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Favorite multivitamin?

Hi all! I am just wondering what vegan multivitamin you take/what your favorite is... I am looking for a good, well-rounded one with all the usual suspects--but especially B12. I know this is important to get, and it tends to be harder for vegans to get it from their food sources. Thanks in advance! :)

Hi all! I am just wondering what vegan multivitamin you take/what your favorite is... I am looking for a good, well-rounded one with all the usual suspects--but especially B12. I know this is important to get, and it tends to be harder for vegans to get it from their food sources. Thanks in advance! :)

Hi JessaCita, I'm new to all of this, but I'm taking Country Life "Vegetarian Support" multivitamins. The only problem is that you have to take four a day. I was also considering using the b12 patch that is advertised on here by b12patch.com, would that be overkill? Can you get too much B12?

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I take Deva multis without iron (post menopausal here) that I order from Vegan Essentials. They are pretty reasonably priced, too.

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I've been wondering this too. I just finished my old bottle of 'pre-veg' vitimins & need to buy new ones, but have been at a loss where to start. I think I will check out Vegan Essentials ~ Thanks BookMama!  :)

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Check out Dr. Fuhrman's (Eat to Live)  -- https://www.drfuhrman.com/shop/supplements.aspx

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Thanks so much! I came across the Deva ones a few months ago, didn't buy them, and then forgot! I think those are the kind (including the iron :)) that I'm going to go for! Thanks again!

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The best vegan multivitamin I've found is the MINI MULTI from HPDI:

www.integratedhealth.com/hpdspec/mini-multi.html

Mini Multi was originally designed for individuals who don't want (or can't tolerate) additives, fillers, and other excipients. It comes in a veggie capsule, which may be opened into foods. A single capsule contains 50 mcg of Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, which is better absorbed than other forms of B12 (cyanocobalamin or hydroxocobalamin). Plus, HPDI uses coenzyme forms of the full-spectrum of B vitamins, the forms that are most assimilable in the body. A full dosage is 4 capsules (for a total of 200 mcg of Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin). You can also use this formula for your pets (just open the capsule into foods).

Another effective veggie multivitamin is HPDI's MULTI-TWO tablet:

www.integratedhealth.com/hpdspec/two.html

Multi-Two is an extremely cost-effective supplement for such high-quality ingredients, and contains greater quantities of coenzyme B vitamins per dose (than the Mini Multi above). 2 tablets provide 400 mcg of Vitamin B12.

I've taken both Mini Multi and Multi-Two with great results, including increased energy, better concentration, and improved well-being. I probably favor the capsule (Mini Multi) a bit because I like spreading my doses out during the day (and because I can open the capsule and empty the contents into smoothies). But Multi-Two is just as good for providing essential nutrients.

For guaranteed higher levels of Vitamin B12, consider a high-potency methylcobalamin supplement. I prefer a sublingual (i.e., under the tongue) tablet. Sublingual tablets are my favored choice because they are easily absorbed and assimilated through the large pores under the tongue. These 5 mg micro-tablets taste great (because they are flavored with acerola cherry) and dissolve rapidly:

www.integratedhealth.com/hpdspec/cobal.html

Sublingual Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) is better than the patch because the patch provides cyanocobalamin, a less-assimilable form. Maybe they will switch the patch to methylcobalamin, but they likely won't because cyanocobalamin is cheaper, which is the reason most B12 supplements use cyanocobalamin. Methylcobalamin costs a bit more, but better assimilation makes it more cost effective (and healthier). As noted, methylcobalamin is assimilated better because it's a form the body recognizes. There's no reason to make your body work harder to breakdown and reconfigure a less usable form of B12, when you can just give it the form it knows how use.

Moreover, if you happened to read Patty Knutson's 'Byte of Beets' article in VegWeb's Monthly Newsletter (August edition) regarding the relationship of Vitamin B12 to Folate, you'll better understand the benefits of a standalone folate supplement (i.e., in addition to a multivitamin).

The B vitamin folate is usually found in enriched foods and supplements as folic acid, which is actually synthetic (i.e., less bioavailable). Folic acid is less readily assimilated than the natural form FOLINIC ACID, which offers the bonus of readily converting into any of the folates. Folinic acid is now the choice of naturally-oriented doctors (naturopaths), nutritionists, and alternative healers.

Anyway, because synthetic folate (folic acid) is less easily utilized in the body than natural forms (e.g., folinic acid), especially by anyone who is nutritionally compromised (e.g., most people in today's society), it is a mystery why folic acid remains the form our government requires for adding to foods needing enrichment. (Note: foods needing enrichment usually aren't worth eating because they are nutritionally depleted. I seriously wonder who's contracting to make and put this synthetic stuff into our foods. With the knowledge that's available, they should stop adding synthetics and start adding natural forms. Or better yet, not allow food processors to strip so many nutrients from foods that they need enrichment.)

