I’ve had Nootropics Expert readers asking me what my preferred multivitamin/mineral supplement is. And what I use every day. This post is a detailed response to that question.
Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi is by far the best multivitamin/mineral supplement I’ve used. And I’ve tried several different brands of multivitamins over the last 10 years.
Including a couple of the well-known raw- and whole-food multivitamins available at the local vitamin shop, Whole Foods and online.
But the question I often see goes something like, “is a multivitamin necessary”?
Even if you are living a much healthier lifestyle like I have since being diagnosed Adult ADD 12 years ago. And even more so since turning hypothyroid 6 years later.
You may even be able to identify with this:
✔ You eat your vegetables
✔ You don’t smoke
✔ You drink very little
✔ You avoid junk food
✔ You exercise every day
Does this picture of health really need to take vitamins?
Unfortunately, the answer is, “Yes”.
And here’s why …
A recent study published by the Mayo Clinic showed that less than 3% of Americans meet the basic qualifications for a healthy lifestyle.[i]
Now assuming you are one of those 3% …
Another study shows only 33% of adults eat enough fruit. And only 27% get the recommended servings of vegetables.[ii]
Are you with me so far?
The thing is, even if you meet the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for servings of fruits and vegetables, it is impossible to get the nutrients your body and brain need for optimal health.
Our fruit, vegetable and meat products simply do not have enough vitamins and minerals to naturally support a healthy body.
Grown on nutrient-depleted soil. And most have been genetically modified to grow faster. GMO produce grows so fast it hasn’t time to draw in enough nutrients from the nutrient-starved soil it’s grown on.
Then the nutrients that do make it into our food are lost during transport, storage, processing, and cooking.
Even young people, with a higher metabolism and a higher food consumption than the average 50 – 70-year-old, only 1% are getting the nutrients they need.[iii]
And did you know you would need to eat 26 of today’s apples to get the nutrition you’d get from one apple grown in 1914?[iv]
So what to do?
The obvious, simple answer is give your body what it’s been deprived of by using a multivitamin/mineral supplement.
But not all multivitamin supplements are created equal.
In fact, most of what you’ll find on supermarket, drugstore, and even vitamin shop shelves are useless. Some are actually toxic and dangerous to use.
In this post I’ll share the criteria I use to select a multivitamin, the supplement I prefer and use every day, ingredients needed for optimal health, how they work together, cost, and where to get it.
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Table of Contents
My Multivitamin Selection Criteria
One of the things people do when first becoming health-conscious is to start using a daily multivitamin.
And if you are anything like I was when first getting started, you look on in confusion at shelf after shelf with hundreds of multivitamin supplements to choose from.
Instinct is to grab the first multivitamin you recognize from the slick commercials on TV.
You take the multi for a month and don’t feel anything. No better than you did before. What’s going on?
First, we need to take a close look at the label. A multivitamin bottle label will tell us all we need to know. If you know how to read it. And understand what’s in the bottle.
What I’ve learned since my first multivitamin purchase is most of them should have a “Black Box” warning label. The kind the FDA mandates pharmaceuticals put on some of their drugs.
Here’s a quick summary of what I look for, and what to avoid.
Toxic Vitamins: Biohacker Beware
Near the bottom of the ingredients label, if you see FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, or any of their variants, put the bottle back on the shelf.
These abbreviations represent food dyes made from petroleum and have been used in food and supplements for decades. But why would you need artificial colors in your multivitamin?
Recent studies link food coloring to hyperactivity in kids.[v] And European lawmakers now require a warning label on foods that contain artificial dyes.
Another one you’ll see is hydrogenated fats like ‘soybean oil’. Used as a filler to bulk up the tablet or capsule.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans states, “Keep trans fatty acid consumption as low as possible by limiting foods that contain synthetic sources of trans fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils, and by limiting other solid fats”.[vi]
Yum. Exactly what you don’t want in your multivitamin.
Next, look for talc, or magnesium silicate. Talc is a mineral composed of magnesium silicate, silicon, oxygen and hydrogen. And used as an anti-caking agent and cheap filler in multivitamins.
Talc has been linked to ovarian cancer in women.[vii]
Titanium dioxide is another one to avoid. It’s used as a colorant in supplements. And comes with a host of health implications. Including DNA damage.[viii]
If you want to learn more about what to avoid and what to look for, please see my post, “How to Select the Best Multivitamin for Brain Function”.
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Whole-Food vs. Non-Food Vitamins and Minerals
This category covers a whole host of problems with most multivitamin supplements.
Our bodies were designed to get vitamins and minerals from food.
But most multivitamin supplements on the market today are synthetic. Vitamins created using coal tar derivatives. And minerals using ground up rock.
I’ve found one of the quickest and simplest ways to assess a multivitamin for quality and “food-based” is to look for Vitamin B9 (folic acid) or Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin); neither of which is food-based.
If either one is on the label then the entire bottle must be avoided because the rest of the bottle is unlikely to be a quality, food-based vitamin complex.
For more on avoiding “USP Vitamins, Pharmaceutical Grade and Natural” in your multivitamin, see my post here.
Added Ingredients and “Fairy Dusting”
One of the things that really irks me is manufacturers who use a “Proprietary Formula” in their supplement.
Proprietary formulas hide how much of an ingredient is in the bottle. Which is a problem because I want to know exactly how much of each ingredient I’m getting in a tablet or capsule.
I need to know if I must add extra of one vitamin or mineral based on my unique body chemistry and health issues.
And proprietary formulas are also a sneaky way of including what I call a “fairy dusting” of an ingredient. An amount so small it only looks good on the label. And does nothing for optimizing your health.
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Discovering Performance Lab
Now that we’ve established what we want to avoid in a multivitamin supplement – what’s left?
It turns out there are very few raw-food and whole-food supplement makers who produce a high-quality multivitamin.
I’ve tried some of them, and they are good. These whole-food multivitamins contain the right form and dose of each vitamin and mineral.
