I have read several articles over the years indicating that many vitamin brands do not actually contain the types and amounts of vitamins that are claimed on the label. In a survival scenario this issue is of more than academic interest. Does anyone have info on this topic?

-- Charles Michael (charliecmt@hotmail.com), April 21, 1998

Answers

I know about one company, the Rexall Sundown company, which in 1996 was audited by an independent compliance auditor, Shuster Laboratories, Inc. As a result, they received the highest ranking for manufacturing, packaging and distribution facilities. The brands of vitamins they manufacture are sold under various names, including Thompson nutritional products, Rexall and Sundown. Their Sundown vitamins are distributed through such companies as WalMart, Eckerd, Phar-Mor, K Mart, Thrifty Payless, Drug Emporium and Publix.

I don't work for this company, but I was so impressed with the quality of the company, its products and management that I did buy some stock in the company. I would be very confident of getting high quality vitamin products from them.

-- Dan Hunt (dhunt@hostscorp.com), April 22, 1998.

Most vitamins are not really vitamins, but are chemicals. They are a mirror image of the real thing and that is opposite. Look in the mirror. Your left hand appears to be your right hand, so it is NOT the same! The ONLY WAY to get natural vitamis is from nature itself. Bee pollen is loaded with vitamins and is a great help for hay fever sufferers. Sprouting seeds are natures own super concentrated vitamins that th body reconizes! We have no way of really knowing if the body recognizes man made vitamins. Portable toilet companies claim to find countless undigested vitamins in their toilets. Get your vitamins from real live food, and you will have optimum health! I know an 87 year old man who eats sprouted seeds every day and he does not have a grey hair on his head! That should tell you something!

-- Eddie Pons (ponski@soft-link.com), April 27, 1998.

In answer to Eddie's posting, I think it is only Vitamin E that has the kinds of "mirror" molecules described, such as d-alpha tocopherol or dl-alpha tocopherol. Historically, the synthetic form (dl) was used in most trials. Trials showing Vitamin E to be effective were actually done using the synthetic form. So one should be cautious about sweeping statements that only natural forms of vitamins are effective.

-- Dan Hunt (dhunt@hostscorp.com), April 28, 1998.

Check out Mannatech @ www.mannatech-inc.com and get back to me if interested. Their new MannaBars are a COMPLETE food and we aren't relocating to the South Pacific without a year's supply of them Blessings -Lorraine

-- Lorraine Katena (rhinowoman@webtv.net), May 07, 1998.

In answer to Dan Hunt. He starts out saying... I think.. that means he does not know for sure and he also should be careful not to make statements of which he is not sure of!

-- Eddie Pons (ponski@soft-link.com), May 07, 1998.