Buyer's Guide: All multivitamins do not work equally

Multivitamins fall under the umbrella of supplements. FDA regulation of supplements is strict. Because of this, quality can vary. It's easy for a supplement to be less effective.

The claims on multivitamin labels can't be taken at face value as they haven't been regulated by any governing body. Certain seals of approval can be obtained from non-government agencies that can verify that the supplement has passed all their tests for quality and safety.

These seals of acceptance prove that the supplement has been manufactured correctly and contains the ingredients listed on its label. This is especially important considering the fact that there is so much false labeling in supplement markets. They also check for harmful chemicals. These two will give you some assurance that what's in the bottle matches what's printed on its label.

U.S. Pharmacopeia – USP checks a supplement against four P's, Positive Identity (potency), Purity (purity), and Performance. Positive Identity refers to the fact that the vitamins and mineral listed on the label are actually in the supplement. Potency is when the correct amounts of the micronutrients on the label are present. Many supplements available on the market may contain too much, too low, or none, depending on their intended use. Purity means that the supplement is free from unwanted ingredients such as heavy metals, pesticides, or even pharmaceuticals. Finally, performance refers to how well the supplement will break down and be absorbed. If a supplement doesn’t dissolve within your digestive system, it won’t be much of any benefit to you.

NSF – NSF monitors many types products including kitchen appliances and water filtration systems. NSF "Certified for Sport” label for supplements is especially helpful for athletes. This label is a guarantee that any product containing banned substances has been tested and proven safe.

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If you can find both seals on the label of your multivitamin, it is a good idea. If it does have both seals, and the RDAs meet, it is more likely that the multivitamin will be of better quality. The website of the vitamin manufacturer is also worth checking. Here you can find out more about the testing and production process used by the company in order to ensure high quality. (If you don't know, that's a warning sign.

Labdoor is another option to confirm the product's quality. Labdoor is unique in the fact that they buy supplements directly in retail stores, then test them with FDA-registered labs. Based on how they perform, the supplements are ranked by category. Labdoor has not tested every multivitamin on the marketplace, so you can find a breakdown and rating of each one they have tested.

Are more expensive multivitamins worth it?

Multivitamins may be true to the old saying "You get what you pay" but that is not always true. Some of the most affordable multivitamins are actually quite good.

Full disclosure: Born Fitness is not associated with any of the brands mentioned. We include them solely on the basis of what we know from their reputations, reviews, and any other information.

Thorne Research has a solid reputation in the supplement market. They have high standards for precision and purity. Thorne provides a wide variety of NSF Certified for Sport products. They have partnered with Mayo Clinic in order to conduct randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical studies that examine the effects on a range of nutritional supplements. Thorne multivitamins contain sufficient amounts of all the micronutrients required, including vitamins D and K. You may find that some formulations contain copper, iron, and iodine. This is for people who are sensitive. Thorne multivitamins start at $26.99 per 60 capsules and go up to $44.85 each for 180 capsules.

Labdoor has shown that Garden Of Life also makes high-quality multivitamins. Garden of Life was the supplier of three of Labdoor's top five most ranked supplements. The multivitamins by the brand are USP approved. Garden of Life offers a broad range of products, including specific offerings for prenatal and postnatal needs. Garden of Life multivitamins start at $34.54 for 120 capsules and go up to $60.52 (240 capsules).