But all of them add unnecessary ingredients. A blend of organic food powders to make it look more like a “whole-food” multi.
Or a little CoQ10 in a form which my body cannot use. Or a proteolytic blend of enzymes that is supposed to help clear fibrin. But instead digests my food if I take it with a meal.
All I want is a simple, pure, whole-food multivitamin that supplies only the vitamins and minerals my body and brain need every day.
Only one company on the entire planet produces a simple, pure multivitamin.
Performance Lab® is a new line of supplements made by Opti Nutra Advanced Nutraceuticals. The same people who produce Mind Lab Pro®.
Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multivitamin is the foundation of their new supplement line.
Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi Ingredients
Performance Lab uses ‘nature-identical’ vitamins and minerals which include their natural cofactors to ensure their bioavailability. And your body can use them.
Unlike isolated vitamins and minerals found in most other multivitamins, these nutrients go straight into the cells and tissues where they are needed.
The company uses their own proprietary NutriGenesis® method to grow whole-food based nutrients. Avoiding genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins.
The only ingredients in this Performance Lab Multivitamin are the vitamins and minerals listed on the label in their purest, bio-identical form. In dosages designed to support and enhance a healthy body and brain.
The company uses NutriCaps® vegan capsules made from tapioca instead of the semi-synthetic polymer found in other vegetarian capsules. And infuse the capsules with a prebiotic for better digestion and boost the bioavailability of the nutrients in this Multi.
The Performance Lab Multi is available for men and women with only slight differences in their formulas.
The women’s multi contains iron and double the amount of Vitamin B9 (folate) compared to the men’s formula which has a little more boron and zinc.
Here’s a full list of the vitamins and minerals in Performance Lab’s Multi with a summary of what each does in your body and brain.
Every vitamin and mineral in this multivitamin is as important for your brain as the rest of your body. So the emphasis in descriptions are for brain health and optimization since that is our focus here at Nootropics Expert®.
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Performance Lab’s BioGenesis Nutrients |
Benefits and Areas of Support in Your Body and Brain |
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Long-term potentiation and memory, vision, skin, immune system, protein synthesis, tissue repair, bones, antioxidant |
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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), myelin, neurotransmitters, immune system, cardiovascular, skin, joints, antioxidant, gums, bones, muscle |
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Neurotransmitters, gene expression, neuroplasticity, immunity, bones, testosterone, cell function, protein synthesis |
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Antioxidant, cardiovascular, hair, skin, nails, tissue repair |
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Myelin, neurons, glial cells, bones, cardiovascular, connective tissue |
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Neurotransmitters, red blood cell formation, cell growth, energy metabolism, antioxidant |
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Neurotransmitters, BDNF, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), circulation, protein and fat metabolism, skin |
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Neurotransmitters, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), hormone production, cardiovascular |
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Neurotransmitters, immune system, blood cell formation, oxygen transport, blood sugar, cognitive function |
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Neurotransmitters, myelin, white blood cell development, DNA, hair, skin, nails, blood sugar, energy |
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DNA, RNA, gene expression, amino acid synthesis, neurotransmitters, new cell formation |
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DNA, RNA, neurotransmitters, myelin, red blood cell formation, energy metabolism, heart health, cognitive function |
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Bones, joints, cardiovascular, muscles, hormones, brain cell signaling |
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Blood cell formation, DNA, oxygen transport, neurotransmitters, myelin |
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Thyroid hormones, neurotransmitters, metabolism |
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Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), DNA, RNA, ion channels, neuroplasticity, cardiovascular, bones, testosterone, muscle relaxation, nervous system, blood sugar |
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Protein synthesis, cell signaling, gene transcription, neurotransmitter transport, DNA, methylation, immune system, vision, testosterone, neurons, cell growth |
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Neurotransmitters, thyroid, immune system, antioxidant |
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Red blood cell formation, neurotransmitters, myelin, blood vessel formation, neuron and glial cell respiration, antioxidants, energy, connective tissue, cardiovascular, vision, immune system |
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Bones, metabolism, blood sugar, calcium absorption, neurons, glial cells, enzyme cofactor, weight management |
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Neurotransmitters, metabolism, energy, weight management, blood sugar |
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Molybdenum |
Enzyme cofactor, metabolism |
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Strontium |
Bones, joints |
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Neurotransmitters, brain cell signaling, skin |
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Vanadium |
Blood sugar, cardiovascular, bones, muscles, enzymes, growth factor |
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Bones, hormones, antioxidant, neurotransmitters, joints, connective tissue |
For more detail on how each vitamin is critical for brain health, see “13 Vitamins Essential for the Optimized Brain”.
For more detail on how each mineral is critical for brain health, see “13 Minerals Essential for the Optimized Brain”.
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NutriGenesis® vs Isolated Vitamins & Minerals
In a perfect world you get all the nutrients your body and brain need from the food you eat every day. But we don’t and for reasons covered earlier in this post. So we try to make up for this deficiency with a multivitamin supplement.
The problem is most minerals and vitamins used in multivitamin supplement formulas do not contain protein chaperones or other cofactors needed for absorption into your cells. The form of vitamins and minerals you get from real food.
Most other supplement companies, with very few exceptions, use “isolated” minerals and vitamins made from petroleum derivatives. Forms of nutrients your body does not recognize as nutrients.
Your body either expels them as unwanted toxins, or these impostors attach to receptors required by genuine vitamins and minerals for various actions in your body.
The result is expensive urine sending these aliens down the drain. And some even cause real damage and long-term health issues.[ix]
Using NutriGenesis® to produce vitamins and minerals avoids this toxicity. And provides nutrients in the same form you would normally get from food.
Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi Dosage
The amount of each ingredient listed on the label is for Performance Lab’s recommended 4-capsules per day.
I recommended using 2-capsules in the morning and the other 2-capsules mid-day.
Some of the ingredients in this multivitamin are fat-soluble so take each 2-capsule dose with a meal containing healthy fats. Or a tablespoon of unrefined coconut or MCT oil. My preferred healthy fat is the new organic, non-GMO Performance Lab® MCT Oil.
