Those of you who take a multi, what do you use?

[Illadelphia]

If P.T. Barnum were alive today, he'd be making a killing in this (highly unregulated) business. I think it's all a bunch of smoke and mirrors (as far as the marketing goes). Vitamins are good, but it seems to me that the more they charge the better and longer story they tell. Who really know for sure? If you believe the $50 multi-dose tablet is better, then all the gibberish about things like, adaptogens, segmented & reconstituted, pre-digested bile extractions and such talk will sound good to you.

But in the end it's just peeing a golden stream down the toilet.

I imagine you have the nutritional biochemistry background to disprove any studies done by a company like AOR or you wouldn't have interjected.

[rob_NH]

If P.T. Barnum were alive today, he'd be making a killing in this (highly unregulated) business. I think it's all a bunch of smoke and mirrors (as far as the marketing goes). Vitamins are good, but it seems to me that the more they charge the better and longer story they tell. Who really know for sure? If you believe the $50 multi-dose tablet is better, then all the gibberish about things like, adaptogens, segmented & reconstituted, pre-digested bile extractions and such talk will sound good to you.

But in the end it's just peeing a golden stream down the toilet.

Well, I think the major pharmaceutical companies are doing that with all their meds they are pushing on people who don't actually need them. I have a PhD in a statistics based field, and can actually read the clinical trial papers. The efficacy of most FDA approved anti-depressants are generally horrific by any rational standards. Not to say they haven't helped people, but there are better ways.

I have gained more in health (after a misdiagnosis that ran my health to near death) by dumping my doctors and their regulated pharmaceuticals and working with a competent naturopath using nutrition and unregulated supplements. Just because there are snake oil salesmen out there doesn't mean the whole industry is bad. My health recovery is all the evidence I need. I decided to run the experiment on the only test subject htat matters: myself, and here are my results:

After getting a correct diagnosis:
1. Worked with standard AMA doctor. Was given handfuls of pills from big pharma. Got sicker and sicker over a 3 year period following his care.
2. Fired doctor after he decided I had no input into my own direction of care and then found a good naturopath.
3. Within 3 months was off all meds that the doctor was prescribing except 1. Completely reversed and normalized all blood levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc. without the need for these super powerful meds. I reduced my BP meds from 3 meds all with high doses to 1 with small doses. I was able to repair my metabolism and heal my digestive tract over the next year. I lost 75 pounds without dieting or changing my eating/exercising habits. I expect to be off the last BP med by year's end.

I have more energy, stamina, clearer mind, and my new primary care doc raves about my blood work (she is actually supportive of my naturaopath).

I have gotten promoted with a large raise, started a side consulting business bringing in another 60% of my primary salary on the side, all thanks to this extra energy and clear mind. I expect to be full self employed making 2.5 times my base salary (which is already twice the median of this region) within the next 1-2 years. None of this was possible as I was spiraling the drain on cholesterol meds, diabetes meds, fistfuls of BP meds, anti-depressants, etc. Those things don't bring health. They may slow the onset of death a little, but they don't facilitate healing.

Just one data point. YMMV. Not all naturopaths work with all patients. But if you're looking, look for someone interested in working from a nu8tritional medicine approach rooted in nutrition, and not one trying to sell HcG diets if you are interested in health gains.

[GrimmFu]

Subscribed to this thread, tons of great info! Much appreciated. I'll be posting up again later when I'm home to get some feedback on my brands.

Gf

[OldSaw]

I imagine you have the nutritional biochemistry background to disprove any studies done by a company like AOR or you wouldn't have interjected.

I don't need to be a biochemist to know that this industry is highly unregulated and that nearly all claims are made by the companies themselves. You have spent a great deal of time running down everyone who has made any other suggestions. It appears as though you started this thread simply so you could belittle other people's suggestions and blow your own horn.

I asked a question which you chose to ignore. I freely admit that I don't know for sure and I doubt that anyone else really does. However, if I were in rob_NH's position I would follow a similar path in becoming an expert in my own condition. For the rest of us, human experience and common sense go a long way. If a person is in a healthy condition, eats right and exercises, then how much more is simply a waste of money?

Because there is so much mystery involved in nutritional information it is very difficult for the layman to sort it all out. Even the federal agencies seem to disagree on what is important. There are even politicians who want to ban a life essential element like salt. To top that off, every few years the so called experts make complete reversals on previous studies.

