How to choose the right multi-vitamins for you

A lab check was performed to check out the contents of 21 multivitamins, including name brands and store brands from Costco, CVS, Dollar General, Rite Aid, Target, Vitamin Shoppe, and Walgreens. Testers analyzed the contents to see whether they contained certain vitamins and minerals in the amounts printed on labels. They also dropped them into a stomach-acid-like solution to see whether the pills would dissolve properly in your body. (If they don’t, their nutrients wont’ be absorbed). Testers also checked for worrisome levels of contaminants such as heavy metals. None had them. And it turns out the store brands did just as well in the tests as Centrum and One A Day – and some cost less than half the price. TIP You can probably save money by skipping multivitamins if you et well and aren’t pregnant or on a restricted diet.

• KIRKLAND SIGNATURE DAILY MULTI
• KIRKLAND SIGNATURE MATURE MULTI
• KIRKLAND SIGNATURE SUGAR FREE CHILDREN’S CHEWABLE COMPLETE MULTIVITAMIN

All but two of the vitamins (the Not So Hot ones below) did well in the tests. But these three Costco multis had the lowest per-pill prices. They come in giant bottles! They were also the only ones with the seal of the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), an independent authority that sets industry standards.

NOT SO HOT

These two were the most expensive multis and the only ones with some samples that failed the dissolution test. Also, some samples were outside the testing guidelines, containing more of some nutrients or less of others than the label claimed: Some One Daily (Vitamin Shoppe) had more calcium and less vitamin A; some Whole Source (Rite Aid) had more zinc and vitamin D. Fortunately, those higher or lower amounts don’t pose a health concern.

The “USP Verified” seal indicates that the supplement manufacturer has voluntarily asked the USP labs to verify the product’s quality, purity, and potency. If the label just references “USP” without the seal, the product probably hasn’t been tested.

Buy big brands at Walmart – Walmart always had the lowest prices, with Target a close second. Drugstore prices vary widely from chain to chain. If you want to save even more, consider buying a store-brand multi. Compare labels to make sure you’re getting all the ingredients you’re looking for; formulas are similar but might not be identical. You will save a lot if you buy a store’s private-label brand instead of buying Centrum Ultra Women’s at the same store.

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19 Responses

  1. vitamins says:

    USANA formulated Visionex with lutein, zeaxanthin, and bilberry extract to work together to help the retina. USANA Vitamins Visionex also contains vitamin C along with other nutrients to help maintain the structure of the lens.

  2. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins Ginkgo-PS™ combines these two powerful ingredients in a single tablet. USANA’s The high quality of USANA’s Ginkgo biloba extract combined with PS gives Ginkgo-PS clear advantages over other ginkgo products on the market.

  3. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins Chocolate Whey Nutrimeal™ is a soy-protein free alternative to the popular line of USANA® Nutrimeal shakes. Like the other flavors of Nutrimeal, it is a meal-replacement drink that is low glycemic and made with natural flavors and sweeteners. Chocolate Whey Nutrimeal is also gluten free, making it a great alternative for those with wheat allergies and gluten intolerance.

  4. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins Nutrimeal – A serving of USANA Dutch Chocolate and USANA Wild Strawberry Nutrimeal provides 15 grams of soy, whey, and other proteins.
    A serving of French Vanilla Nutrimeal provides 15 grams of
    soy protein.

  5. vitamins says:

    The 5-Day USANA RESET program is a nutritionally balanced program of macronutrients (high-quality protein, good carbohydrates, and healthy fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants). The program is simple—every day you drink three USANA Nutrimeal™ shakes and eat an USANA Oatmeal Raisin Nutrition Bar, a Peanut Butter Crunch Nutrition Bar, a serving of fruit, and a serving of vegetables. You should also take the AM and PM USANA HealthPak™, drink 64–80 ounces of water, and walk for approximately 20–30 minutes (about 3,000 steps) every day.

    The USANA Vitamins 5-Day RESET kit is available in a flavor variety pack— with a mixture of Dutch Chocolate, French Vanilla, and Wild Strawberry Nutrimeal—that includes everything you need.

  6. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins Peanut Butter Crunch Nutrition Bar Nutrition Facts – Ingredients: Protein Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Textured Soy Protein Concentrate), Fructose, Coating (Sugar, Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa Powder, Whey Powder, Nonfat Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor), Evaporated Cane Juice, Peanuts, Glycerin, Peanut Butter, Peanut Flour, Natural Flavor, Soy Fiber, Soy Lecithin. ALLERGEN INFORMATION: Product contains Peanuts, Soy, and Milk, and is produced on equipment that is used to produce products that contain Eggs, Wheat, Peanuts, Seeds and Tree Nuts. For USANA customers with sensitivity to gluten, no wheat is used as an ingredient in this product. However, this product is produced in a facility that may manufacture other products that do contain wheat.

  7. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins Pack provides excellent combination of Nutritionals and Foods for those committed to a healthy lifestyle. This USANA package is an excellent combination of Nutritionals and Foods for those committed to a healthy lifestyle. Includes one of each of the following products:

    101 USANA Essentials
    132 Proflavanol 90
    222 Oatmeal Raisin Bar
    131 Procosa II

  8. vitamins says:

    USANA Skincare Sensé™ product contains the Camellia sinensis extract (Green Tea) – This leaf extract contains antioxidants to intercept free radicals and ward off signs of aging. It also has moisturizing and soothing properties. USANA Rev3 Energy Surge™ Pack Contains green tea, Korean ginseng, and rhodiola rosea to improve the body’s response to stress and fatigue and provides nutrients necessary for healthy and efficient cellular energy production.

