Spin the bottle: how to pick a multivitamin
Dividing the Multiples
Every multivitamin-mineral in this chart has at least 100
percent of the Daily Value for vitamins B-1 (thiamin), B-2
(riboflavin), B-3 (niacin), B-6, B-12, D, E, and folic acid.
Each also has no more than 15,000 IU of beta-carotene,
18 mg of iron, 350 mg of magnesium, 250 mg of phosphorus,
and 100 mg of vitamin B-6.
To be a Best Bite, the multi also has to contain no
more than 4,000 IU of retinol (vitamin A acetate or
palmitate) and at least 90 mg of vitamin C, 20 mcg of
vitamin K, 35 mcg of chromium, 0.9 mg of copper,
100 mg of magnesium, 55 mcg of selenium, and 11 mg
of zinc. Our circles show which multis have appropriate
levels of retinol (vitamin A), vitamin E, magnesium, and
selenium.
If a section is shaded, the multi has:
* 4,000 IU or less
of retinol
** At least 55 mcg
of selenium
*** At least 100 mg
of magnesium
**** 200 IU or less
of vitamin E
In addition, Best Bites for premenopausal women (W) have
18 mg of iron, while Best Bites for postmenopausal women
(W ) and men (M) have no more than 9 mg of iron.
Multivitamins are listed in alphabetical order. The
number of pills or capsules the label says to take every
day is in parentheses following each multi's name. The
last column gives a rough estimate of price: $ (less than
$5 for a month's supply), $$ ($5 to $10 a month), $$$
($11 to 15 a month), or $$$$ (more than $15 a month).
Multivitamin (number per day)
AARP Alphabet II (1) [??]
AARP Alphabet (1) [??]
AARP Maturity (1) [??]
AARP Multivitamins with Minerals (1) [??]
AARP U.S. RDA Formula with Iron (1) * [??]
Central-Vite (1) # [??]
Central-Vite Performance (1) # [??]
Central Vite Select (1) # [??]
Centrum or Centrum Chewables (1) [??]
Centrum Performance (1) [??]
Centrum Silver (1) [??]
M,W CVS Daily Multiple 50 Plus (1) [??]
CVS Daily Multiple Plus Minerals (1) [??]
M,W Eckerd Therapeutic M (1) [??]
M,W Eckerd Vitab (1) [??]
M,W Eckerd Vitamin A Day 50 (1) [??]
Geritol Complete (1) [??]
GNC Platinum Years (2) [??]
GNC Preventron (4) [??]
GNC Solotron (1) * [??]
GNC Ultra Mega (1) ( )
GNC Ultra Mega Gold (2)* [??]
Healthy Ideas Century (1) [??]
Healthy Ideas Century Senior (1) [??]
M,W Healthy Ideas Therapeutic M (1) [??]
KAL Enhanced-75 (1) [??]
KAL High Potency Soft Multiple (2) * [??]
KAL Multiple Energy (4) [??]
KAL Vitality for Women (2) [??]
Kirkland Signature Daily (1) [??]
Kirkland Signature Mature Adult Daily (1) [??]
W Kroger Complete Extra (1) [??]
Kroger One Daily Maximum (1) [??]
M,W Kroger Thera Plus (1) [??]
Longs One Daily Men's (1) [??]
W Natrol My Favorite Multiple
Complete Care (3) [??]
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Energizer (1) [??]
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Take One (1) * [??]
Nature's Bounty Mega Vita Gel (2) ( )
Nature's Bounty Mega VM-80 (1) [??]
Nature's Bounty Women's Exclusive (1) [??]
Nature's Way Alive! (3) * [??]
Nature's Way Completia Healthy Heart (1) * [??]
Nature's Way Completia Ultra Energy (1) * [??]
Nature Made Essential Man (1) [??]
Nature Made Essential Man 50 (1) [??]
Nature Made Essential MEGA (1) [??]
Nature Made Essential Woman (1) [??]
Nature Made Essential Woman 50 (1) [??]
Now Daily Vits (1) [??]
W Now Eve (3) [??]
Now Vit-Min 75 (1) [??]
Now Vit-Min 100 (1) [??]
M,W Nutrilite Daily (1) [??]
