Choosing the best multivitamin supplement
There are thousands of multivitamin supplement products on the market, and choosing the best multivitamin can be confusing. One option is to have several different ones and to alternate their use. Buy a multivitamin product that is balanced, not too high on some nutrients and low on others. It is impossible to tell which multivitamin is best suited for you until you try them and see which one you like or which one makes you feel your best over the long run. Also, take a break from use at least 1 or 2 days a week. The following is a multivitamin and multimineral supplement formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

MultiVit Rx - A one source multivitamin supplement for antioxidants, B vitamins, energy and better mood
High Quality Daily Vitamins and Minerals
Developed by Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Manufactured by a FDA-approved and GMP-certified facility.

Click here to buy this MultiVit-Rx multivitamin supplement, Mind Power Rx, Passion Rx, Diet Rx appetite suppressant, or to sign up to a FREE and very popular newsletter. This website also carries a children's multivitamin.

Sign up for a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month you will receive an email with a review of several studies on supplements and natural medicine topics - including multivitamin supplement research and joint health -  and their practical interpretation by Dr. Sahelian.

Top Eight Benefits of MultiVit Rx multi vitamin nutritional supplement:
1. This multi vitamin supplement supplies the whole list of essential vitamins including A, B complex, C, D, and E in a natural form.
2. Supplies the important minerals including calcium, magnesium, chromium, potassium, selenium, zinc, manganese, and others.
3. Physical Energy support - you will feel more energized, motivated, and perhaps get more work done during the day.
4. Mental Energy support - most users will feel more mentally alert and focused with better mood. You may also consider Mind Power Rx.
5. Powerful antioxidant support with beta carotene, acetylcysteine, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, Green-Tea-Extract, and flavonoids.
6. Immune support herbs and nutrients.
7. This multivitamin supplement has vision support nutrients with lutein, carotene, zeaxanthin, and citrus bioflavonoids. For a potent vision support formula, consider Eyesight Rx.
8. Extra: Highly Beneficial nutrients and extracts such as green tea, octacosanol, rutin, lycopene, and others.

MultiVit Rx Supplement Facts:
Vitamin A
     Beta Carotene
     Retinyl Palmitate
Vitamin C with Rose hips (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin D
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
Vitamin B-1(thiamine hcl)
Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin)
Niacinamide
Vitamin B-6
Folic acid
Vitamin B12
Biotin information, Biotin vitamin is also sold as a separate supplement.
Pantothenic acid (d-calcium pantothenate)
Calcium (citrate)
Iodine (potassium iodine)
Magnesium (oxide)
Zinc mineral
Selenium (amino acid chelate) - Selenium is a mineral that people require in small amounts; food sources include grains, certain nuts and some meats and seafood, such as beef and tuna.
Copper (amino acid chelate)
Manganese (carbonate)
Chromium (amino acid chelate)
Molybdenum (amino acid chelate)
Potassium (carbonate). You can purchase a Potassium supplement at this internet vitamin company.
Green Tea (leaves)
Inulin (Jerusalem artichoke plant fiber extract-inuflora)
N-Aceytl-L-Cysteine
Inositol
PABA (para aminobenzoic acid)
Rutin
Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex
Choline (bitartrate)
Beta-Glucan 1/3-Beta, 1/6-Glucan (insoluble form from cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
Lycopene (from tomato)
Lutein (from marigold extract)
Astaxanthin
Zeaxanthin helps with vision
Octacosanol

Questions about Multivitamin Supplement benefit and side effects
Q. Does a multivitamin supplement for a man differ from a product for a woman?
     A. Not as much as one thinks. There may be differences in iron, calcium and a few other nutrients, but there are more in common than there are differences. Women's multivitamin need is therefore not too different from a man's except the dosages of the individual nutrients would be less. If it says to take 4 capsules on a bottle, then 3 would be fine for a woman.

Q. What effects should I notice form a multivitamin with mineral pill?
     A. Unless you are very sensitive, you probably will not notice any major effects from a multivitamin. Feedback from MultiVit Rx indicates people notice being mentally sharper, more alert, and with clearer vision, but most importantly having more all day energy.

