The best vitamins

[timrt]

Hi,

Just wondering which vitamins are the best to buy?.I live in the UK,and have bought various makes,but known seem to have any noticeable effect.

Can you recommend a make of vitamins which is ideal for general well being please.
Thanks,Tim

[gymdandee]

Article from Consumer Reports

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/nutrition/dangerous-supplements

[concerned621]

Seems like we may have confused you. Determine what your needs are and look at vitamins and supplements for your needs. So if you need immune boosting supplements start there, or if you are interested in improving your memory, or just over all health.   You can also get a lot of what you need from foods. If you have access to a good store that sells these products get to know the owner or an employee who is knowledgeable.  Explain your needs.  Some of these products can be very expensive and are well worth it but don't not take them because you can't afford the more expensive product.
A multi vitamin is always a good start and tailoring a cocktail to your specific needs would be great.  
Take care, Annette

[Paxiled]

Synergy is a discounter and often uses non-assimilable forms of nutrients to make it cheaper.  Not a brand I would personally use for a multi.  They're most famous for their two for one promotions!

[falldown]

a very good vitamin is Synergy CardioLift Advanced Multi-Vitamin Version 2

[Paxiled]

The best buy isn't the best vitamin. A multi is a pretty good thing for anyone to take given the length of time it takes to ship food and the way we live our lives, including the loads of nutrient leaching chemicals we've filled our tummies and environment with.  I don't like mega doses.  My two favorite brands tend to have low doses, are very expensive, and you have to take several to really get an amount that will be absorbed.  They both use food culturing to make the nutrients theoretically more accessible.  They are Mega Foods and New Chapter.  New Chapter is generally always on sale on the internet.  And you shouldn't feel anything from a multi -- it's prophylactic, so unless you're very depleted or ill you really shouldn't feel anything.  As for grapefruit seed extract, it's useful for bacterial infections, but for viral infections olive leaf and elderberry are more pertinent.  Don't take these kinds of supplements regularly; anything meant to kill anything, whether it be bacteria, fungus, or whatever, should be taken only as needed, with some exceptions, such as garlic, which is so good for so many things.  Astragalus is a good immune system herb, but is better used in combinations with other herbs than alone.  I like the astragalus formula by Gaia.  What's so good about it is you can take it regularly, unlike echinacea and some other immune system strengtheners.  But breaks should still be taken so it's value doesn't dissipate with overexposure.  As for eating fish for fish oil, it's kinda good and kinda not.  You have to eat only wild caught fish from cold water; farm raised fish don't eat the algae that gives fish its valuable essential oils, and warm water fish don't need much fat.  But eating too much fish these days could expose you to much mercury and other pollutants, whereas companies such as Nordic Naturals use dedicated fisheries that are relatively clean.  So just a small caveat there.  I would only use digestive enzymes if you have digestion problems, otherwise you'll become dependent on them.  Happy holidays, everyone!

[concerned621]

It depends on what you need them for. I am not an advocate of taking handfuls of vitamins. I take a few herbs and vitamins. I take an Essential Enzyme with each meal. It helps you properly digest your food. I also take Astragalus, it is a Chinese herb helps boost your immune system. A good Pro-biotic is an excellent think to take, keeps good bacteria going in your system. I also like Grapefruit Seed Extract, you take this when you feel a cold or flu coming on.  You have to take it right away though, otherwise stick with Astragalus.  Fish Oil is excellent, CQ10 also.  But you can get fish oil if you eat a lot of fish, if not take the supplement.  Those are my favorites.  But there are so many things for what ever your specific needs are.  Good luck.