Simple question.
Are they as good as they claim?

Do "they" stand to make money from selling these vitamins to you?  If so, then you are wise to question their claims.

Someone (about whom I know nothing, btw) answered that same question here:  http://www.vitaminstohealth.com/are-shaklee-vitamin-claims-true.html

I'm not familiar with Shaklee, other than having heard the name.  However, a few of rules of thumb:

1.  Avoid pressed pills, especially coated ones like One-A-Day, which are not digested but are excreted nearly whole.

2.  Liquids, gelcaps, powders mixed with liquids are more easily absorbed.

3.  Look for quality ingredients like D3, not just D; calcium citrate, not just calcium carbonate; magnesium citrate, not just mag oxide.  There can be combos of these, but avoid those that have only the cheaper ingredient.

4.  Look for a good blend of nutrients in higher doses that actually make a difference.  If you only get the "RDA", you may as well save your money.

5.  If you're going for a good overall supplement, look for one that includes fiber and some herbals and amino acids.

Quoted Text

Do "they" stand to make money from selling these vitamins to you?  If so, then you are wise to question their claims.

Can't that be said for all vitamin companies, though? I've never used Shaklee so I can't answer the OP's question.

Quoted Text

Avoid pressed pills, especially coated ones like One-A-Day, which are not digested but are excreted nearly whole.

Well then what about medications that come in that form? Do they not absorb as well? I'm thinking of my Glumetza. It's pressed and coated (and time released or whatever that's called). If pressed and coated vitamins are not digested, are medications the same way? Are we all wasting our money?

I'm not a good one to answer that, Genesis.  I think most "medications" make us sicker and are intended to make pharmaceuticals companies rich.  If we stopped eating the garbage we put in our bodies, we wouldn't need those meds anyway.  

And I was thinking the same thing you mentioned--all vitamin companies, and all companies that offer ANY product, for that matter, charge for it.  Just be an informed consumer before you put your money on something.

BTW, since people have different responses to different compounds, you may have to try a few brands and formulas before you find one you like.  I have tried many, many products and never felt the difference until my current brand.  I assumed they were all working as claimed, but I didn't feel anything.  THIS multi that I take now made a noticeable difference in my energy and overall feeling of wellness.  I was quite surprised, since I didn't expect to feel it.

Genesis, I just started a scientific experiment.  Well, sort of.  I forgot to write down the precise time it started and the times of my observations as I'd anticipated it would be an overnight project.    Anyway, I got a glass of warm water, added a tiny splash of vinegar (to act as stomach acid) and dropped in a Walmart variety "Equate" multivitamin.  Within no more than 5 minutes the coating was already gone (!) and now, maybe 10 minutes later (water is still warm) at least half of the "pressed" portion has turned to powder and is beginning to dissolve.

We try to get most of our nutrients from our food so any supplements we take are just that--extras.

Kate is right that many of our modern health issues can be prevented by lifestyle changes.

did anyone mention that it shold be whole food?