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Why Supreme Multivitamin Clobbers the Competition
How does your multivitamin compare?
You can also learn more by reading the document, "Buying a Multivitamin? Buyer Beware."
| A representative sampling of nutrients from each product. Based on recommended daily usage. |
|||||
| SUPREME MULTIVITAMIN |
CENTRUM SILVER |
ONE-A-DAY MAXIMUM |
NATURE MADE MULTI-COMPLETE |
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE DAILY MULTIVITAMIN |
|
| Form* | Vegetarian capsule |
Tablet |
Tablet |
Tablet |
Tablet |
| Binders |
None | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Vitamin D |
1000 IU |
400 IU |
400 IU |
1000 IU |
400 IU |
| Vitamin C |
1000 mg |
60 mg |
60 mg |
180 mg |
120 mg |
| Vitamin E |
200 IU | 45 IU |
30 IU |
50 IU |
60 IU |
| Vitamin B1 |
50 mg |
1.5 mg |
1.5 mg |
1.5 mg |
1.5 mg |
| Vitamin B5 |
50 mg |
10 mg |
10 mg |
10 mg |
10 mg |
| Folic acid |
400 mcg |
400 mcg |
400 mcg |
400 mcg |
400 mcg |
| Calcium** | 150 mg (citrate) |
200 mg (carbonate) |
162 mg (phosphate) |
162 mg (carbonate) |
162 mg (form unspecified) |
| Magnesium† | 150 mg (amino acid chelate) |
100 mg (oxide) |
100 mg (oxide) |
100 mg (oxide) |
100 mg (oxide) |
| Iron‡ | 18 mg |
18 mg |
18 mg |
||
| Zinc† | 10 mg (amino acid chelate) |
15 mg (oxide) |
15 mg (oxide) |
15 mg (oxide) |
22.5 mg (oxide) |
| Selenium | 75 mcg |
20 mcg |
20 mcg |
70 mcg |
45 mcg |
| Manganese | 3 mg |
2 mg |
3.5 mg |
4 mg |
2.5 mg |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The most popular multivitamin contain low amounts of, and poorly absorbed, nutrients. This includes Centrum Silver, One-A-Day Maximum, Multi-Complete and Kirkland Signature Daily Multivitamin.
*Tablets versus capsules. Tablets are generally more difficult to break apart in your stomach because they contain binders that hold it together. These pills can go right through you without being dissolved or absorbed. While not all tablets have this problem, it would be extremely difficult for the general consumer to know if any one tablet is good or not. But capsules don't have this problem. They are superior to tablets. Always buy capsules if you can.
**Calcium. Calcium carbonate is poorly absorbed. The most absorbable form of calcium is calcium citrate.
†Magnesium and Zinc. The “oxide” form of minerals, such as magnesium and zinc, is an inferior form of mineral. The body can only absorb 2% of the magnesium when it’s in the oxide form. Even though it says you’re getting 100 mg magnesium, your body can only absorb about 2 mg. The rest passes right through you and out your stool.
‡Iron. It is recommended by medical professionals that men and post-menopausal women not take dietary supplements containing iron. This is because it puts them at risk for a condition called “iron overload.” This is a potentially dangerous situation that can cause damage to kidneys, pancreas, liver, the heart and other organs.
Read the document, "Buying a Multivitamin? Buyer Beware."
*Tablets versus capsules. Tablets are generally more difficult to break apart in your stomach because they contain binders that hold it together. These pills can go right through you without being dissolved or absorbed. While not all tablets have this problem, it would be extremely difficult for the general consumer to know if any one tablet is good or not. But capsules don't have this problem. They are superior to tablets. Always buy capsules if you can.
**Calcium. Calcium carbonate is poorly absorbed. The most absorbable form of calcium is calcium citrate.
†Magnesium and Zinc. The “oxide” form of minerals, such as magnesium and zinc, is an inferior form of mineral. The body can only absorb 2% of the magnesium when it’s in the oxide form. Even though it says you’re getting 100 mg magnesium, your body can only absorb about 2 mg. The rest passes right through you and out your stool.
‡Iron. It is recommended by medical professionals that men and post-menopausal women not take dietary supplements containing iron. This is because it puts them at risk for a condition called “iron overload.” This is a potentially dangerous situation that can cause damage to kidneys, pancreas, liver, the heart and other organs.
Learn more
Read the document, "Buying a Multivitamin? Buyer Beware."
