Hey I am kind of new to tall of this...

Recently I went to GNC and bought the Ultra Mega Women Menopause Support Formula, but my concern is the amount of vitamins to are way off the charts w/the RDA... I.e, I think it's Vitamin B'6, something like 3,333% of the RDA. And then there are a few other B's over 2,000%. I don't mind taking over the RDA to an extent, but these numbers are just so high. I also know w/certain Vitamins you have to be real careful, (but not really sure which ones those are); I think A is one of them that you have to be careful with.

The Pack comes w/4 multi-vitamins, but right now I am only taking two a day, w/the concern of such RDA numbers... But then there are certain Vitamins that I don't feel that I would be getting enough of... Ah... Confusing...

My questions are this...

Has anyone used this product, or one w/such high RDA's.

Should I be concerned?

Or should I just switch to another product?

PS - I need to be careful w/Niacin, makes me flush, which I hate... This one is at 150% of the RDA, which gives me a little concern, but I have noticed most multi's addressing hormones have high numbers...

Please provide any advise, would so be appreciated. I am doing a better, been on them a week now, and I am feeling some relief, but I am also taking some herbs, Omega 3's too....

Thanks again, appreciate all the advise on this site, have no idea how much you all have helped....

Never tried them so I can't say. You could call your doctor or a pharmacist and ask them to be sure.

I tend to avoid most of gnc products because their vitamins have too many things in their combo products and I end up feeling queasy. I also don't like supersize doses of anything. Vitamins can also act like a med in the body AND the liver has to process it also. Niacin comes in a "flush free" formula too so you might consider trying that. Red yeast rice supplements are supposedly good for lowering cholesterol levels. No personal experience with it though. And I was told by a doc to be careful with high amounts of the fat soluable vitamins. Think those were the A, D, K and forgot the other(s) Sorry, maybe google it. Also, D is the only supplement that acts as a hormone in the body and works in conjuction with the Parathyroid gland. However, current rda guidelines are still way too low on the Vitamin D. Basically, just throwing out some ideas for you. Do some research and talk to a couple of your docs and maybe an endocrinologist too. Didn't like talking to my naturopath cause she just wanted to sell me HER products (vitamins/supplements). eeek. Good luck, JZZ

Thanks... I am currently in the midst of changing doctors... I will look into this info, so appreciate. Guess I was right to only take the two supplements for now... I will keep digging, thanks...

And ps - dont you love it, some doctors (esp the ones I find) don't believe in supplements or alternative methods. Then we do find someone, and they want to see us something... Just proves we all need to learn more and more and more...

thanks again...




Thanks... I am currently in the midst of changing doctors... I will look into this info, so appreciate. Guess I was right to only take the two supplements for now... I will keep digging, thanks...

And ps - dont you love it, some doctors (esp the ones I find) don't believe in supplements or alternative methods. Then we do find someone, and they want to sell us something... Just proves we all need to learn more and more and more...

thanks again...

I recently read the the flushing from Niacin is actually good for you....it indicates it is working. I think it had something to do with blood flow, but can't remember exactly.

I feel like you do about mega dosing, especially the Bs. I get queasy from big doses too. Try and research foods with high Bs and eat them instead!

Remember the RDI is a minimum!!! Not a maximum!! You can go over the RDI to a point.

B vitamins are ones that your body flushes out. When dealing with stress, your body looses B vitamins and they need to be replaced. Vitamin C is another one that gets flushed out of your body and is needed for stress. Iron is not something you should take unless told to by a doctor. I take a tsp. of Vitamin B's in liquid form every day. I have a hard time taking huge pills so this works for me. You want a good B complex as the B's work together.

Another thing that researchers are finding that is very important is fish oil - Omega 3's. They are even discovering that Omega 3's are just as effective, if not more, and without the side effects as the drugs for anxiety and depression. I take a tsp. of liquid fish oil every day as well. Both need to be refrigerated.

You can take two teaspoons of the B's and Omega 3's every day. It is advised that you take one teaspoon of each at one meal and repeat it at a second meal. I have just done it once a day with good results.

Taking Vitamin B's will turn your urine a brighter yellow. Don't let that concern you - it is fine.

I would also recommend going to a good health food store for these products. Usually the people who work in the better stores know more and carry the better products. I have never been overly impressed with GNC. Many of the products that health food stores carry are more pure.

Hope this helps,

Dor

Thanks Dor, I am surely going to print out this entire response.... And hey thanks for the heads up on the bright yellow urine, I have that now w/the GNC, I think might even glow in the dark (sorry couldn't resist) Funny though cause yesterday for most of the day, didn't have that, but now it's starting... I really feel that I was for sure low on my B's, just due to my symptoms that I was having. Yesterday looked up deficiencies, and what they list for B was me exactly.... I figured it was one of the vitamins... And I swear by the Omega 3's, they have to be one of the best things that I have found...

