#1Texan
04-21-2003, 07:51 AM
Hello All
Isn't there a way to test the dissolve rate of a tablet.
Was it with vinegar?
I prefer caps over tabs, but I have a brand new bottle of Multi-Vits in tablet form and would prefer to not know they are just sitting in my tummy.
Thanks in advance :)
#1 Texan
Isn't there a way to test the dissolve rate of a tablet.
Was it with vinegar?
I prefer caps over tabs, but I have a brand new bottle of Multi-Vits in tablet form and would prefer to not know they are just sitting in my tummy.
Thanks in advance :)
#1 Texan
Sponsor
ramsemonius
04-21-2003, 02:00 PM
When most tablets are made, the ingredients are coated with magnesium stearate, which is a saturated fat with a rather high melting temperature (144-155 degrees). So even if the tablet breaks up in your digestive tract (key word:if), then your body has to eat its way through the stearic acid coating on each particle before the stuff you paid for can begin to be broken down and absorbed. Most tablets are a rip-off bottom line. And I don't buy the whole "time-released" thing either, not unless its demonstrated in a study. What I do to test tablets is just put them into a glass of luke warm water and add a little vinegar (but I don't think the acid makes much of a difference). I've been shocked by some of the tests I've done. If you ask why are we all being ripped off then? Its because tablets are cheaper to make and because most companies that sell supplements under their name do not control the mfg. process. They contract the mfg work out to big mfrs, who are working for the dollar and not your health.
-Ramsemonius
-Ramsemonius
#1Texan
04-21-2003, 02:56 PM
Hi Ram
Thank you very much. I kinda figured that would be my answer.
I have just started a mega vitamin supplement program for depression, and I was wondering if what I had would be suitable as far as the Multi-Vit.
Now I know it wont be, reckon Wal-Mart will take them back? :D
Thanks again
#1 Texan :)
Thank you very much. I kinda figured that would be my answer.
I have just started a mega vitamin supplement program for depression, and I was wondering if what I had would be suitable as far as the Multi-Vit.
Now I know it wont be, reckon Wal-Mart will take them back? :D
Thanks again
#1 Texan :)
tc128
04-23-2003, 08:25 PM
It is good to now know that the magnesium stearate coating on tablets don't easily break down until 145 - 155 F. Quite impossible in our bodies, since it won't ever go above 98.6 F, but the stomach acids aid in its breakdown.
I have never crapped out a vitamin tablet before, so I know that it has broken down. The unusually bright yellow pee is a pretty good indicator that your body has processed the pill, but at to what extent is a whole different ball of wax.
I have never crapped out a vitamin tablet before, so I know that it has broken down. The unusually bright yellow pee is a pretty good indicator that your body has processed the pill, but at to what extent is a whole different ball of wax.
ramsemonius
04-24-2003, 02:23 PM
Actually, stomach acid doesn't break down stearate. It is the bile acids and lipase enzyme released in the small intestine. Also mag stearate is not just used in coating, it is blended into all the active ingredients.
You say you haven't crapped out a vitamin tablet. Can you be 100% sure? Do you look? Dissect? ;}
And yes, the extent to which it breaks down and gets absorbed is probably highly variable among individuals. Many people who are into supplements and health also happen to have compromised immune systems and digestive systems and may not be able to break down and absorb things. This also holds true for the elderly.
As for me, Before taking, I test every tablet supplement in a glass of water with a little vinegar to get an idea of dissolution characteristics. I've been stunned by how may tablets I've seen not break down more than say 25% after 1.5 hours!
I now chew up tablets that I question like food and swallow with water. Gross! but at least I know i'm getting my monnies worth.
-Ramsemonius
You say you haven't crapped out a vitamin tablet. Can you be 100% sure? Do you look? Dissect? ;}
And yes, the extent to which it breaks down and gets absorbed is probably highly variable among individuals. Many people who are into supplements and health also happen to have compromised immune systems and digestive systems and may not be able to break down and absorb things. This also holds true for the elderly.
As for me, Before taking, I test every tablet supplement in a glass of water with a little vinegar to get an idea of dissolution characteristics. I've been stunned by how may tablets I've seen not break down more than say 25% after 1.5 hours!
I now chew up tablets that I question like food and swallow with water. Gross! but at least I know i'm getting my monnies worth.
-Ramsemonius
tc128
04-24-2003, 02:31 PM
Yes, as a matter of fact I do look, but don't dissect :eek: Now that would be gross!
I find it always a good idea to see the consistency of your stool, just to see how well (or how poorly) your food was digested. I look for colour, texture, material, and firmness.
Yes that is a gross thing to do, but I don't do it all the time, but mostly. (Labs get paid to do this!!)
I find it always a good idea to see the consistency of your stool, just to see how well (or how poorly) your food was digested. I look for colour, texture, material, and firmness.
Yes that is a gross thing to do, but I don't do it all the time, but mostly. (Labs get paid to do this!!)
#1Texan
04-24-2003, 06:55 PM
Ram and TC
I have another question. I'm reading where Betaine HCI aids in low gastric acidity. This deficiency shows itself as 1. fealing bloated after eating, (waist expands)2. gas or belching after meals. 3. nausea after taking supplements. 4. diarrhea or constipation.
5. fingernails are weak and peeling.6. adult acne.7. undigested food in stools. 8. iron deficiency.
If you are taking the omega-3 and burp the fish oil, you are also low in gastric acidity.
Please give me some input on this as I seem to have
some of these symptoms.
Thanks Guys :)
#1 Texan
I have another question. I'm reading where Betaine HCI aids in low gastric acidity. This deficiency shows itself as 1. fealing bloated after eating, (waist expands)2. gas or belching after meals. 3. nausea after taking supplements. 4. diarrhea or constipation.
5. fingernails are weak and peeling.6. adult acne.7. undigested food in stools. 8. iron deficiency.
If you are taking the omega-3 and burp the fish oil, you are also low in gastric acidity.
Please give me some input on this as I seem to have
some of these symptoms.
Thanks Guys :)
#1 Texan
ramsemonius
04-24-2003, 08:05 PM
First of all, I believe much of the symptoms you mention can be avoided by eating healthy food and not combining starchy foods, like breads and potatoes, with hard to digest protein foods, like meat or poultry, in the same meal. Starchy foods require an alkaline environment to digest and breakdown whereas proteins require an acidic environment. When you eat them together, especially if you are aged or have a compromized immune or digestive system, the foods may not be broken down adequately, gastric emptying can be delayed, causing acid reflux, heartburn, etc. and ultimately the undigested food can cause havoc to the colon, especially if there is a leaky gut condition. Then you can get all kinds of systemic symptoms as well.
Regarding fish oil burps, that can be EASILY avoided just by swalling the capsule just before or in the middle of eating instead of aftwerwords or towards the end.
Pls let me know if you have any more questions.
-Ramsemonius
Regarding fish oil burps, that can be EASILY avoided just by swalling the capsule just before or in the middle of eating instead of aftwerwords or towards the end.
Pls let me know if you have any more questions.
-Ramsemonius
tc128
04-30-2003, 06:38 PM
Rasemonius:
Good helpful information!
I always take my salmon oil as with vitamins, with food, but when I have mini burps sometime after the meal, I can still taste that fishy smell. (Like after eating canned salmon). Generally nothing that puts me off, but I figure it could be worse if I took them on an empty stomach.
Good helpful information!
I always take my salmon oil as with vitamins, with food, but when I have mini burps sometime after the meal, I can still taste that fishy smell. (Like after eating canned salmon). Generally nothing that puts me off, but I figure it could be worse if I took them on an empty stomach.