Cheap Vitamins etc?

Ted_Hutchinson

WallyBird wrote: »

If you get it sent by normal post, and in small quantities (less than £18 to be under import duty threshold) it works out quite cheap, especially with the strong pound.

I've also used Iherb and found them cheap and efficient.

Proof is not easy, that's why refutation is a core method in science.
:j

Searching PubMed Home or Googlescholar with the name of the vitamin will bring up a number of recent references. That number is a very rough guide to the amount of interest medical health researchers are showing in that supplement. The titles of papers gives an idea of the type of action that supplement may be associated with and a scan of the abstract will give you an idea of whether there is any logic or value in considering the matter.

I cannot see the point in using anything that hasn't got a good science

Coenzyme Q 10

Cholecalciferol

Omega 3 EPA

It doesn't take long to find those supplements that are currently showing real measurable useful effects and stop wasting money on products that haven't any measurable benefit.

Nile

Hello Fern Merkin

I'll move your thread to the 'Health & Beauty' board.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

Ted_Hutchinson

Tigersilly wrote: »

I'm wary of buying cheap vits and minerals in case they are less potent - do people feel they actually work?

As people here should know I use 5000iu/daily Cholecalciferol.
I buy from Bio-Tech D3-5
Yesterday (19th Feb) I received my last order (11th Feb) the total cost of 500 X 5000iu + P&P was $41.80 so that's $20.90 or £10.73 a pot which divided by 250 works out at 4.3p each.

Holland and Barrett work out at 7.49p each 1000iu so to take an effective amount would cost 37.5p daily.

Healthy direct 400iu 360 tablets £6.99 (was £7.99) cost 1.9 peach but you would need 12 daily to achieve the same impact as each single tablet can only raise status 7nmol/l and with current average UK adult status at below 40nmol/l 12X7=84 and 84 +40=124nmol/l approx optimal status. So without the Quidco discount you would spend 23.3 p daily and have the fag of counting and taking 12 tablets daily. Heathly direct are D3 it's Zipvit that sells ergocacolciferol.

Do I know for sure that these Cholecalciferol D3 work. Absolutely.
I had a 25(OH)D test last year at the end of summer (I take daily the equivalent of 20minutes sun exposure so obviously if I also get the opportunity to sunbathe I don't bother with the next days D3) my level was 147.5nmol/l just under the level I would naturally acquire if I spent every day (between April/September) naked in the sunshine but just nicely above the level associated with the lowest overall cancer incidence.

Each 400iu raises status by 7nmol/l so the 1000iu Holland and Barrett can only raise status around 17.5nmol/l and you can see from Not enough vitamin D and this what size an effective dose must be.

While of course every little helps, sometimes it is necessary, to really feel the benefits of a supplement, to ensure the amount you take is sufficient to raise circulation levels to over a particular threshold. In the case of Calcium you need to understand that raising your D status above 80nmol/l is fundamental to calcium homeostasis.

The investigators found that patients with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D of approximately 52 ng/mL - 130nmol/l had a 50% lower risk for breast cancer than those with serum measuring less than 13 ng/mL 32.5nmol/l (current UK adult status). This level corresponds to a vitamin D intake of 4000 IU per day. I don't have to remind you that research is from the USA and they live nearer the equator(hotter sun) and on a continent (more hours sunshine) and drink/eat Vit d fortified milk/cereals, thats why they need less than we do.

health76

Pop - first post!!

Saw this thread and thought I could help. Been lurking for a bit, but this is something of a speciality of mine and so thought I should pipe up...

Don't bother spending big money on branded Cod Liver Oil or Omega 3's as there is very little difference (if actually any at all) from the product you get from Poundland, Home Bargains or 99p Store (I know because I work in the industry). Check the levels of EPA and DHA (the important constituent of the Omega-3 fatty acids) in the Omega 3 and Cod Liver Oils, and you'll find that most of the Seven Seas stuff is nothing special (compared with the bargain stores) and should be avoided if you want value for money.

The pound/ 99p -stores usually sell Omega 3 in 500mg capsules, and you can get 80 of these for a pound at Poundland. That is absolutely exceptional value (even compared to on-line) and there is absolutely no reason why you should buy from anywhere else...

If anyone wants any info on any other bargain supplements then let me know as it's something of a speciality.

treliac

This is a subject that I am fanatical about. The following links to the ultimate authoritative guide (IMO)

http://www.raysahelian.com/

I have bought from this site and from another USA company,

http://www.immunesupport.com/boost_your_immune_system.htm

Both have provided 100% reliable and speedy delivery at very reasonable costs. I highly recommend them.

