Multivitamins: Reviews

Experts say that men should look for a multivitamin with no more than 8 mg of iron, and some say less (or none) is better. The GNC Mega Men Multivitamin contains no iron, but it contains other important nutrients,… including selenium, calcium and vitamin D. The GNC Mega Men multi contains high levels of B vitamins, including thiamin and riboflavin. Experts say you don't need mega doses of these vitamins, but they're not harmful. This multivitamin is approved in independent testing, although ConsumerLab.com notes that it contains more than the upper level for niacin (vitamin B3). Users also give these vitamins high marks, saying they're very easy on the stomach. On the downside, some find the pills too large to swallow comfortably.

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Premenopausal women lose iron during menstruation, so experts recommend that women in this age group take a multivitamin with 18 mg of iron, like One-A-Day Women's. This One-A-Day formula also contains 400 mcg of folic… acid, which is another essential nutrient for women of childbearing age. The 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D also meets the recommendations of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. One-A-Day Women's is tested by an independent organization, and it's one of the few women's multivitamins the organization tests that doesn't contain more niacin than listed on the label. Most user reviews we see are positive, but some say they are nauseated after taking the multivitamin -- especially if they don't take it with food.

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Pregnant and lactating women have their own unique needs, and they should look for a multivitamin with about 500 to 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid and a higher percentage of vitamin A in the safer form of… beta-carotene to prevent birth defects. All of the vitamin A in the Pregnancy Plus multi is beta-carotene (preferable to vitamin A from retinol), and the 600 mcg of folic acid and 27 mg of iron meets expert recommendations for pregnant women. There's only 40 mg of calcium, so you might need an additional calcium supplement if your doctor recommends it. The Pregnancy Plus Prenatal Multi is approved in independent testing.

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People over 50 may have a decreased ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food, and experts advise this age group to look for 25 mcg or more of B12. The Kirkland Signature Mature Multi 50+ contains 30 mcg of B12, 1,000… international units (IU) of vitamin D and 2,500 IU of vitamin A (50 percent as beta-carotene). It doesn't contain iron, because seniors are at a low risk for iron deficiency, according to the National Institutes of Health. If you take a blood-thinning medication like Coumadin, ask your doctor before you take a multi. Kirkland Signature Mature contains vitamin K, which can interfere with these medications. This multivitamin is approved by two separate independent tests. Kirkland Signature multivitamins are sold at Costco, but non-members can buy the multi online for a small additional fee.

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Children can sometimes be fussy eaters, and they are notorious for not wanting to swallow pills. Parents say their kids love Flintstones Gummies, which are fruit-flavored and taste like candy. This multivitamin contains… age-appropriate levels of nutrients like folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin A. Flintstones Gummies also pass independent tests, and it's the only children's multivitamin tested that doesn't exceed tolerable intake levels for vitamin A as retinol. Experts caution that you should never give your child more than the recommended dose of any kid's multivitamin, because vitamin A can be toxic at high levels.

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