Buyer's Guide: Multivitamins may not be created equal

Multivitamins can be categorized as supplements, and FDA regulation is very strict. This means that the quality of multivitamins can vary greatly and you might end up with a product that is less effective.

Multivitamin labels are not controlled by an governing body. This means you can't just take what they claim as fact. However, there are certain seals of approval that non-governmental organizations can use to verify that the supplement passes their quality and potency tests.


These seals of approval prove that the supplement was properly manufactured and contains all the ingredients stated on the label. This is crucial considering that supplement industry is rife with false labeling. They also check for harmful contaminants. These two tests give you an acceptable assurance that the contents of the bottle match what is on the label.

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U.S. Pharmacopeia – USP tests a supplement to determine four P's: Potency, Purity and Performance. Positive Identity is when the vitamins and minerals listed on the label actually exist in the supplement. Potency is the ability to absorb the micronutrients listed on the label. There will be many supplements that contain too many, too few, or none of the listed ingredients. Purity is the ability to ensure that the supplement doesn't contain any unwanted ingredients. This could include pesticides and heavy metals as well as banned substances or pharmaceuticals. Finally, performance means that the supplement will actually be broken down and absorbed by your body. It is important to remember that if a supplement doesn’t dissolve in your digestive tract, it will not be very beneficial for you.


NSF – NSF is an international safety and health organization that monitors many types of products, including kitchen appliances, water filters systems and plumbing fixtures. NSF's "Certified for Sport” label is particularly useful for athletes when it comes to supplements. All products bearing this label have been tested for banned substances, and are safe.


The multivitamin that you purchase should have these seals. If it has both of these seals and the listed dosages meet the RDAs it means that the multivitamin you buy is likely to be more quality than the average. You should also visit the website of the vitamin manufacturer. You will find information about the manufacturing and testing processes used by the company to guarantee quality. If you don't have enough information, you should get a warning sign.


Labdoor is another way to verify the quality of a product. Labdoor is unique because they purchase supplements from retail stores and then test them at an FDA-registered laboratory. The supplements are then ranked according to how they perform. Labdoor doesn't test every product on the market, and other ratings such as taste are subjective. However, you can see a list of all multivitamins they have tested.


Are more expensive multivitamins better?

Multivitamins are not the same as multivitamins. Some of the cheaper options can actually be quite good.


Full disclosure: Born Fitness has no financial arrangements with these brands. Based on their reviews and reputations, we have included them.


Thorne Research is a respected company in the supplement industry. Their high standards of purity and precision are well-known. Thorne has a large selection of NSF Certified for Sport Supplements and has partnered up with the Mayo Clinic for randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials investigating the effects of various nutritional supplements. Thorne offers a wide range of multivitamins. All of their offerings have adequate levels of micronutrients including vitamin D and vitamin K. Some of their formulas are free from copper, iron or iodine for those who are sensitive to these nutrients. Thorne multivitamins cost from $26.99 for 60 capsules up to $44.85 per 180 capsules.


According to Labdoor's testing, Garden Of Life also offers high-quality multivitamins. Garden of Life is the source of three of the top five Labdoor-ranked supplements. The multivitamins of the brand are USP-certified. Garden of Life products are suitable for all ages, including prenatal, men and women. Garden of Life multivitamins are available in 120 and 240 capsules for as low as $34.54 or $60.52, respectively.

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