Solid Multi-Vitamin?

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Minjin

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2003
2,208
1
81
I certainly don't eat a balanced diet but I would take a multi-vitamin even if I did. Its easy and its cheap and it makes sense to me. Its also nearly universally recommended by health professionals.

I'm considering adding Omega 3 pills to my daily routine as well since their reputation is steadily growing towards that of a multi-vitamin.
 

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
One-A-Day Men's plus some herbal stuff.

Don't go by the DV values. They were designed back in the 40s for statistically large groups, and haven't changed much. The NIH redid DV a few years ago with a focus on individuals, and I tend to follow that as much as possible.

http://dietary-supplements.inf...Reference_Intakes.aspx (use the pdf links toward the bottom)

As far as the herbal stuff goes: (This is what I take)

http://www.allstarhealth.com/f...es_way-lutein_20mg.htm
Lutein: A pigment found in the skins of fruits/vegetables. It builds up in the eyes and filters out low-level damaging wavelengths. Also helps to prevent Advanced Macular Degeneration, which can lead to vision impairment and lead to blindness. (google it)

http://www.allstarhealth.com/f...way-psyllium_husks.htm
Psyllium: Fiber. I take 6 of these daily. First night I was on the toilet for ~1 hour, but it stabilized after that, and I honestly feel better.

http://www.allstarhealth.com/f...way-rhodiola_rosea.htm
Rhodiola Rosea: This is an arctic plant that falls under the category of an "adaptogen". Basically it helps the human body respond better to stress by supporting the adrenal system. It also has some minor anti-depressant qualities.

http://www.allstarhealth.com/f...andardized_extract.htm
Milk Thistle: Increases liver health, prevents a host of liver diseases, and improves it's efficiency. The net effect is that more toxins/crap is filtered out naturally.

All of the above have strong scientific (and in some cases, tradition use) backing. Allstarhealth.com is also reliable. I've used them for months. The prices are comparable as well. That said, if you have a GNC or health store nearby, they'll carry everything I listed.

Note: For herbal supplements, stick with the name-brands. (GNC, Nature's Way, etc). The issue is absorption. The big brands generally use higher quality ingredients and have proven absorption rates (generally 80%+ ). Some of the cheaper brands have equivalent ratings, others can be as low as 20% (meaning you crap out the rest), so it's a shot in the dark unless you can find some hard test results. Also, following the dosage on the bottle is fine, although your Doctor might be able to provide more info.

 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,841
33,900
136
Read the label. Avoid the vitamin/mineral supplements that contain heavy metals. Your body doesn't need supplemental chromium, selenium, cobalt, copper, vanadium, molybdenum, nickel, tin...
 

child of wonder

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2006
8,307
176
106
Right now I take a Wal-Mart multi-vitamin and a 500mg Vitamin C tablet once a day.

Can't say if it helps or not.
 

homercles337

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2004
6,340
3
71
Originally posted by: ironwing
Read the label. Avoid the vitamin/mineral supplements that contain heavy metals. Your body doesn't need supplemental chromium, selenium, cobalt, copper, vanadium, molybdenum, nickel, tin...

One A Day, Mens has a few of those. Are you claiming that the most well known daily vitamin maker doesnt know what they are doing? :confused:
 

LuckyTaxi

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,044
23
81
Originally posted by: johnjbruin
Originally posted by: lilcam
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Originally posted by: lilcam
I thought multi-vitamins are. If you read the back it shows you the breakdown of how much are actually in each pill. I'd rather take them individually knowing I'm getting my daily requirements.

A vitamin is a vitamin. There's no difference in taking them separately, and you'll lose the benefits they have for each other. Some help with absorption of others.


I take Centrum. Some days I don't take one, but usually I drink Ovaltine which has good doses of the major vitamins.

Right I understand, but if you look at the breakdown you'll see that it doesnt give you the recommended dosage. I just looked at Centrum's label, it's high on Vitamin A and Vitamin D, but you're getting close to nothing w/ Vitamin C and E (two essential Vitamins to boost the immune system).

Not sure which label you are looking at, but mine says:
A: 70%
Various B: 100%
C: 100%
D: 100%
E: 100%
K: 31%

No no ... read how much in IU or mg. For example Centrum's label states it has 90mg of Vitamin C. I take a pill that has 500mg. The recommendated dosage for an adult is around 500mg-1000mg a day.



 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
NOW Adam is the most complete and best MV for a non body builer / athlete type I know of.

Got a link and where can I buy that locally?

