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Vitamins: tested and rated
They have thoroughly examined more than 100 leading multivitamins available in Australia and New Zealand, evaluating and comparing their formulations by separating and measuring each ingredient: vitamins, minerals antioxidants and other components. Dr Lesley Braun, Pharmacist and Naturopath from the National Herbalists Association of Australia and Dr Marc Cohen, Professor of Complementary Medicine at RMIT are the authors of Herbs and Natural Supplements.
We showed them the latest comparison of multivitamin products which scores brand by brand. Professor Cohen added: "It was done on a range of issues, which include how absorbable the vitamins were, the range of vitamins and minerals that were in the tablet and whether they were in the appropriate amounts and in the appropriate form" says Professor Marc Cohen.
Dr Braun explained the research further. "It is very important when you look at a vitamin supplement that not only have you got the key ingredients, but you've got them in the right combinations." They say the absolutely perfect multivitamin tablet would be a huge "poly-pill", the size of a walnut, but Professor Cohen says we should be aiming for the following. "The full range of vitamins e.g. A, the full range of vitamin Bs - and B should be done in a complex, not just 1 or 2 of the vitamins - certainly vitamin C and a range of minerals," Prof Cohen said. "There is also an argument to say you should not put everything in the one pill because things absorb differently, e.g. the fat soluble vitamins." Now the results First, the final top 5 scorers. Remember they're rated against an ideal multi-vitamin pill. Best: USANA Health Sciences Essentials scores a very high 74 per cent, followed by Solgar Omnium at 56.5 per cent. Thorn Research Al's Formula scored 47 percent, Clinicians Vitamin and Mineral Boost 45 per cent, and NFS Nutraceuticals Ultimate Sports Multi 44.5 per cent. But you won't find them at the supermarket nor pharmacies: they're available through MLM, online, or through some naturopaths and herbalists.
What is it that gave these brands such top ratings? "A lot of the key ingredients are in very high doses. So when you match it up to the wish list that the US experts put together, it looks very good." Most of the multivitamins tested scored lower than 20 per cent. Again though, all were rated against the ideal. About one-third only managed single figure scores. Bottom of the list, unbelievably, some of our top supermarket and pharmacy brands: Myadec and Nature's Own Multivitamins and Minerals both with just 2.4 per cent, Herron Clinical Nutrition All-in-One Multi-Vitamin and Mineral scored 2 per cent, Guardian Multi Vitamins and Minerals Hi Potency also 2 per cent, and last was Advocare Macro-Mineral Complex at just 1 per cent. But at a fraction of the price of the top scorers, our expert nutritionists say you do get what you pay for.
"They tend to have fewer number of ingredients compared to the ones that rated very highly," Dr Braun said. Professor Cohen said: "I think the ones in the supermarkets and pharmacies are competing on price. You could have the vitamin on the label and only a very tiny amount. It won't actually do anything for you, but it is still on the label and consumers don't really know how much is the correct amount."
So are the right vitamins worth the money? "There is strong evidence now that everyone over the age of 55 should be taking a multivitamin every day to prevent long-term diseases," Prof Cohen said. "I'd extend that to say everyone should be taking a multivitamin because the risks are very low and the benefits are potentially very high." So what does an expert take daily? Here's a tip: don't waste your money taking multivitamins with a cup of tea. "The best way to take them is in the morning with breakfast, big glass of water," Prof Braun said. "Tea not so good because it binds some of the iron and you won't get the absorption, cancels out the iron."
TEST RESULTS But it is not in bookshops in Australia. Go to www.uniprotools.com.au. You can order the book from that site by selecting Lyle MacWilliam's name on the left-hand side of the page. Price is $40 including postage and handling.
Nutritional Supplements sorted by score |
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Lawrie Whitmore Designed and hosted by P G Technologies Last Modified: 20th June 2008 |