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Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review

Best Multivitamins In 2023 -- Caution with Gummies

Latest Update

Omega-3 Supplements & Hemorrhage Risk

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated October 24, 2024 ⓘ Expanded March 20, 2024 Published May 11, 2023

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In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:

Summary

What did ConsumerLab find testing multivitamins?
Eight out of 27 (29.6%) of the multivitamin/multimineral supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com for testing failed to get our approval. These are marked as "Not Approved" in the results table.
What problems were found with multivitamins?
Some had lower levels of nutrients than the label claimed (only 14% of the expected vitamin D in one case), some had higher amounts (particularly gummies, three of which had nearly double the expected folic acid, and a prenatal with 88% more iodine than listed), and one took longer than permitted to disintegrate ("break apart") in solution. All product deficiencies were confirmed in tests in a second independent laboratory (see What CL Found).
Avoid toxicity:
Of particular concern is that several products provided more than or close to the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) of some vitamins and minerals, above which there is increasing risk of toxicity with regular use: A prenatal exceeded the UL for magnesium; nine multis exceeded the UL for niacin; and a men's multi was right at the UL for vitamin B-6.
ConsumerLab's Top Picks among multivitamins:
Among products that were "Approved" in testing, including nine products tested through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program, Top Picks were selected as being best for the following categories based on product quality, appropriateness of dosage, formulation, and value:
- General Adult
- 50+ General
- Women
- Women 50+
- Prenatal
- Men
- Men 50+
- Children
- Pet
What to look for in a multivitamin?
When selecting any multi, as a start, be sure it lists the right amount of each essential vitamin and mineral for you. You can check your own requirements using our RDA table as well as the detailed information for each nutrient in this Review.
Is it worth taking a multivitamin?
There is some evidence that taking a multivitamin can slightly decrease the risk of cataracts, modestly slow cognitive decline in adults with cardiovascular disease, and reduce symptoms of respiratory illness in older people. Prenatal multivitamins may reduce the risk of birth defects. However, there is no clear evidence that multivitamins can reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, cancer, or any other causes (see What They Do). Multivitamins may help treat or prevent nutrient deficiencies in people at risk for such deficiencies — although more targeted nutritional approaches may be preferable, such as for deficiencies in iron, B-12, and magnesium.

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Alphabetical list of multivitamin supplement brands compared in this review

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21st Century Sentry

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Altipure Complete Multivitamin

Bayer Flintstones Complete

Bayer_One_A_Day_Prenatal_Advanced-Multis-2024-small.png

Bayer One A Day Prenatal Advanced

8229_large_OneADay-Womens-50Plus-Multivitamins-2023.png

Bayer One A Day Women 50+

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Bayer One A Day Women's

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Centrum Silver Women 50+

CVS Health Spectravite Men 50+

DEVA Vegan Multivitamin & Mineral Supplement

Equate Complete Multivitamin Adults 50+

GNC Mega Men

GNC Women's Multivitamin Ultra Mega

Healthy Promise Multi-Vitamin - Savory Chicken Flavor - Cat

Kirkland Signature Daily Multi

Kirkland Signature Mature Multi

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Life Extension Two-Per-Day Multivitamin

MegaFood Baby & Me 2

MegaFood Baby & Me 2

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Nature Made Multi For Her 50+

Naturelo One Daily Multivitamin For Women 50+

Nature's Way Alive! Men's 50+ Ultra Potency

Natures_Way_Alive_Zero_Sugar_Womens_Gummy_Multivitamin-Strawberry_Flavored-small.png

Nature's Way Alive! Zero Sugar Women's Gummy Multivitamin - Strawberry Flavored

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Nature's Way Alpha Betic

New Chapter Women's Multivitamin Gummy

Olly Kids Multi - Gummy Worms

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Pet Honesty 10-For-1 Multivitamin - Flavor: Chicken - Dog

Pet-Tabs - Dog

Pure Encapsulations O.N.E. Multivitamin

Puritan's Pride ABC Plus Multi

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Rainbow Light Prenatal One

Rainbow Light Women's One

Smarty Pants Prenatal Formula

Solgar Prenatal Nutrients

Source Naturals Men's Life Force Multiple

Swanson Real Food Multi - Men's Daily

Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day

USANA Core Minerals

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USANA Vita Antioxidant

VitaFusion Men's Multi

You must be a member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com's recommendations and quality ratings for 39 multivitamin/multimineral supplements for women, men, children and pets. These include 29 supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com and 10 others that passed testing in its voluntary Quality Certification Program. In this comprehensive review, you'll get quality ratings, cost comparisons, product reviews, and you'll discover:

Which multivitamins passed or failed our tests and why
ConsumerLab.com's Top Picks
Which multivitamins provide what you need and don't exceed safe limits

Why many multivitamin labels list the wrong Daily Values(DV) information and how to make sure you get the right amounts
Multivitamins confirmed by tests to be gluten-free
Concerns, cautions and potential side effects with multivitamins

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