The Use of a MultiVitamin

[x Idealist x]

I have searched this site for awhile and I have not got anything in return, I read the Advanced Nutrition section all the time because of the factual evidence that is given. So here is my question.

Is a MultiVitamin really needed in a bodybuilder that keeps a very healthy diet?

Any proof for or again this would be awesome, I am not really taking about me personally but to all bodybuilders that workout vary hard but also eat smart.

[CPX]

I just got this in an e-mail from bb.com,

Don't forget that taking a multi-vitamin can help you get better results.

Sincerely,
Tommy Zarate
Customer Service Manager
Bodybuilding.com


Is that enough proof?

[Catchol]

I have searched this site for awhile and I have not got anything in return, I read the Advanced Nutrition section all the time because of the factual evidence that is given. So here is my question.

Is a MultiVitamin really needed in a bodybuilder that keeps a very healthy diet?

Any proof for or again this would be awesome, I am not really taking about me personally but to all bodybuilders that workout vary hard but also eat smart.

I think multivitamins aren't really very beneficial. I think a smarter approach is to look at your nutrition and see what vitamins/minerals you may be lacking, and then supplement these. I supplement with B6, magnesium citrate, zinc, vitamin C, and essential fatty acids, because my nutrition and activities would tend to be depleting towards these.

I just got this in an e-mail from bb.com,

Don't forget that taking a multi-vitamin can help you get better results.

Sincerely,
Tommy Zarate
Customer Service Manager
Bodybuilding.com


Is that enough proof?

I'm sold! Mr. Zarate, here is my CC information, please charge any amount that you see fit...

[FootBallBeast]

They could help you get better results if you were nutrient deficient. But if you maintain a healthy diet, you probably won't see any benefits in terms of body composition and strength.

[eddiebo]

I see it like this, covering the nutrient gamut everyday is a chore. I mean I personally have a variety of different foods everyday and without supplements will most likely not get everything optimally needed. Supplementing specifically what you need like catchol said would be ideal, though for me not the easiest. So my solution is to supplement covering the range.

[x Idealist x]

Is there anyone else who may have a some good insight into the subject?

[iLiRaM]

You won't see the physical benefits of supplementing with a mult-vitamin immediately. However, if you look at the difference of two identical (hyopthetical) individuals where one has taken multi-vitamins for a long time, and the other has not; you will most likely notice better long term results in the individual supplementing with a multivitamin. This is because it is impossible to obtain every single nutrient and mineral in a single day with a proper bodybuilding diet, regardless of how much you eat.

[RibosomalRob]

eat as you normally do, go the your doc and get a blood panel done to check micronutrients....that should give you a pretty good idea of where you stand, and answer the question. (I know, not "you" but BBers in general)

[gsolo]

Is a MultiVitamin really needed in a bodybuilder that keeps a very healthy diet?

how do you define a "very healthy diet"?

[x Idealist x]

how do you define a "very healthy diet"?

Good Question, I guess I would say that my definition of a healthy diet would be getting in a balance of all the things that you needs to run at its optimal level. And the reason I ask is because obviously on a Bodybuilding Cut diet most people including me eat alot of the same foods so I was just wondering if a multi would keep me healthy

[ofdust]

If youre not getting the certain vitamins from sources like vegetables and certain legumes, multivitamins are a must... any slight imbalance or lack of any of these vitamins can effect results drastically. I just take 2 pills a day, that way i dont have to worry about getting my nutrition from certain foods.. though it is much more healthy to receive them from the actual food, as your body recognizes it and processes it more naturally.

[Dr. Horse]

any slight imbalance or lack of any of these vitamins can effect results drastically.
.

...and there's no better way of creating an imbalance than by taking a multivitamin (in my opinion).

The only vitamin supplement that I am seriously considering taking is D.

[ofdust]

...and there's no better way of creating an imbalance than by taking a multivitamin (in my opinion).

The only vitamin supplement that I am seriously considering taking is D.

youd find it very difficult to reach toxicity levels with vitamin pills. better to be sage than sorry, have ya multi vitamins daily.

[J3bus]

I don't take multi vitamins, I take supplements, but not all together.

Allot of vitamins and minerals interact with each other, either helping or fighting absorption.

http://exrx.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4360

[Dr. Horse]

youd find it very difficult to reach toxicity levels with vitamin pills. better to be sage than sorry, have ya multi vitamins daily.

I never said anything about toxicity.

[tnguyen8485]

imo by taking multivitamin it wont really hurt you, only helps and its inexpensive.

my take is that no matter how healthy your diet is, youll prolly wont consume enough of a certain vitamin. by taking a multivitamin supplement, it helps supply your body with whatever that is missing in your diet, and when your body absorb all it needs, youll urine out the rest.

here is an article with good information regards taking multivitamin

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefi...tamin&id=79596

[dimasso69]

If youre not getting the certain vitamins from sources like vegetables and certain legumes, multivitamins are a must... any slight imbalance or lack of any of these vitamins can effect results drastically. I just take 2 pills a day, that way i dont have to worry about getting my nutrition from certain foods.. though it is much more healthy to receive them from the actual food, as your body recognizes it and processes it more naturally.

when you say process it more naturally, what do you mean? Do you mean your body absorbs more of these micronutrients and utilizes them better, because processing micronutrients more naturally i dont understand that one. But what proof is there that DRASTICALLY your results will be effected...i dont see any proof there..macros get your body composition, micronutrients are more for your overall health and well being.

