One thing that I really like about T-Nation is the exchange of frank dialogue. So let’s be frank here. ‘The Vitamin Pill Fraud’ has been alluded to around here - and that no one in the Biotest family believes in multivitamins. Two facts then emerge: 1) Charles Poliquin believes in the importance of a multivitamin; 2) Jonny Bowden believes strongly in the importance of a multivitamin.
These are very reputable men, and hardly fly-by-night gunslingers. Are there just scientific differences of opinion between Biotest and Jonny Bowden re: the importance of a multivitamin? Unless I missed the disclaimer that there are some exceptions, you could not get two more reputable, trustworthy parties with total conviction on complete opposite sides of the spectrum - one claiming the ‘Vitamin Pill Fraud,’ the other believing strongly in the importance of a multivitamin.
I am curious to hear where folks stand on the multivitamin issue.
It’s not so much they don’t believe in it, they just don’t like the typical approach of throw everything and anything into it.
This will ultimately mess with absorption.
I just started buying a simple one from the Cooper Institute, because I know they use those for clinical settings and test to make sure it meets label claims.
they also don’t just toss everything from under the sun into it.
There are a number of companies who put out top of the line effective multi vitamin/minerals. The first complaint is the price, good stuff will cost more. Generally if Bio Test here puts something out, my purchases have left me very satisfied. Cooper above is great, and they have more information at Coopoer Clinic than most people can absorb. Life Extension is, good, I buy a lot from Life Plus, I used to sell for them and I do know how good their stuff really is.
With most of these products, you hve to give them time to work, and take adaquate amounts.
When it comes to multivitamins, the problem is mainly with the unregulation of the industry and problems with absorption. Thus, you never know what you are getting or how much of it you’re getting. In addition, absorption is a problem. For example, centrum, which I would argue is the most popular brand out there, has an absorption rate of 50-60% (this according to an article from the AMA).
If you’re looking into multivitamins, try looking into USANA. I’ve been taking their products for a couple of years now (multivitamin, fish-oil, etc), and they really are a quality, pharmaceutical-grade brand. My parents are doctors and this is the only brand they prescribe to their patients. In fact, the AMA encourages its physicians to go with USANA when prescribing any kind of vitamin or dietary supplement.