FAQs
Q. What is the best multiple/vitamin for me?
A. Choosing a multiple is based on your gender, activity or stress level , and your age. Nu-Life provides separate men’s and women’s formulas in the Ultimate One and Legend Vegicap line. If you are new to taking multiples, are use to lower potency brands, or have moderate activity levels (1-3 times per week) choose the Ultimate One. For the more serious supplementer needing higher potency for greater activity levels (4 or more times per week) use The Ultimate One Legend. We also have specific needs multiples for pregnancy, children, chewable, and diabetic formulas.
Q. When is the best time to take the multiple?
A. It is best taken at the end of the morning meal to gain the full benefit of the nutritents during the day.
Q. Are Vegi-Caps better than tablets for absorption?
A. When comparing the same formula, vegi-caps do dissolve faster and provide quicker absorption. This may be advantageous to individuals with sluggish digestion.
Q. What makes Nu-Life multiples better than others?
A. There are two main areas where Nu-Life excels. Our formulas use highly absorbable mineral forms such as bisglycinates that provide up to twice the absorption versus common mineral forms, and active coenzyme forms of B vitamins - these forms are used in I.V. units in hospitals for their high rate of activity and ease of absorption. Nu-Life Multiples also provide extremely higher dosage per dollar value versus other brands.
Q. Does your product contain gluten or other allergens?
A. All of our ULTIMATE ONE products are gluten-free. Please check the label for the allergen disclaimer. If it states “free from wheat” or “gluten”, this indicates the product does not contain gluten.
Q. Does your product contain other allergens?
A. Please check the label for the allergen disclaimer to learn more about the specific product and the allergens it is free from. Most products are free from preservatives, artificial colours, artificial flavours, artificial sweeteners, wheat, dairy, starch, and yeast.
Q. Does Nu-Life Multiples contain animal products?
A. The only ingredient that is animal related is Vitamin D which is derived from sheep’s wool.
Q. I noticed on the package it states GDU=Gelatin Digesting Units. Does this mean there is gelatin in the product?
A. No, there is no gelatin in the product. The term GDU refers to the testing method used to measure the activity of the digestive enzyme bromelain. Bromelain breaks down gelatin – a protein – so the amount of gelatin that can be broken down by bromelain is the measure of enzyme activity measured as Gelatin Digesting Units per Gram of bromelain (GDU/g)
Q. I am taking medication, is it safe to take a multiple?
A. It is best to consult with your pharmacist or doctor regarding medications and any potential interactions. Online websites (www.drugdigest.org; www.supplementinfo.org) may provide some guidance, but again their information should be discussed with a health professional.
Q. What are vitamins?
A. Vitamins are MICROnutrients that in conjunction with minerals and amino acids from protein, make all the enzymes in the human body that run metabolism from generating energy from our food to making protein and nerves. Vitamins are broken into two groups – fat soluble and water soluble. Some common vitamins are Vitamin C, Niacin, Vitamin B12 and other B complex vitamins, and Vitamin E. The human body is known to need at least 13 different vitamins.
Q. Why do we need vitamins?
A. Vitamins are essential to life and cannot be completely manufactured by the body making them essential nutrients. This means they must be consumed in our diet. The modern world has negatively changed our food, air and water supplies, plus added new diseases, chemicals, and physical stressors that have increased our need for these vital nutrients while depleting the concentration in our food supply. Food choices include more overly processed food void of many nutrients, plus fruit and vegetables are grown in nutrient depleted soils that also contain nutrient-robbing chemicals. This makes supplementation necessary if we are to meet the optimal levels for vibrant health. RDA’s (recommended daily allowances) were set 40 years ago and are in drastic need of adjustment. RDA’s represent the MINIMAL amount needed of a vitamin or mineral to hold off disease states. If we are eating to RDA levels, then we are always ON THE VERGE OF DISEASE. Supplementation allows us to reach optimal nutrient levels for better health.
Q. What should be considered when purchasing vitamins?
A. Many people assume that all forms of vitamins are the same. For example, there are at least five different forms of vitamin B12 that can be used in vitamin supplements. They have different forms and absorption rates. One thing to look for is active coenzyme forms of vitamins, such as vitamin B2, B6 and B12 specifically. These forms are well absorbed and are in their active form, so they can get to work right away in the body. These forms of vitamins are actually used in IV solutions used in hospitals to help sick patients get the highest level of nutrition.
Q. Who is likely to be vitamin deficient?
A. Here are some conditions that can lead to vitamin deficiency:
- Pregnancy increases nutrient demand and alters food intake
- intestinal problems that interfere with absorption
- abuse alcohol, because alcohol interferes with the absorption nutrients and robs the body of vitamins in the detoxification process
- prescription medications (including oral contraceptives) that can block absorption of certain nutrients or increase the use of other nutrients
- Undergoing hemodialysis or other medical procedures. Ask your doctor whether you need supplemental support depending on condition and treatment.
