Another vitamin question :)

ladybug3 · 05-18-2008, 11:28 PM

Actually, my question is about swallowing vitamins. I've been taking the chewable centrums for a few months, but I really don't like them. I've started taking my old Shaklee vitamins that I took before I had surgery and I feel such a difference! I have more energy, my hair loss slowed down finally (although I seem to be one of the few who's actually enjoyed losing some hair - I can actually do stuff with it now!), etc. The only annoying part is that I've been cutting them into rough thirds or quarters because they're so huge!

Does anyone else do this? I'm afraid to swallow a larger piece because it would be so awful to have it get stuck! What would I do if a pill got stuck anyway? But I tell ya, they are not tasty when they've been cut! And the edges aren't smooth so it sometimes hurts. Plus, they crumble, so I lose some of the vitamin. And I'm supposed to take two a day! Needless to say, I don't always do that. But I do notice the difference even taking only one, which tells me I may as well flush those Centrum down the can.

I keep meaning to go to the natural food place and compare my Shaklee with the chewables they have there, but I just haven't yet. My clinic's nutritionist thinks I'm a vitamin snob, but I feel a difference. So I'd really like to find a better vitamin than Centrum or the others like it.

All that to ask, what do the other vitamin snobs do? Do y'all cut your vitamins up or have you found a better alternative?

Thanks. :biggrin2:

aveamora · 05-19-2008, 12:05 AM

Dear Vitamin Snob:

lol. just kidding. if you have a costco in your area, try the liquimax liquid vitamin. remember to refridgerate it after opening. i read that on the label a month later after opening and drinking it for the entire month. ewww.

lovekatz1975 · 05-19-2008, 02:12 PM

I take a regular centrum and just swallow the whole thing. Some reason I've always been lucky that I can take vitamins whole, no matter how big they are. Even my surgeon's office is surprised that I don't get stuck while taking vitamins.

ladybug3 · 05-20-2008, 12:35 PM

Yes, I own the vitamin snob title. LOL! No, I have no Costco near me. It a source of neverending sadness. :) I have heard a rumor that one is coming though, so I'll keep that in mind.

I do wonder if a liquid vitamin wouldn't work better for me. I take a lot of medications so I'm already swallowing so many things that the vitamin seems like just more work.

Lovekatz, you're lucky. I don't even want to try swallowing something big. What would I do if it did get stuck? Ack.

lovekatz1975 · 05-20-2008, 01:00 PM

I hate to say this, but bring it back up!

I don't know if this is a trick or something, but I take my vitamins with hot coffee. Maybe the hot liquid dissolves it a little?

aveamora · 05-20-2008, 03:01 PM

Here is a link to Costco online. Do you have a family member out of the area with a Costco card number you could use? I have not ever bought anything from Costco online, so I am not even sure if you need a membership card. Best of luck to you.

Costco - Natural Liquimax™ Multivitamin Formula 32 Fluid Ounces

MarilynStar · 06-08-2008, 12:57 PM

Hi Ladybug3,
I'm sorry you're having trouble swallowing vitamins. Unless you have a swallowing problem, the vitamins shouldn't get stuck. I take 4-6 at a time and they're different shapes and sizes. Four years ago, I had trouble swallowing them, too. But, I'm able to take them now with no problem.

Here's a swallowing tip . . .
If you're tilting your head back to swallow vitamins, try the opposite. Tilt your head forward a bit. It helps keep your throat open. Works for me.

Or try this . . .
My aunt and mother take their vitamins with anything soft, like yogurt, pudding, applesauce or mashed potatoes. They put the food and vitamin on a spoon.

Even though it's OK to cut the vitamins in pieces, they're easier to swallow with the smooth coating rather than rough edges. And then you don't have to struggle thru 3 or 4 swallows either.

Since you love Shaklee vitamins, have you tried Shaklee CitriBoost? It's a powdered vitamin you mix with orange juice. Ask your distributor. She/he may have other suggestions.

flower faery · 06-08-2008, 10:26 PM

I recently discovered some gummy vitamins for adults at Target. They taste really good. I take 2 a day.

I've been banded for 9 months and up until a couple of months ago I had no problems swallowing pills, BUT then I started having stomach pains and went to my doctor. It turned out even though I thought taking them with hot liquids was dissolving them and they were going down with no problem, it wasn't true. They were actually taking a lot longer to dissolve completely and caused irritation to my pouch. My doctor said it's not a good idea to take whole tablets/capsules because of that reason. So I'll stick to the gummy vitamins and cutting my other meds into small pieces.