It is safe to dose up to but no more than 6-capsules per day.
While NutriGenesis nutrients are highly bioavailable and non-toxic, some nutrients like Vitamin A and Vitamin E are stored in fat in your body. And not expelled in urine like water-soluble nutrients.
Dosing more than your body can use daily may cause an unnatural buildup of some vitamins and minerals. Eventually leading to possible toxic overload and health problems.
Synergy of Vitamins and Minerals is Key
Check the label of Performance Lab’s Multi and you may notice some nutrients dosed lower than some other brand of multivitamins.
You’ll also notice some nutrients dosed at exactly the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). But some a little higher or lower than the RDI.
Opti Nutra calculated these dosages based on synergy and how each nutrient supports and work with others in this formula.
Performance Lab ingredients work in harmony with each other. And with your body’s ability to naturally produce certain proteins, enzymes, amino acids, hormones, and neurotransmitters.
The intent is not to upset the balance and artificially boost specific areas of your body with this multivitamin.
Rather the intent is to ensure your body and brain get optimal amounts of each vitamin and mineral it requires to thrive every day.
How Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi Works in Real Life
I love this multivitamin. Two capsules in the morning with a tablespoon of Performance Lab® MCT Oil along with the rest of my nootropic stack. And it launches my day.
I take another two capsules at noon with unrefined coconut oil or MCT Oil and my nootropic stack. And I’m productive for the rest of the day.
I’ve noticed a difference since I replaced my previous multivitamin with the Performance Lab Multi for Men. It feels cleaner, productivity has increased a little more, mood is slightly better, and I sleep better.
Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi is Good Value
One of the things I’ve learned over the years of working with nootropics is it’s not cheap. In fact, taking each nootropic, vitamin, and mineral on its own in my case can add up to hundreds of dollars per month.
But I’m OK with this investment in my health. Because it has completely changed my life for the better.
In this case, I know my body and brain demand a multivitamin/mineral supplement daily. I’ve searched long and hard for the best multivitamin I could find based on what I’ve learned over the last few years.
Now it’s no surprise that the highest quality supplements are often more expensive. But I’ve also found that when compared to buying many of these ingredients as separate supplements, it turns out to be a whole lot less.
In my case, I’m no longer using a separate B-Complex supplement, or a separate zinc or selenium supplement.
This Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi for Men is a little more than my previous whole-food multivitamin supplement. But I’ve cut down on 3 other separate supplements in my stack, so it comes out to about the same investment in my health.
Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi for men or women is only $40.00 for a 1-month supply (120 capsules) (+ shipping & handling).
And when you get 2 boxes of this Multi you earn a 5% discount. Or a 10% discount when you get 3 boxes.
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Pro & Cons of Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi
Opti Nutra has taken an extra step to include NutriCaps® instead of regular vegetarian capsules in their stack. These vegan caps are made from tapioca. And each capsule is infused with a Prebiotic for better digestion and bioavailability of the whole multivitamin/mineral complex.
All of the other competitors with a high-quality multivitamin use HPMC vegetarian capsules which are a semi-synthetic polymer made from wood pulp.
Now, let’s look at what I think are the pros and cons of this premium multivitamin.
Pros
- Full disclosure on the amount of each ingredient
- Highest quality, nature-identical, eco-friendly NutriGenesis® ingredients
- Highly bioavailable B-Vitamins (equivalent to folate, P-5-P and methylcobalamin)
- No added ingredients
- No World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned substances
- Vegan-friendly ingredients including NutriCaps® capsules infused with Prebiotics
- Tested prior to encapsulation for allergens, GMOs, microbes, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and other contaminants
- Tested again to confirm potency, purity, and activity after encapsulation
- Ships in recyclable cardboard security boxes filled with biodegradable packing peanuts
- Competitively priced
- Empty bottle, money-back guarantee (less shipping)
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Only available on their website (more on this in a minute)
- Magnesium dosage is too low
In all, the nature-identical ingredients and dosages included in the Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi are perfect for a multivitamin.
Magnesium is too low and most of us are deficient in this critical nutrient. But once again Opti Nutra has thought of everything in this formula.
Because the magnesium that’s ‘missing’ in the multivitamin is in the Performance Lab Sleep formula. Which is when you should be taking your magnesium dose anyway.
Most important is Opti Nutra fully discloses how much of each ingredient is in each 4-capsule dose. So you know exactly what you need to add for your unique health issues.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
I recommend the use of the Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi for men and women as a daily multivitamin to support your biohacking and brain optimization goals.
Pricing of the Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi is competitive for what you get. But I realize some will express disappointment that Opti Nutra only sells this multivitamin from the Performance Lab website.
I’ve been in internet and direct marketing for many years and completely understand the challenges of putting new products into retail stores. Especially worldwide.
The goods news is Opti Nutra offers a risk-free, “empty bottle”, money-back guarantee.
Opti Nutra also decided not to offer Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi on Amazon.com because they don’t want this multivitamin to appear alongside low-quality junk products. And I get that. Amazon can also be a place where reviews are easily manipulated by jealous competitors.
And the thing is anyone looking to understand the methodology that went into developing this multivitamin, Amazon is not the place for extensive product descriptions.
So if you’ve been experimenting with nootropics for a while and are serious about improving your health – I recommend giving Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi a try.
This is the best multivitamin I’ve ever used. And this after over 10 years of trying several whole-food multivitamins from various manufacturers.
It’s certainly not the cheapest multivitamin on the market. But it’s not unreasonably priced either at only $40 for a month supply.
And for me, Opti Nutra has set a higher standard for the entire supplement market by introducing this multivitamin. And the rest of their Performance Lab® line of supplements.
Product and packaging quality, nature-identical NutriGenesis® vitamins and minerals, NutriCaps®, testing and more testing. Things the average person wouldn’t even notice.
But you are not average! And you demand the best.