Bottom line is that the companies selling these products have a lot to gain with their claims. That, in and of itself, is suspicion enough for me.

[Illadelphia]

I don't need to be a biochemist to know that this industry is highly unregulated and that nearly all claims are made by the companies themselves. You have spent a great deal of time running down everyone who has made any other suggestions. It appears as though you started this thread simply so you could belittle other people's suggestions and blow your own horn.

I asked a question which you chose to ignore. I freely admit that I don't know for sure and I doubt that anyone else really does. However, if I were in rob_NH's position I would follow a similar path in becoming an expert in my own condition. For the rest of us, human experience and common sense go a long way. If a person is in a healthy condition, eats right and exercises, then how much more is simply a waste of money?

Because there is so much mystery involved in nutritional information it is very difficult for the layman to sort it all out. Even the federal agencies seem to disagree on what is important. There are even politicians who want to ban a life essential element like salt. To top that off, every few years the so called experts make complete reversals on previous studies.

Bottom line is that the companies selling these products have a lot to gain with their claims. That, in and of itself, is suspicion enough for me.

Had you read through this thread instead of running your mouth about what you thought i did, you'd see I backed up my reasons every time for my stance. Never once did I say it was a necessity, simply an added assurance. I understand the industry, that's why I left it 18 months ago. The nonsense it promotes is mind-boggling. Notice I didn't pick the most popular products, I picked the best formulated. You didn't ask me a question, you made a blanket statement without any time in the field to base your "point".

I responded to at least 30 pm's about what to take for specific conditions all otc benefits opposed to big pharma meds. Seems as if challenging me, while laughable, is you trying to play wildcard to a thread that was helpful to many.

As I said, if you have the backround in nutrition, dietetics or the like to disprove anything I said (i'd love to hear your rationale on how b-vitamins differ proving any of my statements incorrect) have at it.

[OldSaw]

Had you read through this thread instead of running your mouth about what you thought i did, you'd see I backed up my reasons every time for my stance. Never once did I say it was a necessity, simply an added assurance. I understand the industry, that's why I left it 18 months ago. The nonsense it promotes is mind-boggling. Notice I didn't pick the most popular products, I picked the best formulated. You didn't ask me a question, you made a blanket statement without any time in the field to base your "point".

I responded to at least 30 pm's about what to take for specific conditions all otc benefits opposed to big pharma meds. Seems as if challenging me, while laughable, is you trying to play wildcard to a thread that was helpful to many.

As I said, if you have the backround in nutrition, dietetics or the like to disprove anything I said (i'd love to hear your rationale on how b-vitamins differ proving any of my statements incorrect) have at it. Otherwise, kick rocks.

My initial point was that there is a lot of misinformation out there and that it would make a killing for someone like P.T. Barnum. Then after you replied with a bit of sarcasm aimed personally at me, I simply gave my opinion on some of your replies, which appeared to me to be somewhat condescending. You clearly take this much more seriously than I do and I am not going to get into a long exchange about it.

I'm certain there are a lot more things on this forum that we can agree on and we don't need to go any further on this one topic. I will stand down with my remarks and yield the floor to those that have a more vested interest in this topic.

[Illadelphia]

My initial point was that there is a lot of misinformation out there and that it would make a killing for someone like P.T. Barnum. Then after you replied with a bit of sarcasm aimed personally at me, I simply gave my opinion on some of your replies, which appeared to me to be somewhat condescending. You clearly take this much more seriously than I do and I am not going to get into a long exchange about it.

I'm certain there are a lot more things on this forum that we can agree on and we don't need to go any further on this one topic. I will stand down with my remarks and yield the floor to those that have a more vested interest in this topic.

I apologize for coming off that way. It is an industry I put blood sweat and tears into literally and was rewarded with a lawsuit trying to save people from buying certain products.

My honest desire from the start of this (you can ask AZMARK) was to help and inform and get people away from the money they were spending on things of poor quality. We do agree on one thing that marketing is unregulated and anyone can say anything...hence my trying to help.

-J

[OldSaw]

I apologize for coming off that way. It is an industry I put blood sweat and tears into literally and was rewarded with a lawsuit trying to save people from buying certain products.

