I have just now returned to using your ALL ONE Active Seniors supplement product from a composite can opened years ago.  The ‘used by’ date on the bottom is 4-20-2012.

The odor of the product is offensive, and I have been trying different liquids to mask the very unpleasant taste.  It could have picked up the disagreeable taste while stored under the bathroom sink all these years.

My question is:  Is this odor/taste a normal problem?  Could there be a reason to discard the remaining product?  Or, do you suspect that this product is OK to use?

The Vitamin Professor Responds:

Hi Wally,

The best place to store ALL ONE is in a cool dry place like a kitchen pantry.

When the product is stored (especially after being open) it in a bathroom where there may be steam and moisture condensation is discouraged.

The ‘offensive odor’ is most likely from the fact that moisture and temperature changes cause the B vitamins / Vitamin A as well as other nutritional components (vitamins & minerals) to begin to break down.  This process gives off the unpleasant aroma.  This is normal when the product has been stored in a bathroom for example.

All that being said, and the fact that the product is passed the expiration date, I would recommend disposing of that container and purchasing a new one.

All the best,

Doug Ingoldsby
Founder of ALL ONE
aka “The Vitamin Professor”

I received the Active Seniors. It has no instruction on time of day to take: Empty stomach? With meals?

The Vitamins Professor Responds:

Hi Rose,

Thanks for choosing ALL ONE Active Seniors.

Because ALL ONE contains protein, unlike vitamin tablets, you can take it without a meal.  However, if you prefer you can also have it with a meal as well.

ALL ONE can be taken at anytime of the day though most folks have it in the morning before beginning their daily activity.

Once again thanks for choosing ALL ONE for Active Seniors.

All the best,

Doug Ingoldsby
aka ‘The Vitamin Professor’

Do you know if there are vitamins out there without corn and soy. My kids have allergies to them.

The Vitamin Professor Responds:

Dear Lenny,

Thank you for you question.

All our ALL ONE formulas are corn free.  They do contain a small amount of Soy Lecithin.  However, Soy Lecithin is free of the allergens found in soy bean oil.

Allow me to expand.

The allergens in soybeans reside in the protein fraction of the bean. The allergenic potential of specific soyfoods and/or ingredients is largely based on processing techniques and the amount of protein or protein residue remaining in the final product. Soy lecithin used in ALL ONE is derived from refined soybean oil that has been processed using an extraction technique, which eliminates most, if not all, allergenic proteins.

In 1998 there was a study done on the antigenicity (allergic effect) of the residual proteins in soy lecithin and the soybean oil (from which which soy lecithin is derived), in which they tested soybean-sensitive individuals for allergic reactions to soybean oil and soy lecithin. Researchers concluded that any traces of proteins left in soy lecithin had no effect in terms of Soy allergy.

I hope this answers your question and you give ALL ONE a try.

All the best,

Doug Ingoldsby
aka “The Vitamin Professor”

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What is the best magnesium to take for absorption? I have have magnesium oxide but I’m not sure that’s the best.

The Vitamin Professor Responds

Dear Roy,

There is no “best” form of Magnesium in terms of absorption.  As a stand alone mineral perhaps Magnesium Citrate has slightly better absorption, however, the differences are minor.

I recommend taking magnesium in a powder form and in combination with protein.  A Proteinated complex.  That way it enters the body in combination with the amino acids found in protein.  This can also be done by combining Magnesium with an isolated amino acid (like Glycine) this is referred to as chelated.

It is also important that other minerals and vitamins be present.  The more complex the formulation the more thorough the absorption of all the nutrients.

That is why we focus on multiple powders at ALL ONE.

Hope this helps.

All the best,

Doug Ingoldsby
aka The Vitamin Professor

Isn’t it better to take 500 mg of calcium 3 times a day than taking the 1,125 mg all at once that is in the Active Senior powdered multi vitamin?

Also, is D3 1,000 IU too much to take daily and is that absorbable in such a high quantity?

The Vitamin Professor Responds

Dear Ellen,

If you were taking your supplements in a compressed tablet then spacing the calcium out throughout the day would make sense. This does not apply to a powder in a base of protein. The protein digestion, because it replicates food, suspends the calcium absorption unlike a hard compressed tablet.

There has been tons of research in the past ten years indicating that most Americans are vitamin D deficient.  I believe this is primarily due to spending most of our day inside and smearing sun block on our skin for the few minutes a day we are outside. Vitamin D is created when the sun hits the derma (Skin).  That, and the fact it greatly improves ones mood, is why vitamin D is been often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin.”

It was a result of this current research on vitamin D that we increased the amount of vitamin D in our formulas.

All the best,

Doug Ingoldsby
Founder – ALL ON

See also

What is the best juice to mix all one with and when is the best time to take it?

The Vitamin Professor Responds

There is no “best” juice to mix your ALL ONE. We leave that to your personal choice.

Rule of thumb you want to avoid hot beverages and carbonated juices. You can mix ALL ONE in rice milk, soy milk or any liquid you prefer.

We add no flavorings or sweeteners so that way ALL ONE takes on the flavor of the beverage you choose.

Most folks have their ALL ONE in the morning to begin their day. The protein, vitamins and minerals are a good way to begin your daily activities. That being said, you can take ALL ONE at anytime of the day. A number of people have their ALL ONE shake around 10 am, a time when our energy begins to fade.

Remember that ALL ONE mixes best when shaken, not stirred. This makes for the most consistent smooth drink. If you use a blender that is also a fine way to mix your ALL ONE.

