Are multivitamins necessary?

[irideflatland]

It seems like lots of people here take multivitamins. Are they really necessary, or are they just like other supplements, where you don't really need them but they can help?

[kazman32]

I think a multi vitamin/mineral is the most important supplement, it may not make you huge and ripped but it will help ensure your getting adequate nutrient's to keep your body healthy and functioning properly.

[dillingerescp]

Originally Posted by irideflatland

It seems like lots of people here take multivitamins. Are they really necessary, or are they just like other supplements, where you don't really need them but they can help?

Theyre not necessary for bodybuilding purposes exactly, but they're awesome for nutrients that you don't get from food.

Word of advice: take a good multivitamin.

[dawnoffatex]

My favirote supp by far is my multi vitamin. It will just make you so much healthier on so many levels.

[swolepatrol2388]

to get bigger = NO
for better health = YES

[kcb5150]

Given how depleted soil is and the fact that animals are fed what is basically garbage in order to get them as heavy as possible, I doubt food is anywhere near as nutritious as it should or used ot be so yes, I would say they are necessary.

[isdatzo]

And what health purposes are multivitamins supposed so serve?
Is there any relevant scientific evidence?

[skinnyboipgh]

Originally Posted by isdatzo

And what health purposes are multivitamins supposed so serve?
Is there any relevant scientific evidence?

Scientific evidence on general health effects is the basis 4 FDA's Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) of vitamins & minerals. Those RDAs r a major basis 4 the "nutrition facts" on the labels of foods u buy. But one thing 2 remember is RDAs r designed for the general population & don't necessarily meet the needs of a strength athlete.

Theoretically, if u eat a balanced diet, u should hit ur RDA's just from food alone. A multi designed 4 a strength athlete is a good safety net 4 any RDAs u might miss & also supplies ur special needs as a lifter.

Any excess vitamins & minerals u might get that way do no harm, they r just filtered out by ur kidneys.

[isdatzo]

Originally Posted by skinnyboipgh

Scientific evidence on general health effects is the basis 4 FDA's Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) of vitamins & minerals. Those RDAs r a major basis 4 the "nutrition facts" on the labels of foods u buy. But one thing 2 remember is RDAs r designed for the general population & don't necessarily meet the needs of a strength athlete.

Theoretically, if u eat a balanced diet, u should hit ur RDA's just from food alone. A multi designed 4 a strength athlete is a good safety net 4 any RDAs u might miss & also supplies ur special needs as a lifter.

Any excess vitamins & minerals u might get that way do no harm, they r just filtered out by ur kidneys.

But is there any scientific evidence that vitamins in supplemental form have beneficial health effects.
I know specific types of whole food like fish, veggies, and fruits possibly-probably decrease mortality.

I could not find any evidence that supplemental forms may provide the same health benefits.

Anybody got any relevant studies to back this up?

[Richie_Awesome]

Good thread.

[LayzieBone085]

Originally Posted by isdatzo

But is there any scientific evidence that vitamins in supplemental form have beneficial health effects.
I know specific types of whole food like fish, veggies, and fruits possibly-probably decrease mortality.

I could not find any evidence that supplemental forms may provide the same health benefits.

Anybody got any relevant studies to back this up?

just google it up.. i found a few studies.. but im at work and the boss is linguering so im not trying to pop them up and copy n paste! might eget caught! ahh

but great info by skinny!

[Darkazoid]

Excellent thread!

My question is this:

How many multivitamins one should take? I'm taking 3 daily and wonder if it's enough or to much...

Thanks!

[Richie_Awesome]

Originally Posted by Darkazoid

Excellent thread!

My question is this:

How many multivitamins one should take? I'm taking 3 daily and wonder if it's enough or to much...

Thanks!

What brand? They bottle should have a label of recommended amount.

[DeuceRooster]

I was taking Animal Pak MV but it seems to be an overkill for the amount of exercise I am currently doing daily (1 hour) it actually makes me feel kind of sick. I am switching to a more basic all in one vitamin like Centrum or whatever for now.

[eddiebo]

Originally Posted by isdatzo

But is there any scientific evidence that vitamins in supplemental form have beneficial health effects.
I know specific types of whole food like fish, veggies, and fruits possibly-probably decrease mortality.

I could not find any evidence that supplemental forms may provide the same health benefits.

Anybody got any relevant studies to back this up?

Understandable what you are getting at, the most obvious studies show the effects of specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Some of these also clearly show how groups of nutrients interact within the body for example calcium is almost worthless without magnesium. Both are found in bones calcium will not form as it should without magnesium. And furthermore the cacium will not be absorbed or regulated without vitamin D. The list goes on...
With such deficiencies as rickets aka. vitamin D deficiency (i personally know a someone) My understanding is these are proven studies and is not a giant vitamin conspiracy.

Simply put we can obviously survive without supplementing, but knowing what we know about keeping a balance of nutrients, I personally choose to supplement. I know I am not hitting 100 % of all needed nutrients everyday. Is easier to take a multivitamin and just isn't reasonable to assume you've hit the mark everyday.

What I think is most important is that you don't over do it as skinnyboipgh points out. Excluding B vitamins and C at mega high doses just as deficiencies can cause problems most vitamins and minerals can have a toxic effect. Good balance for your workout, body size, sex etc. are all key.

[dgessler]

I don't think they'll do any harm (if you buy a quality brand; very important), but if you get in a variety of fruits and veggies, you shouldn't really need them. Worst case scenario: a waste of money.

