Issues with Vitamins

Updated on November 11, 2008
L.K. asks from Tinley Park, IL
25 answers

Hi moms, I have a question regarding vitamins. I was always able to take a muti-vitamin with no stomach issues. I have a pretty sensitive stomach, and HATE (like most people, I'm sure) to feel nauseous. I wasn't really able to take prenatals until the middle and end of the pregnancy, and just to make sure, would take them with plenty of food in my tummy. I did, however, take a multi and folic acid. Now that I've had my baby, it seems I can't take ANYTHING without an upset stomach, no matter how much food! Any advice? Has anyone had a similar experience? I know I need to take a vitamin to stay healthy, especially since I don't always eat all of the servings of good foods I need. Please help!

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A.G.

answers from Chicago on

Hi L., I agree with the previous posters on taking the vitamins at night. I also take them with a glass of milk and sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast. It helps to coat my stomach. Otherwise, when I'd wake in the night (as we moms so often do), I'd still feel the naseua.

I've also sampled many expensive brands and have had a lot of luck with a Target brand prenatal. It's coated, so you don't get that awful taste when it goes down.

Good luck!

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K.O.

answers from Chicago on

My stomach is also more sensitive after having my daughter but my vitamins don't bother me at all. I switched to Shaklee after having my daughter because of their cleaning products. I knew to put the regular stuff up and out of reach but never realized they left a toxic sludge behind where I had just cleaned or that the chemicals lingered in the air long afterwards. So I tried the nontoxic cleaning products and ended up falling in love with the company. Their vitamins are food supplements - very different than the synthetically made ones you found elsewhere. They are made to get absorbed right away and are tested more thoroughly than anything I have ever heard of for safety and quality control. I would love to give you more information - could you email me at ____@____.com?

Thanks,
K.

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A.G.

answers from Chicago on

I had this problem too, so I started taking them at night before bed so I wouldn't experience the upset stomach. I've been doing this for 3 years now without any troubles! Good luck!

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K.B.

answers from Chicago on

I think with the lifestyles we lead, most people DO need a supplement. If you are honestly following the food pyramid everyday, your good to go. If you don't have the time to donate all day to perfect nutrition, I would suggest Shaklee's multivitamins. They come in a tablet or liquid. I always take after food and never have a problem. They are guaranteed to release in your body when they are supposed to and not flush out. Check out their web-site. : )

K.P.

answers from Decatur on

Good morning!

I, too, had the same issues with prenatals. I started taking them about 5 months into my pregnancy. I have always had stomach problems. I have been diagnosed with spastic colon as well as irritable bowel syndrome. I have a hard time with vitamins, but knew I needed something to help me feel better and more energized.

I tried many different things before I found GARDEN OF LIFE. I highly recommend those products. I have never in my life felt better or more energized. I was very skeptical before I started taking the products, since I had tried so many things before. But I truly noticed a difference in my stomach pains and my energy level after about one month.

I take the probiotic he offers in the morning on an empty stomach and it has NEVER once bothered me. I also take the perfect food supplement he offers. There is also a vitamin for mind and energy that I highly recommend. Between these three supplements, I have never felt better. These are not for people with stomach problems only. Probiotics and the other two supplements I refer to are for anyone to add to their diet.

I take capsule form, but powder form is much better since less is eliminated from the system when taken in powder form. Whichever you choose, I truly hope you look into GARDEN OF LIFE products. He has great vitamin supplements for otherwise healthy people, and I can attest to the fact that they truly work. I am sure you can "google" the name GARDEN OF LIFE and find a provider. I have purchased mine off of the internet in the past. They also have his products at local health food stores.

Good luck to you!

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K.L.

answers from Peoria on

Melaleuca vitamins are awesome. They mimic the way your body absorbs organic foods. They also have a protective easy to swallow coating on them so they do not leave a bad taste in your mouth. I was the same exact way you are and I started taking them 2 1/2 years ago and I have never felt better. Email me if you would like more information.

K. L.
____@____.com
www.stayinhomeandlovinit.com/kjl0502
www.saferisbetter.com/kjl0502

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I have spent alot of money buying prenatals from whole foods. They have all my made me sick. I finally bought the generic target brand (my dr. said they were the same) and I have not been sick at all. Before I was pregnant, I took the woman's one a day. They are cheaper if you buy at Costco. Good luck.

