I know this topic has been bantered around a bit, and I did some searches on the subject but I wanted to see if there are any new opinions on this.

Vitamins, what do you take?

I’ve been taking a normal Centrum Multi in the morning for a while now and I just don’t think I’m absorbing enough of it. I’ve been considering two things:

1) Break it in half, for two smaller doses (Morning / Night)
2) Take chewable vitamins, like kids ones

I’ve looked into the GNC and other Heath Food place vitamins and they are just so expensive and you need to take a handful of pills two or three times a day. I’m active, and I eat generally well so I don’t think I need to over do it on the vitamin. I’ve heard Forvia brought up several times here, are people still on bard with these?

Just looking for an easy inexpensive recommendation.

Thanks!

I use Forvia, a chewable vit/min. Makes for good absorption. Made especially for folks with IBD. I take 2 per day, one in the am and one in the evening.

http://www.Forvia.com

I agree with Bodoni - Forvia is the absolute best. I've never noticed any difference between taking vitamins and not taking them until Suebear recommended Forvia. I noticed a difference almost immediately.

kathy

Centrum makes a liquid vitamin. You can buy over the counter...works just fine. Sue

Just put an order in for a 30 day supply of the chewable Forvia. Also found out that the Lab who makes it is located close to where I work.

We'll see how it goes. Hopefully I'll feel a difference quickly.

Thanks for the input.

Bill I have been doing the chewables for a year or so and love them. My gut isnt Vit friendly and these cause no issue at all. I def see more energy and they actually taste ok

As ususal, Forvia isn't shipped to this godforsaken country . But we do have other chewable multi-vits. Are chewable and liquid multivits more easily absorbed?

Good question Soph.

We don't have Forvia here either. I usually take Boots brand multi vits (the ones without minerals because the iron constipates me too much). I'd love to be able to take a multi vitamin and mineral suppliment without the side effects that iron gives me. Short of buying all my mineral suppliments separately I don't know what else I can do?

Any other Brits out there with a suggestion?

Shell

My husband (j-pouch) takes the CVS or Rite-Aid (pharmacy/generic) version of the Centrum chewables and takes one in the AM and one PM. Was told to take chewables or liquid due to pouch and 'regular' wouldn't get absorbed/could pass through. You can get these with or without the minerals (he would LOVE to have the constipation side effect you get from the iron Shell - hee, hee...)

I'm sure whichever country one lives in the local pharmacy/chemist has their own brand of multivitamin that comes in either a liquid or chewable and should probably do a poucher just fine. Check with your doc of course, but suggest taking one in AM and one PM due to absorbancy issues. But always best to check with your doc as it is possible to get too much of a good thing, even vitamins and minerals (things like iron and Vit A can be dangerous in high quantities). Doubt that would happen with any pouchers, but everyone is different and emptying different amounts.

P.S. Bill - I see you are in Phoenixville. My husband and I just moved to CA from Collegeville. Wish we were on the boards back in PA; would have been nice to know someone local! Where do you live Jason? I see you are in PA too. Hubby is homesick right now and I keep reminding him that it's probably hazy, hot & humid back there but it's 73 degrees and perfect here in San Diego!

One other thing worth adding... If you are on antibiotics for pouchitis or any other condition, as many are, it is best to take vitamins several hours apart from the antibiotics to prevent absorbancy issues (certain minerals can affect antibiotic absorption). I think it's one hour prior or two hours after (I always have trouble remembering exactly), but check your antibiotic leaflet/patient handout and it will tell you or check with your doc/pharmacist. It can get tough when you're taking vitamins twice/day and so many other meds too: you start having to really schedule your meds! I found it helps to write them down.

Muggette,

Yep, it's an oven here today 97 (F) Degree's and Humid!

BLAH!

Collegeville is practically the next town over, if you ever come back to visit we'll have to meet up.

im a flinstones kid!

I take a liquid kind....I think either that or the chewable ones are supposed to be better for "our people" due to the increased absorption.

I prefer Theragran M. I always check the expiration date on vitamins ( and just about everything else too.. lol )

Johnny

I was taking my child's Flintstones, but graduated to chewable Centrum. I think it's fine, although it did affect the Warfarin I'm taking (vitamin K).