But definitely check out a Consumer Reports article on which brands actually could be detrimental to your health (I think some actually contained lead or something).

[forcasa]

actually there's recent study proving that some multi vitamin ingredients can create negative effects over extended use. google it, it's not hard to find this information.

then make up your mind on positives vs negatives.

[eddiebo]

Originally Posted by dgessler

I don't think they'll do any harm (if you buy a quality brand; very important), but if you get in a variety of fruits and veggies, you shouldn't really need them. Worst case scenario: a waste of money.

But definitely check out a Consumer Reports article on which brands actually could be detrimental to your health (I think some actually contained lead or something).

Is not just fruits and veggies that will give you what you need. You'd have to eat a lot of bowls of broccoli to give you the same amount of B vitamins and Iron as what is in just a small piece of red meat.

[eddiebo]

Originally Posted by forcasa

actually there's recent study proving that some multi vitamin ingredients can create negative effects over extended use. google it, it's not hard to find this information.

then make up your mind on positives vs negatives.

Vitamin A palmitate in high dose, is one that comes to mind. Caused brittle bones but was in a high daily dose for a length of time.

Is a definitely good rule of thumb not to megadose (or overdose for that) on fat soluable vitamins A, E, D and K, these accumulate in your body.

[dgessler]

Don't you all hate the vitamins and supplements which have like 5777% of your daily value of something.

[Richie_Awesome]

Originally Posted by dgessler

Don't you all hate the vitamins and supplements which have like 5777% of your daily value of something.

Recommended daily allowance.

[eddiebo]

Originally Posted by dgessler

Don't you all hate the vitamins and supplements which have like 5777% of your daily value of something.

I hate that, even with the water soluble vitamins (B's and C and especially B6) that is high. You could color easter eggs with your pea though.

Some of them are multiple tabs usually 3-6 and you can take less than what is the full dose.

Bring your calculator ;-)

[RU4A69]

No

[Cr4zYH3aD]

Originally Posted by kcb5150

Given how depleted soil is and the fact that animals are fed what is basically garbage in order to get them as heavy as possible, I doubt food is anywhere near as nutritious as it should or used ot be so yes, I would say they are necessary.

yeah. Is animal pak too much to take as a daily/normal multi ? is it overkill ? can it be dangerous to health ?


Stallone said that multis are defense for the body

[FunkLord]

Originally Posted by Cr4zYH3aD

yeah. Is animal pak too much to take as a daily/normal multi ? is it overkill ? can it be dangerous to health ?

Animal pak isn't just vitamins, it's got a lot of other stuff too. It's fine to take daily. If you compare the amount of vitamins it has to other perfomance multis, you will notice that in general the amounts aren't dramatically higher.

I recently started using Animal Pak on workout days. One thing I noticed is that unlike most other multis I've used, it doesn't make my piss bright yellow for an hour and then clear for the rest of the day. It makes my piss pale yellow all day, no matter how much water I drink. *I drink a lot.
I'd like to conclude that more of the vitamins are being absorbed and less pissed out, but I don't have a degree in "looking at piss"

[LayzieBone085]

Originally Posted by kazman32

I think a multi vitamin/mineral is the most important supplement, it may not make you huge and ripped but it will help ensure your getting adequate nutrient's to keep your body healthy and functioning properly.

even taking in about 2-4 fruit servings a day, and 3+ servings of veggies i still think while taking a multi I have had a bit increased energy levels and have been the healthiest ive ever felt..

havent been sick in 3 years since taking a multi and getting all those fruits n veggies everyday.. and guess what im not gonna change it because ive never felt better

it sure makes up for the lack of vitamins/minerals you will not get in a day even from the variety of foods u eat.. they arent very expensive and its like nearly throwing a few cents away a day to give ur body ****loads of vitamins/minerals

totally worth it IMO

pick up a cheap one like centrum at a local walmart.. they work perfectly fine

[turbotaz]

Eat up on the veggies & some fruits! ! ! Go crazy on em. But they don't hold the nutrient value they once did when my grandparents were children. Check out Congressional Act 264 done in 1936! The government did a test on the U.S. soil and found it to have already been depleted & void of any nutrient value. They, of course, swept that info under the rug!

You absolutely need a good, bio-available multivitamin for health purposes. It helps build & strengthen the immune system and provides the body with the much needed nutrition that our food no longer has. A one-a-day just doesn't cut it. The body has to be able to break it down & be available for the body's cells to utilize. Otherwise you're just taking it for the sake of saying you take vitamins.

[RocknRollStar]

wow, i need to start taking a multivitamin, any recommendations!? Should i go with something like animal pack or GNC Sport one, or just some centrum from walmart?

[rob?]

not needed at all

[ExecutionStyle]

Originally Posted by irideflatland

It seems like lots of people here take multivitamins. Are they really necessary, or are they just like other supplements, where you don't really need them but they can help?

You don't "need" a multivitamin, but yes they help. Quite a bit too, in my opinion.

Making sure your body has adequate stores of vitamins and minerals helps virtually every aspect of digestion and nutrition absorption. So why not get the most out of all that exercise and food?

If you do choose to buy a multivitamin, look for a sports multivitamin. Something designed for people who push their bodies to the extreme. I recommend no "One a Days" or "Centrum". Not because they are bad, but those run-of-the-mill multivitamins aren't specifically designed for athletes.