Why are cheap multivitamins not good for you?

[CliffRose]

I have this feeling that cheap multivitamins arent good for the body, but haven't found any info on that online. Does anyone know about it? I'm thinking more specifically about gummybear vitamins from Costco, which some of my son's friends take, and now he wants some too. I don't even feel comfortable him taking them on week-ends, when we are at my boyfrien'd house (he buys them for his daughter), but I'm wondering if I'm being too extreme, or not.

[lovebug]

[HappyMommy2]

Unnecessary ingredients, like red dye to make them pink.

ETA ... Trader Joe's has some gummy vitamins that don't have as many yucky things as regular store ones.

[tanyalynn]

They tend to have forms of vitamins and minerals that aren't easily absorbed, things like magnesium oxide or zinc oxide, rather than something better like mag citrate and zinc picolinate. Plus nobody needs artificial colors or flavors, from a nutritional perspective, and the fillers are often lower quality.

I haven't looked for gummis so I can't comment on them, there are some flavored kids' multivits that are good quality.

[Fuamami]

Last I checked, there has never been a definitive study showing that ANY multivitamin is actually good for you.

[CliffRose]

Here's the list of ingredients:
Glucose syrup (corn), sucrose, gelatin, citric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, zinc gluconate, biotin, calcium d-pantothenate, colors (annatto, black carrot and turmeric), natural flavors, folic acid, cholecalciferol, pyridoxine HCI, potassium iodide, cyanocobalamin, choline bitartrate, inositol, fractionated coconut oil and beeswax (to prevent sticking)

Supplement facts for 2 gummy bears
calories 15
total carbs 4g
sugars 3g

[Purple Sage]

Originally Posted by Fuamami

Last I checked, there has never been a definitive study showing that ANY multivitamin is actually good for you.

[JaneS]

Because the synthetic form of the vitamins can have no effect or a bad effect.

They can be made from petroleum.

They do not contain near enough what a growing body really needs ie. vitamin D

We pick and choose our vites to get the best forms and food forms.

[ameliabedelia]

Yes, to what everyone else said. They usually contain some bad ingredients (like artificial colors) and the vitamins they do have oftentimes in poorly absorbed forms and improper ratios.

[FrannieP]

We pick and choose supplements also and try to get most nutrients from things we eat and drink.

Here's an interesting article about getting vitamins & minerals from foods and herbs:
Just Say No to Synthetic Vitamins and Processed Foods

fp

[Marnica]

Whole food vitamins are always best. There are a few companies that make them.

obviously they will be more readily absorbed.

Artificial fillers and things used in the manufacering process of most vitamins (expensive ones too) can be damaging to one's health.

magnesium sterates and other sterates are particularly bad. They are used as lubricants. Magnesium Stearate or Stearic Acid is basically a toxin made by hydrogenating cottonseed or palm oil. Supplement companies use Magnesium Stearate or Stearic Acid primarily to boost their profit margins. By increasing the availability of this flowing agent, the production machinery will run at maximum speeds when all raw materials are added.

http://preventdisease.com/news/09/04...stearate.shtml