Nutrilite Daily Free (1) [??]
M,W One A Day 50 Plus (1) [??]
One A Day Active (1) [??]
One A Day Maximum (1) [??]
One Source 50 Plus (1) [??]
One Source Adult High Potency (1) [??]
One Source Men's (2) [??]
One Source Pure Performance (1) [??]
Puritan's Pride Mega Vita-Min (1) [??]
Puritan's Pride Mega Vita-Min for Women (2) [??]
Puritan's Pride Multi-Day Plus Minerals (1) [??]
Puritan's Pride One Long Acting (1) [??]
Puritan's Pride Super VM (1) [??]
Puritan's Pride Women's Exclusive (2) [??]
W Rite Aid Whole Source (1) [??]
Rite Aid Whole Source Mature Adult (1) [??]
Safeway One Tablet Daily Plus Minerals (1) [??]
M,W Safeway Thera Plus (1) [??]
W Sav-on One Choice (1) [??]
Sav-on One Daily (1) [??]
M,W Sav-on Therapeutic M (1) [??]
Schiff Double Day (2) [??]
Schiff Single Day (1) [??]
Schiff Single Day Antioxidant Rich (1) [??]
Schiff Sustained Release Single Day (1) [??]
Shaklee Vita-Lea (2) * [??]
Solaray Men's Golden (3) [??]
Solaray Once Daily High Energy (1) * [??]
Solaray Spectro 3 (3) * [??]
Solaray Twice Daily Multi Energy (2) * [??]
Solaray Women's Golden (3) [??]
Solgar Earth Source Multi-Nutrient (3) [??]
Solgar Formula VM-75 (1) * [??]
Solgar Formula VM-PRIME for Adults 50 (2) [??]
Solgar Multi II Vegicaps (2) [??]
Spring Valley Maximum One Daily (1) [??]
M,W Spring Valley One Daily 50 (1) [??]
Spring Valley One Daily with Minerals (1) [??]
Sundown Complete 50 (1) [??]
Sundown Complete Energy (1) [??]
W Sundown Complete Multi Daily (1) [??]
Sundown Complete Ultra (1) [??]
Sundown SunVites (1) [??]
M,W Theragan-M Advanced (1) [??]
Twinlab Daily One Caps (1) * [??]
Twinlab Mega 3 Caps (3) [??]
Vita Smart Multi-Vitamins Maximum (1) [??]
Vita Smart Multi-Vitamins Men's (1) [??]
M,W Vita Smart Therapeutic M Advanced (1) [??]
Vitamin Shoppe Daily 3 Complete (3) [??]
Vitamin Shoppe Daily VM Caps (1) [??]
Vitamin Shoppe Especially for Men (2) [??]
Vitamin Shoppe Formula for 50 Plus (3) [??]
Vitamin Shoppe From the Earth (3) * [??]
Vitamin Shoppe One Daily (1) * [??]
Vitamin World Green Source (3) * [??]
Vitamin World Mega Vita Gel (2) ( )
Vitamin World Mega Vita-Min (1) [??]
Vitamin World Mega Vita Min for
Women (2) [??]
M,W Walgreens Gold Seal One Daily 50 (1) [??]
Walgreens Gold Seal One Daily Men's (1) [??]
Walgreens Ultra Choice
Premium Women's (2) [??]
M,W Your Life One Daily 50 (1) [??]
M,W Your Life Super Multi with Herbs (1) [??]
