Multivitamins: Reviews

Experts say men should ignore the "for men 50+" on the label and make Centrum Silver their primary multivitamin supplement. It contains no iron because men need only 8 mg per day, which is easy to obtain from food.… expandCentrum Silver has only 50 percent of the daily value of vitamin A, which is smart because A is increasingly added to other foods and even small excesses may cause serious long-term health problems. Unlike most men's vitamins evaluated by an independent testing organization, Centrum Silver doesn't exceed the upper limit for niacin; in addition, it includes the nutrients claimed, dissolves properly and doesn't contain excess lead. It also features extra nutrients that may help fight cancer and heart disease. It meets 100 percent of the RDA for most essential vitamins and minerals for adult males, with the exception of calcium and vitamin D. Centrum Silver contains 220 mg of calcium and 500 IU of D; the latest guidelines recommend 1,000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D daily for men ages 19 to 70. collapse

Premenopausal women lose iron during menstruation, so experts recommend that they take a multivitamin like One-A-Day Women's that contains 18 mg of iron and 400 mcg of folic acid. Its 1,000 IU of vitamin D exceeds the… expandcurrent RDA of 600 IU, but it's still far below the upper limit. One-A-Day Women's is tested by an independent organization, and is one of the few women's multis evaluated that doesn't contain more niacin than listed on the label. While most user reviews are positive, some say they feel nauseous after taking it, especially if they do so without food. collapse

Pregnant women have their own unique needs, and should take a multivitamin with 600 mcg of folic acid, 27 mg of iron and a higher percentage of vitamin A in the safer form of beta-carotene -- instead of from retinol -- to… expandhelp prevent birth defects. All of the vitamin A in Rite Aid Prenatal Tablets with Folic Acid is from beta-carotene, and the folic acid and iron contents meet current recommendations. The multi contains only 200 mg of calcium, so you might need additional calcium if your doctor recommends it. Rite Aid Prenatal Tablets with Folic Acid is approved in independent testing and user reviews are very positive, although some mention that the pill is quite large. It's also one of the least expensive prenatal multivitamins available. collapse

People over 50 have a decreased ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food, and some experts advise this age group to look for a daily multi containing at least 25 mcg of B12. Centrum Silver meets this recommendation, and is… expandtested and approved by two respected organizations. It dissolves properly, lacks contaminants and contains nutrients in the amounts listed on the label. Users say Centrum Silver Adults 50+ is easy to swallow and causes no noticeable side effects like stomach upset. It contains less than the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D, so women 50 years and older should ask their doctors about their nutrient needs. Centrum Silver has 30 mcg of vitamin K, which can interfere with some blood-thinning medications, so talk to your physician before taking a new multi. collapse

Children can sometimes be fussy eaters, and they're notorious for not wanting to swallow pills. Parents say their kids take Flintstones Plus Bone Building Support Chewables without a fuss. This multivitamin contains… expandage-appropriate levels of nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin A. It's approved in one independent test and doesn't exceed the upper limit for vitamin A from retinol. Experts caution against giving your child more than the recommended dose of any kids' multi, because vitamin A can be toxic at high levels. Unlike several other vitamins tested, Flintstones Plus doesn't exceed the recommend levels of niacin. It does fall short on calcium, however, with only 200 mg. The Institute of Medicine recommends 700 mg a day for 1- to 3-year-olds and 1,000 mg a day for 4- to 8-year-olds. collapse