Going this Saturday to do some looking. There's a Whole Foods nearby, and they have alot. Have you ever heard of place called Vitamin Shoppe. I saw one of those too.... I must say though I was throughly impressed w/what Whole Foods had there for Supplements.

Thanks again..

I use the vitamins off the powersurge website. It is Bellvue Pharmacy. They reasonabley priced and have everything in them.

Hey I took a look at them, but dang, they got more than the GNC.... I wish I knew more about that RDA...

Vitamin A (as acetate, beta carotene) 10,000iu 200% (This worries me the most, don't like taking that much A)
Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 250mg 417%
Vitamin D (as cholecalciferol) 400iu 100%
Vitamin E (as d-alpha succinate) 150iu 500%
Vitamin K (as phytonadione) 100mcg 125%
Vitamin B-1 (as thiamine hydrochloride 50mg 3333% (THis is what GNC has)
Riboflavin 50mg 2941%
Niacin (as niacinamide) 50mg 250% (Or this much Niacin)
Vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride) 125mg 6250% (WOW!!!)
Folic Acid 800mcg 200%
Vitamin B-12 (as cyanocobalamin) 200mcg 3333%
Biotin 300mcg 100%
Vitamin B-5 (as calcium pantothenate) 150mg 1500%
Calcium (as carbonate, citrate, amino acid chelate) 400mg 40%
Iron (as amino acid chelate) 18mg 100%
Iodine (from kelp) 250mcg 167%
Magnesium (as ocide, citrate, amino acid chelate) 400mg 100%
Zinc (as monomethionine from L-OptiZincTM) 15mg 100%
Selenium (as amino acid chelate) 200mcg 286%
Copper (as amino acid chelate) 2mg 100%
Manganese (as amino acid chelate) 10mg 500%
Chromium (as polynicotinate from ChromeMate) 100mcg 83%
Molybdenum (as amino acid chelate) 50mcg 67%
Potassium (as amino acid chelate) 50mg 1.4%
Inositol 20mg Daily Value Not Est.
Choline (as bitartrate) 20mg Daily Value Not Est.
PABA (para amino benzioc acid) 20mg Daily Value Not Est.
Soy Isoflavones (10% isoflavones from FloraGLOTM) 25mg Daily Value Not Est.
Resveratrol 4mg Daily Value Not Est.
Marigold Extract (5% lutein from FloraGLOTM) 6mg Daily Value Not Est.
Boron (as Krebs Cycle Complex) 200mcg Daily Value Not Est.
GLA (gamma linolenic acid) powder 25mg Daily Value Not Est.
Vanadyl Sulfate 50mcg Daily Value Not Est.
Dong Quai Extract 50mg Daily Value Not Est.
Black Cohost (2.5% triterpene lactones) 10mg Daily Value Not Est.
Citrus Biolavonoid Complex 20mg Daily Value Not Est.
Chasteberry Extract 25mg Daily Value Not Est.
Cranberry Fruit Concentrate 40mg Daily Value Not Est.
Uva Ursi Berries 60mg Daily Value Not Est.
Chamomile Flower Extract 30mg Daily Value Not Est.
Siberian Ginseng Extract (0.4% eleutherosides) 25mg Daily Value Not Est.
Alfalfa Leaves 15mg Daily Value Not Est.

I think for now since I just bought the GNC's last week ( ) I will just finish them out, but take only 2 or 3 (when needed), that way there I can look into it some more..

thanks for all the feedback...

This site may offer you some help.

vitamins

Good luck, and please keep us posted

Helen

Thanks for the link... I did go to Whole Foods yesterday, and I bought their multi womens... Some of the RDA is higher, but nothing to high...

I took womens ultra meaga from GNC for many years, however i would only take one a day instead of the 2 required so I only got 40 mg of b vitamins which was still well over RDA. I am looking for another only because I am not sure it is doing anything to help and at the price of 20$ when there are others out there that have passed the consumer labs report and have a USP lable on them for 1/2 the price.

I am not really concerned with the mega dose with GNC, but they do put other things in their vitamins such as herbs or example mine green tea which i was beginning to wonder if that was causing some problems.

Here is a question does anyone buy vitamins separately.....like taking B's, C, D, iron all in different pill from the same maker....I am considering this because I can't find one with what I want....when I decided to change I was going to take nature made multi max, but can't find it in the store, only online. Nature made products are usually in every drug sroe but not this particular product...any thoughts. HUGS MIkki

Do you have a Whole Foods near you? I bought there brand a couple of days ago, Adult Multi for Women 365 Brand.... Has a good mixtures of multivitamins, w/about 11 different herbs too.... I also take Omega 3's like up to 5 a day, Probiotic, Even Primrose, now just added Digestive Enzymes. Honestly I been feeling really really good lately. was going to do a post about that here, cuz honestly I have not felt this good in years...