Vitamin K
Multivitamin (number per day) (mcg)
AARP Alphabet II (1) 10
AARP Alphabet (1) 25
AARP Maturity (1) 0
AARP Multivitamins with Minerals (1) 28
AARP U.S. RDA Formula with Iron (1) * 0
Central-Vite (1) # 25
Central-Vite Performance (1) # 25
Central Vite Select (1) # 10
Centrum or Centrum Chewables (1) 25
Centrum Performance (1) 25
Centrum Silver (1) 10
M,W CVS Daily Multiple 50 Plus (1) 20
CVS Daily Multiple Plus Minerals (1) 25
M,W Eckerd Therapeutic M (1) 28
M,W Eckerd Vitab (1) 80
M,W Eckerd Vitamin A Day 50 (1) 20
Geritol Complete (1) 30
GNC Platinum Years (2) 10
GNC Preventron (4) 25
GNC Solotron (1) * 25
GNC Ultra Mega (1) 0
GNC Ultra Mega Gold (2)* 0
Healthy Ideas Century (1) 25
Healthy Ideas Century Senior (1) 10
M,W Healthy Ideas Therapeutic M (1) 28
KAL Enhanced-75 (1) 0
KAL High Potency Soft Multiple (2) * 0
KAL Multiple Energy (4) 50
KAL Vitality for Women (2) 0
Kirkland Signature Daily (1) 25
Kirkland Signature Mature Adult Daily (1) 10
W Kroger Complete Extra (1) 80
Kroger One Daily Maximum (1) 25
M,W Kroger Thera Plus (1) 28
Longs One Daily Men's (1) 0
W Natrol My Favorite Multiple
Complete Care (3) 40
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Energizer (1) 40
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Take One (1) * 0
Nature's Bounty Mega Vita Gel (2) 0
Nature's Bounty Mega VM-80 (1) 0
Nature's Bounty Women's Exclusive (1) 0
Nature's Way Alive! (3) * 80
Nature's Way Completia Healthy Heart (1) * 0
Nature's Way Completia Ultra Energy (1) * 0
Nature Made Essential Man (1) 25
Nature Made Essential Man 50 (1) 10
Nature Made Essential MEGA (1) 40
Nature Made Essential Woman (1) 100
Nature Made Essential Woman 50 (1) 50
Now Daily Vits (1) 0
W Now Eve (3) 80
Now Vit-Min 75 (1) 0
Now Vit-Min 100 (1) 0
M,W Nutrilite Daily (1) 80
Nutrilite Daily Free (1) 0
M,W One A Day 50 Plus (1) 20
One A Day Active (1) 25
One A Day Maximum (1) 25
One Source 50 Plus (1) 10
One Source Adult High Potency (1) 25
One Source Men's (2) 25
One Source Pure Performance (1) 25
Puritan's Pride Mega Vita-Min (1) 0
Puritan's Pride Mega Vita-Min for Women (2) 0
Puritan's Pride Multi-Day Plus Minerals (1) 0
Puritan's Pride One Long Acting (1) 0
Puritan's Pride Super VM (1) 0
Puritan's Pride Women's Exclusive (2) 0
W Rite Aid Whole Source (1) 80
Rite Aid Whole Source Mature Adult (1) 80
Safeway One Tablet Daily Plus Minerals (1) 25
M,W Safeway Thera Plus (1) 28
W Sav-on One Choice (1) 80
Sav-on One Daily (1) 25
M,W Sav-on Therapeutic M (1) 28
Schiff Double Day (2) 0
Schiff Single Day (1) 0
Schiff Single Day Antioxidant Rich (1) 0
Schiff Sustained Release Single Day (1) 0
Shaklee Vita-Lea (2) * 80
Solaray Men's Golden (3) 0
Solaray Once Daily High Energy (1) * 0
Solaray Spectro 3 (3) * 50
Solaray Twice Daily Multi Energy (2) * 0
Solaray Women's Golden (3) 0
Solgar Earth Source Multi-Nutrient (3) 0
Solgar Formula VM-75 (1) * 0
Solgar Formula VM-PRIME for Adults 50 (2) 0
Solgar Multi II Vegicaps (2) 0
Spring Valley Maximum One Daily (1) 25
M,W Spring Valley One Daily 50 (1) 20
Spring Valley One Daily with Minerals (1) 25
Sundown Complete 50 (1) 10
Sundown Complete Energy (1) 25