Q. How do I know which is the best multivitamin for me?
     A. It is impossible to know what vitamins your body is marginally lacking or which is the best multivitamin for you. Since it is nearly impossible to tell which is the best multivitamin for you to purchase, you may consider alternating 2 or 3 different ones.

Q. Is there any such thing as an all inclusive multivitamin or supplement for a 64 year old, fit male that will eliminate the need for, and inconvenience of a cabinet full of varied tablets? In short, a single daily dosage?
     A. There is no such pill. The human body is too complicated and so much depends on diet and the person's individual body chemistry and many, many other factors.

Q. What do you think of websites that do a multivitamin review, comparison or rating?
     A. Since each person is unique in their requirement, it is difficult to know which multivitamin is ideal for each individual. Plus, the ones reviewing other products may have their own agenda.

Q. Are liquid multivitamins better to take than a regular multivitamin supplement?
     A. Since most multivitamin capsules are well absorbed, I don't see the urgent need to take a liquid multivitamin supplement unless a person has serious issues with absorption. Furthermore, since many good multivitamin supplements have several times the RDA of nutrients, even if absorption is not perfect, one still would get enough of the important vitamins and minerals. Some multivitamin and multimineral supplements have too high doses anyway, so absorbing less is actually better.

Q. Do I need to take an antioxidant and multivitamin together or is a multivitamin alone enough?
     A. Since there are countless multivitamin bottles out there, it depends which one you are taking. As a rule, though, it would probably be okay to take additional antioxidants if your multi is weak.

Q. What is the best multivitamin supplement for a man to take?
     A There are no good answers that can be given since each man has a unique requirement.

Q. What is your opinion of a liquid multivitamin supplement?
     A. A liquid multivitamin supplement may be appropriate for those who have difficulty swallowing pills or those who prefer to put a liquid multivitamin supplement in their shake or other drinks. As far as health reasons, I don't see the advantage of a liquid multivitamin supplement over a capsule.

Multivitamins and Preeclampsia
Women who are considering becoming pregnant may significantly reduce their risk of developing preeclampsia by taking a multivitamin supplement regularly three months before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy. Women who use multivitamins regularly have a reduction in preeclampsia risk, particularly for women who are not overweight prior to pregnancy. Because multivitamins contain many nutrients, it is difficult to know the exact mechanism by which the risk of preeclampsia is reduced.

Multivitamins and longevity
Q. Does taking a multivitamin supplement daily increase longevity? What do studies say?
   A. I have not seen a good study with multivitamin use and longevity. When such studies are done, researchers have pooled information from users of various multivitamin products, not one standard multivitamin product. Each multivitamin product should be considered as a unique formula and not lumped together with other multivitamin products. Until a prospective study is done with a specific formula for at least a 10 to 15 year period, we will not know if taking a particular multivitamin formula influences longevity. Keep in mind that the majority of multivitamin products have synthetic vitamin E, and many may have B vitamins or other vitamins that are not provided proportionally.

Q. A well-respected medical newsletter [Harvard Men's Health Watch] carried an article in 2008 about daily multiple vitamins, concluding that people should no longer take them because recent studies indicate that the folate they contain raises the risk of colo-rectal cancer. They are proposing that the amount of folate in daily multiples and also added to cereals be reduced. Until then, stop taking daily multiples. Do you have any thoughts or opinion on this subject?
   A. In my opinion, more research needs to be published before we determine the role of folate from multivitamins and the influence on colon cancer.

The influence of folate and multivitamin use on the familial risk of colon cancer in women.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2002 March Fuchs CS, Willett WC, Colditz GA, Hunter DJ, Stampfer MJ, Speizer FE, Giovannucci EL. Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Low intake of folate and methionine and heavy alcohol consumption have been associated with an increased overall risk of colon cancer, possibly related to their role in methylation pathways. We estimated the relative risk (RR) of colon cancer according to a history of colorectal cancer in a first-degree relative and categories of folate, methionine, and alcohol intake in a prospective cohort study of 88,758 women who completed family history and detailed food frequency questionnaires. During 16 years of follow-up, colon cancer was diagnosed in 535 women. The inverse association of folic acid with colon cancer risk was greater in women with a family history. Our results suggest that higher intake of folate and methionine, regular use of multivitamins containing folate, and avoidance of moderate to heavy alcohol consumption may diminish the excess risk of colon cancer associated with a family history of the disease.