In contrast, folinic acid goes directly into the pathways for generating DNA/RNA and is especially needed for brain function. Folinic acid is becoming the folate supplement of choice among naturally-oriented doctors (e.g., naturopaths), herbalists, and individuals interested in optimal health. HPDI is one of the few companies that offers this unique formula:

www.integratedhealth.com/hpdspec/folinic.html

Try these supplements and see if they work for you. As Patty Knutson's article suggests, multivitamins, Vitamin B12 (esp. as methylcobalamin), and folate (esp. as folinic acid) work very well together, so consider bolstering your diet with supplements providing these essential nutrients. They can make a big difference in your health.

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Another vote for the DEVA one a day. Das Wife finds their pre-natal acceptable, as well.

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Hi JessaCita, I'm new to all of this, but I'm taking Country Life "Vegetarian Support" multivitamins. The only problem is that you have to take four a day. I was also considering using the b12 patch that is advertised on here by b12patch.com, would that be overkill? Can you get too much B12?

Hi, Wow...Bird! :) Personally, I don't think the patch is necessary. Why buy a multi-vitamin and a patch, if you can find a vitamin that offers both? Less money, less things to remember, I'd say. :)

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Hi JessaCita, I'm new to all of this, but I'm taking Country Life "Vegetarian Support" multivitamins. The only problem is that you have to take four a day. I was also considering using the b12 patch that is advertised on here by b12patch.com, would that be overkill? Can you get too much B12?

Hi, Wow...Bird! :) Personally, I don't think the patch is necessary. Why buy a multi-vitamin and a patch, if you can find a vitamin that offers both? Less money, less things to remember, I'd say. :)

You're probably right. I was reading somewhere about b12 not being properly absorbed into our systems from supplements and was wondering if the patch was a better source. I'll probably just stay with the supplements though. So much to learn  :)

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The best way to take nutritional supplements is to begin with a solid core of basic nutrient formulas. This core includes a solid multivitamin, an essential fatty acid formula (omega-3 and omega-6), and a Vitamin C formula (at least 1-2 gm per day).

Some recommendations:

You want a good high-potency multivitamin. Yes, look for a good brand (like HPDI). But also make sure that the forms are pure and assimilable and bioavailable, and especially for potencies well above the US Daily Values (which are bare minimums that don't provide high enough levels for optimal health).

Just for example, the B-complex vitamins. Look for a formula that provides hundreds, if not several thousand times the US Daily Values (depending on the B vitamin). Any supplement providing only 100% (or less) of the Daily Values (DVs) entirely lacks the potency you want. Remember that these values were established based on the minimal amounts required to keep rats alive (then the numbers were scaled upward for human size and weight).

So, an ideal amount of Vitamin B1 would be somewhere around 25 mg (1670% of DV); for B2, it would be 25 mg (1470% DV); for B3, 60 mg (300% DV); for B5 (65 mg or 650% DV), B6 (40 mg or 2000% DV), B12 (200 mcg or 3333% DV). And so on. This is just for B vitamins. It's similar for other specific, individual vitamins.

Another reason to go for higher quantities of vitamins is the fact that we are all unique individuals. In the study of nutrition, this is known as BIOCHEMICAL INDIVIDUALITY. Studies show that even closely related humans or animals can vary widely in their requirements for specific vitamins (and minerals). Because vitamins are safe and even very high amounts are generally non-toxic, it is best to provide your body with an abundant supply of a full spectrum of nutrients, and then let your body select what it needs.

In addition, an individual's requirements change daily, depending on diet, stress, exercise levels, and many other factors. Better not to leave getting your micronutrients to chance, which unfortunately is what most people do. Taking a high-quality multivitamin every day (or most days) can make a big difference in terms of providing for your daily needs, and boosting your energy levels.

Also, look for COENZYME FORMS of vitamins. No one ever talks about the importance of coenzyme vitamins, except competent supplement designers. Coenzyme forms are the forms our bodies best recognize. These forms can make the difference between a nutrient you can absorb and one you don't or can't.

So, continuing with the example of B vitamins. On supplement labels, coenzyme forms look like "riboflavin 5'-phosphate" for Vitamin B2 (instead, or addition to just "riboflavin"). For Vitamin B6, look for "pyridoxal 5'-phosphate" instead of (or in addition to) a non-coenzyme form like 'pyridoxine HCl.' A good supplement designer might include both forms, or just the coenzyme forms.

Most multivitamins do not contain ANY coenzyme forms. This is because coenzyme forms (as raw materials) are more expensive, but on the other hand, they are absorbed so much better that far smaller quantities are actually used in formulating the product. In the future, almost all vitamin products will incorporate coenzyme forms. But you don't have to wait...you can get high-quality, coenzyme-form containing multivitamins today. I highly suggest you do. HPDI offers a series of multivitamins containing coenzyme forms of vitamins. They also, for example, offer a specific B-complex supplement containing coenzme forms.