If you’d like to try Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi, or learn more about this exceptional line of supplements, please go explore their website. And while you’re there, get Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi.
i] Loprinzi P.D., Branscum A., Hanks J., Smit E. “Healthy Lifestyle Characteristics and their Joint Association With Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers in US Adults” Mayo Clinic Proceedings April 2016 Volume 91, Issue 4, Pages 432–442 (source)
[ii] “Majority of Americans Not Meeting Recommendations for Fruit and Vegetable Consumption” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cdc.gov September 29, 2009 (source)
[iii] Shay C.M., Ning H., Daniels S.R., Rooks C.R., Gidding S.S., Lloyd-Jones D.M. “Status of cardiovascular health in US adolescents: prevalence estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2005-2010.” Circulation. 2013 Apr 2;127(13):1369-76. (source)
[iv] Lindlahr, 1914: USDA 1963 and 1997 (source)
[v] McCann D., et. El. “Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial” Department of Child Health, University of Southampton, UK September 6, 2007 (source)
[vi] “U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2010)”. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Agriculture (source)
[vii] McGinley L. “Does talcum powder cause ovarian cancer?” The Washington Post August 25, 2017 (source)
[viii] Makumire, S., Chakravadhanula, V.S., Kollisch, G., Redel, E., & Shonhai, A. (2014, May 16). “Immunomodulatory activity of zinc peroxide (ZnO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and their effects on DNA and protein integrity.” Toxicology Letters 227(1):56-64. (source)
[ix] Mursu J., Robien K., Harnack L.J., Park K., Jacobs D.R. Jr. “Dietary supplements and mortality rate in older women: the Iowa Women's Health Study.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 2011 Oct 10;171(18):1625-33. (source)
Hi David. I’m a little confused. In the article it says:
“I’ve found one of the quickest and simplest ways to assess a multivitamin for quality and “food-based” is to look for Vitamin B9 (folic acid) or Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin); neither of which is food-based.
If either one is on the label then the entire bottle must be avoided because the rest of the bottle is unlikely to be a quality, food-based vitamin complex.”
But then you list both as ingredients in the Whole Food Multivitamin. Can you clarify for me, please? Thanks.
Karen, sorry for confusing you. The problem with most vitamins is they are synthetic. And the ‘theory’ is our body will recognize the synthetic for what it is and convert it into a version that it can use.
Folic acid is a synthetic vitamin B9. Our bodies expect to get methylfolate (the chemical name is 5-methylenetetrahydrofolate). If the bottle says “folic acid” it is not natural and it is unlikely that your body will convert it to methylfolate. Instead it will plug up folate receptors. And natural folate then has nothing to connect to.
Methylcobalamin is the natural form of Vitamin B12. Most vitamin supplements use the synthetic cyanocobalamin which is cobalamin bound to a cyanide molecule. Would you like some cyanide with your vitamins?
Whole food vitamins can be extracted from plants which is expensive and not very efficient.
A better way to make these vitamins to put in a capsule that you can take is to grow them in different kinds of yeast. Vitamins and minerals grown this way come with the usual cofactors that you would naturally get from different kinds of food. Our bodies recognize them as the “real thing” and use them.
The company that makes these vitamins and minerals does a far better job of explaining this process which you can see here: https://www.performancelab.com/pages/nutrigenesis
David,
I’m seriously considering ordering the Performance Lab Multi vitamins and possibly the Energy Stack. My question is how effective are liquid vitamins? My thought was that they absorb better into the bloodstream. You were recommending that we take MCT oil to help with the process. Is it necessary. Can I just take the multi vitamin with a good breakfast and it will be ok? I will read up more on MCT since it sounds like there are some other benefits to it as well. Thank you for you time and help!
Adam, I recommend these supplements because they’re pure and they work. I’d put them up against any “liquid vitamin” any day.
Some of the vitamins and minerals in the Multi are fat-soluble so need a healthy fat for your body to be able to use them. If your breakfast contains any fat that will work as well.
Hi David
Good day!
I was searching for nootropics, help me with cognitive functions, I’ve decided to try MLP after reading your review, my question here is what’s your take on taking MLP with Performance Lab® Whole-Food Multi? they overlap on Vitamin B? or only MLP is enough?
Abdul, Mind Lab Pro and the Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi is a great combo and what I use. The Multi has 3 of the same B-Vitamins as MLP. But combined will not put you in danger of “too much” of these vitamins. What your body does not use is excreted in urine.
And your brain absolutely requires the vitamins and minerals that are in the Multi as well. See my posts here:
https://nootropicsexpert.com/13-vitamins-essential-for-the-optimized-brain/
https://nootropicsexpert.com/13-minerals-essential-for-the-optimized-brain/
Most of the products you recommends sound great. However, for people who are on a fixed income they cannot afford the supplements. Also, you suggested taking 4 capsules daily. Why so many capsules if the supplement is that great? In addition, I do not see any pre-formulation for Baby Boomers for brain issues, but I did see individual suggestions. It would be too expensive to buy individual supplements to address probems.
Bob, it takes 4 capsules of this multivitamin to supply effective amounts of each of the vitamins and minerals your body and brain need every single day. And we have plenty of evidence that we are not getting these nutrients from the food we eat in our ‘modern’ society. Which is why we need to supplement if we wish to stay healthy.
I wrote a post about supporting the aging brain which would includes Baby Boomers. You’ll find that post here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-the-aging-brain/. You can put together a nootropic stack unique to you and your health issues based on the information in that post.
And for less than $200 per month you have a much better chance of avoiding the cognitive health problems many face as they get into their ‘senior’ years. With real benefits right now as well.
I know it’s hard for many of us especially with the state of the world today. But I humbly ask how much is your health worth to you? Only you can answer that and know what you’re willing to invest in keeping your body and brain healthy.
Hi David,
I really appreciate your articles and videos, I learned a lot from them.
I wanted to know what you think of the multivitamine Thorne Research – Basic Nutrients 2 / Day?
thanks a lot
Zakaria, it’s in-complete and does not contain all the critical vitamins and minerals your body and brain need every day.
