What are some good multivitamins to use?

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I've read a lot about multivitamins and it seems they are always helpful even if you don't particularly need them. In my case I do need them but even if I don't, in the near future I plan on taking them. I know there are several kinds, what are some good ones I should take? They need to be available in Europe btw, better yet in Belgium if there are any.

There are certain types of vitamins that are made from live foods that are considered the best. They're usually the ones that are the most expensive in the health food store. They're made in such a way that the absorption is supposed to be better and they don't upset your stomach if you don't eat anything before hand.

There are too many supplements out there so it can be a huge pain to find the "right" match. Garden of Life has a line called "The Vitamin Code" that's supposed to be "raw", but I think it's more just the base they're in that they're referring to. New Chapter Organics is "whole food" based though I'm pretty sure the whole food is simply referring to the yeast "base" (the filler the vitamins are suspended in). Megafood, and Country Life's "Realfood Organics" line also label as "whole food". (I was actually pretty impressed when talking with the rep from Country Life about the latter.)

The theory is that combining the vitamins with a food base permits your body to more easily recognize the vitamins as a food, and process them accordingly, giving you greater "bioavailability". (I learned all kinds of fun buzzwords working in supplements.) Logically it would stand to reason in that case, largely if you're taking supplements with a meal your body would likely recognize them as food in the same capacity.

My vitamin regime includes a one daily multivitamin, with added iron, b-complex and calcium for my deficiencies. For someone without deficiencies a one a day should be sufficient. If you have difficulty absorbing particular nutrients (fat soluble for example), I would probably go with a three a day product for the higher values. Honestly though, having spent a few years selling supplements, I'm taking Now's "Daily Vits", which is kind of the cheap generic of the supplement industry. They work out great for me. The major thing is it can take a few weeks before you notice any significant differences should you experience them, so sampling something for a few days is unlikely to be of much benefit. :/ Tablets, capsules and liquids all are regarded to absorb about equally as well for most individuals, though I've heard some people with digestive difficulties swearing by liquid multivitamins.

I'm not sure about availability in Europe, but my favorite product brands for supplements available in North America: Jarrow, Vitanica, Enzymatic Therapy (Garlinase!), some New Chapter Organics (I love their mushroom lines), Barleans. (Largely for quality control, company ethics and value.)

Mid-range: Solaray, Rainbow Light, Nature's Way, Country Life.

Companies I'm less fond of: Source Naturals, Carlson, Super Nutrition, Irwin Naturals.

(I'll gladly give a lengthy rundown of my reasoning for the above if inquiry is made, trying to stop rambling here.)

Fun fact: Enzymatic Therapy has a sister company that sells the same products as a naturopath-only line your ND could mark up several times over. (Integrative Therapeutics, Inc/PhytoPharmica Inc). There are really several supplement companies that do this multi-packaging for varying resellers. Just because it comes from a naturopath and you spend $40 on it doesn't mean a product you drop $10 for in a health food store isn't just as good.

Ack sorry, a lil obsessed with health and nutrition. ^^; I hope at least some of this is useful. :/

That seems to be a commonly held belief that most certainly aids the sale of multivitamins.

If you don't need them, don't take them. If you need more of a certain nutrient, I advise dietary changes before supplementation.

Well if you think like that then pretty much every pharmaceutical product is only used to make money. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm saying some products actually do work.

I would say if you don't need it you don't *need* it but a multi doesn't really hurt. It's a common misconception that supplements can be harmful as well, but in a lot of cases a multi can stand to help balance out a deficiency somewhere. I was supplementing vitamin D while I was living in Washington State and my blood tests still showed I was "insufficient". A well balanced diet is always preferable but really I don't know many people who eat particularly well or balanced.

I know multivitamin doesn't hurt. But i suggest people "Please take proper/well balanced diet instead of multivitamin".

My stomach is very sensitive and most of the cheap vitamins give me strong stomach pains. One of the few I have found that is nice to my stomach is 'mega-men', which is sold at GNC stores. (dumb name but a good multi vitamin)

Atm I'm using biocure megatone long action. Is that one any good?

My understanding is that moderate consumption of vitamins is not likely to hurt anything more than your bank account. But the excessive consumption of vitamins can actually kill you.

Here's a link to a search for "vitamins" in "Science Based Medicine"

Science based Medice LINK

Generally taking more vitamins than you need does little damage, especially if they are water soluble. Oil based vitamins such as E can build up however.

One area you need to be aware of is the problem of developing a false sense of security. Some people take vitamins or alternative therapies thinking these will cure heath problems when there is no scientific evidence that they do and so they ignore or avoid necessary real treatment.

It can often be hard to sort out what is useful information and what is not. I tend to trust the Science Based Medicine site since their approach tends to be logical and careful. You ultimately have to do your own research and find what makes sense to you.