Vitamins question

How's this for off-topic?

Anyway, if you buy vitamins in a store such as Duane Reade, Walgreen's, etc. are they as effective as those bought from a health/vitamin store? Anyone know?

I'm not sure vitamins work but my doctor just ordered me to get Vitamin D.

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USANA vitamins are great!!

Can you get us a discount?

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I thought they were all the same?

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Oh how I wish there were a costco near me....

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I don't believe all vitamins are created equal.

Some are molecularly distilled (supposedly better for you).

Some are absorbed more completely by the body.

Some are organic, some not.

That being said, Trader Joe's has the cheapest & highest quality that I've found.

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Centrum, One a Day and most generic store brand vitamins promote healthy sewers! Allow me to 'splain..

First, they sit on the shelf for months from manufactoring to consumption losing what little potency they once had as a fresh product. Secondly, a very small amount of the nutrients are absorbed into your body before it is expelled through your digestive system and kidneys, practically in the same form as they were digested. They simply don't break down in your body quickly.

Test: put what you take in a glass of water and come back hours later. You'll be surprised to see most of the whole product intact. Sure,stomach acids break down faster than plain water, but not a much as you might think.

I went from Centrum, to GNC products to Melaleuca, a company who manufacture many products including their vitamins and minerals with a frutose compounding, which is a patented process, proven to break down in your body within 20 min. and disperses completely. When doing the water test, they are completely dissolved in about 1 hour. You ar getting 100% of the vitamin. And they sell thousands of these direct from their manufacturing company to customers within a few weeks of being made.

After years of being a vitamin consumer, I am sold on their supplement line and have been on them for 12 years. I've never felt so well overall. My immune system is in top shape. I attribute much of this to this formula. I even put my 13 yr. old Springer Spaniel on their glucosamine 5 years ago and he's doing amazingly well! They even have a 60 challange...take them as directed for 60 days, keep your recepit, if you're not happy they will offer you a product credit to use for any products.

I strongly suggest you research your sources and do your homework before you throw money down the toilet...literally.

There are a handful of good vitamin companies that sell supplements direct to consumers in various forms, liquid and now sprays. Just check the content and the quality. Yes, Some are much better than others. Find quality products that work for you ...and don't overdose!

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Updated On: 1/17/08 at 04:22 PM

Jane, you can order direct from the company online or by phone and pay retail....or you can become a preferred customer (with monthly min. purchase requirements) and get their whole product line at a discount. I spend about $70 a month for me & hubby for all our supplements and it's worth it to us.

I've use their safe cleaning product line with tea tree oil for as many years and love 'em too!

If you decide you like them enough to switch your buying habits, I can show you how to get your products for free...like me! No, I'm not schlepping products... they're really that worthwhile, imo. Check them out. Website is http://www.melaleuca.com

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Updated On: 1/17/08 at 05:04 PM

One time I heard T. Barry Brazelton, MD on TV in the early '80s, or maybe it was an article, ANYWAY, he recommended Solgar V multi-vitamins and I have taken one every day for approximately 27 years. So that's the brand I love, only available in health food stores.

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All vitamins are not the same just like a generic form of a prescription medication is not the same. For some people it doesn't make a difference, their body will break it down and absorb it well; but for others that is not the case. You can always ask your doctor to recommend a good brand. My doctor put me on a certain brand; I stopped taking them and bought a cheaper brand. The generic brand didn't work at all; my body never broke it down. Sometimes it is worth paying a little more. drcity.com is run by a D.O. i see in NY (I live in ATL- he is very good) and he sells good quality vitamins online, prices are reasonable.

Jane I would definitely be careful if you have a history of problems with generic prescription medications. Even though the generic initially costs less; if it doesn't work you will end up having to buy a different brand anyways and spending even more money. Sometimes it is just worth it to pay more money up front.