David,
I’m going to purchase these multi vitamins. I’m prone to heart failure in my family..I’m currently taking a blood pressure med and a statin but would love to get off those. I take a supplement of 5000 iu of Vit D and have recently been taking some zinc as well. What should i take besides this multi at now 55 years old, non smoker, average shape, little exercise, decent diet?
Fred, use this page: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-the-aging-brain/ to put together a stack for the aging brain. All you need is a couple from each of the 5 categories on that page.
Hi David,
Did you notice the change in Performance Lab multi’s formula? The label and some of the quentities have changed.
I would love to see an updated review and a since you’re in touch with the Performance Lab team – some more context behind this change.
I am concerned that the ingredient change may cause it to be of less quality.
Sparsh, I did have a chat last week with the head of Performance Lab on their formula changes. The tweaks are minor and were done so there was no conflict if someone was using other supplements in the line that contained the same vitamins or minerals.
The only thing I don’t like about this change is it means I need to hunt down everywhere I’ve mentioned the Performance Lab Multi and update it to the new name (NeuroGenesis instead of Wholefood) and the amount for some of the ingredients. 🙂
This is still by far the best multi on the market and I continue to use it daily because it works so well. It’s the same high quality vitamins and minerals made in the same facility as they have from the start.
Awesome! Thank you! They call it “NutriGenesis”
Hi David,
Thanks for the detailed – I am going to order these. However wanted to get your inputs on the DEVA and Abundant Earth brands?
Nish, DEVA multivitamins use synthetic vitamins, half of their minerals are ground up rock, and the thing that really gets me going is 3 mg of Choline Bitartrate. Huh? That choline supplement will only provide a benefit when dosed from 500 mg – 5 grams. 3 mg is a joke and insult to an experienced neurohackers intelligence. Same thing with 3 mg of Inositol.
Abundant Earth is a little better because they use genuine vitamins and minerals your body recognizes as food. But they do the same stupid thing as DEVA. Wasting capsule space with 10 mg Choline Bitartrate and other tiny amounts of compounds that are not vitamins or minerals. And have no business being in a high quality multivitamin.
And Abundant Earth wastes capsule space with “fairy dusting” amounts of fruit and vegetable powders that are useless.
I see this kind of thing happening across the industry and it’s done by people who should know better. And is the reason why the Performance Lab Wholefood Multi is such a great product. It’s honest and real and it works.
Hi David – Any recommendation on a good source for a children’s multivitamin? My 8 yr old has ADHD and takes methylphenidate daily – we also add fish oil, l-theanine and probiotic, but I’m looking for a high quality kid’s multivitamin. Thanks!
Holly, the only one I’d recommend is this Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi because I trust the ingredients and know it works.
Keep in mind my area of expertise is with adults. So please do your own research.
I compared this Multi with several of the other multivitamins from high quality manufacturers who make multi’s for kids. And comparing ‘apples to apples’ as well as I could it consistently comes out to one or two capsules of this Performance Lab Multi instead of the regular 4-capsules daily for adults. This is according to the dosage for each multi for kids I looked at.
The things to watch out for is decide if you want iron or not. The Multi for men does not contain iron. The Multi for women does.
And keep an eye on the dosage for the fat-soluble ingredients. Because these can build to toxic levels (if you overdose) as the unused vitamin is stored in fat in the body. That would include Vitamin A,E,D and K. But I wouldn’t worry too much about Vitamin D because nearly everyone in this country (USA) is D deficient.
And please look at your “fish oil” supplement. Because most on the market are not so good to put it mildly. Our brain is 60% fat. And most of that fat is DHA. I recommend looking for a DHA supplement which will also include a much smaller amount of EPA. Look for Carlson Super DHA or Nature’s Way Mega-DHA if it is still available.
Hi David, do you also add additional Vit D? Recommended dosage is 5000 IU/day and their multi provides just 1000IU. Thank you
Marek, I also use a 5,000 IU Vitamin D3 supplement daily.
Hi David, I went to their website to order but I can’t find an ingredients list, just the supplement label.
Feels like I am missing the obvious.
Kevin
Kevin, if you scroll down this page: https://www.performancelab.com/products/whole-food-multi it has a complete table of the vitamins and minerals in this multi. And if you go to this page: https://www.performancelab.com/pages/nutrigenesis and scroll down it explains how each vitamin and mineral is produced.
I think I am missing something, it reads like a sales pitch but maybe that’s because of the biogenisis sourcing? This must be like bacterial fermentation correct?
Are there any other ingredients besides the vitamins and minerals, such as microcrystaline cellulose or other fillers or excipients?
What is the capsule made from?
Thanks,
Kevin
Kevin, you should be able to scroll about halfway down this page: https://www.performancelab.com/pages/nutrigenesis to a section called, “NutriGenesis® vitamins and minerals” which tells you how each vitamin and mineral is grown. For example, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) uses Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer’s yeast) as a growth culture.
Unlike the majority of other multivitamins on the market, this one contains only vitamins and minerals. It’s pure and the vitamins and minerals are bio-identical so my body recognizes them as if they were from food. I don’t put extra stress on my body by insisting it try to convert some synthetic vitamin or mineral into something it can actually use.
There are zero “other ingredients” which is how the label reads.
And the capsules are made from Pullulan (fermented tapioca) only.
Hi!
What are other recommended brands, that you feel like would be the next best options compared to performance lab multi?
Thanks!
Lauri
Lauri, now that I’ve researched the market I honestly cannot think of one that would be “next best”. Not without sacrificing integrity and paying more for something that would not work as well.
Here is an example… For years I used the Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Food Multi for Men like this one: https://amzn.to/2On4HTH. Now, I want you to look at the images top left and look for the “Supplement Facts” label. And check out the box on the right called, “Raw organic fruit & vegetable blend”. Looks great doesn’t it?
