Cheap V branded in vitamins

LilacLillie

I know we must not give advice on medication, so that isn't what I am asking for here.

What I would like to know, if anyone has an opinion on them, is whether or not paying more for vitamins mean they are better?

I don't need any info on 'what does what, for what' IYGWIM?
I've seen vits in 99p store (never bought), and have bought before now, in Boots, branded such as Seven Seas.

Do you think they work equally as well, or is it a case of 'Cheap is Dear', or as my lovely Polish neighbour tells me, her folk at home say 'We are too poor to buy cheap'.

LL

Crocswearer

Have a look at this page: http://www.supplementscompared.com/multivitamins-and-minerals/

Since reading that (a couple of years ago) I swapped from a branded multivitamin to supermarket multivitamins and minerals and haven't noticed any difference - except my bank account!

Hope this helps.

tabbyx

I take a cheap multi-vitamin and will switch my glucosamine and cod liver oil when I run out of my H&B ones. I find that the cheap ones work just as well. Used to take the Mr. T ones until I discovered I couldn't get them in my local shop.

LilacLillie

Crocswearer wrote: »

Have a look at this page: http://www.supplementscompared.com/multivitamins-and-minerals/

Since reading that (a couple of years ago) I swapped from a branded multivitamin to supermarket multivitamins and minerals and haven't noticed any difference - except my bank account!

Hope this helps.

Really good site, have bookmarked it for future reference, thank you.
LL

bellamonkey

LilacLillie wrote: »

I know we must not give advice on medication, so that isn't what I am asking for here.

What I would like to know, if anyone has an opinion on them, is whether or not paying more for vitamins mean they are better?

I don't need any info on 'what does what, for what' IYGWIM?
I've seen vits in 99p store (never bought), and have bought before now, in Boots, branded such as Seven Seas.

Do you think they work equally as well, or is it a case of 'Cheap is Dear', or as my lovely Polish neighbour tells me, her folk at home say 'We are too poor to buy cheap'.

LL

Brilliant question. I too am keen to know the answer to this. There is such a price difference out there.

Violetta_2

If I don't have a multi vit/mineral tablet once a day I get terrible cramp in my leg's, I usually take Superdrug or Asda ones & they work fine, no cramp's so that tell's me they work fine. I see from the link they are both considered good, which is nice to know.

jenniewb

Don't think it makes a difference with most vitamins and minerals but with Omega 3 oils there is a known difference which has scientific backing.

Its to do with the quality of the oils which do have an impact on the levels of good fats in the oils or something like that! Its because the oils don't come from a science lab, they come from either animal or vegetable source (eg fish, flaxseed...etc) and just like us if the plants or animals have not had optimal nutrition the oils that are taken from them for the Omega 3 oils are poor quality, think of it in terms of hand reared lamb or chicken rather then caged lamb or chicken.

Bella_b

I've had ValuSave vitamin C before from Savers and Tesco's own and there are no difference! Also if you look closely at the manufacturers you might see it is the same for some identical items but at different price points. Paracetamol is a key example Garapharm produces for Boots, Tesco and others and it has its own label too. They may be several boxes on the shelves one saying Boots own.. value and regular lines.. same product.. different prices! It depends where it is sold. It wouldn't surprise me if it were true for vitamins as well.

Kay_Peel

I check the labels to see what's in them and what percentage of the vitamin/mineral they have in the branded version and then compare it with the cheapo version on the next shelf. I've never found a perceptible difference.

sovereign

The main difference is in the ingredients used and the way they are processed. In many multivitamins minerals are also included. There are many different forms of minerals but only some of them can be absorbed by the body. Many cheaper brands use synthetic forms of vitamins instead of natural vitamins thus making them less bioavailable (absorbed by the body). I guess it depends if you want natural stuff or synthetic. It does defeat the obkect if you end up takinh cheaper versions.

rinabean

If the ingredients are the same, it's the same. I like to get the easy-absorb versions and they are more expensive, but as it's at least theoretically a different and better product I don't mind. As long as you're sure the product is safe, go for the cheapest option!