Sixten

I wait for the Boots - but one, get one free offer, and I have found them to be great plus a good different selection of vits.

Ted_Hutchinson

health76 wrote: »

Don't bother spending big money on branded Cod Liver Oil or Omega 3's as there is very little difference (if actually any at all) from the product you get from Poundland, Home Bargains or 99p Store (I know because I work in the industry). Check the levels of EPA and DHA (the important constituent of the Omega-3 fatty acids) in the Omega 3 and Cod Liver Oils, and you'll find that most of the Seven Seas stuff is nothing special (compared with the bargain stores) and should be avoided if you want value for money.

The pound/ 99p -stores usually sell Omega 3 in 500mg capsules, and you can get 80 of these for a pound at Poundland. That is absolutely exceptional value (even compared to on-line) and there is absolutely no reason why you should buy from anywhere else... .

Typically 500mg Omega 3 contain 77mg EPA/55mg DHA.=132mg omega 3

a person consuming 2000 calories per day should eat sufficient omega-3-rich foods to provide at least 4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids.

4 ounce piece of salmon contains 1.5 grams of omega 3 fats.
a tin of Nettos sardines (23p ish) contains 2.1g omega3

So to get as much omega3 as in one portion of salmon requires 11 x 500mg capsules

To get as much omega 3 as in one tin of sardines takes around 16 POUNDLAND capsules.
16x 1.25= 20p but the tin of sardines also provides vitamin d and calcium.

Simply supplements triple strength provide 550mg omega 3 and cost 4p each
you would only need 3 (12p) of these to meet the salmon portion or 4 (16p) daily beats the tin of sardines. Easier, less capsules to count and swallow, and cheaper.

health76

Thanks for the info Ted... Fair point about the fish containing other nutrients, but then some people don't like the taste of fish, so capsules are usually more convenient. As to the triple-strength capsules you pointed out, people should be aware that they are very large capsules compared to the Poundland 500mg ones, and so are not suitable for everyone. You also need to watch out for some of these sites (including the one you pointed out), as I've noticed that they're not always 100% honest about what they are selling, and they inflate some of the figures (eg Glucosamine Sulphate, Soya Isoflavones on the site you pointed out)...

If anyone takes a supplement that they think is expensive (especially a branded one), then there is almost always an alternative available which is much cheaper - maybe a combination of two items. If anyone wants their products 'de-coding' then ask away...

Ted_Hutchinson

health76 wrote: »

Thanks for the info Ted... Fair point about the fish containing other nutrients, but then some people don't like the taste of fish, so capsules are usually more convenient. As to the triple-strength capsules you pointed out, people should be aware that they are very large capsules compared to the Poundland 500mg ones, and so are not suitable for everyone.

I think you exaggerate somewhat. I have a triple strength capsule in front of me and the diameter is smaller the a 500mg capsule and the length is somewhat shorter than 2 500mg capsules. Those who have trouble swallowing may prefer Zipvit Omega Juice £5.99 360ml provides 1500mg omega 3 (equivalent to 11 poundland capsules cost 13.75p) for 8.3p

You also need to watch out for some of these sites (including the one you pointed out), as I've noticed that they're not always 100% honest about what they are selling, and they inflate some of the figures (eg Glucosamine Sulphate, Soya Isoflavones on the site you pointed out)...

I would have thought trading standards would be on to them if their tablets or capsules didn't contain the stated amount. Have you any independent evidence to support that claim?
If there is evidence of malpractice I'd be interested to see independent laboratory reports to support the allegation.
Until I see the evidence I take such claims with a pinch of salt.

I would agree that ALL the vitamin/supplement providers (including the high street chains) over hype the effectiveness of various products but no more so that the drug companies. This is why I get so annoyed when evidence based information showing the results of placebo controlled trials get deleted from these threads. How people are supposed to make sensible decisions about what to buy when the only independent research is deliberately and persistently kept from them is beyond me.

dougz_2

Ted_Hutchinson wrote: »

As people here should know I use 5000iu/daily Cholecalciferol.
I buy from Bio-Tech D3-5...
Do I know for sure that these Cholecalciferol D3 work. Absolutely.
I had a 25(OH)D test last year...

I am new here so this is the first I have thought about vitamin D(3?) requirement beyond the RDA, but given that I get very little sun I think it could be a big issue. How did you get your test done?

The bio-tech site you mentioned seems to be under re-construction today, can you happen to suggest anywhere else with secure online ordering?