Problem is it takes up room in the capsule and actually works against what we’re trying to do with this multi. I explain why this is such a bad idea in this section of a post I wrote called, “How to Select the Best Multivitamin for Brain Function”. This section here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/how-to-select-the-best-multivitamin-for-brain-function/#beware-of-whole-food-multivitamins.
Manufacturers love to do this kind of thing because it looks convincing and it’s great marketing. But it takes up valuable room in the capsule, works against what we need to do with a multivitamin/mineral supplement, and it COSTS MORE! And I see this happening over and over again with other reputable supplement companies.
I hope that helps answer your question. The Performance Lab Wholefood Multi is still the best multivitamin option on the market in my humble opinion and the price is right.
Hi David,
I have been taking Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi for more than a month. I have noticed heart palpitations or racing heart, a few minutes after taking it. Any guesses as to what’s going on?
Thank you,
Arj
Arj, you’ve got me there. I honestly can’t think of any way that the doses of each vitamin and mineral in this supplement would cause palpitations. Unless your are allergic to yeast. That could cause problems because the nutrients in this supplement are grown in a form of yeast to mimic the type of nutrients you’d get from food.
Hmm.. interesting. Is there any test to find out if I am allergic to yeast?
Racing heart is something I feel only in the next hour after consuming it. I don’t feel any adverse effects after.
Thanks for your reply!
Arj, you’d have to ask your doctor is he/she can test for food allergies. And do an online search because there are services that use hair samples for testing allergies and intolerance.
Hi Arj I saw your comment and I wanna say I had this problem before,
So for me it was excess calcium and low potassium, magnesium and k2
I thought this could help you ^^
Hi David
What do you think about
Paradise Herbs ORAC-Energy® Earth’s Blend One Daily Superfood Multivitamin with Iron Description
Is this a good Multi and how much per day would you suggest.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Vegetarian Capsule
Servings per Container: 60
Amount Per Serving % Daily Value
Vitamin A (as Beta Carotene) 5000 IU 100%
Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid) 100 mg 167%
Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol) 1000 IU 250%
Vitamin E (d-Alpha Tocopheryl Succinate) 30 IU 100%
Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone) 80 mcg 100%
Vitamin B1 (as Thiamin Mononitrate) 10 mg 667%
Vitamin B2 (as Riboflavin-5-Phosphate) 10 mg 588%
Vitamin B3 Niacin (as Niacinamide) 20 mg 100%
Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) 10 mg 500%
Folic Acid (200 mcg as Calcium Folinate) 400 mcg 100%
Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin) 100 mcg 1,667%
Biotin 300 mcg 100%
Vitamin B5 (as Calcium Pantothenate) 10 mg 100%
Calcium (as Citrate, Aspartate, Malate) 10 mg 1%
Iron (Succinate) 6 mg 33%
Iodine (from Organic Kelp) 75 mcg 50%
Magnesium (as Citrate, Aspartate, Malate) 10 mg 2%
Zinc (as Citrate, Aspartate, Malate) 10 mg 67%
Selenium (as Citrate, Aspartate, Malate) 70 mcg 100%
Copper (as Sebacate) 500 mcg 25%
Manganese (as Citrate, Aspartate, Malate) 2 mg 100%
Chromium (as Polynicotinate) 120 mcg 100%
Molybdenum (as Citrate, Aspartate, Malate) 75 mcg 100%
Potassium (as Citrate, Aspartate, Malate) 10 mg <1%
Organic Green Juice Powder
Wheat grass, Egyptian Wheat grass, Alfalfa, Barley and Oat grass 130 mg *
Aqua Superfoods
Organic Spirulina, Chlorella (pesticide free) 93 mg *
Organic Veggies
Spinach, Broccoli sprout, Parsley, Kale, Tomato 69 mg *
Nature's C with Qpower
Acerola berry, Camu Camu, Amla fruit, Quercetin, Organic Acai, Go Ji berry 67 mg *
Probiotics (d. free – 100 million at time of mfg,)
L. Acidophillus, L. Casei Rhamnosus, B. Longum, S. Thermophilus, L. Plantarum.
Prebiotics- Oat beta-glucan fiber, Beet fiber, Inulin FOS (Chicory) 61 mg *
Hot Water Mushroom Extract
Agaricus fruiting body, Cordyceps (CS-4), Maitake fruiting body, Reishi fruiting body, Shiitake fruiting body 20 mg *
Stress & Energy Blend (4:1-50:1 Extracts)
Eleuthero root, Rhodiola, Gynostemma leaf, Reishi, Holy Basil, Ashwagandha root, Astragalus, Schisandra berry, Lycium berry, Cordyceps, American Ginseng root, Suma root, Licorice root (Chinese), Ginger, Tangerine Peel, Organic Acai berry, Maca root 20 mg *
Organic Berry Blend (Freeze-Dried)
Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Tart Cherry, Pomegranate, Cranberry 10 mg *
Super Antioxidants
Organic Green & White Tea extract, Grape seed extract 10 mg *
Liver Tonic/Cleansing Herbal Extracts
Milk Thistle seed (80% silymarin), Artichoke leaf (15%) 10 mg *
GingerZyme
Ginger rhizome, Turmeric rhizome, Cinnamon bark 10 mg *
Esthy, this is exactly the kind of multivitamin/mineral supplement I caution even family and close friends to avoid. The vitamin and mineral list is incomplete, dosages are wrong, and the last half of the ingredient list is completely useless.
Thank you so much for your opinion I already thought so but I was reading your reports about multis to late.(After buying) But thanks to you next time I will be cleverer.
Where does it say the amounts and the type of the vitamins on the one that you endorse? What kind of B9 and B12 is it? What amounts etc.
Graham, the Performance Lab Wholefood Multi contains 400 mcg methyl-folate (Vitamin B9) and 50 mcg methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12).
Your link to Performance Lab Multivitamin is not working. I click on the link & the screen in bland with a header that does not let me click on it. I also tried to search Performance Lab and that did not work for me either. Please let me know how I can order them. thank you
Mary, I just tested it in Chrome and it works for me. I suggest trying a different browser than what you are using right now. And see if that helps. If not then let me know.
