Multivitamins for Seniors

Best multivitamin for men and women over 50

Like the other groups mentioned, people over 50 also have unique needs from their multivitamin. As we age, we lose the ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food, according to the National Institutes of Health. Although the official DV of vitamin B12 remains at 2.4 mcg throughout adulthood, some experts advise people over 50 to look for more B12 in their multivitamin. The Institute of Medicine has not set a UL for vitamin B12, because there's such a low risk for toxicity.

Two respected testing organizations -- ConsumerReports.org and ConsumerLab.com -- recommend Kirkland Signature Mature Multi Adult 50+ (*Est. $13 for 400 tablets) for seniors. Kirkland Signature is Costco's store brand, but nonmembers can purchase the multivitamin at Costco.com for a small fee (the surcharge was 65 cents at the time of our visit). Based on recommendations that seniors should get more vitamin B12 in supplement form, the Kirkland Signature Mature Multi Adult 50+ contains 30 mcg of B12 (500 percent of the DV). The multivitamin also contains 2,500 IU of vitamin A with 50 percent as beta-carotene, 1,000 IU of vitamin D and 220 mg of calcium. For men and women older than 50, the RDA for iron is 8 mg per day, and the National Institutes of Health says this age group has a low risk for iron deficiency. As a result, most multivitamins for seniors don't include iron, including the Kirkland Signature Mature Multi.

ConsumerReports.org likes this multi because it's inexpensive and contains "reasonable amounts" of essential nutrients. It's also reviewed by ConsumerLab.com in its recent round of testing. The Kirkland Signature Mature Multi Adult 50+ contains 10 mcg of vitamin K, which can interfere with blood-thinning medications like Coumadin; talk to your doctor before taking supplements if you're on one of these medications.

Other store brands also do well in ConsumerLab.com's test of multivitamins. Wal-Mart's Equate Mature Multivitamin 50+ (*Est. $8.50 for 220 tablets) and Member's Mark Mature Multi Adults 50+ (*Est. $17 for 400 tablets) -- sold at Sam's Club -- both win approval from the vitamin-testing organization. The ingredients in these products change frequently, though, so the best advice is to check the label before you buy. Key ingredients to look for in a store brand for people over 50 include: No iron, 25 mcg or more of B12, at least some vitamin K (although people taking blood thinners like Coumadin should check with their doctor), 400 IU or more of vitamin D (because many seniors don't get enough from sunlight and food), and no more than 4,000 IU of vitamin A, with at least some of it in the form of beta-carotene because retinol may increase the risk of hip fractures.

Name brands like Centrum and One-A-Day are solid picks as well, although they are more expensive. One-A-Day Women's 50+ Advantage (*Est. $27 for 150 tablets) and One-A-Day Men's 50+ Advantage (*Est. $26 for 150 tablets) contain more vitamin K (20 mcg in all) than Kirkland Signature Mature Multi Adult 50+. One-A-Day 50+ contains no iron, and the men's formula has 150 percent DV of selenium. Advertising for One-A-Day Men's 50+ Advantage had touted the health benefits of selenium. However, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) announced in June 2009 that it intended to sue Bayer, the maker of One-A-Day vitamins, over its claims. CSPI says there is no evidence that selenium can help prevent prostate cancer. A seven-year National Institutes of Health study that ended in 2008 determined that selenium does not prevent prostate cancer. In fact, the study ended early when researchers became concerned that high doses of selenium might be causing diabetes in some of the study participants. The CSPI has also filed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

Centrum Silver (*Est. $26 for 270 tablets) is another option for seniors. It is tested by ConsumerLab.com, contains 25 mcg of vitamin B12 and has no iron. Centrum Silver has 30 mcg of vitamin K and 55 mcg of selenium. Centrum Silver gets good reviews from users, with most saying it's easy to take (only one pill per day) and causes no noticeable stomach upset or other side effects.