I purchase vitamins from Life Extension Foundation (lef.org). Their website has a lot of info. about research into vitamins. They seem to promote mega doses of certain vitamins, but none of my Dr's has had an issue with the multi vit. I take. So as you explore vitamins this may be useful.

Yes, most of my supplements are separate, just like my hrt. That way only one thing at a time can be added or deleted and you can figure out what is causing any side effects (ie - beneficial or detrimental). But, I do buy from different manufacturers. JZZ

With everything I have been reading I also added some extra Vit D & C.

I actually saw a special on PBS yesterday, actually there were two that I caught pieces of both (had a house full of boys....); but one was Dr. Northrup and another was about Anxiety, both shows emphasized supplements. The Multis and the probiotics, both of which I am taking. The guy who had the show on about Anxiety and Depression, talked about changing your diet and adding a good Multi w/the Probiotics, and give it 6 weeks. I really think something has to be said for that, cause even though I had a house full of BOYS and hubby was out of town, I did pretty good. I am still feeling alot better than I usually do. Did alot of out door work today, which really felt good too.

I was thinking too. I live in Florida, whereas the Summers are usually pretty sunny (not so much lately lot's of rain), and though they say it is so bad when we lay out in the son, but I always feel sooooo good when I do. As you know, the sun promotes and creates Vit D, so I wonder could I be lacking in Vit D and that's why I feel so good when I am out in the Sun.....

I truly think the organics are helping too.. Yea they are little more expensive on some items, but the up side of it, I ain't eating out like I use to. I would be so drained that I couldn't bare to even think about cooking dinner, so we would order out a lot, sometimes 3-4 times a week, at the least twice. I haven't been doing that, even husband said, w/the money we are saving by not eating out is saving us big time. He has been great, he is really getting into the whole Organic and eating healthy thing. We were talking about it on Friday, and he said he was loving it and glad we have made the switch.... It feels really good when your other-half backs ya on things. He wasn't all so for it in the beginning, "Oh babe, that's just going to cost more", but like he said w/us not eating out like we used to is savings us so much more money, and he said he actually is feeling better too... Now my 10 year old has a melt down every once in a while, "I hope this is just phase" or "when you going to get off this health kick". But I see him, and he aint so moody nor is he up and down w/his attitude. Also notice he has lost a little of his belly. So that in itself is AWESOME. Have him on a multi too. My hubby though refuse to take any multi's though....

As for my son though... About week and half ago, he had been begging me for Burger King, so I went out and got him some (not going to say he can never have BK again); now my son had been golden all week. Do you know w/in a hour of him eating BK, he was having a total melt down, I mean OMG melt down. I have surely seen a huge change in him, big time.

I look at it this way. Like Dr. Northrup said in her show, keep it 80/20. 80% the good stuff, and 20% the not so great stuff, include your vitamins, give it 6 weeks and you will see the difference. Well it hasn't even been a month yet, and I have seen a huge difference in myself, my son and my husband.... I am still a little anxious about ovulation, cause that is usually total hell for me, so we will see how I get thru that.... PS, OMG I wore a bikini today. Though my belly still some flabby flab, I looked down and was actually notice a difference.... (Now I want to save for a little work out gym for home.....)

I have to say as well, I have been on a b-50 supplement for the past year or so and I was feeling a lot better, but then I added 1000 mg vit d a few months ago - I really feel SO much better now. I think that has to be it - because it is really the only thing I added consistently. Where I live there is not enough sun in the winter months and I have always been one to stay out of the sun in the summer, so even though I did not get my levels checked, I feel certain I had to be low. Vit D has really been a big help to me! So now I take a flintstone with Iron, b-50, 1000 mg vit d, and 500-1000 mg vit c every day.

Hi everyone again....don't know if anyone is still here, but I was still looking for a good vitamin and for whatever reason I have been looking for something with high doses in it because I feel so stinken bad that I assume I must be low on something.....then I had this thought yesterday that maybe it is the opposite, maybe I have too much of something....I mean I eat a very good diet with alot of veggies/fruits and whole grains.....I take GNC as stated above and have for years....with my diet being the way it is could I be getting too much of a vitamin? I have looked it up and like the rest above say that only certain vitamins could possibly build up. I don't know it was just a thought....maybe I will cut back and down grade to a normal vitamin without all the extras and see, has nayone found they were overdosing on the vit's? HUGS Mikki

Think I may be overdosing on OEP have taken some hair vits and an antioxidant occassionaly alongside.
having bad stomach issues now so who knows I,m cutting myself down from 1000mgx3 day to just 2 and will cease others.see how I go. will just have to let my hair and nails drop off as and when now.

Think the penny just dropped why having the "trotskys" uuugh.

Have read on here magnesium causes this and other vits I,ve been taking have this in.


Don,t know what I prefer bald and nailless or spending 24/7 on the lav !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Drives me mad...try and help ourselves feel better and cause more stress.