MultiVitamin and Heart Failure
Micronutrient supplementation improves heart function and quality-of-life in elderly patients with chronic heart failure. Researchers investigated the effects of long-term multiple micronutrient supplementation in 32 patients older than age 70 years with stable heart failure. After an average of 295 days, the patients who had been assigned to get micronutrient supplements experienced significant improvements in cardiac pumping ability. Also, patients taking micronutrients had an increase in their quality-of-life score, whereas the participants who had been given placebo supplements had a decrease in their quality-of-life score. The differences in overall quality-of-life score were mainly due to improvements in scores for breathlessness on exertion, quality of sleep, and daytime concentration among the patients taking micronutrients. The multivitamin supplement included zinc, copper, and selenium, along with Co-Q10. European Heart Journal, November 2005.

The effects of a multivitamin/mineral supplement on micronutrient status, antioxidant capacity and cytokine production in healthy older adults consuming a fortified diet.
J Am Coll Nutr. 2000 Oct;19(5):613-21. McKay DL, Perrone G, Rasmussen H, Dallal G, Hartman W, Cao G, Prior RL, Roubenoff R, Blumberg JB. Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
To determine whether a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement can improve micronutrient status, plasma antioxidant capacity and cytokine production in healthy, free-living older adults already consuming a fortified diet. METHODS: An eight-week double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial among 80 adults aged 50 to 87 years. Multivitamin treatment significantly increased, compared to placebo) plasma concentrations of vitamins D (77 to 100 nmol/L), E (27 to 32 micromol/L), pyridoxal phosphate (55.1 to 75.2 nmol/L), folate (23 to 33 nmol/L), B12 (286 to 326 pmol/L)), C (55 to 71 micromol/L), and improved the riboflavin activity coefficient (1.23 to 1.15), but not vitamins A and thiamin. The multivitamin reduced the prevalence of suboptimal plasma levels of vitamins E, B12, and C. Neither glutathione peroxidase activity nor antioxidant capacity (ORAC) were affected. No changes were observed in interleukin-2, -6 or -10 and prostaglandin E2, proxy measures of immune responses. Supplementation with a multivitamin formulated at about 100% Daily Value can decrease the prevalence of suboptimal vitamin status in older adults and improve their micronutrient status to levels associated with reduced risk for several chronic diseases.

Maternal multivitamin supplements containing vitamins B, C and E reduce the risks of motor developmental delays in infants born to HIV-positive mothers in developing countries.

Multivitamin testing
January 2007 - ConsumerLab.com tested 21 brands of multivitamins and found10 multivitamin brands met the stated claims on their labels or satisfied other quality standards. The Vitamin Shoppe Multivitamins Especially for Women was contaminated with lead. ConsumerLab.com is a Westchester, N.Y.-based company that independently evaluates hundreds of health and nutrition products and periodically publishes reviews. ConsumerLab.com purchased a selection of the popular multivitamins on the market as well as some smaller brands and sent them, without labels, to two independent laboratories to be tested. On a positive note, several of the most popular multivitamins on the market did pass muster, said David Schardt, a senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group in Washington, D.C. These included Centrum Silver, Member's Mark Complete Multi (distributed by Sam's Club), One A Day Women's and Flintstones Complete. Random vitamin testing isn't foolproof. For instance, because ConsumerLab.com tested several bottles from a particular lot number of each vitamin, it's not a given that products produced at a different time would have the exact same contents. Multivitamin formulations have sometimes 2 dozen or more ingredients in the products and each batch could be slightly different than the other depending on how the manufacturer mixes that particular batch. In most instances, and practically speaking, it makes little difference. The Vitamin Shoppe women's product contained 15.3 micrograms of lead per daily serving of two tablets. This amount of lead is more than 10 times the amount permitted without a warning in California, the only state that regulates lead in supplements, Cooperman said. On average, most American adults are exposed to about 3 micrograms of lead through food, wine and other sources, he said, and while 15.3 micrograms of lead per day may not be immediately toxic, the mineral is stored in the body and could build up to dangerous levels with time. "I would be concerned about a woman taking a multivitamin that contains 15.3 micrograms of lead per daily serving," said Judy Simon, a dietitian at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Among other effects, she said, lead can contribute to high blood pressure. The same product also contained just 54 percent of the 200 milligrams of calcium stated on the label. David Morrison, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at The Vitamin Shoppe, said his company's products are all tested more than once, including screening for lead, and he questioned the new results. "It would be very surprising to me if this were actually true," he said. Hero Nutritionals did not respond to calls seeking comment. Hero Nutritionals Yummi Bears, a multivitamin for children, had 216 percent of the labeled amount of vitamin A. But he also said that top manufacturers consistently produce quality products and that with 150 million Americans taking vitamins or other dietary supplements annually, few problems surface. "If we had a serious issue of safety, we'd be hearing concerns from consumers in large numbers and we're not," he said.