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K.W.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried a natural or food grade vitamin (vs. a vitamin of chemicals). I personally can not take many commercial preparations because whatever they use for the B (and sometimes the iron) just makes me sick. I have tolerated Trader Joe's Women's Formula much better as well as other formula's (Now I take Carlson Daily 2) where you have to take more that one tablet a day, but the ingredients are much easier to tolerate. Vitamins made completely from whole foods are probably the easiest of all to tolerate, but they tend to be expensive and you have to take several tablets/capsules per day. The important thing to remember here is that not all vitamins are equally tolerated. At many stores (Vitamin Shoppe, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and even some local shops) you can return vitamins for a full refund within 30 days. This being the case, it's a good idea to try them and see how they work. For better tolerance always take vitamins with meals that include some fats/oils (added or naturally occurring).

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E.D.

answers from Chicago on

I developed a lot of food sensitivities after my second pregnancy. And vitamins made me feel AWFUL! Turns out I have an allergy to gelatin so gel caps are not the way to go for me. Loads of supplements are made with things in them that are common sensitivity triggers for most people. I know vitamins are "healthy" but if it's causing inflammation and upset in your body it is not healthy for you.

Bonnie Minsky of Nutritional Concepts got to the bottom of all my issues. She really helped me. And she has supplements too.

Good luck!

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C.G.

answers from Chicago on

Most people really do not need a vitamin supplement to be healthy. Most of the vitamins get flushed out of your system anyway. You could try taking it before bed, I always took my prenatals then to avod nausea.

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Agree 100% with the previous post. A simple analysis of your diet can tell you if you're getting sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. If not, find foods that will give you what you need. Not as hard to swallow and tasty too!

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S.H.

answers from Chicago on

Dear L.,
Not sure if you would be interested in this, but this is the best suggestion I could give you. I have been a distributor for a company called Reliv International for 3.5 years. I don't sell any more but take the products faithfully every day and find them to be terrific. They are a powder which can be added to any liquid, yogurt, etc. The combination takes all the guess work out of vitamins. Somehow having optimum nutrition which these products provide makes a lot of difference for me physically. You are welcome to check out
reliv.com
or let me know and I can have someone talk with you. This is a multi level marketing company. My personal opinion is that if you can get past the hipe, I think you would find the products to be very beneficial. You are welcome to contact me off list at
____@____.com
Good luck for yourself and your favorite guys!
S.

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N.Z.

answers from Chicago on

This may be exactly what you are looking for. Whole food nutrition. Fruits and veggies in a capsule. Never get an upset stomach due to the fact you are actually eating food. No need for the isolated, fragmented, synthetic multi when you can get all your vitamins, minerals & phytonutrients in this whole food concept. Please check the link below and review the research. Bioavailability is very important. Why pay for expensive urine when you can get more whole food everyday. Isn't that what you were looking for in the first place, to eat more fruits and veggies everyday?
Let me know if I can be of help.
N.-Nutrition Naturally
www.jp4ahealthieryou.com

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L.F.

answers from Chicago on

Try taking it at night before bed...this worked for me. Also for fish oil supps I take because I used to burp and taste the fish!! Not anynore.

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J.B.

answers from Chicago on

I have the same problem and the prenatals made me so sick. During my pregnancy my doctor put me on the children's chewable vitamins. My son is now almost 5 months and I am breast feeding and am still taking them. If you look at the package, they actually give the dosage for adults - 1 is for adults, children under 4 are actually suppose to take half.

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S.A.

answers from Chicago on

I have big issues with iron and don't always get all that I need in my diet so it was necessary to take a pre-natal and then continue when I was nursing. I've been on pre-natals for about six years now with short time-outs. I typically have to take mine at night before I go to bed after dinner. Otherwise I will get sick to my stomach or taste the iron in them all day. I also had to experiment a bit until I found a low iron one I could tolerate. I take one from Costco that works great for me.

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A.W.

answers from Chicago on

Hi L.!
I've heard of some women who can't stomach "regular vitamins" taking children's chewables, such as Flintstones. You would obviously need to check with a dr. about how many to take as an adult in order to get the correct amount of nutrients for the day. Just a thought!! Good luck!