W Sundown Complete Multi Daily (1) 25
Sundown Complete Ultra (1) 40
Sundown SunVites (1) 25
M,W Theragan-M Advanced (1) 28
Twinlab Daily One Caps (1) * 0
Twinlab Mega 3 Caps (3) 0
Vita Smart Multi-Vitamins Maximum (1) 25
Vita Smart Multi-Vitamins Men's (1) 0
M,W Vita Smart Therapeutic M Advanced (1) 28
Vitamin Shoppe Daily 3 Complete (3) 30
Vitamin Shoppe Daily VM Caps (1) 0
Vitamin Shoppe Especially for Men (2) 75
Vitamin Shoppe Formula for 50 Plus (3) 0
Vitamin Shoppe From the Earth (3) * 0
Vitamin Shoppe One Daily (1) * 25
Vitamin World Green Source (3) * 0
Vitamin World Mega Vita Gel (2) 0
Vitamin World Mega Vita-Min (1) 0
Vitamin World Mega Vita Min for
Women (2) 0
M,W Walgreens Gold Seal One Daily 50 (1) 20
Walgreens Gold Seal One Daily Men's (1) 0
Walgreens Ultra Choice
Premium Women's (2) 75
M,W Your Life One Daily 50 (1) 20
M,W Your Life Super Multi with Herbs (1) 80
Iron (mg)
Multivitamin (number per day)
AARP Alphabet II (1) 0
AARP Alphabet (1) 18
AARP Maturity (1) 15
AARP Multivitamins with Minerals (1) 18
AARP U.S. RDA Formula with Iron (1) * 18
Central-Vite (1) # 18
Central-Vite Performance (1) # 18
Central Vite Select (1) # 0
Centrum or Centrum Chewables (1) 18
Centrum Performance (1) 18
Centrum Silver (1) 0
M,W CVS Daily Multiple 50 Plus (1) 0
CVS Daily Multiple Plus Minerals (1) 18
M,W Eckerd Therapeutic M (1) 9
M,W Eckerd Vitab (1) 9
M,W Eckerd Vitamin A Day 50 (1) 0
Geritol Complete (1) 16
GNC Platinum Years (2) 10
GNC Preventron (4) 18
GNC Solotron (1) * 18
GNC Ultra Mega (1) 18
GNC Ultra Mega Gold (2)* 10
Healthy Ideas Century (1) 18
Healthy Ideas Century Senior (1) 0
M,W Healthy Ideas Therapeutic M (1) 9
KAL Enhanced-75 (1) 1.2
KAL High Potency Soft Multiple (2) * 15
KAL Multiple Energy (4) 18
KAL Vitality for Women (2) 18
Kirkland Signature Daily (1) 18
Kirkland Signature Mature Adult Daily (1) 0
W Kroger Complete Extra (1) 18
Kroger One Daily Maximum (1) 18
M,W Kroger Thera Plus (1) 9
Longs One Daily Men's (1) 0
W Natrol My Favorite Multiple
Complete Care (3) 18
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Energizer (1) 18
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Take One (1) * 18
Nature's Bounty Mega Vita Gel (2) 15
Nature's Bounty Mega VM-80 (1) 2
Nature's Bounty Women's Exclusive (1) 15
Nature's Way Alive! (3) * 18
Nature's Way Completia Healthy Heart (1) * 10
Nature's Way Completia Ultra Energy (1) * 1.3
Nature Made Essential Man (1) 0
Nature Made Essential Man 50 (1) 0
Nature Made Essential MEGA (1) 9
Nature Made Essential Woman (1) 18
Nature Made Essential Woman 50 (1) 0
Now Daily Vits (1) 9
W Now Eve (3) 18
Now Vit-Min 75 (1) 0
Now Vit-Min 100 (1) 10
M,W Nutrilite Daily (1) 6
Nutrilite Daily Free (1) 0
M,W One A Day 50 Plus (1) 0
One A Day Active (1) 9
One A Day Maximum (1) 18
One Source 50 Plus (1) 0
One Source Adult High Potency (1) 18
One Source Men's (2) 0
One Source Pure Performance (1) 18
Puritan's Pride Mega Vita-Min (1) 2
Puritan's Pride Mega Vita-Min for Women (2) 15
Puritan's Pride Multi-Day Plus Minerals (1) 18
Puritan's Pride One Long Acting (1) 10
Puritan's Pride Super VM (1) 10
Puritan's Pride Women's Exclusive (2) 15