Multivitamins that met standards:
 Centrum Silver
Member's Mark Complete Multi
One A Day Women's
Flinstones Complete

Multivitamins that failed:
The Vitamin Shoppe Multivitamins Especially for women: Contaminated with lead
Hero Nutritionals Yummi Bears: Had twice the labeled amount of vitamin A
Nature's Plus Especially Yours for Women: Took twice as long as allowed to disintegrate
AARP Maturity Formula: Took nearly twice as long as allowed to disintegrate
Eniva VIBE: Had only 54 percent of claimed vitamin A
Pet-Tabs Complete Daily Vitamin-Mineral Supplement for Dogs: Contained lead

January 2007 - NORTH BERGEN, NJ – The Vitamin Shoppe, one of the nation’s largest retailers of vitamins and nutritional supplements, today confirmed that it voluntarily removed its “Especially for Women” multivitamin product from store shelves and its internet sales site due to allegations that there are trace quantities of lead in excess of California labeling requirements in the product.

Multivitamin supplement emails
Q. There seems to be a differing of opinion between whole food and synthetic vitamin products on the market. Is there a difference between synthetic and whole food multi-vitamin products? Does the human body recognize synthetic vitamins the same as a whole food supplement? Does Multivit Rx contain all factors necessary for a positive nutritional effect on the body?
   A. When one evaluates a vitamin, such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), the chemical structure is the same, whether it is extracted from a fruit or made synthetically in the lab. Other vitamins, such as vitamin E, come in several forms, and the synthetic version dl-alpha-tocopherol may not be as beneficial as the natural form, d-alpha-tocopherol, plus vitamin E comes in many other forms. Each vitamin and nutrient needs to be looked at individually. As a rule, if a chemical lab is able to make the pure chemical structure of the vitamin, then it should be as good as one extracted from nature.

Q. I was searching the internet and came across a website that sells individual made supplements. This is what they say, "LifeScript is the premiere provider of Personalized Vitamins. We recommend the exact vitamins and nutritional supplements you need to achieve optimal health. When you complete our online health survey, we analyze specific data about your lifestyle, health concerns and daily diet to generate your unique Personalized Vitamin Profile. That information is then converted into a personalized vitamin program just for you." What is your opinion on this?
   A. In my opinion, it is impossible to determine through an online survey what a person's daily requirement would be of the countless nutrients and vitamins and minerals required by the body. There are innumerable variables that are involved, including physical activity, sleep patterns, diet, season and temperature, hormone levels, other supplements and herbs used, medicines used, mood, personality, smoking, alcohol use, and most important, genetics. And the requirements for nutrients by the body change with time. Even with a complete physical exam and blood studies it would still be extremely difficult if not impossible to determine optimal nutrient requirement, if any. Therefore, in my opinion, any website that promises that they can provide your optimal nutritional needs through pills by taking an online survey cannot be relied on.

