11 Multivitamins to avoid

by Tanya Ryno (Subscribe to Tanya Ryno's posts)
Aug 7th 2007 11:30PM

Ideally, humans would eat only wholly nutritious real foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. The fact is, most of us do not meet all our nutritional needs through food, so we rely on multivitamins and supplements to achieve more complete nutrition. The problem is that it's just not that simple.

Question: Did you know that vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements produced and distributed in the U.S. are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and that some multis don't actually contain what is on the label?

While it's not an overwhelming problem, it's still something to take into consideration as these 11 multivitamins were flagged for problems, and you may be (or may have been) taking them.

Health magazine (July/August 2007) gives us a breakdown of which multis to avoid and why.
For Adults

Eniva VIBE, a liquid sold in packets -- falls short of listed vitamin A
Healthy Moments Mint Cream Flavor Vitamin Strips -- contains no vitamin A and exceeds listed amount of niacin
Swanson Daily Multivitamin & Mineral -- short of listed folate
The Greatest Vitamin in the World -- short of listed folate
Weil, Andrew Weil, M.D., Daily Multivitamin for Optimum Health -- short of listed vitamin A and exceeds the amount of calcium

For Women

Nature's Plus Especially Yours Women's Multivitamin -- doesn't disintegrate properly and exceeds listed calcium
The Vitamin Shoppe Multivitamins Especially for Women -- contaminated with 15.3 micrograms of lead per serving -- 10 times amount permitted without a warning label in California -- and short of listed calcium

For Men

Now Adam Superior Men's Multi -- takes too long to disintegrate
Win Fuel Men's Formula -- short of listed vitamin A and folate

For Seniors

AARP Maturity Formula -- takes too long to disintegrate

For Kids

Hero Nutritionals Yummi Bears -- contains twice as much Vitamin A as listed, which may lead to weak bones

After these findings were published, Health magazine also reports that The Vitamin Shoppe and AARP voluntarily withdrew their products and HERO Nutritionals began offering consumers a replacement.

For more recalls and warnings (on other health, wellness, and nutrition products), visit ConsumerLabs.com.

Source

Comments (102)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)

ben-o 3-13-2008 @ 9:08AM

I tried a good product that is said to be all natural that can also detoxify the body as well. A friend introduced me to Nureicell 500 two weeks ago and I feel really great! I believe that going natural and organic with your daily supplements is better than taking all those synthetic vitamins.

Crabby McSlacker 8-10-2007 @ 2:49PM

Glad to see that most of these weren't major brands.

It's getting so frustrating--even if you're obsessive about reading labels, it won't help if the labels are wrong!

(Crabby is always grouchy about something though. Best to avoid her strange little health blog, http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/)

Darla 8-10-2007 @ 3:16PM

Women should strongly consider reading the web site "Women to Women." They have reliable info on all supplements for women in every stage of their lives.

Jen 8-10-2007 @ 4:08PM

I found one brand that tests thoroughly to verify that the potency is what is stated on the label and the products are free of contaminants. They also do independent clinical testing to verify that the supplement raises blood levels of the active ingredients, in other words, that it really works. See http://www.shaklee.net/good_health

Tammy 8-10-2007 @ 4:07PM

All of these brands sounded like off brands so Im not getting my underwear in a bundle over this. I take Wal Mart Spring Valley brand and have for years and have never had any problems with them. In fact it was a upon a physicians recommendation that I started using that brand. The last thing we want is for the FDA to start regulating our vitamins. We will probably never be able to buy them freely again if they start regulating them.

Kay 8-10-2007 @ 3:47PM

Hey, Jen, do you sell Shaklee?

ROBBIE 8-10-2007 @ 4:30PM

It is amazing that the FDA can overlook enough prescrition drug problems to jill over a half million people in the U.S. annually...but are worried about regulating supplements! Did it ever occur to people that the FDA in joint efforts with our medical establishment do not want us to use supplements? After all if we were healthier and had fewer medical problems, that would be less dollars for the powers that be in FDA and the other high profit related groups.
We are number 92 in longevity but have the most expensive and most deadly medical care in the world.

Sherriff 8-10-2007 @ 5:28PM

I'd forgotten that supplements are not govt regulated. I had trusted these companies. An objective source should be made available to verify claims. A watchdog that verifies other products as well. I like Consumer Reports magazine, and there are likely other sources that I'd respect more... if I knew what these other sources are.

I'm glad that 1-a-day didn't make the list of worst offenders. I've taken that many times. Many. But I'll make a point to spend more time in the produce section to get more vitamins. Good. I like produce.

