What multivitamin

[DustinLati]

What multivitamin is "best" (i know there is usually no best of anything, im just wondering what is a good multivitamin to take)

Im currently taking One-A-Day mens health formula, but I heard that it scored the worst in a recent test.

How are ISS multivitamins? The packet contains about 5 or 6 pills....and some of them are pretty big. But I hear theyre better for people who train.

[B.A.]

Go for the ones that suit you best economically - I pay only 6 quid for a 6 month supply (about....10 dollars US?). To be blunt, if your diet is really lousy yet you aren't suffering from scurvy or beri-beri then you know that they are doing the trick

- B.A.

[Octagon]

Originally Posted by B.A.

Go for the ones that suit you best economically...

Yeah, that's pretty much my approach too. I'm still a bit too much of a 'brand name snob' to go with a generic but I basically just grab whatever happens to be on sale when I run out.

[B.A.]

Originally Posted by Octagon

Yeah, that's pretty much my approach too. I'm still a bit too much of a 'brand name snob' to go with a generic but I basically just grab whatever happens to be on sale when I run out.

I can relate to that - I used to only use Sinatogen (or a brand name akin to that) and it cost something like £10 a month. From what my D & N lecturer states, it seems that I'm urinating most of the nutrients out (and I probably am seeing as my diet is well balanced), though for only 6 quid every 6 months it proves economically reasonable and invaluable psychologically for the "just incase" factor that I may be missing out a nutrient or two from the diet.

- B.A.

[Sipowicz]

I've typically used the Men's One-A-Days (Bayer product I think) due to lower cost.

Although now that I am religiously taking them (which was not the case before) the cost might increase . . . . . .

[Octagon]

Oh, one other thing about multis - don't get too caught up in 'mens health' v 'weight loss' v 'brainiac functions' or whatever the hell else they might say.

These 'special formulations' almost always contain inconsequential amounts of whatever substance they're touting. They basically add just enough lycopene or green tea extract or ginseng or whatever to allow them to put 'prostate health' or 'weight loss' or memory function' on the label without the FTC jumping down their throats.

[xcedrinod]

A couple years ago I went on a reading binge on multis, herbs, all this stuff, and I can't find the links I collected.

But, I have a secondhand story, perhaps I got it from this site (I don't remember), about a plumber that dug literally handfuls of undigested tablets from people's septic tanks. The person telling the story recommended staying away from multis that don't dissolve well.

So I took my multi and put it in a cup of water overnight to see how well it dissolved. It did okay. Not very scientific, but good enough for me. I'm told the experiment works better with some vinegar (like your stomach acid). Believe me, you can actually obsess about whether you're getting all the nutrients you need. Bioavailability, synergy, blah blah. I'd say the sanest choice is to eat healthy, and get a cheap multi that dissolves well. And then of course take it diligently with your breakfast.

With some vitamins, like C, it's better to get a time release pill and down that separately from the multi. It's a very important vitamin, and the time release makes sure you get a good even flow throughout the day.

Don't bother with all the fancy herbs and stuff, if you think you really need one of em, get a separate pill that has a proven amount of active ingredient. I'd say like $25 bux for a 100 pills is average for a decent multi. I paid $32.99 for a 120 tab jar of Fox Nutrition's "The One and Only" which is "sustained release and chelated." Fox is a local joint here in SoCal.

Inorganic iron (ferrous sulfate) attacks vitamin E. Organic iron (ferrous, ferrous fumarate) does not. Chelated just refers to minerals that are molecularly composed to absorb better. Calcium supps should not be taken with iron. The iron doesn't absorb. The little bit of calcium in a multi is fine, but if you're taking extra calcium, wait till dinner.

The quick and dirty:
http://www.healthwell.com/smartshopp...s1.cfm?path=hw
When to take your vitamins:
http://www.naturemade.com/WellnessTo...?articleid=115

Very truly yours,
-x

[akuma]

I take Ultra Vita-Man from vitamin world.It is the same exact thing as GNC Mega Men.Is usually $35.00 for a 3 month supply but if you are a Passport member you can get 1 Vitamin World product a month for 50% off during something called Passport Days,which is like 2 specified days a month.Cheapest way I have found for a multi.

[xxeddiexx]

ANIMAL PAK!!!
really expensive though.. like 20$ for a can of 44 paks(each pak is like 11 pills that are HUGE)

[sparky]

Originally Posted by xcedrinod

A couple years ago I went on a reading binge on multis, herbs, all this stuff, and I can't find the links I collected.

The quick and dirty:
http://www.healthwell.com/smartshopp...s1.cfm?path=hw
When to take your vitamins:
http://www.naturemade.com/WellnessTo...?articleid=115

Very truly yours,
-x

Good links, thanks! :thumbup: Never really given it that much thought before. I've just been taking one a days forever. Might be time to re-evaluate.

Edit: Just tested the one-a-days in vinegar. Gone in less than 18 minutes.

[arbit]

I've just started Green Source from puritan.com . They use a variety of ingredients, and it seems good. Can be obtained at 70% off during their sales.

[GoCubs]

I'm a huge fan of "Alive!" from Nature's Way.

http://www.naturesway.com/products_c..._id=2026630433

It's a multivitamin that is 100% natural. It's not like nearly all the other vitamins out there that are labatory crap. Because they're all natural, they're absorbed into your body extremely fast (<20min). It's my belief that the body is much better able to utilize these vitamins compared to the lab stuff you pee away.

Unlike other lab pills you don't need to take these with food either. To get a full dose you need to take 3 pills a day. You can take them all at once, but I like to space them throughout the day. Not sure if it matters, but seems like it may.

Unless you're a vegetarian, go with the Iron Free version. As too much Iron can be very bad for you longterm.

I'm sure some people will totally disagree with the above points and say I'm wasting my $$$. Blah blah blah... if bought online (www.webvitamins.com) they're significantly cheaper than in stores.