Q. My multivitamin already has a lot of Pantothenic Acid and B12 in it. Are the same vitamins being present in Mind Power RX going to create an overdose ?
   A. There is no concern with overdose of these two B vitamins, however it is a good idea to not take them together since each product is strong enough by itself. It is a good idea to alternate different supplements rather than using the same ones, such as the same multivitamin, all the time. You may wish to try Mind Power Rx by itself one day and see how it makes you feel before combining with your multivitamin if you wish. Each person has a different response, hence we can't give any precise answers.

Q.  have recently heard fermented nutrients are much more utilizable and effective which New Chapter and Garden of Life Multi-vitamins contain. Is this true or do you have any information on this for of multivitamins?
   A. We have not seen any studies in humans with " fermented " multivitamins. At this point it appears to be a marketing gimmick.

Q.  I am a 53 year old male. I understand that taking a women's multivitamin is actually good for you. Is this true? Could you please tell me the pros and cons of taking a woman's multivitamin.
   A. There are hundreds or thousands of different multivitamin brands on the market, men's and women's multivitamins. Each is different than the other in terms of vitamin and mineral dosage, the inclusion of other nutrients or herbs. Therefore there is no way to say whether a woman's multivitamin is good for a man.

Q.  I am taking Multivitamins Rx and I have to say they are excellent. However, while searching the net, I found the following product which seems even more interesting: Opti-men by Optimum Nutrition. I will be trying it as soon as I use up the 2 remaining bottles of Multivitamin Rx. It would be great, if you would consider developing a Multivitamin specifically for men in a similar fashion.
   A. There are thousands of multivitamin products on the market, and it is a good idea to try different ones to see which ones work best for your particular needs. We are not familiar with Opti-men by Optimum Nutrition.

Q. I take your multivitamin product MultiVit Rx. Love your stuff. One capsule a day gives me wonderful sense of vitality.

Q. Just need advice what supplement is best for a 2 year old boy.
   A. I prefer focusing on a healthy diet with lots of fresh vegetables, juices and fruits and a wide variety of whole foods and fish. As such no supplements would be necessary. Plus, research is not available to determine what supplements are helpful for children in the long run and whether imbalances could occur if certain vitamins and nutrients are given in a dosage that may not be acceptable to the body at that age. It is preferable to focus on organic and whole foods until the teenage years. However, if you really wish to give a multivitamin, occasional use of a children's multivitamin would be acceptable. Fish oils or cod liver oil would also be a good option if the child is not eating enough fish.

Q. I am considering changing to your Multi-Vit. I currently take a multivitamin formulated for women. Why do you not have the multivitamins for men and women? I love your website.
   A. As far as multivitamins, there is not convincing evidence that the requirements for women and men are vastly different except in terms of iron and calcium. If some women need iron and calcium in higher amounts, they can take these supplements separately in the dosage they require. Otherwise, as far as the basic vitamins and minerals such as the B vitamins, A, C, E, magnesium, zinc, etc, there is no evidence that the dosage required in men or women is significantly different. Women would take a lesser dosage (fewer capsules) since their body weight is less that the body weight of men. The ideal dosage of vitamins and minerals has not yet been fully identified and it is difficult to determine ideal amounts as a group since each person has a uniquely different diet.

Q. I heard you on January 31, 2009 on WORD radio in Pittsburgh, PA talking about Biovaxin and it sounds like a product I would be interested in being in liquid form and filled with antioxidants and nutrients which will help my body breath and clean up my gastro intestinal tract. Being 55 I am very interested. I have been taking some supplements for my prostrate gland and heart but I have never known if these are actually being absorbed or helpful. They gave a phone number (1-800-288-1961)to call to buy one bottle and get one free…Is that the best way to try your product…I came to your website but I didn’t see this product and can understand how many people are interested in having natural products which really work to help the body be healthy in the world we live in with all the toxins which poison us. I will appreciate any info. I am wondering how much it would be per month? The money I now spend with supplements which probably are not working would be much better invested toward this cost of a quality product.
   A. I have not heard of Biovaxin and have not spoken about this product.

Q. Are you the doctor who developed and provides Biovaxin. I am not sure of the spelling but am interested in this product if available.
   A. I have no affiliation with this product.