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R.B.

answers from Springfield on

Make sure the vitamins you are taking are necessary and completely natural. Most vitamins (including prenats) have many things in them that are not "whole food" vitamins and have man made ingredients which do not absorb into the body correctly. You do pay more for the better viatmins, but they do their job. If you eat a really healthy clean diet, you may not need vitamin supplements. Check with someone who deals with nutrition. I take digestive enzymes all the time...these help to deal with all digestive issues, including tummy problems. You may have a sensitivity to something in the vitamins which is giving you the issue, too. Since my third pregnancy, I can't eat onions...I am probably slightly allergic to them, and it became more evident during pregancy. Your body does strange things, but if you feed it correctly, you will be much happier!

Good Luck!

...and most medical doctors don't deal with nutrition, so they would say something as crazy as "the cheap vitamins are the same as a whole food supplement". It just isn't true. I have been taking supplements only when I need them for the past five years and I have never been healthier. It doesn't take time to be healthy, just good common sense. It doesn't take any longer to steam veggies than to run through the drive through. Take your time, read labels and feed your body well!

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P.K.

answers from Chicago on

I have found that my stomach does not get upset with liquid vitamins. I use Pana C-315. It's a great multi-vitamin, mineral & super food supplement. It's peach/mango flavored, so I put it a bottle of water that I sip on during the morning, after a good breakfast. That does the trick. You could add a little juice if you wanted more flavor. Ola Loa makes a powdered vitamin/mineral supplement that you mix in your water bottle, or a glass of water. Both are available online, or at Multiform Fitness in Hoffman Estates. Good luck to you!
P.

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B.B.

answers from Chicago on

I also had the same issues when I was pregnant. The most likley culrpit for the effect is the iron contained in most vitamins. Try taking a suppliment that does not contain it. I love Emergen-C multi-vitamin. It can be found at most major chains like Jewel, Target, or Walgreen's. It is in a powedered form and you add it to about 4-6 ounces of water. It tastes like a nice fizzy treat. It comes in a wide range of flavors, I do prefere the tangerine. Make sure you're getting your iron through the foods you eat. green leafy veggies and red meat. Good luck!

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E.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi,

Have you heard of Melaleuca's vitamins? They are natural 100% and they work great. You can check the out here: http://www.Melaleuca.com.

We have 2 girls and we live with my husband in Algonquin , IL.

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C.K.

answers from Chicago on

Take them at night before you go to bed, I have the same problem and this solved it.

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C.H.

answers from Chicago on

Have you heard of a company called Juice Plus+. I have been taking them for almost a year. It is all the fruits and veggies you need for the day. It is four capsules that you take daily. Split them up if you want,2 veggies and 2 fruits. Then when your baby is older you can even open the capsules and put them on your baby's food to ensure that they are getting all they need. Our family loves them! Hope it helps. My cousin is a distributer if you are interested, or just want some info. Let me know! Hope it helps!!

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C.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi L., The others are right about listening to your body. I strongly recommend you try digestive enzymes from Home First. They are a tummy saver. You will see results near immediately. My family of 5 all takes them with the Probiotics. I think it is called Pro50 or Pro5. They are more than happy to help you get started.
Good Health!
C.

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J.A.

answers from Chicago on

See my website www.gopillfree.com. Tons of helpful info. I swear by Body Balance, it is a liquid whole food "vitamin" with vitamins, minerals and all essential glyconutrients that you can't get in your daily diet. I have been taking it for about 8 years now and the best side effect, I don't get sick, I mean bedridden ill - ever! My whole family drinks it. My Aidan is 5 and never missed a day of preschool due to illness!
I can get you a sample bottle to see if it bothers you, but it shouldn't if you are fine with drinking any type of juice. It is made with organic ingredients, sea vegetables, black cherry and certified pure aloe vera juice. There is nothing artificial or "additives" in it and I never took a prenatal because my doctor said that my Body Balance was better for my body and digestive system than a packet of pills. That is about when I started "Go Pill Free". E-mail me and I'll give you my phone number for a sample. You can only obtain by referral, it used to be prescribed by holistic doctors only, so I personally don't sell it. If you like it, you can order it direct from the company and have it shipped to you. There is a referral number on the website so you can even order a free sample bottle without even contacting me if you feel uncomfortable calling a "stranger". Good luck, and whatever you decide to try, I hope it works best for YOUR body.

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