the quality of vitamin supplements: non-brands Vs brands

whirlpool · 11-11-2010 02:19AM #1

Hey hey,

I'm just wondering if anybody has any educated info about the difference between the quality of branded vitamin supplements (e.g. MultiBionta, Berocca) and non-branded supplements (such as Boots' own, or the ones sold by Lidl/Aldi)?

Are the branded vitamins and supplements such as MultiBionta and Berocca a much higher quality than Lidl, Boots and Aldi own-brands? The price difference is often massive. However, I'd happily spend the extra if it was worth it.

Thanks (in advance)

--Kaiser-- · 11-11-2010 10:12AM

I haven't found any studies which conclusively prove that synthetic vitamin supplements have the same effect as the natural forms.

Synthetic vitamins are derived from petrochemicals and lack some of the co-factors which would be present with natural vitamins from a natural source (e.g. bioflavanoids would be present with Vit C and increase it's bio-availability)

If possible I would go for vitamins sourced naturally (like Floridix) and steer away from things like Berocca which provide 700 - 1000 % RDA of vitamins (most of which will be excreted).

whirlpool · 11-11-2010 10:51AM

Thanks for that insight. Naturally-sourced vitamins: are they much more expensive than their synthetic counterparts? Are they readily available in health stores?

--Kaiser-- · 11-11-2010 12:13PM

Floridix isn't too expensive and completely organic as far as I know

http://www.breatheonline.ie/floradix-floradix-500ml.html

the quality of vitamin supplements: non-brands Vs brands

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