W Rite Aid Whole Source (1) 18
Rite Aid Whole Source Mature Adult (1) 3.6
Safeway One Tablet Daily Plus Minerals (1) 18
M,W Safeway Thera Plus (1) 9
W Sav-on One Choice (1) 18
Sav-on One Daily (1) 18
M,W Sav-on Therapeutic M (1) 9
Schiff Double Day (2) 18
Schiff Single Day (1) 9
Schiff Single Day Antioxidant Rich (1) 9
Schiff Sustained Release Single Day (1) 9
Shaklee Vita-Lea (2) * 18
Solaray Men's Golden (3) 0
Solaray Once Daily High Energy (1) * 1.8
Solaray Spectro 3 (3) * 18
Solaray Twice Daily Multi Energy (2) * 18
Solaray Women's Golden (3) 0
Solgar Earth Source Multi-Nutrient (3) 18
Solgar Formula VM-75 (1) * 1.3
Solgar Formula VM-PRIME for Adults 50 (2) 0
Solgar Multi II Vegicaps (2) 1
Spring Valley Maximum One Daily (1) 18
M,W Spring Valley One Daily 50 (1) 0
Spring Valley One Daily with Minerals (1) 18
Sundown Complete 50 (1) 0
Sundown Complete Energy (1) 18
W Sundown Complete Multi Daily (1) 18
Sundown Complete Ultra (1) 9
Sundown SunVites (1) 18
M,W Theragan-M Advanced (1) 9
Twinlab Daily One Caps (1) * 10
Twinlab Mega 3 Caps (3) 10
Vita Smart Multi-Vitamins Maximum (1) 18
Vita Smart Multi-Vitamins Men's (1) 0
M,W Vita Smart Therapeutic M Advanced (1) 9
Vitamin Shoppe Daily 3 Complete (3) 10
Vitamin Shoppe Daily VM Caps (1) 10
Vitamin Shoppe Especially for Men (2) 0
Vitamin Shoppe Formula for 50 Plus (3) 0
Vitamin Shoppe From the Earth (3) * 18
Vitamin Shoppe One Daily (1) * 18
Vitamin World Green Source (3) * 15
Vitamin World Mega Vita Gel (2) 15
Vitamin World Mega Vita-Min (1) 2
Vitamin World Mega Vita Min for
Women (2) 15
M,W Walgreens Gold Seal One Daily 50 (1) 0
Walgreens Gold Seal One Daily Men's (1) 0
Walgreens Ultra Choice
Premium Women's (2) 0
M,W Your Life One Daily 50 (1) 0
M,W Your Life Super Multi with Herbs (1) 9
Price
Multivitamin (number per day)
AARP Alphabet II (1) $
AARP Alphabet (1) $
AARP Maturity (1) $
AARP Multivitamins with Minerals (1) $
AARP U.S. RDA Formula with Iron (1) * $
Central-Vite (1) # $
Central-Vite Performance (1) # $
Central Vite Select (1) # $
Centrum or Centrum Chewables (1) $
Centrum Performance (1) $
Centrum Silver (1) $
M,W CVS Daily Multiple 50 Plus (1) $
CVS Daily Multiple Plus Minerals (1) $
M,W Eckerd Therapeutic M (1) $
M,W Eckerd Vitab (1) $
M,W Eckerd Vitamin A Day 50 (1) $
Geritol Complete (1) $
GNC Platinum Years (2) $$
GNC Preventron (4) $$$
GNC Solotron (1) * $$
GNC Ultra Mega (1) $$
GNC Ultra Mega Gold (2)* $$
Healthy Ideas Century (1) $
Healthy Ideas Century Senior (1) $
M,W Healthy Ideas Therapeutic M (1) $
KAL Enhanced-75 (1) $$
KAL High Potency Soft Multiple (2) * $$$$
KAL Multiple Energy (4) $$$$
KAL Vitality for Women (2) $$$$
Kirkland Signature Daily (1) $
Kirkland Signature Mature Adult Daily (1) $
W Kroger Complete Extra (1) $
Kroger One Daily Maximum (1) $
M,W Kroger Thera Plus (1) $
Longs One Daily Men's (1) $
W Natrol My Favorite Multiple
Complete Care (3) $$
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Energizer (1) $$
Natrol My Favorite Multiple Take One (1) * $$
Nature's Bounty Mega Vita Gel (2) $$
Nature's Bounty Mega VM-80 (1) $$
Nature's Bounty Women's Exclusive (1) $$
Nature's Way Alive! (3) * $$$$