Check out these multivitamins and other core supplements:

www.integratedhealth.com

And here is their B-Complex-50 supplement:

www.integratedhealth.com/hpdspec/bcom.html

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Get down with nutritional yeast for all of your b12 needs!
;)

I don't know if that is really the case, but according to hespedal "ok i just looked up the nutritional fact for nutritional yeast and GEEZ, it has b12 a-plenty."

;D

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Get down with nutritional yeast for all of your b12 needs!
;)

I don't know if that is really the case, but according to hespedal "ok i just looked up the nutritional fact for nutritional yeast and GEEZ, it has b12 a-plenty."

;D

ha ha, now i am feeling i should be more specific than 'a-plenty' there were 8 mcg (micro grams) per TWO tablespoons! and you only need 2.4 mcg/day...

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oh! and if you guys see the %dv for b12 and it is like 50% that is all the b12 you need because the RDA at the time they made the %dv thingies was 6mcg!

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Regarding multivitamins, remember that you get what you pay for.  So, if you are paying less than $15 for a multivit, chances are that you are getting inferior quality.  I agree with VegCat above who seems to really understand what's needed in a vitamin. 

Aside from making sure that your vitamin has more than 100% of the RDA (which is not enough for anyone), make sure that nutrients such as Calcium and Magnesium are in usable forms.  Magnesium oxide for example is not usable unless you have adequate (HCl) acid in your stomach.  Forms such as Magnesium malate or citrate or other such (Kreb's cycle) forms do not require conversion- in other words the cells can take them as they are are begin to use them for energy.  Same goes for Calcium.  It's best if you take Calcium in a variety of forms such as ascorbate, citrate or even alpha-keto-glutarate.  These are readily usable forms that don't require your body to covert.  If you are taking supplemental Iron then taking Calcium may inhibit or bind with the iron thereby preventing absorbtion of either. 

Vitamin B12 is also needed in larger quantities than the RDA suggests.  Personally, as a vegetarian I would not consider taking less than 1mg or 1000mcg (and in fact I take 5mg a day).  The B vitamins are vital for nerve function and a myriad of other vital cellular functions.  It's not worth skimping on. 

I take a variety of vitamins and minerals despite an excellent organic vegetarian diet that includes superfood such as chlorella, spirulina, (and other sea veggies), chia seeds, nutritional yeast, etc.

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Quote:
Moreover, if you happened to read Patty Knutson's 'Byte of Beets' article in VegWeb's Monthly Newsletter (August edition) regarding the relationship of Vitamin B12 to Folate, you'll better understand the benefits of a standalone folate supplement (i.e., in addition to a multivitamin).
Quote:
As Patty Knutson's article suggests, multivitamins, Vitamin B12 (esp. as methylcobalamin), and folate (esp. as folinic acid) work very well together, so consider bolstering your diet with supplements providing these essential nutrients. They can make a big difference in your health.

I'd like to clarify that my Byte of Beets article doesn't recommend a standalone folate supplement, nor do I suggest multivitamins in this article.

If one is eating a well-balanced diet, it's fairly easy to get the folate we need -- unless you're pregnant, in which case a folate supplement is recommended.  Adult vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians consume about 20-50% more folate than non-vegetarians, and ensuring you're getting enough iron and vitamin C will help you absorb folate better.

The reason I don't suggest multivitamins is because I, personally, don't take them nor do I believe they're absolutely necessary if you're eating a well-balanced diet.  Vitamins are fairly easy to get from our food, except vitamin D ( if you don't have access to sunshine) and B12 for vegans which is why it's important to supplement your diet with this extremely important vitamin AND load up on nutritional yeast too (just be sure the nut yeast you're eating has B12 in it, like Red Star's).  We need 3 mcg of B12 per day.

From the book "Becoming Vegan" by Davis & Melina (I HIGHLY recommend you all get this book!!):

"Vitamins are present in all food groups: B vitamins (other than B12) are abundant in grains and legumes, A and C in vegetables and fruits.  Vitamin E and K are present in plant oils, E is found in nuts and seeds, and vitamin K in the oils that are found in small but significant amounts in leafy greens.  Thus, vegan diets tend to be overflowing with these life-supporting substances.  Just two vitamins require particular attention in plant-based diets: B12 and (at northern latitudes) D."  ;)

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A grrreat source of vitamin D: gardening!

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*bump*

Hi again! My boyfriend, who is transitioning to veganism right now (:D), is looking for a good multi-vitamin... After starting this thread, I decided to go with the DEVA One-a-Day (including iron), and I love it! (Thanks again for all the suggestions!)

My question now is: What is a good male multi-vitamin? And please forgive me if this has already been asked... I've spent at least 10 minutes searching here on VegWeb for this answer, just to prevent a repeat post, but I couldn't find anything.

Are the DEVA One-a-Days good for men, too? I can't seem to find anything about this being made especially for men or women--or both. If these are good, should he be taking the ones with iron or without?

Thanks in advance for the advice! :)

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