Charno

I used to take multi-vitamins, for a couple of years in fact. I took the ones that included all the extra stuff that I can't quite remember at the minute. It was a good while ago. I used to buy those 100 tablet packs, from the supermarket. I think I know what you're going to say. Too general, not targeting specific deficiencies in my diet. Well, not knowing even what these deficiencies are.

I can work out how many calories I'm eating but protein might be a little more difficult. Bodyweight in pounds times 16 equals calorie needs eh? Sounds nice and mathematical. I did work out some of this stuff when I was dieting a couple of years back but I just let it slide once I'd lost the weight thinking my usual diet would be more than enough (since it helped me get fat). I also cut down on cardio and started with the weightlifting. My weight has been increasing quite steadily since.

Thanks for blinding me with science, I'll try to get my head around it all.

Tatyana

Assume you are deficient if you have been eating a typical British diet.

A multi-vit is fine.

Protein you can figure out using on-line calculators like fitday/calorieking, you do have to know the weight.


It is all basic maths

1 stone = 14 pounds

12 stone x 14 = 168 lbs

168 lbs x 16 = 2688 kcals/day

Add 10 % 2688 x 0.1 = 268.8

2688 + 269 = 2957 kcals

Are you being stroppy?

This is the sort of thing that nutritionists do, and you are getting it for free.

thestudbeast

The multi vit and minerals the supermarkets sell are very poor. In fact just about every multi on the market are poor with exception of the adams multi vit and the poliquin performance multi. Besides magnesium should be taken on it's own.

Tatyana

Solgar is good, naturally sourced as well.

This is where you want to take a trip to your small local health food shop.

For convenience, you may want to try something like CNP pro-vitamins (buy British) or animal pack.

Charno

Stroppy, moi?

Certainly not, I appreciate your help. It's just my flippant manner. I'll try to tone it down.

You're doubtless right, but they're cheap! Plus you can get bogof offers and everything! Seriously. I'll have a look at the ones you recommended. I need to get a balance of cost & efficiency though.

Charno

Thanks, it's been a while since I went into one of those health food shops. I can't even remember what it was for now. I'll write some of those names down. Buy British sounds good.

...Actually I think it was dandelion and burdock, I used to love that stuff.

thestudbeast

These are all over priced and poor products, I mean who would put calcium in a product designed for men, or even worse iron, or copper?????????? Animal pack is just over rated, CNP make some dubious choices sometimes but are a well loved brand but that product is way too expensive also. Seems like they make some cracking products and some average ones IMO.

Here's why all multi are a bad idea

Zinc: like all AI's should be taken in the morning with one of the first two meals

Magnesium: is alkalizing on the stomach and so should be taken away from food, it relaxes muscles and helps sleep and so should be taken in the evening.

Calcium: is actually dangerous for males to supplement calcium, plus it takes the same path ways for absorbtion as zinc and magnesium and the body tends to priroritize calcium. Hence none of these 3 minerals should be taken at the same time.

A multi vitamin plus seperate zinc and mag is the best route and cheaper than these fancy all in one's anyway. Copper and iron should never be supplemented by men either.