GNC Calcium Citrate Plus-my GNC HORROR story!
Written: Aug 28 '08 (Updated Aug 28 '08)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Cheap prices
Cons: NOT USP approved.Return policy- could lead to identity theft & fraud. They don't care
The Bottom Line: Vitamins not USP approved.Return policy requires your State ID or drivers license be input into their networked computers which could lead to identity theft or credit card theft.
|
|
|
| ingoditrust's Full Review: Gnc Calcium Citrate Plus 180 Caplets (Exp:02/2009) |
My family and I are always at odds over vitamins. My grandmother has never taken a vitamin and considers pizza and Doritos to be a food group and is in perfect health in her 90s too.
My mother refuses most vitamins. She takes a multi vitamin 1 to 2 days a week and a calcium magnesium with vitamin D about 4 days a week. She refuses to take any vitamin without the USP approval seal as she has read(and heard from doctors) that is an indicator that it can contain lead which is very dangerous. Lead accumilates in your body. Unlike certain toxic metals that your body can let go of,lead is toxic and accumilates in the body and that can lead to disease.
The local grocery store was out of this concoction so I went to GNC and purchased the Calcium Citrate. I personally had taken this a few years ago and it had given me heart palpitations and I threw the bottle out. I have no medical history of heart problems or poor health and after this and a doctor appointment is when I decided I'm just going to watch what I eat and watch the vitamin stuff-since much of this is unregulated and I do remember the impure Tryptophan fiasco in 1988. I didn't remember this until I wrote this review and a family member reminded me. Maybe I already have lead in my system that ate my memory!
I have read in the past that taking Calcium without the magnesium and vitamin D does not get absorbed in the body and that is why it is important to have a formula that provides all 3.
I didn't have my glasses on when I made the purchase at my local GNC store and the clerk was helpful in locating itand ringing up the purchase on my credit card.
I brought it back to my mother who refused to open the bottle after reading the plastic container. No USP seal was present anywhere though they did have a vague sentence that said they comply with USP standards but that means nothing. It is still not USP approved no matter how they word it.
Here is where I returned it and never in my life have I gone thru so much *stuff* for a $10 bottle of garbage to make a return.I hand over my receipt from my credit card. Returned unopened within days of purchase. The clerk then asks for my drivers license or state ID. I give him my license. He starts typing in my name,address and license number,birthday,etc. He also demanded my telephone number. I made one up.I freak out. I don't want my life history on the GNC networked to the world computer. I lectured to the clerk,'Can you guarantee that no one will ever have access to this info ? That no one will ever break into your company system and try to create a credit history with all that info or change my address at the post office,obtain a new state ID,turn into me.' You know how the scenario goes when you feel so helpless and violated. I don't mind showing,just do NOT put it in your database.He not only had no idea what USP was, he didn't understand why I would be so angry that I was giving over my identity to some corporate robot over a $10 return and before I could even say,'STOP THIEF" he had all my digits and infoentered into their system from hell.
I contacted their corporate office and they said the info is displayed in the store and that is their policy. Where was the info ? Under the clerks feet behind the register ? Never saw it at any time I've been in the store.
This is my own personal GNC horror story. I do have another one that I won't even get into. Your milage amy vary and you may love the store and their products. For me,I will shop at their nice helpful and knowledgeable competition across the street.
For those unfamiliar with the USP and to any GNC clerks that might need to know vitamins 101. Here is info: The USP is the United States Pharmacopeia it is an independent non-profit organization within the USA that sets the standard for all medications, prescription and over the counter, heath products and dietary supplements. They ensure that the products they study and recommend meet the highest quality standards and assist the ones that don’t in making the grade. This has been their job for more than 200 years.You can find more info on the USP site at:http://www.usp.org
Not all vitamins are created equal. Consult with your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements. Some you may not even need and some can be very harmful if you take the wrong dose or take them while taking prescribed or over the counter medication.Do your homework before buying any of these supplements that could be toxic. ere is the info for the GNC Calcium Citrate Plus supplement I bought and returned. Honestly,shop around!
Serving Size 4 Caplet(s)
Servings Per Container 45
Amount Per Serving % DV
Magnesium (as Magnesium Oxide) 400.00 mg 100%
Calcium (as Calcium Citrate) 800.00 mg 80%
Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol) 800.00 IU 200%
** Daily Value (DV) not established
Other Ingredients: Cellulose, Titanium Dioxide (Natural Mineral Whitener), Vegetable Acetoglycerides
No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, No Preservatives, Sodium Free, No Wheat, No Gluten, No Dairy, Yeast Free
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
ingoditrust
|
|
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 2 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.