Centrum Silver

[Mistics]

I was wondering if you could please help me with vitam problem! Well, I'd like to know - is it ok if I am 18 and I use Centrum Silver? Can it affect anything and can I get some vitamins too much? I went to drug store & asked for Centrum Silver, seller asked why would I use it if I am only 18 & I had to explain that I need ones that come without iron (no others without iron I have been able to get). So, I came home, started carefully reading what's inside, but, it says - iron 3,5mg .. Why does it? I thought they are absolutely without iron. And also the tablets include saccharose, starch (not sure about English medical name of this) and lactose. I understand that they are in small amounts per each tablet, but, does that mean I can still use them? One per day isn't that much. Or if clean diet - then absolutely clean diet? I am restarting induction for some 100th time and supplements have always been a problem for me. 1st time when I was on Atkins - I used Dynamisan, it had iron, but not as much as other supplements. Also, I was thinking - I eat meat much, but I am more seafood and fish person, - this should mean I don't take SUCH amounts of iron with them so they would be too much in my organism. Am I wrong? And when I read books about what happens when there's too much iron in body - I really get scared & it keeps me off diet. I went a bit away of topic, but, I am reading Centrum package and they are Centrum Silver "Lutein". Have I bought wrong vitamins? I asked the seller, but she gave these, didn't offer me any else. Although when I some weeks ago read on Centrum page - the package looked different & it was emphased that "older people don't need iron, so .. these are without iron". I am sorry for my long message, but I just want to be healthy & keep things clear. Should I use the vitamins I bought? At least the 14 days of induction? Oh, and yes, when I move to other phases, do I still have to use all the vitamins (as I start receiving more vitamins from food)? Can't I go just with fish oil, A vitamin, chrome & C vitamin? I know I can get diabetes, heart diseases and Hemochromatitis if have too much iron in body. I was thinking, if I am not yet counted as a complete adult - then perhaps I need that iron which is in vitamins (as my body is not yet completely stable) ? Well, with all this I wanted to ask - if I should use these 'magic' C. Silver vitamins!

Sorry for bad English,
regards from Europe.

Thank you.

[biogeek]

Re: Centrum Silver

Hi Mistics,

I'm glad you've posted your question here. I did receive your PM and tried to respond, but your in-box is full.

It is ok to take Centrum Silver if you're 18. You certainly don't have to be elderly to take it. If you follow the dosing instructions on Centrum Silver, which is one table a day, you shouldn't have a problem with consuming too much of a certain vitamin or mineral.

I am not certain why your box of Centrum Silver would say that it has iron in it, or if the European version is different than the American version. Here's the ingredient list from Centrum's website and you can compare yours to it:

http://www.centrum.com/product_detai...&panel=tablets

I don't see iron at all as an ingredient.

To answer your question about the other ingredients: saccharose (which is another name for sucrose which is the same as table sugar), lactose (which is the sugar in milk), and starch (lots of glucose (sugar) molecules) are definitely things you should avoid in large quantities, but sometimes is difficult to avoid in certain products. You will not become ill by comsuming said ingredients, but you should certainly take them into account when you're adding up your net carbs. Since Centrum does not tell you how many carbs are in their product, one can think of one table as 0.5 g carbs to 1.0 g carbs. This is to be on the safe side when you're keeping track of your carbs.

Ideally, your supplements should have zero to as little carbs as possible, but sometimes it is not possible to find in some localities or the thought of going to the process of finding suitable supplements seems daunting. As a side note, I am working on providing links to supplements that are acceptable to this WOE. That is not say that Centrum isn't right for you. It is a fine product. I believe it is better to take a good, multivitamin with a little bit of sugar in it than not taking a supplement at all.

As far as your concern about iron, there are two types of iron: heme and non-heme. I have gone into detail about these in a different post and will most likely come up with a FAQ later on since many people get hung up about iron. Basically, iron from your food sources are just fine...eat up. Iron from supplements are NOT fine and you can get too much. That is one of the reasons why Atkins doesn't want us to consume it. However, it doesn't mean that no one should consume iron from supplements. For some folks, in their particular case, they need the extra iron. If your particular Centrum Silver really does have 3.5 mg of iron, that is not a detrimental amount. I'm still really perplexed as to why yours would have iron in it though.

Please don't worry about lutein. It's just another helpful ingredient and it will not harm you.

You should also continue to take a multivitamin when you're not in induction. If you read Atkin's book, he discusses why we should consume vitamins. As you progress through Atkins, keep a journal about your food & drink intake, exercise, supplements, and how you're feeling. If you make changes, it is sometimes easier to spot patterns when it is down on paper. As far as your body wanting iron, your body would "prefer" to have the iron from food sources compared to the iron from a supplement. Also, iron supplements tend to make most people nauseated and has a really bad taste.

Since you already have the Centrum Silver supplements, go ahead and take them. It will do more to help you than harm you.

I hope I answered all your questions. If you still more questions, please let me know.

Oh, and your English is just fine!

[Deenis]

Re: Centrum Silver

I take the Wal-Mart brand. Silver is for Senior Citizen, it does not have iron in it.