All the best,
Doug Ingoldsby
aka – The Vitamin Professor

I’d like to know why the ratio of calcium to magnesium is not the usual 2:1 or even 1:1. I bought the product without noticing that the calcium was 1,113 mg with only 200 mg. of magnesium per serving. Now I feel as if I must go out and buy extra magnesium to make the supplement more balanced. I would appreciate knowing the reason you’ve formulated it this way. Thank you, Sharon

The Vitamin Professor Responds

Hi Sharon,

While in theory 2 to 1 Magnesium to Calcium) sounds workable when it comes to application in formulation it can create problems. Consumers want measurable amounts of Calcium in their daily multiple (often more than 1,000 mg) Magnesium in high doses causes diarrhea (think ‘Milk of Magnesia’). So while it is easy to find a Magnesium powder that you could add to your ALL ONE to suit your needs I am afraid we would experience a large amount of “consumer resistance” – ‘;o) – if those higher doses of Magnesium were part of our regular formulation. As a side note larger amounts of Magnesium would also negatively effect the taste, an important consideration with ALL ONE as we use no flavorings or sweeteners to mask the taste.

Hope this helps.

Doug Ingoldsby
AKA, “The Vitamin Professor”

I’m an integrative medicine practitioner (PA) and I’m currently searching for a good powder multivitamin/mineral.

Yours looks promising in many regards but I am leaning away from it because of the high level of calcium (1000mg +) and the relative low amount of magnesium to the calcium. The latest research is showing concerns about excessive calcium supplementation (higher mortality in post menopausal women who supplement with those high levels of calcium).

Any plans to re-formulate with lower calcium? Of can one custom order a blend?

The Vitamin Professor Responds

Dear Anne,

Thank you for your interest in ALL ONE.

There are five (5) basic ALL ONE formulas to choose from.

ALL ONE Original, ALL ONE Rice Base, ALL ONE Green Phyto Base,, ALL ONE Fruit Antioxidant as well as ALL ONE Active Senior.

The amount of Calcium in each formula is: Original – 510 mg, Rice Base – 500 mg, Green Phyto Base – 1,113 mg, Fruit Antioxidant – 1,113 mg, Active Senior – 1,125 mg.

Please visit our website to see the complete formulas: http://all-one.com

If your concern is Calcium above 1,000 mg the Original and/or Rice Base ALL ONE would probably be more in the range you are looking for.

Keep in mind that all these are based on a 15 gram dose. One of the nice things about powder formulas is that you can always lower the dose, even cut the dose in half, and you will still get quite a nice high potency multiple.

With regards to increasing the amount of magnesium per formula it is a bit tricky … Consumers want measurable amounts of Calcium in their multiple (often more than 1,000 mg) and magnesium in high doses causes diarrhea.

At this juncture, because we offer a range of formulas to choose from, we are not planning to reformulate. We do not custom formulate.

Hopefully there is an ALL ONE that is right for you.

All the best,

Doug Ingoldsby
AKA “The Vitamin Professor”

How long will the ALL ONE Multiple Vitamins & Minerals Original Formula last after opening? Because it’s a powder, it doesn’t seem like it would go “bad”, but I’m wondering if the vitamins would lose their potency over time.

The Vitamin Professor Responds

Dear Rachel,

Thanks for your interest in ALL ONE.

Actually the powder form of supplements is very stable. Because it is never exposed to moisture during the processing like tablets are (a process called wet granulation) there is no need for coating agents. Also, because it is a dry powder (until you mix it with your favorite juice just before consuming it) it does not need preservatives (like Sodium benzoate) found in all pre-made liquids.

ALL ONE has a “shelf life” of 3 years from the date of production if the container is kept unopened.

After you open the container keep in mind that the things that degrade nutrients are moisture, light and heat. So always replace the over-lid after each opening and store it in a cool dark place. Cool, like a pantry, not cold like a refrigerator. Storing it in a refrigerator can create condensation and the collection of moisture in the can.

The largest container we have is a 66 day size. Once opened if stored properly this very stable powder will be fine for at least a year. Most likely the product will be consumed way before that amount of time.

I hope this answers your question.

All the best,

Doug Ingoldsby
AKA, “The Vitamin Professor”

I noticed one of your products, the Green Phyto Base formula contains Kamut and barley grass – don’t these contain Gluten? I have a gluten intolerance so must be careful.

The Vitamin Professor Responds

Thanks for your interest in ALL ONE products. That is a very reasonable question. As gluten sensitivities are very common these days, we want to be very clear on this point.

Gluten allergens come from the “protein” found in wheat, barley and other grains  The protein develops once the grains mature. The wheat grass, or Kamut grass, (Kamut is the name for none hybridized wheat) and barley grass used in our Green Phyto Base ALL ONE formula are gathered, juiced and freeze dried just as they sprouted, BEFORE the wheat matures. This freshly sprouted juice is collected PRIOR to the development of any wheat protein (gluten).

It’s true that mature Wheat and Barley grains contain gluten.  However, freshly sprouted young grasses used in our Green Phyto Base ALL ONE formulas are certified gluten free. Our products are tested for gluten by an independent lab in order to receive the “Gluten Free” certification.

The ‘Activated Barley’ , on the other hand, which, along with whey protein, makes up the base of our ALL ONE weight loss products DOES contain traces of gluten.  So if you have a gluten intolerance you should avoid the ALL ONE Weight Loss formulas.

I hope this answers your question.

All the best,

Doug Ingoldsby
AKA, “The Vitamin Professor”