[mrsD]

I wait 1/2 hr to 1 hr depending on how hungry I am.

The only downside to a poor brand would be mislabeling. That is a company not putting it in the pill to begin with. One never knows what some of those companies are doing. Not putting it in there or less than the stated amount. I would also suspect poor absorption from TIMED RELEASE products.

That is why I tested out the new Puritan's one... and had testing 3 months later. I went from 800 to 1999 on 5mg daily orally.

[julleri]

Originally Posted by mrsD

I wait 1/2 hr to 1 hr depending on how hungry I am.

The only downside to a poor brand would be mislabeling. That is a company not putting it in the pill to begin with. One never knows what some of those companies are doing. Not putting it in there or less than the stated amount. I would also suspect poor absorption from TIMED RELEASE products.

That is why I tested out the new Puritan's one... and had testing 3 months later. I went from 800 to 1999 on 5mg daily orally.

This is true. I think this is a reputable brand, as there were good reviews people saying they could tell it works. that's what scares me - I don't want to be spending money on something and then let my body get sicker and sicker by not having a good product.

[Robibbie1]

Originally Posted by julleri

This is true. I think this is a reputable brand, as there were good reviews people saying they could tell it works. that's what scares me - I don't want to be spending money on something and then let my body get sicker and sicker by not having a good product.

Which brings us all to the ? of How do you know if your brand is a good brand?; OR is there a web site or a Consumer Report (reliable,and reputable, of course,) where we can go that evaluates and rates the reliabilty and quality of vitamins and supplements?
Robin

[mrsD]

There is a site called ConsumerLab... I used to belong. But I didn't like it that they automatically renewed me and charged my credit card without my permission.

It has also been charged that they favor "certain" manufacturers.

Some of their site is free however, so you can look there.
http://www.consumerlab.com/

Some companies have GMP membership (good manufacturers policy)... and others give USP on their labels.

But over time posters here have shared experiences.
Jarrow's, was always a favorite. NOW brand, LEF, NatureMade, CountryLife, Source Naturals, Doctor's Best. But not every one is best on every thing, I've found. For example I started with Doctor's Best Theanine, then tried Swanson's Ultra, and was very disappointed, and went back to Doctor's Best.
I use Doctor's Best for all my specific nutrients now because I think they are labeling nicely, affordable etc. (theanine, R-lipoic stablized, and Benfotiamine).

I use Puritan's for my methyl B12 now, since I tested it out and it worked so well. It is really inexpensive there, esp when the buy 1 get 2 free sale is on.
I use NatureMade for my SAMe, and Flaxseed oil.
I use some brand names, like EsterC with bioflavinoids, and Mega Red Krill oil.

I don't think there is any one company that can provide everything I need. So I shop around for quality and price.

[Sallysblooms]

Which brings us all to the ? of How do you know if your brand is a good brand?; OR is there a web site or a Consumer Report (reliable,and reputable, of course,) where we can go that evaluates and rates the reliabilty and quality of vitamins and supplements?
Robin

My doctors look REALLY carefully into each supplement they want me to take. It is not always one brand, there are better brands for each supplement. As better formulations come up, they look into them. Lots of work goes into looking into them.

[julleri]

Hello MrsD,

Do you use Doctor's Best for a daily multivitamin?

I am concerned that I am getting the most from my multivitamin. I know I need to take one because I'm sure my diet, while I am trying very hard, isn't giving me everything I need. (I have lost so much appetite over the last 6 months or so due to an adverse reaction to an antidepressant and to the low vitamin B12 situation... eating is hard, but I am trying to get better!) I currently take Target's brand Up & Up Men's Daily multivitamin, but I've read that so many different multi's are just wastes of money. And now that I am going through the horrors of a severe and probably long-term vitamin deficiency, I don't want to suffer needlessly anymore.

I know you aren't a doctor. But you do seem to have a lot of knowledge when it comes to vitamins and supplements. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Jason

[mrsD]

I really can't say who makes Target's vitamin products.

But stay away from products that contain iron (for males and post menopausal women).

I like the Centrum Silver formula because it has added minerals.
I get the generic from Costco.

Every once in a while Consumer Reports rates things, and they did multivitamins last year.
http://www.consumerreports.org/healt...view/index.htm
You might be able to find back issues at your library. Consumer Reports website requires a magazine membership.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHwq-XvcJb4

The magazine rated the Costco Senior (comparable to Centrum Silver) #1 in value and quality.
The YouTube above, shows the two common brands that failed.

[Idiopathic PN]

Mrs. D, just a little segue from the main topic, is it safe to increase my dosage of SAM-e from 200mg to 400mg and then later back to 200mg? I know SAM-e 200mg is working for my arthritis but my fingers are stiff in the morning and always painful. My right pinky is still swollen but not as swollen as it used to before taking the SAM-e. I am wondering if it is better/safe to just take it slow with the 200mg, or increase the dosage to 400mg then back to 200mg when my pain has subsides. I have finished 28 tablets now.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by mrsD

I use NatureMade for my SAMe, and Flaxseed oil.
.

[mrsD]

If you don't have troubling side effects from the SAMe ...then you can raise it to 400mg a day... take it all at once in the morning on an empty stomach.

If it is not agitating you or giving insomnia, then you can increase.

I didn't get the joint effects until I was taking 600mg a day
for a while. I think the mood effects come first, and the repair of damage takes a while.

[julias690]

Hello,
I'm trying to get help for my husband of 25 years who came home from work on April 22,2012 and was complaining of not being able to remember/forgetting things. When I questioned him he could not remember what we had just bought our son for his birthday the week before and other obvious questions. We went to urgent care he was given a cat scan, mri, labs, urine tests. First ever consult with Neurologist on April 26th. All tests were negative and diagnosis was vitamin b12 def with a level of 195, or a-typical global amnesia. The Neurologist said that he would be fine. (The next day 04-27-12 his internist agreed and told both him and myself that he would be fine as well) He was given a b12 shot in the office of 1000mcg, and started on sublingual 2500mcg tab of b12 daily. He was given another shot of b12 1000mcg on 05-01-12. He takes other bp meds for the past 7 years as well. His memory at this point is very poor in my opinion. He does not remember what we did yesterday, or even things in the last few months. He asks me the same questions at times over and over again. At time with hints from me he will remember some things. This was an immediate onset with no other symptoms known to me other than leg cramps leading up to the event on 04-22-12. Its almost been two weeks and I'm not seeing any real permanent improvements. In my delirium of last week, I failed to ask the Neurologist or his Internist how long it would take for him to improve. Just looking to see if there is anyone else out there experiencing this and for some friends and support. Sorry if I have left out any info that you may need to assist.
Sincerely, Julia