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.
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?
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.
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.
Vitamin Tablets/Dissolve 
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