- Your diet is poor. If your diet is greatly lacking in fresh fruits and vegetables, or you consistently overcook your food, not choosing organic foods, eating junk food regularly, or are eating regular healthful meals you will most likely be deficient in certain vitamins
- You don't eat meat and dairy products — these foods that contain a lot of vitamin B-12. Strict vegetarians may fall into this category.
- You have an intestinal disease, abnormal bacterial growth in your stomach, or surgery to your intestines or stomach that interferes with the absorption of vitamin B-12 and other nutrients that affect vitamin status.
- Genetic factors, ethnic background or geographic locations - can result in inborn errors in vitamin absorption and metabolism, or low consumption of certain nutrients
- Autoimmune disorder. People with endocrine-related autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes or thyroid disease, may also be at greater risk of developing nutrient deficiencies.
- Malnourished and you're not getting the nutrients and vitamins you need.
- Health conditions such as hyperthyroidism, AIDS or cancer, which can drain the body of vitamin C and other key antioxidant vitamins that lead to a deficiency.
- You smoke. Smoking can lead to vitamin C deficiency because it decreases the absorption of this vitamin, plus other nutrients are used up in the detoxification process. Smoking leads to many other health failures increasing nutrient needs. Many smokers eat poorly.
- Highly activity/stress – if nutrient levels are not increased to match activity, deficiency can set in.
Q. What are some common vitamin side effects, if any? Can you take too much?
A. Water soluble vitamins such as B vitamins and vitamin C are very safe and you must take really high levels to see toxicity or irregular metabolism. Fat soluble vitamins (Beta carotene, Vitamin A, D, E, K), with the exception of Vitamin D, can become toxic at lower levels, because these vitamins are stored for longer periods of time in the body. The following chart highlights some of the more common side effects at certain dosages.
Vitamin | Toxic Dosage | Symptoms and Diseases |
Carotene | >300 mg | Orange discoloration of skin, weakness, low blood pressure, weight loss, low white cell count |
Niacin (B3), acute | 100 mg | Transient flushing, headache, cramps, nausea, vomiting |
Pyridoxine (B6) | 300 mg | Sensory and motor impairment (eg. tingling in fingers). Dependency on high doses, leading to deficiency symptoms when one returns to normal amounts. |
Thiamin (B1) | N/A | No toxic effects noted for humans after oral administration. However, since B Vitamins are interdependent, excess of one may produce deficiency of others. |
Vitamin A, acute (adult) | 2 million IU | Headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting |
Vitamin A, chronic (adult) | 50,000 IU | Anorexia, headache, bluffed vision, loss of hair, bleeding lips, cracking and peeling skin, muscular stiffness and pain, severe liver enlargement and damage, anemia, fetal abnormalities (pregnant women must be very careful), menstrual irregularities, extreme fatigue, liver damage, injury to brain and nervous system. |
Vitamin C, acute | 10 gm | Nausea, diarrhea, flatulence |
Vitamin C, chronic | 3 gm | Increased urinary oxalate and uric acid levels in rare cases, impaired carotene utilization, chelation (binding of vitamin C with minerals) and resultant loss of minerals may occur, sudden discontinuation can cause rebound scurvy. Kidney and bladder stones, urinary tract irritation, increased tendency for blood to clot, breakdown of red blood cells in persons with certain common genetic disorders (such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, common in persons of African origin), may induce B12 deficiency. |
Vitamin D, acute | 70,000 IU | Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, excessive urination, excessive thirst |
Vitamin E | 1,000 IU | The safe dose is probably over 2,000, but some people experience weakness, fatigue, exacerbation of hypertension, increased activity of anticoagulants at 1,000 IU, while some research shows that as little as 300 IU can slow down the immune system. Can destroy some Vitamin K made in the gut. A small amount of immune suppression is probably a reasonable trade off for vitamin E's much needed antioxidant activity. |
Vitamin K | | No known toxicity with natural (phylloquinone); synthetic (menadione), while relatively safe, when administered to infants may cause hemolytic and liver enlargement. Anemia in laboratory animals. |
Q. Why do you produce vitamins in chewable and liquid format?
A. Not all individuals can swallow tablets easily, so these forms make it easier for them to consume vitamins.
Q. Why is Vitamin D so important?
A. We can make our own vitamin D from exposure to sunlight or consume it in foods. Our ancestors use to run around naked in the sun all day long and lived near the equator, so our bodies learned how to produce high amounts of vitamin D and handle very high potencies of these nutrients. Most people cover up from the sun and use suntan lotion that blocks Vitamin D production, and they do not eat enough of the foods that provide Vitamin D. It is now felt most North Americans are deficient in Vitamin D. This deficiency or low consumption has been linked to health concerns as serious as cancer, heart disease, diabetes complications, auto-immune disorders such as MS and arthritis, and bone disease (osteporosis, hip fracture). Other symptoms related to low Vitamin D are S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder), depression, basic immune function, weight gain, muscle weakness and insomnia.