Hi David,Thanks for your in-depth review on this product.just a quick question,I’m taking mind lab pro which had a lot of B vitamins in so by taking the performance lab multi I would be doubling up on my B vitamins which is probably to much.i was wondering if this would be a problem should I not be taking both these supplements. Thanks in advance Don.
Don, Mind Lab Pro has just enough of the B-Vitamins to ensure that Citicoline and N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine could synthesize their respective neurotransmitters. The extra B-Vitamins in Performance Lab’s Multi is not a problem.
Thanks for quick reply David.
Love your site and your you tube videos very informative and interesting .its how I became aware of performance lab products and other different herbs like Ashwaganda,it has made a big difference to my life and how I feel every day.great work.
actually affordable I got the quantity incorrect. 120 capsule for 30 days supply.
Hi David,
I plan to use this stack –
Performance lab multi.
Performance lab vision
Alpha-gpc
Vitamin D
Piracetam
Fish oil
Bacopa
I am trying to find ways to feel and measure the difference in my life. This stack is fairly expensive, so I want to know ways with which I can decide if I am getting enough return on investment. How can I test?/measure?
Sparsh, the easiest way to test the efficacy of this stack is how you feel after using it for a week or two. You’ll notice the difference in how you feel, the speed of your thinking and reaction time, and your mood.
Some of these changes may be subtle. But one day something that would not have happened before. Life remembering some little thing. Or not reacting to something that would normally irritate you.
BTW, please be careful on your “fish oil” supplement. I recommend finding a high quality Omega-3 high in DHA which is what your brain needs. Not plain old fish oil.
Hi David, I am interested in purchasing one of these to try it out, is there a discount provided by you or the seller for first time buyers?
RM, Opti Nutra sometimes provides me with a discount code for Nootropics Expert readers. But the last one I had expired a couple of months ago.
Another way to look at this is add up the cost of each stack if you were buying each ingredient separately. It think you’ll find for this quality, that these supplements are reasonably priced even at full price.
You are quite right about that, I will order some regardless. Was just curious because you commented earlier in reply to someone else that you had a code or affiliate link. Will let you know what my thoughts on it are after taking it.
Robert, please do let me know what you think of Performance Lab’s Whole-Food Multi. All the feedback I’ve got on it so far has been 100% positive.
Dear David,
I would like to know your opinion on pqq.And what would work well for a 60 year old woman looking to gain energy and jump start my metabolism.I believe it has all but stopped lol.thank you.
Jessica, PQQ is a good choice but this is not a “one pill” solution. It’s going to take a lot more than just PQQ to jump start things.
Your mitochondria are the tiny little power plants in each of your cells. The combination of PQQ and CoQ10 work to fuel mitochondria and even create new mitochondria. I use and recommend (it really does work!) Performance Lab Energy which has both: https://nootropicsexpert.com/performance-lab-energy-review/.
But your cells and mitochondria also require all the vitamins and minerals that are in the Multivitamin supplement reviewed above. I suggest trying both and reporting back in a couple of weeks. Let us know how you feel. Then we’ll go from there.
Hello David I bought a whole food multivitamin from natures plus source of life men.
They use methylcobalamin and methylfolate I really need your opinion about this they also have synthetic ingredients I researched some of them I will use this together with MLB,ALCAR,NALT,Sulbutiamine,Life ext b complex,Vincopetine,DHA,Aniracetam,Piperine
Justin, looks like an OK multi but once again one of my pet-peeves – they use a fairy-dusting of some ingredients to make it look good. But at 10 mg dosages are useless. Makes me wonder about the quality of the rest of the product.
I am planning to stack CILTEP, Mind Lab Pro, Performance Lab Whole Food, Sulbutiamine, Aniracetam and unrefined coconut oil what do you think of this David?
Kyle, sound like a great stack and should work well for you. Let me know after a couple of weeks of your experience.
Hi David!
Thank you for the great infos you share to help us!
I’m impressed with the quality of this multi, and I’m willing to try it (good thing they sell it in Europe!).
My main concern regards past experiences with quality multivit/min: last 2 times I used it (2 different brands, first I don’t happen to recall, second was Country Life’s Daily Total One) I’m pretty sure my depression got worse, and stopped it for that reason.
Any thought on that?
May it depend on one ingredient in particular, that you know may happen to negatively influcence mood (copper comes to my mind), or the quantity, or maybe the type of it (eg. I just re-read the label of DTO, it has folic acid instead of folate)?
At the time I was taking an SSRI, right now I’m off medications but of course I want to play on the safe side on that regard.
Thank you for any advice!
Andrea, it’s interesting that you thought a multivitamin may have contributed to your depression. That’s the thing with most multivitamin/mineral supplements. Most are made using synthetic vitamins and ground up rock for minerals. The human body cannot use these chemicals and does its best to expel them.
As soon as I see folic acid instead of folate on a multi label I put it back on the shelf. Because if the company is using cheap, synthetic folic acid then what else in the multi is synthetic?
This Performance Lab Multi is the best I’ve ever used. I’m interested in learning how your body reacts to it. It should be a very positive experience.
Thanks for your fast reply!
Yes, I select that one because it appeared good enough at the time, now I see it is only half good. 😉
What do you mean by ‘That’s the thing with most multivitamin/mineral supplements’?
Just to make sure: you don’t seem concerned about any particular element or its quantity in a multi that may in itself tend to worsen mood/depression and I should avoid, provided they are in the right form, is this correct?
Andrea, you are correct because in general multivitamins only provide the minimum RDA of each vitamin and mineral.
However, you should still closely read labels not only because you want to watch out for and stay away from synthetics. But manufacturers will sometimes add too much of one particular vitamin for a variety of reasons. Like mega-amounts of Vitamin A.
