Which supplement brand would you pick from these?

virhlpool on 16/11/2019 - 14:26
Last edited 16/11/2019 - 14:28

Massive difference in the price of these two identical products - the first one seems to be a Priceline's home brand. The second one is not available in Priceline but it's promoted by Chemist Warehouse (doesn't look like their homebrand through).

https://www.priceline.com.au/brand/biosource/biosource-vitam… [Possibly the cheapest in Priceline]
https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/64071/healthy-care-v… [Possibly the cheapest in Chemist Warehouse]

Is there any difference in quality etc that would justify the price difference? Which one would you go for? Any advice from pharmacists would be appreciated too.

Vit D3 is obviously an example in this case - the question is much broader as this type of price difference is often seen across different supplements etc within one store or across both competing stores. Options in Coles and Woolies are generally more expensive, even at their half price promo.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • owli on 16/11/2019 - 15:22

    Which one would you go for?

    The more known, expensive brand. They are more effective even if the ingredients are the same.

    • resubaehtgnolhcs on 16/11/2019 - 15:56

      based on what?

      • Hybroid on 16/11/2019 - 16:39

        Scientific sarcasm testing.

        There's also no conclusive evidence that vitamin D supplementation has any positive effect on humans so this multi-billion dollar industry could be about as useful as homeopathy.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/11/2019 - 16:59

          Yeah, curious to why they are trying to add more Vitamin D to their diet.

          If calcium levels are fine, then I don't see why there is any need to fortify. Some people just need less Vitamin D than others (typically asians). It's still a controversial topic in my opinion.

          Anyway, if you want the more expensive options. I generally prefer the fortified Vitamin D mushrooms, but I generally try to keep the blinds wide open where I am.

          If it's something like baldness and they don't want to reply. Then yeah, you should try taking supplement, but as far as I know if you are going bald; there really isn't much to do. My dad is partially bald for example.

          • c64 on 16/11/2019 - 19:33

            @[Deactivated]: i take a 1000iu vitamin d3 every morning (i buy a healthy care 500pk for about $12-13). heaps cheaper than anything else. certainly raises the serum levels. i got crook with a chest infection a while back and for some reason the gp threw in a d3 test and it came back at just over 100 nmol/L. i don't know how reliable the test is. the only other supplement i take is b12 since i don't eat much red meat.

            regarding mushrooms, apparently you can put them out the in sun for 15 mins before you cook them and their vitamin d level rockets

  • hawkeye on 16/11/2019 - 15:48

    Get a blood test go buy the cheaper ones wait a week go get a blood test again then you'll know if your using it need more or peeing money down the toilet.

  • garetz on 16/11/2019 - 16:18

    Neither, i get natures own.

  • lilbudgie on 16/11/2019 - 16:30

    If you look closely at the labels you will see a letter L and some numbers usually after the word Aust. For example it would look like AUSTL1234. This says that whatever is inside has passed the T.G.A and is what it says it is. So if it states on the label that it is 1000mg VitD it has to have 1000mg vitD. You will find that almost all vitamins in Australia that have been made here will have this and one of the reasons is there is only a couple of companies that manufacture vitamins for everyone. Basically they are out of the same factory with different labels. Obviously this does not apply to foreign imports that havent been through the T.G.A. You will find that HealthyCare is made for Chemist warehouse and is their home brand therefore cheaper

    • resubaehtgnolhcs on 16/11/2019 - 18:20

      Not necessarily true … look up the story of Pan Pharmaceuticals. Just because your have a registered TGA, that does not ensure that every batch contains what it says it contains.

      Furthermore, the letter L denotes that it is low risk and is not evaluated by the TGA for efficacy or contents (source here)

      EDIT: Dammit! I fell for the new member trick!

  • vikvance on 16/11/2019 - 16:36

    I only buy Ostelin. I'm happy to shop around & get a cheaper price, but only for the same brand.

    I've read a lot about some of the dodgy practices by 3rd world drug manufacturers & try to avoid generic brands & medicine made in the 3rd world. There will be many more Ranitidine-type scandals before Western countries understand that drug manufacturing is too important to be outsourced.

    Medicine isn't like a shirt or a wallet, where you can tell the quality just by looking at it. All you see is a tiny piece of compressed powder & it could be chalk, for all you know.

    Ostelin is Aussie made & I trust that Aussies will manufacture drugs properly & won't try to cut corners.

    • virhlpool on 16/11/2019 - 16:53

      Both above brands are Aussie/ NZ made too.

  • toru on 16/11/2019 - 16:49
    +3

    Healthy Care is a budget line supplied exclusively to Chemist Warehouse.

    Its basic range of Vit D 1000 iu, Vit C, Fish oil, Multi-Vit must meet the basic TGA standards - so are good buys compared to the high priced brands like Blackmores, Natures Own etc.

    Where they may be less potent are in the specialised Curcimin/Tumeric (joint pain/inflamation), CoQ10 (heart health & energy), Magnesium (muscle relaxation), Vit E (antioxidant)etc. So it's worth buying these from the high end brands when they go for 50% off every couple of weeks at Chemist Warehouse.

    Can't comment much on Priceline's Biosource except that they seem to be a budget line, but range offered seems to be very limited.

  • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 17:14

    I sit in the sun for free vitamin d.

    • EightImmortals on 16/11/2019 - 19:22

      What about in winter?

      • paraneoplastic on 16/11/2019 - 19:38
        +2

        there is still sunlight in winter my guy

      • brendanm on 16/11/2019 - 21:18

        As above, sun is out year round unless you are at the poles.

  • paraneoplastic on 16/11/2019 - 19:37
    +5

    As a general rule of thumb, unless you a deficient in a certain vitamin, supplementing it will have no effect (other than fluro piss).

    Some vitamins can even be harmful (i.e. Vit E and fish oil- which thins your blood)

    on topic: since it's not regulated, it's really hard to say tbh.

    • TEER3X on 16/11/2019 - 19:41

      Agree, but there are some people out there who swear mega dosing vitamin d prevents (kills?) the flu.

      • paraneoplastic on 16/11/2019 - 20:16

        i thought it was vit c? don't think there's evidence for either though :/

        • TEER3X on 16/11/2019 - 21:10

          There is some evidence for vitamin D. Certain doses are said to be beneficial.

          I don't think Vitamin C helps with the flu, a cold maybe.

  • OzHunterNSW on 17/11/2019 - 12:01

    Eat healthy and save your money.

  • Sensiekatie on 17/11/2019 - 12:41

    Take a look at iherb. They only offer the best of the brands. Their prices are good. Referral codes will get you a discount. When you purchase, you get loyalty points but they are to be used in 60 days.

    It depends what you order, but sometimes it comes from Australia and others from USA. Either way it. Ones really quickly without a massive postage cost.

    If you are Vit D deficient, research says you need 5000iu daily. The FDA has this within its guidelines as well.

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