I am not aware of any place that sells NOW in a brick store but you can get them cheap at dpsnutrition.com Also NOW ecogreen is also good.

http://www.dpsnutrition.net/ge...om/store/now/adam.html
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/now/adam.html


It comes in a capsule also so it has better absorption than a tablet.
 

fallenangel99

Golden Member
Aug 8, 2001
1,721
1
81
Also, isn't 100% or more of IRON bad for men? That's what I read somewhere, I'll try to find the link. Too much Iron is fatal or something (google "too much iron centrum)

That is why I stopped taking CENTRUM (contains 150% DV IRON), and started taking One A Day (no Iron)
 

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
Originally posted by: fallenangel99
Also, isn't 100% or more of IRON bad for men? That's what I read somewhere, I'll try to find the link. Too much Iron is fatal or something (google "too much iron centrum)

That is why I stopped taking CENTRUM (contains 150% DV IRON), and started taking One A Day (no Iron)

Yep. Since guys don't bleed chronically, 90% of our iron is conserved, and the remainder is easily acquired through food. Too much iron can cause certain diseases and potentially cancer over time. Fatal overdoses are possible, but there's nowhere near enough in Centrum to cause short-term damage.

I think the standard was: guys should get 8 mg of iron a day MAX from a supplement (ideally, none). Centrum has 18 IIRC.
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,841
33,900
136
Originally posted by: homercles337
Originally posted by: ironwing
Read the label. Avoid the vitamin/mineral supplements that contain heavy metals. Your body doesn't need supplemental chromium, selenium, cobalt, copper, vanadium, molybdenum, nickel, tin...

One A Day, Mens has a few of those. Are you claiming that the most well known daily vitamin maker doesnt know what they are doing? :confused:

They know what they are doing; they are marketing stuff that sounds good. That doesn't mean that their products are necessarily good for you. Read up on the health effects of the metals I listed above and decide for yourself if you want to supplement your regular diet with these metals. I suggest that you probably get more than enough metals in the foods you eat.
 

RESmonkey

Diamond Member
May 6, 2007
4,818
2
0
I might buy some Animal Pak once I run out of these 365 Organic ones. Animal Pak is basically the best multivitamin out there.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: RESmonkey
I might buy some Animal Pak once I run out of these 365 Organic ones. Animal Pak is basically the best multivitamin out there.

It's good, but overkill for many...it's about a $1.50 a day and several pills.

If hate taking pills it's not the best choice. I was on their joint pack and even though many say it's just a placebo effect, my arm felt better.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,006
430
136
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
NOW Adam is the most complete and best MV for a non body builer / athlete type I know of.

Got a link and where can I buy that locally?

I am not aware of any place that sells NOW in a brick store but you can get them cheap at dpsnutrition.com Also NOW ecogreen is also good.

http://www.dpsnutrition.net/ge...om/store/now/adam.html
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/now/adam.html


It comes in a capsule also so it has better absorption than a tablet.

For the average non body builder/athlete, how are those MV's better than the One A Day Men's formula that I currently take?

Is there is a female version for my wife?
 

OverVolt

Lifer
Aug 31, 2002
14,278
89
91
All because you don't eat fresh vegetables and then chow down on multi-vitamins doesn't make it okay.

What about the anti-oxidants? And no, not just the anti-oxidant effects of C and E.
 

chusteczka

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2006
3,399
3
71
How much lead or other harmful compounds is in those vitamins?
Vitamins are not regulated by the FDA.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Originally posted by: OverVolt
All because you don't eat fresh vegetables and then chow down on multi-vitamins doesn't make it okay.

What about the anti-oxidants? And no, not just the anti-oxidant effects of C and E.

It can't hurt. probably not anyway.
 

RichUK

Lifer
Feb 14, 2005
10,341
678
126
Originally posted by: OverVolt
All because you don't eat fresh vegetables and then chow down on multi-vitamins doesn't make it okay.

What about the anti-oxidants? And no, not just the anti-oxidant effects of C and E.

Excellent point!

Antioxidants
 

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: rbV5
Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Not for people who want to be healthy/grow muscle/etc. Vitamins are an important factor in a healthy life, even if your doctor says otherwise. The common argument is that the food you eat these days covers all the vitamins, but that's bs. No one eats every single vitamin.

I'm healthy and strong and never take vitamins. I'm pretty certain every vitamin that your body requires is available through diet and sunshine.

take one every day for a week and see what happens
 

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: OverVolt
All because you don't eat fresh vegetables and then chow down on multi-vitamins doesn't make it okay.

What about the anti-oxidants? And no, not just the anti-oxidant effects of C and E.

3 glasses of V8 Plus/day