Why Andrea doesn't like gummy vitamins (XP)

(Hey, if it works for Rob Uzzel, it works for Andrea)

There is often a ton of hoopla on the boards about flintstone vitamins.  Another day, another post.  But the newest craze of vitamins is the "gummy vitamin," and these are the absolute worst things you can call a vitamin.  In comparison?  Flintstones are a ton better.

Not only are pediatric dentists warning against the various gummy vites (because the first two ingredients of Flintstones Gummies are two forms of sugar), they hold very little nutritive value.

Now, keep in mind, that I am speaking of multivitamins.  I have seen a D gummy that looks acceptable for normal-gutted folks.  Is it oil or water-miscible and thus usable by us?  I don't know -- and maybe I'll check some day.  The calcium gummies are alright for normal-gutted folks, but not for us as they are either carbonate or dicalcium phosphate (which, like carbonate, requires a fair amount of stomach acid to absorb properly).

So I've decided to pull out a few of the biggest offenders -- including an adult gummy multivite and let you make the decision for yourself.  I can preach the horrors of these pieces of candy until the cows come home -- and some will listen to that.  But I'd rather you take a gander for yourself and learn *why* I am so freaking adamant that my toddler does not even get them.

So come along now. 

+ For purposes of this post, I am using the RDA's for Males 31-50 and non-lactating non-pregnant Females 31-50.
+ Conversions from IU to mcg are based on an average of values set forth by the RDA.  It is not an exact science as various forms of each vitamin will translate from IU to mcg differently.  If you really want this specific info, lemme know.
+ This test will evaluate a single dose adult dose per the label (2 vitamins, 6, etc.) for the following vitamins - VitaFusion Adult Gummies (dose = 2 vites), L'il Critters Gummy Bear Vites (dose = 2 vites), Flintstones Gummy Vitamins (dose = 2 vites)
+ RDAs do not take in account lack of Intrinsic Factor or malabsorption -- *we* need more of these things, but until they form a Bariatric RDA, then we have to go with what the government is giving us
+ Values flagged in red do not meet the RDA for either subgroup

Vitamin A
RDA M 900 mcg/day, F 700 mcg/day
VitaFusion 400 mcg
L'il Critters 400 mcg
Flintstones Gummies 320mcg

Vitamin C
RDA M 90 mg/day, F 75 mg/day
VitaFusion 30 mg
L'il Critters 20 mg
Flintstones Gummies 30 mg

Vitamin D
RDA M 5 mcg/day, F 5 mcg/day
VitaFusion 5 mcg
L'il Critters 5mcg
Flintstones Gummies 2.5mcg

Vitamin E
RDA M 15 mg/day, F 15 mg/day
VitaFusion 7.5 mg
L'il Critters 8mg
Flintstones Gummies 10mg

Vitamin K
RDA M 120 mcg/day, F 90 mcg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Thiamin
RDA M 1.2 mg/day, F 1.1 mg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Riboflavin
RDA M 1.3 mg/day, F 1.1 mg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Niacin
RDA M 16 mg/day, F 14 mg/day
VitaFusion 10 mg
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Vitamin B6
RDA M 1.3 mg/day, F 1.3 mg/day
VitaFusion 2mg
L'il Critters 1.04mg
Flintstones Gummies 1mg

Folate
RDA M 400 mcg/day, F 400 mcg/day
VitaFusion 400mcg
L'il Critters 260 mcg
Flintstones Gummies 200mcg

Vitamin B12
RDA M 2.4 mcg/day, F 2.4 mcg/day
VitaFusion 6mcg
L'il Critters 5.1mcg
Flintstones Gummies 5mcg

Pantothenic Acid
RDA M 5 mg/day, F 5mg/day
VitaFusion 10mg
L'il Critters 5.2mg
Flintstones Gummies 5mg

Biotin
RDA M 30 mcg/day, F 30 mcg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 60mcg
Flintstones Gummies 75mcg

