Multi vitamins

[Luci20]

I have read so many conflicting comments on here regarding multi vitamins. Who on here is taking them and if so what ones are you taking? Are there are any ones that anyone would recommend? I am a vegetarian so looking for some gelatine free ones.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

We would ALWAYS recommend getting vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested first

And retest annually

As a vegetarian you are likely to need separate B12, plus vitamin B complex

Plus full iron panel test for anaemia

Multivitamins are for the “worried well” , not for anyone with vitamin deficiencies

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Luci20

Why do you want a multivitamin?

Have you tested Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin?

[Luci20 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi, I have had my vitamins tested previously and all were in range but could have been slightly higher. I want to make sure I have good ranges and I have days when I don’t have time to cook anything healthy so want to make sure I am still getting good vitamins.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Luci20]

Luci20

Best thing to do is retest those core nutrients, see if you have any low levels.or deficiencies and address those accordingly.

You will know from the posts that you have read that multivitamins contain things that we should be tested for and only supplement if needed. Very important not to take vitamins where excess gets stored, rather than excreted, such as Vit D, and not to take any that we already have a good level of, eg calcium, iron, iodine as this can lead to toxicity.

Also cheap, inferior forms are often used which we should avoid eg magnesium oxide, selenite or selenate forms of selenium.

There really is no good multivitamin.

[Lalatoot]

It is a big no to multi-vitamins from me for many reasons. For years I took a multi-vitamin that contained iodine and it played havoc with my thyroid.

* If your multi contains iron, it will block the absorption of all the vitamins

* If your multi also contains calcium, the iron and calcium will bind together and you won't be able to absorb either of them.

* Multi's often contain things you shouldn't take or don't need. By taking something you don't need you are throwing your system out of balance and too much of some things can be a bad thing - such as iodine.

* Multi's often contain the cheapest form of the supplement

* Multi's do not contain enough of anything to help a significant deficiency. You are much better to test and target what you really need.

[Luci20 in reply to Lalatoot]

Hi thanks for the information. I cannot find anything online though that confirms you shouldn’t have a multi which contains iron. Where did you find this information?

[Luci20 in reply to Lalatoot]

Iron is perfectly fine in a multivitamin it would only be an issue if you were taking an excessive amount. It is the same with calcium. I don’t think it is right that people are posting false information without backing it up with any evidence as someone people will believe this without doing their own research as I have done. If it were true that iron blocked absorption of all other vitamins then it would not be included in multi vitamins in the first place.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Luci20]

Luci20

These are a couple of articles which discuss interactions between certain vitamins and minerals and iron

webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7860...

How the interaction occurs:

Iron may bind to other minerals in your GI tract, which may prevent them from being absorbed.

What might happen:

The amount of minerals you absorb from your supplement may decrease.

webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1639...

This one is talking in particular about "D3 Complete" which, when you click on it, shows that it's a multivitamin/mineral/iron complex

How the interaction occurs:

Some antacids may bind to your iron supplement, preventing it from being absorbed.Some vitamins may contain "hidden" antacids such as some forms of calcium and magnesium.

What might happen:

The amount of iron you absorb from your supplement may decrease.

So it would seem that some vitamins and minerals in a multi will have absorption affected by iron which suggests that it's not a good idea to take iron at the same time as any other vitamin or mineral whether in a multi or individually.

Do you have evidence to back up iron in a multi is fine and would only be an issue if taking an excessive amount?

If it were true that iron blocked absorption of all other vitamins then it would not be included in multi vitamins in the first place.

Companies will sell whatever people will buy. There are many, many rubbish supplements out there and people buy them because they see them advertised (the power of advertising is phenomenal), they are cheap, they are easily available, etc.

[Luci20 in reply to SeasideSusie]

When I have read articles in full it states this is when there is an excessive amount of iron and nobody should be taking an excessive amount but if they were deficient and needed a larger amount then they would take the amount needed and this would be a separate tablet so yes they then maybe then have a gap but otherwise it will not cause problems.

consumerlab.com/answers/whi...

High doses of calcium or other minerals (including magnesium, certain forms of iron, and zinc) from supplements may decrease the absorption of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lycopene and astaxanthin, from foods and/or supplements. It is best to take carotenoid supplements at a different time of day than a supplement or meal containing large amounts of a mineral (e.g., hundreds of milligrams of calcium or magnesium).

Keep in mind that these issues are not of significant concern when consuming a multivitamin providing up to the recommended daily intakes (RDAs) of vitamins and minerals -- as long as it does not contain more than 250 mg of either calcium or magnesium.

If it were true though that iron interferes with absorption of other vitamins in a multi vitamin then there would be a massive amount of information and backlash from the public and health professionals wanting to come out with the information.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Luci20]

Luci20

I think that everyone should decide for themselves what is right for them, not blindly rely on what a member states as being correct. We should each do our own research and make our own mind up.

You are obviously happy to take a multivitamin containing iron. Hopefully you have tested the nutrients that can be toxic in excess and if your levels are already good then you won't be taking a supplement that contains that particular nutrient(s).

Many of us prefer to test and just supplement what is necessary and, because there is some evidence that iron affects absorption of other vitamins/minerals, albeit no actual amount is stated, then err on the side of caution and not take a multi.

[Lalatoot]

Thank you SeasideSusie for your information and advice.It is up to everyone to decide for themselves. It is also correct that advice given should be backed up by personal experience or knowledge.

The problem with multivitamins is that the vitamins taken at the same time are competing for absorption . Some may act as enhancers such as Vit C and Iron and others may act as inhibitors blocking optimal absorption of the vitamin.

It must also be noted that Iron inhibits the absorption of levothyroxine and antibiotics as well as some other medications.

"Patients taking iron supplements or multivitamins that contain iron should be instructed to avoid taking their supplement within two hours of a dose of tetracycline or fluoroquinolone antibiotics, digoxin, or levothyroxine.In addition, patients taking both calcium and iron supplements should be informed that because these supplements compete for absorption, they should be dosed at different times of the day."

uspharmacist.com/article/dr...

If you are deficient in iron a multivitamin is not often recommended as a treatment option because it may contain an insufficient amount of iron. Also, other minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, can impair the absorption of iron. pharmacytimes.com/publicati...

Again this competition for absorption is highlighted by the Mayo Clinic

"Do not take zinc supplements and copper, iron, or phosphorus supplements at the same time. It is best to space doses of these products 2 hours apart, to get the full benefit from each dietary supplement."

[Luci20 in reply to Lalatoot]

Yes I agree it is defiantly up to everyone to decide for themselves based on the information out there. I am aware that iron can affect the absorption of levothyroxine so defiantly not to have iron tablets within 2 or 4 hours of taking this. However I think it is fine to have multi vitamins with iron since these don’t have high amounts anyway as you have also mentioned.