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View Full Version : For those of you who take vitamin supplements......


SandyM
06-06-2002, 09:47 AM
In the past, I've had trouble taking vitamin supplements. The dailies (One A Day, Centrum) would upset my stomach severely, no matter what time of day I took them.

DH and I wandered into a health food store about 6 months ago, and the woman there introduced us to food based vitamins - 100% whole food, vegetarian formula. The brand is Mega Food. I'm taking them any time of day, full stomach, empty stomach, doesn't matter - no nausea problems at all, thank God.

I read an article in Runners World (June 2002 issue), which tells me that my supplement should supply at least 100% of the Daily Value of vitamins A, C, D, and E, the 8 B vitamins, and minerals iron, zinc, potassium, selenium, copper, and manganese, with 45% of the Daily Value for calcium, 50% for magnesium, and 35% for phosphorous.

This wonder vitamin that I'm taking now falls far below on much of what RW recommends.

I also am taking the same brand of calcium supplement, and when I checked the label (goodness knows why I didn't do this before I bought them), I was shocked to learn that the recommended dosage only provides 5% of the recommended daily value!!??!! :confused:

Now before anyone gets excited, please know that I'm eating lots of colorful vegetables, I eat high fiber foods, I drink lots of water - I'm not looking for a quick fix, or trying to improve on a bad diet. I'm just wondering if I still should pursue the quest for the perfect vitamin? Or am I worrying too much.........:rolleyes:

dulcecoeur
06-06-2002, 10:09 AM
I take vegetarian based vitamins as well and they provide me with all the recommended amounts. I buy mine from the drugstore (you usually have to search a bit more for them since they don't jump out at you as plant-based. As for the calcium one, there is no point in even taking that one as far as I am concerned = 5%:confused: :confused: . Mine give me about 300mg calcium each, almost 1/3 of the daily requirement and they are combined with magnesium to increase absorbtion. And all natural - no oyster shells etc!!

wallycat
06-06-2002, 10:24 AM
You can try switching around when you take the multi...
maybe after dinner when you have more food, different hormone levels, and more acids in your tummy...or after lunch...

I know that occasionally if I don't eat enough (even if I feel I've had a GOOD breakfast) my tummy feels a tad off. This happens even due to my cycle.
Maybe taking one without iron can help too....or switch around and see if you can find a brand that's cheaper and has more DRI's and won't upset your tummy.

SandyM
06-06-2002, 10:27 AM
Originally posted by dulcecoeur
I take vegetarian based vitamins as well and they provide me with all the recommended amounts. I buy mine from the drugstore

Can I ask you what brand?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks wallycat - but I'm over the upset stomach thing. I'd much rather take a food-based supplement rather than a chemical one any day. I guess I just need to find one that gives me more of the RDA's.

kima
06-06-2002, 04:32 PM
I was going to ask about the brand as well dulcecoueur because if you can get it in the Peg i can probably get it here. Alot of US brands aren't available here!

dulcecoeur
06-07-2002, 08:32 AM
I found mine at Shoppers Drug Mart - I think for the multi-vitamin it was an all-natural "Life" brand - about 60 vitamins for $10 or something. I have seen them in some Shoppers' and not in others though so you may have to search.

The calcium ones I have right now I *think* I got at Safeway, might of been there brand but can't remember right now. Also derived from plant sources.

dulcecoeur
06-10-2002, 10:42 AM
The calcium/magnesium ones were Jamieson brand, the multi's are the Life brand

Svadhisthana
06-10-2002, 05:09 PM
I know of a few people who take children's multivitamins in leiu of centrum/one a day to prevent stomache upset.

SandyM
06-10-2002, 05:49 PM
Since posting this, I realized (blonde moment, perhaps) that the protein powder I use for my morning shake (Spiru-tein, kindly recommended by Lori) is loaded with vitamins........for this, I am happy (and once again, relaxed on this issue). :)

kima
06-10-2002, 08:48 PM
Thanks dulcecouer-when my current bottle runs out I'll check the shopper's one.