I don't take multis. Just lots of colorful veggies. The debate on whether vitamin supplementation is still out - some supplementation can be toxic if you ingest excess A,D E or K. Cor B vits are alright as you will exliminate excesses from your body.

Being a Personal Trainer, I tend to get this question alot and so I might as well throw in my opinion on the Vitamin debate.

First off, since there are such a wide variety of multi-vitamins to choose from, the best way to decipher which is better to choose from is to look for the Good Manufacturing Practice logo on the bottle. Since supplements are not yet regulated by the FDA it is hard to determine if you are actually getting the nutrients that are listed on the bottle. However, certain companies voluntarily adhere to the Good Manufacturing Practices(GMP) which means that they test their products to have what they say in there. A few examples of companies that do adhere to these standards and that I recommend are APEX and Natures Best or Vitamin World Brand.

As to whether it is important to take one, absolutely! The reason for this is that due to over use in the farming techniques foods today lack the same nutrients that they contained back in the 50's through 70's when the food requirements were last updated. One study showed that in order to get all the nutrients of a peach in the 50's a person would have to eat approx. 50 peaches today. Long story short, take a Multi.

I hope this helps.

Great one TriBone05!

Thanks for pointing out how our foods have been sucked dry of most of the value, so depressing.

To add to that, I think people often forget the following: Supplementation is a total waste of time and money if you are not practicing healthy eating.

A good, balanced diet is first and foremost.

It took me several years of trial and error to find the right multi-vitamin. It's a lot like training really, everyone's body reacts in a unique way.

I went through about 6 different multi's and all upset my stomach, so now I do the chewable, chocolate flavored Viactive. Which sounds gross and fad-y, I know. But I can keep it down.

Also, I usually add in a calcium supplement every 3rd day.

I've switch to Designs for Health...Good Manufacturing Practices and a more natural and pure vitamins than I've found elsewhere.

Any extract I use is from the Herb Pharm...partialy because I've known Ed (the owner) since he began, selling stuff out of his house, partly because I've worked there and know exactly how things are processed (my hometown), and partly because he's become recognized as one of the leading herbologists.

One of the key things I remember from AP chem - now much of a solid multivitamin does not dissolve while in your stomach/intestine and is simply wasted. I don't remember the average itself, just that is was at least up around the 30-40% range.