9 replies to this topic

[ShnikeJSB]

After much research, I plan on ordering up a year's worth of vitamins/supplements from iHerb (and the Ortho-Core from RelentlessImprovement.com), as it is quite a bit cheaper overall to do so than order them as they run out. This is what I was planning on taking every day (taken at the correct time and spaced out properly, of course):


- 3x AOR Ortho-Core Multi's (half dose)
- 1x Carlson Vitamin D3 2000 IU Soft Gel
- 2x Carlson Super Omega-3 Fish Oil Concentrate Soft Gels (600mg EPA/400mg DHA/200mg "other" total serving)
- 2x Carlson Chelated Cal-Mag (800mg Calcium/400mg Magnesium total serving)
- 2x Planetary Herbals Bacopa Extract (450mg total dose)
- 1x Jarrow MK-7 (90 mcg dose)
- 2x Jarrow Sleep Optimizer


Now, is there going to be a problem with ordering up a whole year's supply of any of these items? I can see the Fish Oil perhaps becoming rancid, but it is only 1 year. Is there anything I should know about? I got sick of waiting for the Ortho-Core reformulation to hit, and need to load back up on supplements. How is the overall regimen? I drink quite a bit of Green Tea already and always have. I also have no idea how much D3 I should be taking, and am too lazy to get a blood test done (and have no idea where to go or how I would go about asking for one). I figure a standard dose of 2000iu/day is fine.

Thanks everyone! This site is very helpful.

Edited by ShnikeJSB, 24 September 2009 - 10:20 AM.

[kismet]

1 Year? I wouldn't store fish oil even 3 months.

[nameless]

If you refrigerate the fish oil or leave it in a cool place, unopened, you may be okay. Maybe...

But, why do you want to buy a year's worth at a time? Not like there will be a shortage and we need to stock up. I also don't see how you really save much money either, if you order from iHerb or somewhere with free shipping.

[niner]

iherb has free shipping for orders over some small amount, like $40-60. They will also give discounts on large orders, but most of the discount comes in the first $120. After that, there's not much improvement. I would consider ordering every 3-4 months at least. Reorders are extremely easy at iherb if you log in. I'm quite impressed with their system.

[nameless]

Another bonus for multiple orders from iHerb are the freebies. You can get trials of fish oils, or other things... sometimes they are useless, but they occasionally have good things. I have like a dozen iHerb pens by now.

And if you order often enough (no idea what cut-off criteria they use), you'll get VIP pricing, which is 10% off every order, even small orders.

Edited by nameless, 24 September 2009 - 08:02 PM.

[Blue]

According to Now Foods:
"Storage at 90 degrees Fahrenheit will cut the shelf life in half, but storage in the refrigerator will multiply the shelf life by about 5 and storage in the freezer will prolong the life of the product indefinitely. Softgels may split in the freezer, but most will not. If a product is approaching the expiration date, refrigeration is recommended.

If you store the product in the refrigerator, you should close the lid after opening to prevent condensation of moisture onto the product which could raise bacteria counts. If there is a desiccant packet or canister inside, it is best not to discard it until the product is used up."
http://www.nowfoods....les/M039342.htm

[biochemie]

1 Year? I wouldn't store fish oil even 3 months.

I would if I kept it refrigerated the entire time (which I do). The shelf time argument varies with the conditions. You are almost always better off in a cooler, humidity-controlled environment. That said, a fish oil bottle that has an expiry date of a year from now may turn bad within a month in bad enough conditions (namely heat).

Stephane Acoca
McGill University, PhD Candidate
Department of Biochemistry

[biochemie]

iherb has free shipping for orders over some small amount, like $40-60. They will also give discounts on large orders, but most of the discount comes in the first $120. After that, there's not much improvement. I would consider ordering every 3-4 months at least. Reorders are extremely easy at iherb if you log in. I'm quite impressed with their system.

I've had similarly positive experiences with iherb. I think their delivery is pretty cheap and always on time (if only it weren't for customs!!!).

Stephane Acoca
McGill University, PhD Candidate
Department of Biochemistry

Edited by biochemie, 26 September 2009 - 05:23 PM.

[kismet]

Temperature is not enough. It's probably oxygen that is more important -- the expiry date does not matter one bit. Bottled fish oil always goes off within months*. Your fish oil must be pretty special, or, alternatively, something's very, very wrong with my fridge. Considering just how fragile that stuff is, storing it makes not much sense (partial oxidation will be a problem before you notice it's off, further limiting the useful shelf life). Maybe pills are different, maybe, but why take the risk as long as we don't know for sure.

*I'm not sure anymore how long it takes, definitely <6months. Maybe around ~3M.

Edited by kismet, 26 September 2009 - 10:47 PM.

[biochemie]

Temperature is not enough. It's probably oxygen that is more important -- the expiry date does not matter one bit. Bottled fish oil always goes off within months*. Your fish oil must be pretty special, or, alternatively, something's very, very wrong with my fridge. Considering just how fragile that stuff is, storing it makes not much sense (partial oxidation will be a problem before you notice it's off, further limiting the useful shelf life). Maybe pills are different, maybe, but why take the risk as long as we don't know for sure.

*I'm not sure anymore how long it takes, definitely <6months. Maybe around ~3M.

Hmm let me make myself clear. I would never recommend bottled fish oil for the very reason you stated : oxygen. If you buy one, be sure to consume it within the month. Capsulated fish oil shouldn't have that same problem. Heat accelerates its decomposition but if you keep it in the fridge I wouldn't see why it wouldn't last a few months at least (if it was fresh to begin with, never buy fish oil that's been on shelfs for ages).

Steven Acoca