Choline
RDA M 550 mg/day, F 425 mg/day
VitaFusion 40mg
L'il Critters 40mcg (note, MCG, not MG)
Flintstones Gummies 38mg

Calcium
RDA M 1,000 mg/day, F 1000 mg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Chromium
RDA M 35 mcg/day, F 25 mcg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Copper
RDA M 900 mcg/day, F 900 mcg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Fluoride
RDA M 4 mg/day, F 3 mg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Iodine
RDA M 150 mcg/day, F 150 mcg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 42mcg
Flintstones Gummies 40mcg

Iron
RDA M 8 mg/day, F 18 mg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Magnesium
RDA M 420 mg/day, F 320 mg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Manganese
RDA M 2.3 mg/d, F 1.8 mg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Molybdenum
RDA M 45 mcg/day, F 45 mcg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Phosphorous
RDA M 700 mg/day, F 700 mg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Selenium
RDA M 55 mcg/day, F 55 mcg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Zinc
RDA M 11 mg/day, F 8 mg/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 2.7mg
Flintstones Gummies 2.5mg

Potassium
RDA M 4.7 g/day, F 4.7 g/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Sodium
RDA M 1.5 g/day, F 1.5 g/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0

Chloride
RDA M 2.3 g/day, F 2.3 g/day
VitaFusion 0
L'il Critters 0
Flintstones Gummies 0


So given this information, why would *anyone* take a gummy vitamin, much less an adult bariatric patient who needs a ton more vitamins than the normal human?  If you can help me to understand, I'd appreciate it -- but for all I can see, these are just expensive candy.  Period.

Excellent info, Andrea.  Thanks, as always.

I have a question for you.  Do you know what the effects on a person's teeth are when using chewable vitamins long-term? 

Not good.

Pedis are particularly upset with the gummy vites.  No fluoride and all sugar.

The problem is the fact that people won't brush after taking their vitamins.  The gunk (both chewables and gummies) gets stuck around the teeth, which of course, causes tooth decay.

Additionally, having stuff that is sugary around your teeth all day changes the pH of your mouth -- making it less resiliant to fight against other bacteria and growth.

Those were my thoughts.  I've always had a teeth thing.  I used to carry a toothbrush around with me and brushed my teeth everywhere after eating anything...school, restaraunt, etc.  Can't believe I have let coffee rob me of my oh so pearly whites over the past few years (thank you, Starbucks!), but I still think about things like, "What will the chewables do to my teeth if I use them very long?" 

Similar topic...I have heard that since post-oper's can't drink with meals, it's important to rinse and/or brush after eating.  You can bet I'll probably be back to my old habits then! 

Andrea
total hijack here but your new avatar is smokin' sweetie! you look fab!!

Darcie

My doc would cringe at the idea of me taking a gummy anything.  They have the huge potential to block the opening to your pouch if you are a RNY person. 

Andrea, I'm curious, which vitamin do you take?  I'm thinking of switching from the flinstones to the OptiSource...  thoughts?

Thanks, Alice

I take Centrum swallow pill vitamins for my multi.  I also taking a number of other supplements.

I don't like the optisource.  There are other bariatric vitamins that don't require 4 a day and don't have sugar as the first item listed.  Additionally, bariatric vitamins make it harder to tweak based on labs.

If you want a bari vite, look at Celebrate.  If you don't want inet, look into centrum silver chewables at your local target/wal-mart, and look at taking 2 per day.

Thanks!  I'll wait to decide after I get my labs back when I go next week for my one year follow up apt. 

You're the best!  Alice

Alice,  That's what I'm going to go with...Centrum.  I can start with their chewables and then go to their pills.  I LOVE the Centrum Silver.  That's what I take now.  I had a total hysterectomy at 31, so the iron isn't a neccessity for me like it used to be and it helps sooo much not to take it with my potty issues.  I'm really hoping I can continue to take it post-op and am going to talk to the Nut about it. 

I had another question for Andrea yesterday that's escaped my mind now.  Will post it when it comes back to me.  (SEE?  I have a NEED for Centrum SILVER!!!  hehehe)