Kevin writes, “I have been experiencing stomach pains after buying the new formula of Centrum Multivitamins. A co-worker had the same pain.” It turns out, Kevin and his co-worker aren’t alone—the Amazon product page for the reformulated (“now with lycopene!”) vitamins are overwhelmingly negative, with
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Why Is The New Centrum Advanced Formula Causing Stomach Pains?
By April 29, 2008
“Broccoli-like growth” has to be the most horrifying thing I can think of coming across while in the shower.
I’m pregnant, but I haven’t been taking multivitamins because I throw up every time that I take one with my meal. I never consciously connected the throwing up with the vitamins though.
holy crap!!! this happened to me too!! i thought i was alone.
i know this might sounds crazy, but it also caused me to have fits of rage. i noticed that i was so much more angry and hostile on days i was taking these vitamins, so i stopped. then i started them again out of curiosity and the violent, angry fits returned. i just wanted to punch brick walls all day!! i was so angry!
fyi, i was taking them on a full stomach and with plenty of liquids, too.
@Shutaro: yeah, for real.
If, after taking a multivitamin which I suspected was causing a “broccoli-like growth on my inner thigh” not only would I not give it four stars, I’d probably be consulting a lawyer/doctor/exorcist.
heehee . . . also, the guy who wrote that review on Amazon is from a city/town called “Lupus.” Is that ironic?
@Toffeecake:
Prenatal vitamins made me sick, too. I would eat Flintstones chewables instead, so at least I was getting something. I think I took 2, with iron.
Eat Food, healthy food, and Not processed crap, and you should never need to take vitamins.
Most nutrients are absorbed into the body only when you eat the whole food. Most of the content of a multi vitamin gets flushed down the toilet and does nothing to help your body.
@Peach422: Good idea; I’ma get me some Flintstones. Hope there’s no ill effects from not going near prenatal vitamins for all of six months already though…
What’s important about the Cochrane study is the lack of evidence of benefit in studies with huge numbers of people.
We take these things on intuition having been sold the notion by the manufacturers that they are “good” for you. In reality there is no evidence they help a person who has a normal diet and some evidence that they may cause harm.
To rephrase the last paragraph of my original post–eat well, exercise, don’t smoke and if you must use alcohol do it with care and moderation.
@mmstk101: Yeah, it’s NEVER Lupus.
Anyone who takes vitamins should be aware that they may cause stomach pain, and the pain is amplified if you don’t take it with food. It is their most common side effect.
@COELACANTH: I think you have something there with thinking it could be caused by iron.
Maybe Centrum users will have more sympathy for colicky babies
I started centrum recently, I experienced a crazy HEARTBURN directly after taking the new formulated centrum.. and it was also relieved by taking antacids.
Right now I tried the old formula (I had a small bottle that I haven’t used) and there is no pain at all!!
It has to be due to Lycopene and probably leutein too. By the way they are both carotenoids. And carotenoids are not soluble in water, their might be a correlation with that.
I used Centrum for years with no problem. With the first capsule of the ‘new formula’, I experienced nauseau and stomach upset. Took them about a week with same result. Switched to One a Day and haven’t had a problem yet. I want my money back from Centrum!
Started taking the “new” Centrum and have since been dealing with blood sugar problems.
The next stop for these pills are the trash!!
After a few minutes of taking this new Centrum Advanced Formula I was having a stomach pain for about 15 to 30 minutes. I had it for a week and I stopped taking it anymore. I’ve taken Centrum before and never felt any pain, what is in this new advanced formula?