Nature's Way Completia Healthy Heart (1) * $$
Nature's Way Completia Ultra Energy (1) * $$
Nature Made Essential Man (1) $
Nature Made Essential Man 50 (1) $
Nature Made Essential MEGA (1) $$
Nature Made Essential Woman (1) $
Nature Made Essential Woman 50 (1) $
Now Daily Vits (1) $
W Now Eve (3) $$$
Now Vit-Min 75 (1) $
Now Vit-Min 100 (1) $$
M,W Nutrilite Daily (1) $$
Nutrilite Daily Free (1) $$
M,W One A Day 50 Plus (1) $
One A Day Active (1) $
One A Day Maximum (1) $
One Source 50 Plus (1) $
One Source Adult High Potency (1) $
One Source Men's (2) $
One Source Pure Performance (1) $
Puritan's Pride Mega Vita-Min (1) $
Puritan's Pride Mega Vita-Min for Women (2) $$
Puritan's Pride Multi-Day Plus Minerals (1) $
Puritan's Pride One Long Acting (1) $
Puritan's Pride Super VM (1) $
Puritan's Pride Women's Exclusive (2) $
W Rite Aid Whole Source (1) $
Rite Aid Whole Source Mature Adult (1) $
Safeway One Tablet Daily Plus Minerals (1) $
M,W Safeway Thera Plus (1) $
W Sav-on One Choice (1) $
Sav-on One Daily (1) $
M,W Sav-on Therapeutic M (1) $
Schiff Double Day (2) $$
Schiff Single Day (1) $$
Schiff Single Day Antioxidant Rich (1) $$
Schiff Sustained Release Single Day (1) $$
Shaklee Vita-Lea (2) * $$$
Solaray Men's Golden (3) $$$
Solaray Once Daily High Energy (1) * $$
Solaray Spectro 3 (3) * $$$$
Solaray Twice Daily Multi Energy (2) * $$$
Solaray Women's Golden (3) $$$
Solgar Earth Source Multi-Nutrient (3) $$$$
Solgar Formula VM-75 (1) * $$
Solgar Formula VM-PRIME for Adults 50 (2) $$
Solgar Multi II Vegicaps (2) $$
Spring Valley Maximum One Daily (1) $
M,W Spring Valley One Daily 50 (1) $
Spring Valley One Daily with Minerals (1) $
Sundown Complete 50 (1) $
Sundown Complete Energy (1) $$$$
W Sundown Complete Multi Daily (1) $
Sundown Complete Ultra (1) $$$$
Sundown SunVites (1) $
M,W Theragan-M Advanced (1) $
Twinlab Daily One Caps (1) * $$$
Twinlab Mega 3 Caps (3) $$$$
Vita Smart Multi-Vitamins Maximum (1) $
Vita Smart Multi-Vitamins Men's (1) $
M,W Vita Smart Therapeutic M Advanced (1) $
Vitamin Shoppe Daily 3 Complete (3) $$$
Vitamin Shoppe Daily VM Caps (1) $
Vitamin Shoppe Especially for Men (2) $$
Vitamin Shoppe Formula for 50 Plus (3) $$$$
Vitamin Shoppe From the Earth (3) * $$$
Vitamin Shoppe One Daily (1) * $
Vitamin World Green Source (3) * $$$$
Vitamin World Mega Vita Gel (2) $$$
Vitamin World Mega Vita-Min (1) $$
Vitamin World Mega Vita Min for
Women (2) $$
M,W Walgreens Gold Seal One Daily 50 (1) $
Walgreens Gold Seal One Daily Men's (1) $
Walgreens Ultra Choice
Premium Women's (2) $$$
M,W Your Life One Daily 50 (1) $
M,W Your Life Super Multi with Herbs (1) $
W Best Bite for premenopausal women. M Best Bite for men.
W Best Bite for postmenopausal women.
* Also available with no iron. # These generic equivalents of
Centrum formulas (Central-Vite Select mimics Centrum Silver)
are available under the Eckerd, Kroger, Longs, Rite Aid, Safeway
Select, Sav-on, and other brand names.
The use of information from this article for commercial purposes is
strictly prohibited without written permission from CSPI.
Source: Manufacturers.
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