My honest desire from the start of this (you can ask AZMARK) was to help and inform and get people away from the money they were spending on things of poor quality. We do agree on one thing that marketing is unregulated and anyone can say anything...hence my trying to help.

-J

I'm still looking forward to your side by side review of SMN and S. Maria in another thread.

[GrimmFu]

Illadelphia, what are your thoughts on Metagenics EPA DHA 720? My naturopath initially recommended them for me and I've used them on and off for a few years. They seem fine, but I've never taken any others. They are pricey...

Again, many thanks for your input and assistance.

Gf

[kmiller0193]

I've worked in the supplement industry up until last year for a little over 4 years, was responsible for formula modifications and alpha-testing as well.

Alot of people may argue against it's necessity, but as nutritional insurance, it's something I always use.

My top 3 picks:

1) AOR Orthocore
2) Controlled Labs Orange Triad
3) Gaspari Nutrition Anavite

Where would one find these products locally? I assume they are not lying around most of the GNC's in the neighborhood.

[Illadelphia]

Illadelphia, what are your thoughts on Metagenics EPA DHA 720? My naturopath initially recommended them for me and I've used them on and off for a few years. They seem fine, but I've never taken any others. They are pricey...

Again, many thanks for your input and assistance.

Gf

Look into NOW's version of omegas. Much cheaper, more known brand. A lot of times in this business you'll see a small company have outrageous prices to try and appeal to the "high end market", in that people see it's more expensive, they think it's better, see Cellucor.

Where would one find these products locally? I assume they are not lying around most of the GNC's in the neighborhood.

I know GNC used to carry Anavite and a few carried OT. Everything is much cheaper online.

[BradF]

Update from previous post: I found that the product description on vitacost.com for Orange Triad is incorrect. Many wrong ingredients when compared to the actual label (compare the B12 sources for yourself). While this could be a simple data entry error, I would like to assume that it's not something intentional to encourage customers to buy their own brands instead.

Since I don't know the reason for the error, I bought a bottle of Orange Triad and their associated OxyOmegas from another website. I'm about a week into it, and I like that I can better tailor how much I supplement.

I just ran out of magnesium, so I'm looking for a replacement now.

[_JP_]

I may stir the pot here with this post. Has anyone read the article in Consumer Reports about vitamins? While nothing in that article was new to me, there is a lot of cautionary information there about vitamin usage.

[CRG]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but what about Source Naturals Life Force? Seems to have good feedback on Vitacost and was also mentioned in another thread here.

[Illadelphia]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but what about Source Naturals Life Force? Seems to have good feedback on Vitacost and was also mentioned in another thread here.

I mentioned it earlier in here. It's good for the price, but has a lot of unnecessary pixie dusted extras that aid in label dressing.

For the average guy, not bad at all

[CRG]

Thanks, Illedelphia. How do you feel about probiotics? Do you use them and is there a certain brand or brands that you recommend?

[Illadelphia]

Thanks, Illedelphia. How do you feel about probiotics? Do you use them and is there a certain brand or brands that you recommend?

I had a convo with Squatzilla on it earlier last week. I honestly feel that the majority of them are absurdly overpriced, the storage methods are insane (between this and this temp...brb turning freezer to ice cold to accomodate for a bottle of such). A good digestive aid (NOW or JARROW) via enzymes to me is much better.

I can shoot you off a few specific ones if you are interested.

[Illadelphia]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but what about Source Naturals Life Force? Seems to have good feedback on Vitacost and was also mentioned in another thread here.

To specify here, everything including and below NAC on this label:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/source/life.html
is underdosed (some severely) and unnecessary. However it looks good to the average consumer

[CRG]

Thanks - I opted to go with Orange Triad over Source Naturals. Regarding the digestive aids, yes, I would be interested in receiving a couple of recommendations. Thanks again.

[Illadelphia]

Thanks - I opted to go with Orange Triad over Source Naturals. Regarding the digestive aids, yes, I would be interested in receiving a couple of recommendations. Thanks again.

Recommendations from personal use:


(1)http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/ga...enseultra.html (pricey but untouched by anything else on the market)(only probiotic I trust)
(2) http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Super...sules/857?at=0 (NOW is always best bang for the buck)
(3) http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas...0-Capsules/257