Best Vitamins

Catbells

Does anyone know from experience which are the best vitamins on the market in the UK? I heard Solgar was good but an online survey says its not. Thanks.

Browntoa

vitamins are vitamins regarless

like buying generic Asprin against a big brand , its the same product

cherryblossomzel

Browntoa wrote: »

vitamins are vitamins regarless

like buying generic Asprin against a big brand , its the same product

No, they're not the same. The manufacture of pharmaceuticals, like aspirin, is very heavily regulated, so you can be sure they're all the same. Vitamin manufacture isn't regulated at all, so anything can go in there. A study found that a high percentage of herbal products do not contain any of the the supposed active ingredient. Granted, vitmains are not herbal products, but they are still not regulated and the manufacturers can also use different formulations of the vitamins, some of which may be more or less absorbed by the body.

OP, I don't really have an answer for you, except to say that there really is no point in supplements, unless you have a diagnosed deficiency.

j.e.j.

I find Lifeplan to be a good make.

You have to look around for them, I don't think you can get them in Boots or Superdrug, but they're sometimes on sale in health food shops. You'll also find them on the internet.

A.Penny.Saved

It's not so much the brand because any brand can sell poor supplements ie selling folic acid in their cheap/bargain range rather than the more expensive MTHF type supplements which are very good and do not cause the problems that folic acid can cause some people with fairly common genetic defects.

Start from what you wish to achieve and then do some research to find out what might be helpful. epigenetics is not something which should be ignored IMO because many problems can be overcome with suitable and targeted supplementation. It is possible to get genetic testing to uncover where your weaknesses lie and then you can target your genetic weaknesses to keep you well and prevent disease.

More than vitamins, digestive health is extremely important, feeding the body with the wrong foods can and will cause illness and disease. The bacteria in the digestive system regulate many important processes such as immune system health and can adapt to cause weight gain among many other things.

[Deleted User]

Browntoa wrote: »

vitamins are vitamins regarless

I agree to a point. Once you identify what vitamin you need, any brand is virtually the same. The problem is that people don't really know what vitamin they need. There are 2-3 active forms of Vitamin D for example, folic acid is basically useless because you need the methylated form (which I buy from the USA at 1/3 of the price),

Extending to supplements in general, I buy them from the USA because the laws are more stringent in terms of quality and the potency is higher than in the EU/UK.

The OP has potentially opened a can of worms with this thread.

Rowan_moon

I've used Solgar in the past and they are good but some of them are huge to swallow.

I now use Natures Own, order online and they usually arrive within couple of days. They seem really good quality and do lots that are suitable for vegetarians. They often have buy 2 get one free offers on.

asajj

I like SevenSeas - I'd suggest if you have a particular issue you suffer from, talk to someone first such as your GP

A.Penny.Saved

asajj wrote: »

I like SevenSeas - I'd suggest if you have a particular issue you suffer from, talk to someone first such as your GP

Standard advice so that they take overall responsibility even though most doctors no little or nothing about nutritional supplements and are unable to offer any helpful advice. My GP knows a lot less than me about supplements and advice given was totally counter productive and harmful.

There is a lot of research available which is far above what most doctors know about. Doctors receive virtually no training in these areas.

jenniewb

I was told by a professional dietitian working in the NHS that there are many good brands out there but she mentioned a few she trusted being by Sanatogen and Seven Seas.

Personally with as much Kudos and history as they have I'd recommend Boots but for Omega 3 oils if and when I can afford them, I use EyeQ. they were once recommended on a TV show a while back and the medical person on the show who had been running loads of science investigations and tests on omega 3 oils said there were poor regulations on omega 3 oils in general and that the quality of the oils mattered more so than with many other vitamins or minerals.

He also said there were only a few brands he would recommend in terms of being of good reliable quality and value for what you pay for them and EyeQ was the cheapest of a handful of brands he mentioned.


Hope you find what your looking for anyway- biggest piece of advice I could give would be to not take anything unless you need to take it. It is possible to overdose on vitamins and minerals with sometimes nasty effects.

Catbells

Thanks to all. I want to take Vit B12, D (with magnesium) and fish oil (omega) supplements. I am over 60 and have read that its beneficial to take these supplements at my age. I have been taking them for a while but not sure if they are the best ones. Touch wood I haven't had any colds for ages. But I do have IBS problems and so need to be sure anything I take won't aggravate it. A study in an old folks home found that those taking B12 lived longer. Yes, I know this could be a ploy to get you to buy them and you might be right. Thanks Jennie for the tip for Omega 3 and EyeQ- I didn;t know there weren't any regulations on Omega 3. As some have said doctors don't seem interested in vitamins and will recommend a good diet. But as you get older I've read that our bodies need extra vitamins. Ciaccino - thanks for the info on the USA regulations being stringent. They love their vitamins over there. I once got some Melatonin for jetlag from the US because they don't sell it in the UK. Some people swear by it for aiding sleep too but I don't have that problem thankfully.