[SupahStarr]

So much of the food today is depleted in proper nutrients. I think taking a multi vitamin will do nothing but benefit you.

[Dr. Horse]

So much of the food today is depleted in proper nutrients.

It is? Why?

[etali]

I'm not sure I trust those blood tests. I had a blood test done a year ago because I kept fainting for no apparent reason. They checked the levels of common vitamins / minerals. Apparently my diet was absolutely perfect and I have optimal levels of everything. I'm vegetarian, and at the time I wasn't taking any multivitamins or anything.

These days I take a multivitamin + mineral. I bought it because it was on special offer and I wanted to see if it would work. It cost 2GBP for 90 days so I bought a couple of packs, I've been taking since just before Christmas, and I've noticed that I tend not to go down with colds as often as I used to - I just snuffle for a few days then recover, instead of feeling knocked out for ages.

I'd be interested in learning about any direct impacts on bodybuilding though. I think they help me, since I'm able to work out regularly instead of taking time off / reducing intensity because of yet another cold. If you aren't the type that catches everything going around then maybe they aren't so useful?

[PopeGregorius]

It is? Why?

eg low iodine levels in food
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...009-0/fulltext

[reefpicker]

I'm not sure I trust those blood tests. I had a blood test done a year ago because I kept fainting for no apparent reason. They checked the levels of common vitamins / minerals. Apparently my diet was absolutely perfect and I have optimal levels of everything. I'm vegetarian, and at the time I wasn't taking any multivitamins or anything.

There are other causes of fainting besides "vitamins and minerals" imbalances.

What I want to know is how did the US come up with the RDA values for vitamins?

I always wonder if our diets need an additional boost of vitamins but to what extent? Can we empirically find out????

ADEK are lipid soluble and not as easy to "flush" the excess out, thus I avoid taking megadoses of those.

BC are water soluble and we can "pee" the excess, so I don't mind taking a megadose every now and then.

B comes in extended release tablets and I take those sometimes....

I actually worry more about mineral imbalances than I do about vitamins.

[Dr. Horse]

eg low iodine levels in food
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...009-0/fulltext

But how is this different "today"? (which is what the supahstarr was getting at, I think)

[reefpicker]

eg low iodine levels in food
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...009-0/fulltext

That hasn't changed in hundreds of years. I think the only reason we have trouble with iodine has to do with a lack of fish and shellfish from our diet...

There is also a problem with the soil that we use to culture our crops. If its low in Iodine, then you get deficiency...

Read more: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/e...cle/002421.htm

The only historical reason I can think of to justify an increased consumption of vitamins (i.e. higher than what we get from natural sources), is that pollution and exposure to more carcinogens and/or oxidizers (i.e. uv, o3, nitritates, etc), needs to be offset with oxygen-scavenging molecules and other vitamins that provide protection against free radicals, etc.

[cell technical]

The only historical reason I can think of to justify an increased consumption of vitamins (i.e. higher than what we get from natural sources), is that pollution and exposure to more carcinogens and/or oxidizers (i.e. uv, o3, nitritates, etc), needs to be offset with oxygen-scavenging molecules and other vitamins that provide protection against free radicals, etc.

Something else I can think of is that we eat a lot of produce that isn't grown seasonally. One study I know of found a threefold increase in Vitamin C in seasonal spinach versus unseasonal.

[reefpicker]

Something else I can think of is that we eat a lot of produce that isn't grown seasonally. One study I know of found a threefold increase in Vitamin C in seasonal spinach versus unseasonal.

Hmmm... Interesting....

I know the carbohydrates are not fully processed in some fruits (i.e. they are a bit green and less sweet).

So I would imagine that it would be likely that some vitamins are not in the fully bio-available form either.

[EmperorRyker]

Bumping in hopes of someone answering the OP's question, as I'm quite interested in hearing that, as well. I'm currently not taking any multi-vitamin, but am considering one. Still, if I don't need it, I'd rather not just throw away money, seeing as I'm not gonna scratch fruit and vegetables from my daily menu.

[Dr. Horse]

Bumping in hopes of someone answering the OP's question, as I'm quite interested in hearing that, as well. I'm currently not taking any multi-vitamin, but am considering one. Still, if I don't need it, I'd rather not just throw away money, seeing as I'm not gonna scratch fruit and vegetables from my daily menu.

The answer is no.

[SuppFiend]

when do you guys take your multi? first thing in the morning? or after you workout?

[EmperorRyker]

The answer is no.

Care to elaborate on that a bit? Or just link me to a good article on it or whatever if you don't feel like explaining. You seem to know your stuff, but I'm sure you wouldn't advocate someone to just believe things on someone's word, without blinking twice