0039LF4Y4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369585843&sr=8-1&keywords=raw+vitamins

    That's a link to the vitamins I was looking at. Is that a good brand/vitamin? If so is there something that's just as good but cheaper?
  • FoxyLifter
    FoxyLifter Posts: 965 Member
    I don't take a multi vitamin on an empty stomach. it makes me nauseous. I take a liquid multi vitamin shortly after breakfast... but then again, how do we REALLY know what the difference is and are we absorbing all that we need. Perhaps I should get tested for vitamin deficiencies... when I can take a day off.
  • PinkyMouse
    PinkyMouse Posts: 37 Member
    Hi,

    I think vitamins are vitamins, whatever the trademark...
    you must know that even if the package says 200% daily portion of vitamine C, your body will absord the amount that is necessary to work well over a day, so 100%. If you think further, lets say you eat an orange per day which contains 116 % of your daily apport of vitamin C, then what is the point taking multivitamin pills ?
    For minerals, it is a bit different... too few and too many are bad for health. Think equilibrium.

    So, what I am trying to say is that if your daily food is well equilibrated in vitamins and minerals, there is no need for multivitamins ! Investing your money in better food might be a good option too ?

    Good luck !
  • LuHox
    LuHox Posts: 136
    Hi,

    I think vitamins are vitamins, whatever the trademark...
    you must know that even if the package says 200% daily portion of vitamine C, your body will absord the amount that is necessary to work well over a day, so 100%. If you think further, lets say you eat an orange per day which contains 116 % of your daily apport of vitamin C, then what is the point taking multivitamin pills ?
    For minerals, it is a bit different... too few and too many are bad for health. Think equilibrium.

    So, what I am trying to say is that if your daily food is well equilibrated in vitamins and minerals, there is no need for multivitamins ! Investing your money in better food might be a good option too ?

    Good luck !

    Good point, and I do believe if you can get everything from food that's best, but I don't track every single vitamin and mineral. I imagined it would be best to take a supplement just to be sure, you know? Especially when eating low calories. Is there harm in this?
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Is there harm in this?

    Just be careful about taking anything other than a standard multivitamin/multimineral. By that I mean, don't start supplementing individual elements without knowing the Upper Limits on them. Some things should only be supplemented under doctor's supervision - such as (off the top of my head) Potassium, metals (like iron - other than the small amount in Multis). So if you take a multi, don't "add" individual elemental supplements in addition to that.

    Even fish oil - seems silly because what about all those fish that are being used for their oils? Why not just eat an actual fish and get all the good stuff from it. You just have to do some reading for upper limits and be cautious. More is not better in some things.

    You can find reputable sources online - like MayoClinic, PubMed, the FDA website etc.

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