Multivitamins: Reviews

Experts say that store-brand vitamins work just as well as the pricier name brands, and Target's Up&Up brand earns several recommendations. The Up&Up Men's Daily Multivitamin contains no iron -- men only need 8 mg of iron… expandper day, which is easy to obtain from food. It is the only men's multivitamin in a recent test that doesn't exceed the upper limit (UL) for niacin. Tests also show that the Up&Up Men's Daily Multivitamin includes the nutrients claimed, dissolves properly and does not contain excess levels of lead. It meets 100 percent of the RDA for most essential vitamins and minerals, with the exception of calcium and vitamin D. The Up&Up multi contains 210 mg of calcium and 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D; the latest guidelines released at the end of 2010 recommend 1,000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D daily for men between the ages of 19 and 70. collapse

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 micrograms… expand(mcg) of folic acid, which is another essential nutrient for women of childbearing age. The 1,000 IU of vitamin D exceeds the current 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 it is one of the few women's multivitamins tested that doesn't contain more niacin than listed on the label. Most user reviews are positive, although some say they are nauseated after taking the multivitamin -- especially if they don't take it with food. collapse

Pregnant women have their own unique needs, and they should look for a multivitamin with 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid, 27 mg of iron and a higher percentage of vitamin A in the safer form of beta-carotene to prevent… expandbirth defects. All of the vitamin A in the Pregnancy Plus multi is from beta-carotene (preferable to vitamin A from retinol), and the folic acid and iron content meets current recommendations. The multivitamin only contains 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. User reviews are almost universally positive, although some say the multivitamin has a strong vegetable smell. collapse

People over 50 have a decreased ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food, and some experts advise this age group to look for at least 25 micrograms (mcg) of B12 in their daily multivitamin. Centrum Silver meets this… expandrecommendation, and it is tested and approved by two respected testing organizations. It dissolves properly, lacks contaminants, and contains nutrients in the amounts listed on the label. Users say Centrum Silver is easy to swallow and causes no noticeable side effects, such as stomach upset. It contains less than the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D, so seniors may want to talk to their doctor about their needs for these nutrients. Centrum Silver contains 30 mcg of vitamin K, a nutrient that can interfere with some blood-thinning medications, so talk to your doctor before you start a new multivitamin. collapse

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… expandage-appropriate levels of nutrients like folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin A. Flintstones Gummies are approved in one independent test, and it is the only children's multivitamin tested that doesn't exceed the upper limit for vitamin A as retinol. Experts caution that you should never give your child more than the recommended dose of any kids' multivitamin, because vitamin A can be toxic at high levels. Flintstones Gummies do not contain any calcium, although 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