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Has anybody else noticed recent price hikes in the cost of supplements? Some of the ones my family members use have gone up by as much as 83% in last few months.

No, not really. Where are you ordering your supplements from?

ElliotB wrote:No, not really. Where are you ordering your supplements from?

They're Now Foods brand items. Now Foods has increased their suggested retail and it also seems that the site we usually get them from has lowered their % discount.

I have numerous sources for my supplements including but not limited to Costco, Purity and on eBay or on the web, the Lucky Vitamin company (very economical). I have not noticed any changes in pricing although I don't use the Now Brand,

One of the supplements that I have noticed a price increase on is Vitamineral Green which nearly doubled in price from what I paid last year, but the increase was quite a while ago and it has not changed in recent months.

Which ones have shot up in price?

ElliotB wrote:Which ones have shot up in price?

Here are a few examples...

Now Foods curcumin, 120 caps, 665 mg, was 21.49 now 39.99.
Now Foods nattokinase, 120 caps, 100 mg, was 23.49 now 39.99.
Now Foods calcium citrate powder, 8 oz., was 5.49 now 8.79.
Now Foods EGCG, 180 caps, 400 mg, was 13.49 now 22.49.
Now Foods grape seed extract, 180 caps, 60 mg, was 13.99 now 20.79.

I did a quick check for you at luckyvitamin.com and there is some good news for you. Their prices are to the right in red.

Now Foods curcumin, 120 caps, 665 mg, was 21.49 now 39.99. $11.47 for 60 or $22.94 for 120
Now Foods nattokinase, 120 caps, 100 mg, was 23.49 now 39.99. $24.99
Now Foods calcium citrate powder, 8 oz., was 5.49 now 8.79. $5.99
Now Foods EGCG, 180 caps, 400 mg, was 13.49 now 22.49. $14.39
Now Foods grape seed extract, 180 caps, 60 mg, was 13.99 now 20.79. $13.90

Shipping is free with a $50 order.

I only recently discovered this site and have begun to order more and more from them, switching over as my supply runs out. Their prices in general are really good and they seem to carry a wide assortment of brands and products. The company has excellent feedback on eBay. I order direct from their website. I have just received my 3rd shipment, all hassle free.

We are taking similar supplements. I have not used (or heard of Nattokinase but am going to add that to my list. I am also going to start EGCG. I had tried a green tea supplement previously but stopped because it was loaded with caffeine. I was not aware it was available without.

ElliotB wrote:We are taking similar supplements. I have not used (or heard of Nattokinase but am going to add that to my list. I am also going to start EGCG. I had tried a green tea supplement previously but stopped because it was loaded with caffeine. I was not aware it was available without.

These are not supplements that I take, but supplements that my family members take. I drink decaf green tea and I also consume whole turmeric (1 tablespoon/day). I've thought about taking nattokinase as there was discussion of it in relation to CCSVI, but have not tried it. It's an enzyme (i.e., a protein) and I question how much of it would actually survive digestion. The calcium citrate powder is for one of my family members that had their pelvis fracture in two places. They are also taking vitamin K2, magnesium glycinate and vitamin D to balance out and help correctly utilize the calcium. In addition, MS folks should not take grape seed extract since it's known to promote the production of interferon-gamma which is known to make MS worse. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl ... f/0214.pdf

By the way, thanks for the link to luckyvitamin. I'll take a look.

I have not ever used Grape Seed Extract but do take Resveratrol. I don't know if they are the same or not. Do you?

ElliotB wrote:I have not ever used Grape Seed Extract but do take Resveratrol. I don't know if they are the same or not. Do you?

Resveratrol and grape seed extract are two distinct entities. Resveratrol is a compound found in the skin of the grape.

Here's an article that outlines some of the differences between Th1 and Th2 stimulating supplements and various conditions. The headline is a little sensationalistic and the article might be oversimplified, but it does provide some basic information. It is also consistent with research papers I've read on PubMed. MS has been thought to be Th1 dominant, so supplements that promote a Th2 response are OK. Interferon-gamma is a Th1 cytokine. As such, grape seed extract is off the list for PwMS.

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/rr-green-tea-hazards