A Decent Vitamin Option, But One Major Side Effect Ruined the Deal for Me

Hello!

With the pandemic raging on, supporting our immune system with vitamins has become more important than ever. I've had a weakened immune system since childhood, and it's led to a bunch of related issues and illnesses - chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, and adenoids. Normally, I manage to keep my immune system in check with a beach vacation, fresh air, and regular exercise, but by the end of winter and start of spring, my immune system takes a hit, and the old familiar problems come back. This spring, I already went through a course of Supradin, and after that, I had a bit of a break, then I took a course of budget vitamins Alfavit, but they didn't do anything for me. By the middle of the course, my rhinitis had flared up again, so in May, we decided to buy vitamins from Doppelherz with a more effective dosage.

So, why did I choose Doppelherz specifically? Well, I'd already tried their magnesium vitamins in the past and was really happy with the results - the vitamins proved themselves to be high-quality and effective.

Here's the basic info:

Where I bought it: 74 plus online pharmacy.Price: 380 rubles;Country of origin: Germany;Number of pieces in the package: 30 pieces;Form of release: tablets-depot;They're a food supplement and can be purchased without a prescription!

The packaging is quite impressive - a big, eye-catching cardboard box in Doppelherz's signature design:

Bright packagingOn the reverse side, you'll find all the info on vitamins and minerals in milligrams:

Vitamins and minerals listThe ingredient list is also printed on the reverse of the box:

Ingredients in close-upOn the side, you'll find information on the manufacturer and usage guidelines:

Additional informationAt the bottom of the pack, you'll find the expiration date:

Expiration date and manufacturing dateInside the box, I found blister packs containing three units (each with 10 tablets), but I didn't take a photo since I ended up tossing them after taking the supplements. I did, however, take a photo of the tablet itself, which I'm sharing today since I just finished the last one:

Supplement tabletThe tablets themselves are huge, with a dusty pink coating - you'll definitely want to wash them down with water before swallowing them.

Massive tabletsI was really surprised to find that there was no information about potential side effects, interactions with other medications, and overdose warnings. A lot of reviewers are complaining about side effects, so why isn't the manufacturer warning customers about them upfront? There's no info on compatibility with other vitamins, and I have no idea how well they'll be absorbed by the body.

Indications for use:

- Prevention and treatment of hypovitaminosis, avitaminosis, and mineral deficiency - Decreased mental and physical performance, fatigue, and impaired ability to focus - States accompanied by increased vitamin and macro- and micronutrient needs (stress states or overexertion, recovery period after illnesses, surgeries, or radiation therapy, to boost the immune system) - To boost physical capabilities, especially in athletes - Incomplete or unbalanced nutrition

My experience with using this product:

I took the vitamins every day with breakfast for 30 days, and I have to note that I didn't experience any GI-related side effects, which is weird given that most people complain about that. Despite having gastritis, I didn't get any heartburn or nausea after taking them, probably because I eat a hearty breakfast and drink plenty of water with the tablets.

I've been noticing a huge hair loss since spring, and I was convinced it was due to the hair dye and vitamin deficiency. I stopped dyeing my hair in late April and by May, I noticed things had normalized. I'm not sure if it's the vitamins that helped, but they might have played a role. My nails grow pretty fast, and I use a gel polish, so I don't notice any brittleness. I typically wear nail polish for around 4-5 weeks, and it holds up great. In May, my skin started looking amazing, but I'm not sure if it's because of the clinovita I started using in April. My skin's usually dry and sensitive, but it's changed to a combination skin type with oily patches in the T-zone. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I'm not ruling out the vitamins' influence.

I've noticed a significant boost in energy and strength, and I'm less anxious. I don't need to take valerian root for every little thing, and my cold symptoms have decreased dramatically. I've even stopped using decongestant nasal sprays altogether – I've been symptom-free for a month now.

But there's one weird side effect I didn't expect! Around the middle of the first week of taking vitamins, I noticed my appetite increasing. I'm usually a moderate eater, having small meals 2-3 times a day, and I never eat after 6 PM. But here I was on a diet in early May, and my stomach was shrunk – I was satisfied with half a pack of 100g cottage cheese for dinner and would go until the next morning.

However, as I continued taking the vitamins, my appetite just kept growing. By the end of the second week, I was eating like a bear! I had this insatiable hunger from morning till late at night, and no matter what I cooked, I couldn't get full. I wasn't eating six meals a day, just 3 meals, but the portions were massive because I couldn't eat smaller amounts anymore!

I was determined not to skip my vitamin intake, especially since I'm super active - I ride my bike, practice yoga, and lately, I've been working on my backyard plot, so I thought it was unlikely I'd gain weight with all that activity.

But I was wrong. Visually, it was super noticeable how quickly my stomach and thighs rounded out after a month of taking these vitamins. I definitely gained a few pounds, and now I don't fit into my favorite mini dress in size 42 or my beloved blue jeans.

Takeaways: Saying I'm disappointed barely scratches the surface. The unexpected effect was jarring. I've never had such a ravenous appetite while taking vitamins before, and it wasn't just during the taking - it lingered after too. I get that everyone's different, but this was weird. Maybe there's something in these vitamins that affects your hormonal balance. I'm glad they're finally over, and I'll be mindful of my portions again, tracking my calories like I used to.

Going forward, I won't be buying these vitamins again, and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. The potential benefits just aren't worth the side effects, and I'd rather have a healthy body than a temporary energy boost.

Once again, I'm reminded that tried-and-true Supradin vitamins are the way to go.