  9. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins Bone and Joint Health supplements USANA Procosa® II provide you with essential building blocks of healthy bones and joints. Procosa II is USANA’s formula for joint health. They incorporate a full 2000 mg per day of high-quality glucosamine sulfate, and combine this with turmeric extract, vitamin C, manganese, and silicon for comprehensive joint health.

  10. vitamins says:

    In a study conducted at the Human Nutrition Unit, University of Sydney, Australia, USANA Vitamins Nutrition Bar resulted in higher two-hour fullness score than did the glucose reference food. USANA nutrition bar provided more energy than did the glucose. The standardized fullness scores for the USANA Nutrition Bar was higher than for many candy bars and cookies, indicating that it may be a better option than many snack foods for people who are trying to control their weight and blood sugar levels.

  11. vitamins says:

    USANA RESET provides easily digestible soy, whey, and other proteins daily. Research shows that 25 grams of soy protein a day as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of USANA Nutrimeal provides over 6 grams of soy protein. Whey protein is an excellent source of amino acids essential for building a healthy body. USANA RESET also supplies dietary fiber to help maintain optimal health. Diets high in soluble and insoluble fiber generally are rich in essential nutrients. Fiber is important for maintaining digestive health.

  12. vitamins says:

    A Staggering crowd erupted with cheers as Super Pills were announced at USANA‘s 2009 International Convention. One thing though—these highly concentrated Nutritionals are only available as a part of USANA MyHealthPak and are not for resale.

    Not anymore.

    CoQuinone 100, is available for individual purchase in USANA Canada. And not only can you buy it for yourself, but these much sought-after Nutritionals are also available for resale!

    That’s where CoQuinone comes in. And now that the formula is more than three times stronger than before, you know your cells are getting the help they need along with USANA’s commitment to using only the purest of ingredients and a stringent manufacturing process that’s second-to-none.

  13. vitamins says:

    With USANA’s unique formulation, USANA Proflavanol C100 bioflavonoid supplement combines the highest quality grape-seed extract with the free-radical quenching power of vitamin C, giving you an important tool in the quest for lifelong good health.

    USANA Vitamins Supplements BiOmega™ is produced from cold-water, deep-sea fish oil and contains a balanced, concentrated daily dose of two important omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in two convenient capsules per day.

  14. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins Probiotic dietary supplements replenish beneficial microflora, which can help restore a proper microbial equilibrium in the gut and aid good digestion. USANA Probiotic features a unique 50/50 mixture of Bifidobacterium BB-12® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, LGG®—two strains of probiotic bacteria that have been clinically proven to promote a natural balance of beneficial microflora in the gut.

  15. vitamins says:

    The 5-Day USANA RESET program is a nutritionally balanced program of macronutrients (high-quality protein, good carbohydrates, and healthy fats) and micronutrients (USANA vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants). The program is simple—every day you drink three USANA Nutrimeal™ shakes and eat an USANA Oatmeal Raisin Nutrition Bar, a USANA Peanut Butter Crunch Nutrition Bar, a serving of fruit, and a serving of vegetables. You should also take the AM and PM USANA HealthPak™, drink 64–80 ounces of water, and walk for approximately 20–30 minutes (about 3,000 steps) every day.

  16. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins supplements Body Rox™ Active Calcium™ Chewable can improved bone mineralization in adolescent girls. USANA formulated Body Rox Active Calcium Chewable to ensure that your teens are getting enough calcium in their diet. It contains 800 mg of Calcium, 400 IU of Vitamin D3 and 400 mg of Magnesium per serving size.

  17. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins Supplementation – TenX Antioxidant Blast – SAYING GOODBYE

    It is with heavy hearts that the USANA family mourns the loss of a loved one—TenX Antioxidant Blast™. TenX was a unique combination of fruit and antioxidants, and loved supplying vitamin C while tasting great. The passing of TenX was an unfortunate matter of circumstance; the cost of ingredients increased dramatically, pricing the beloved fruit bar out of the market. TenX is survived by USANA scientists who are diligently searching for more affordable alternatives to the TenX bar in the future. The final supply of USANA TenX Antioxidant Blast was finally depleated as of 01/13/2010. “Free from added colors, artificial flavors, and preservatives, I’m a great choice for maintaining good health and offer the proven health benefits of fruits and vegetables in a convenient package for people on the go,” TenX Blast was famous for saying. We’ll miss you, TenX.

  18. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins Supplementation – Heart Health supplements are specially designed to support healthy heart function. With USANA’s unique formulation, Proflavanol C100 bioflavonoid supplement combines the highest quality grape-seed extract with vitamin C, these ingredients provide significantly better protection against the oxidative modification of low density lipoproteins (LDL). USANA CoQuinone® 30 provides ingredients vital for cardiovascular health, sound muscle and nerve function. USANA CoQuinone 30 delivers CoQ10 in much higher quantities, making CoQuinone 30 more bioavailable than other CoQ10 products. USANA BiOmega Fish Oil Supplement supports sound cardiovascular health and joint health. Supplementation with USANA BiOmega ensures you have a concentrated balance of EPA and DHA in two convenient capsules per day.

  19. vitamins says:

    USANA Vitamins supplements PhytoEstrin is specially formulated to help relieve the common menopausal symptoms. USANA PhytoEstrin contains Soy Isoflavones, Black Cohosh Extract, Chasteberry Powder (Vitex Agnus-castus), and Licorice root extract and other ingredients such as Dextrose, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, dextrin, and soy lecithin.