But if each vitamin and mineral in the multi is ‘nature-identical’ the nutrients will be taken into cells for use. Rather than expelled as toxic waste. Or stored in fat because it can’t get rid of it right away.
A lot of care and research has gone into designing this multivitamin supplement. So it should not cause any type of adverse reaction. If it does, then we need to look deeper into whatever issues you may be dealing with.
Thank you David.
This multi is surely in my wish list. I may be able to buy it in the near future. If I do, I’ll be happy to report back to you the results.
Meanwhile, thank you for your time and wisdom. Joyous holidays and best wishes for 2019!
Hi David!
I’m pleased to say that my first bottle of WFM just arrived.
Thanks to your extremely useful reviews as well I’m also planning to buy Mind and Energy, eventually on a monthly basis!
Two questions:
do you receive a commission for new customers you help decide, and can you offer a discount for them?
Either case, please provide a link or a code to me, I’ll be glad to use it!
On a side note: can’t reckon whether you already point it out in your reviews, Opti Nutra actually sells from within Europe as well. It may be useful to know for us europeans out there (no customs, quick shipping) 😉
Andrea, I do get a commission for sales of Mind Lab Pro and all Performance Lab Products done through Nootropics Expert. Discount codes have been included in my last few emails. Are you subscribed to Nootropics Expert emails?
Hi David,
knowing you will get a commission will double my pleasure in using the discount code.
Yes,
I found it at the bottom of your newsletter, thank you!
Best regards
Thank you David for your help
Hi David
I’m taking B-Complex at the moment. And I’m waiting for my delivery of M.L.P. and Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi for men.
When I’ll start taking Whole-Food Multi, which has B Vitamins in it, should I still be using B-Complex?
Mick, it’s up to you but I find using a high quality B-Complex stack along with MLP and the Performance Lab Multi works for me.
Hello David,
your advice is surely very welcome and well substantiated.
I understand that it is impossible to try and test all, but may you check two full spec’ed combo products (multi vits/mins) that I used to use for a while.
Hard to say whether I can recommend them strongly, but they seem as quite well balanced in nutrients:
1.) NorthStar Nutritionals ‘Regenecell’ and
2.) Youngevity ‘Beyond Tangy Tangerine 2.0’ + ‘Pollen Burst Plus’.
Do you think that Performance Lab line (2-3 products) could replace above two options with benefit ?
Thank you.
Sam, I’m not familiar with either of those supplements and haven’t done the research to know how they are made.
If you are comparing apples to apples and both are made to the standard that Performance Lab uses to produce their vitamins and minerals then it comes down to which one works best for you.
I’ve always been careful about selecting my supplements. And until Performance Lab came along I used Garden of Life Raw-food Multi for men which worked well for me. But I’ve since found that the Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi works even better and I feel better when I use it.
Good Evening,
Do you think it is a good idea to use performance lab whole-food with performance lab mind and Lab Mind pro. Could It cause any unwanted effect?
Thanks for your helps
Regards Santiago . M
Santiago, using Performance Lab Mind along with Mind Lab Pro means you are doubling your dose of Citicoline, PS, NALT and Pine Bark Extract. But by no means to dangerous levels. That combo with Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi could produce great results for you.
I use the same combination but use Performance Lab Energy instead of Mind and it works well for me. It just depends on your biohacking goals.
Good morning.
I am juicing cucumber, celery, spinach, lacinato kale, pineapple and carrots 5 days a week. I take a multi, but it is probably one of the ones you mentioned that are not very good for me. I am also taking a B12 supplement and a C supplement in addition. Both are quality products.
I am also working into uridine + Alpha GPC + DHA, but the uridine does not do much more than make me sleepy. I have broken open the 300mg pills and take 50 mg of uridine – I was taking it in the morning, but I have changed it to night time. Today is the first day with Alpha GPC, but I only took 75 (ish) mg and so far the jury is still out.
In your opinion will the multi vitamin from Performance Lab help?
Gordon, it all depends on what you are trying to achieve. If Uridine doesn’t agree with you then delete it from your stack. And to see the benefit of Alpha GPC, you’ll need at least 300 mg.
I can only suggest you try the Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi and see if it makes a difference. I wasn’t kidding when I said I could “feel” the difference.
I realize each of us is different in our genetic makeup and a host of other ways. But one common factor is we require everyone of these vitamins and minerals no matter how we get them. The only way to be sure we’re getting them is with a Multi like this one.
Let me know what your biohacking goals are and I may be able to make some other suggestions.
Is this multivitamin really worth the cost? Compared to Naturelo multivitamin, this product is double the cost. Meanwhile, they essentially have the same exact ingredients baring few.
Is double the cost really worth B5, B7, strontium, inositol,vanadium, and boron?
Charles, last I checked the ‘comparable’ Naturelo Whole-Food Multi for men retails for $44.95. I’m sure you can find it cheaper elsewhere. But the bottom-line is how it makes you feel. The Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi is the first multivitamin I’ve tried where I can actually “feel” the difference. But that’s just me… You’d have to try it to find out if it’s worth it.
Hey David,
I was comparing it to this: NATURELO One Daily Multivitamin for Men
That’s fair enough. Ill definitely have to try it and see what i think
Charles, Naturello puts out a good product without question. In this case I don’t think it’s a fair comparison however but let’s not debate the details.
The one thing that has always irked me about products like this is why do manufacturers insist on including a ‘fairy dusting’ of “Organic Fruit and Vegetable Blend”. It’s useless and takes up space in the capsule. The only thing I can think of why they would do this is marketing. Which makes me a little suspect of the rest of their formula.
Hello David,
It has been a few months since we discussed where a health conscious aging man 70+ can purchase a vitamin supplement that the body can use. Based on my experience on using various nootropics and supplements that you have recommend i will be trying a 3 month supply for myself and a 3 month supply for my 55+ wife. I came to the same conclusion as you did a few years ago that the best investment a person can make is in there health. I come from the position that the best way to prevent illness is to create the environment where health proliferates.
Live Long and Prosper!
Barry