Jinks 8-10-2007 @ 5:48PM

We still take the childrens vitamin...Flint Stones...they are the best for young children AND ADULTS.

Denise 8-10-2007 @ 11:07PM

I couldn't agree with you more, Shaklee is the best to take. They certainly do their research on their product and wouldn't put out anything less. I've been taking them for over 25 years.

Sandi 8-10-2007 @ 7:16PM

You're exactly right Robbie. Do I WANT the FDA regulating my supplements? Not likely. After all, let's take a look at some recent FDA "regulation" ... Glaxo has a prescription diet pill. Unfortunately for Glaxo, it's not doing too well because patients don't LIKE experiencing greasy uncontrolled bowel movements. What's Glaxo to do? Why spend a fortune lobbying the FDA to get approval to sell the drug OVER THE COUNTER of course. Viola! Alli is born!

The FDA, like most if not all govt agencies is corrupt to the very core.

Heather 8-11-2007 @ 5:04PM

Wanted to give a heads up to some who may be concerned........ Did you notice that EVERY brand of children's vitamins contains asparatame? Another reason why the FDA has no business "regulating" our supplements. They PASSED asparatame as SAFE! Read into the history. It is a poison. Does that tiny bit of sugar your child gets in a multivitamin justify a daily dose of poison?? Check out the CODEX laws being rammed thru congress on a google search.

Wil 8-11-2007 @ 6:53PM

I began taking vitamins two years ago and threw them out a few months ago after hearing a news report claiming they can cause prostrate cancer. So I'll just stick to diet and exercise and skip the supplements. How am I supposed to know what the companies put in these things?

smdryad 8-11-2007 @ 10:22PM

I use these multi's for my kids. No aspartame, they use xylitol and mannitol. No dyes either. http://www.shaklee.net/good_health/product/ChildrensHealth

charles 8-13-2007 @ 9:48AM

And why should I believe you? If you are mainstream your cure (drugs) are usually worse than the cure. Don't believe me, why is there always 2 pages or more of fine print after most ads in the magazines?

treew 8-13-2007 @ 11:17AM

Well Isn't it strange that the leading cause of death in the USA is prescription drugs. Oh I know they have it down to what 3. But 10 percent of drug interactions are reported and now you think the FDA is a good choice to monitor anything. I see all these news stories talking about how bad vitamins are lately. How strange. Just in time for them to make laws to take them away from us> Another attempt to keep us from our basic freedoms. Free choice is after all over rated. Talk to some people in Germany and other countries where it is illegal to take vitamins without a doctor. See how much they like it. Look at the FDA and realize it is big business and wake up America

Hovey 8-13-2007 @ 6:25PM

I agree completely with what Robbie said above. I'll add something else too, pharmaceutical companies sponsor our evening news as well as our print media.
They are also big contributors to political campaigns.
Do you think maybe that they have a say in what news actually gets put out there for public consumption? Let's put two and two together here
folks, there's some major manipulation going on. Pharmaceutical companies are for profit companies which trade publicly on Wall Street, they have stock holders, they are in the business of making money.
But are they in the business of people being well?
What would actually happen to these companies if people lived healthy lives based on self empowerment, excellent nutrition, and living close to nature? Big Pharma doesn't want people to be empowered, or knowledgeable or healthy, that would dismantle their power structure.

Isn't it interesting that all of a sudden all these articles and news reports are coming out warning against the dangers of vitamins and herbs. Government and Big Pharma are working hand in hand to take these natural substances away from
the people. They are taking away our right to choose
what we feel (and know) helps us to maintain our good health. Is this democracy at work?

The other thing that is interesting to note is that cancer rates and heart disease rates continue to climb in this country. And yet we have all these "wonderful" drugs out there that are supposedly making us well. But are they making us well?

Kit 8-13-2007 @ 10:34AM

I love Tahitian Noni's Women's supplements and my husband uses Tahitian Noni's Hoa I and II. The quality is unsurpassed in everything this company produces, so much so, that health nuts like us praise the products and 3 of their products are featured in the Physician's Desk Reference satisfying both worlds!
Check it out: www.tni.com/1621...stay well!

Suzy 8-13-2007 @ 10:36AM

I've done a lot of work in clinical research. What I found to be so astonishing is that SO many people buy and use vitamins and "herbal" treatments without consulting their physicians first. Most of these products have a potentially dangerous side effect due to drug interaction.
When thinking in terms of "Alternative" medicine, I believe that a wise choice is to think of "Integrative" therapy.
Women tend to take much more calcium than is needed. That puts us at risk for developing kidney stones.
THINK about what you're taking and ALWAYS consult your physician AND your pharmacist prior to starting any new supplemental vitamins and herbal therapy.