vitamins, and what remains (long)

April 2, 2003

In a message dated 4/2/03 11:06:49 AM, MSchmidtNP writes:

<< Meant to write something last week about this topic, and I forgot. The

remainder of the vitamin that you " found " does not necessarily indicate

malabsorption. Some medications/ vitamins are delivered in a wax matrix, so

what you see is the matrix, not the medication/vitamin itself. I discovered

this when I found what I thought was undigested/unabsorped medication in

ostomy drainage.

Margie >>

dear Margie, thank you for writing about this. That will be valuable info for

some others to look into. For us the situation is different however.

According to manufactureers of Centrum, what you have described is not the

case with their tablets. At least that what they told me on the phone last

week. We have been finding 2/3, sometimes more of their tablets still intact.

I found two more yesterday. (what the heck is this, some kind of freeking

daily easter egg hunt) This has been unbelievable as I stopped taking them

last Friday and today is Wednesday.

The issues for our family are fourfold;

1. The hard undigested tablet is not an issue of malabsorbtion, but one of

undissolvability (the pill OFTEN simply does not break down properly)

2. thereby not receiving the amount of vitmins one thought one was getting by

ingesting that particular pill, thereby being deficient in vits and mins for

a long period without realizing it

3. storage in various parts of the tender gut of these rock hard and sharp

" bullets " (about as big around as pencil erasors and about 1/2 " -3/4 " long)

that are indigestable and appear NOT to be passed until many days have gone

by. (that just does not seem like a good thing no matter what)

4. the size and jaggedness of the " bullet " scratching and cutting the tender

membranes at the end of the alimentary canal. (two family members were

bleeding a bit rectally--that's how we found these sharp LARGE " bullets " to

begin with...(one wonders what these undigested parts are scraping and

scratching inside as they sludge their way through the gut-- sorry to be so

graphic)

So, for us, we are ingesting vitamin chewables only for now (as it was for

the first 2-1/2 years post and everyone felt fine. Have been feeling very

tired as of late, and as you know had to be in hosp over this last episode) .

We are still researching liquid and chewables to see which will be best to

put in the body and taget the right part of the gut aat the right time for

best absorbtion and best health. I used to think that taking a vitamin pill

was just an everyday thing. As I have learned more, I see there is a lot to

learn about QUALITY of each ingredient bound into each tablet, DISSOLVABILITY

of the tablets, USP inspections of the manufacturing process, QULAITY CONTROL

of a single bottle of pills, about PROTECTING vits from heat and light, about

WHEN to take certain vitamins, about HOW MUCH to take of certain vitamins,

about WHICH NOT TO TAKE in proximity with one another; about how much can be

ABSORBED at one time.

I know that sounds like a lot to consider, but my heallth is so important to

me ( ought it not be the same for every soul? yes!) that I want to learn more

and try to give my body what it really needs to be the best it can be. I

think each person develops their own set of " authorities " or experts to learn

from. I am finding mine. (for instance, I know a little bit personally

and trust his judgement in most matters). I have a hunch that I have been

taking a multi-vit in a way to be trying to avoid taking quite a few pills a

day instead. But from what I have been reading across many venues over the

last few days, it looks like MAYBE if one wants QUALITY and TIMING to be

closer to right, one may wind up taking a myriad of pills for proper vits,

rather than just a " one- a-day " for vits. NOT SURE YET. WILL KEEP YOU

INFORMED. This is just my two cent's worth. I must try to find my way, for

my health is and always has been delicate-- even though my spirit is--well,

hear me roar! (grin) (when the roar goes, ceep will be gone too--grin)

all best

ceep

April 2, 2003