The Best Multivitamin Supplements


An estimated one in two people now take a multivitamin and mineral supplement, but how to do you select which multivitamin is right for you? Health food shops, pharmacies and supermarkets offer a large selection of multivitamin tablets and capsules aimed at different age groups and budgets. As a medical nutritionist who has prescribed and taken multivitamins for over twenty years, I have firm opinions on how to select the best products, based on published evidence and my own clinical experience. Here are my best tips on how to select the ideal multivitamin for you.

Do you need a multivitamin?

Quick summary: These are the multivitamin supplements I recommend from Healthspan, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

The official government line is that we can get all the vitamins and minerals we need from our food, with the exception of vitamin D during autumn and winter, and folic acid during early pregnancy.

While diet should always come first, national surveys consistently show that few people get all the nutrients they need from their food. Even when average intakes appear fine, an average is only an average and some are getting more while others are getting less than the recommended amounts. I’ve analysed many people’s diets and have not yet found anyone who obtains all the vitamins and minerals they need from their food alone. One person who was confident of success did have an impressive intake of vitamin C but was low on magnesium, selenium and vitamin E.

A scientific review of over 150 clinical trials published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirmed that lack of many vitamins is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, some cancers, birth defects, osteoporosis, bone fractures and other major chronic health problems.  And, while they emphasised the importance of not overdosing, the authors stated in an accompanying editorial that ‘Pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomised trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements.’

While diet should always come first, a good multivitamin and mineral supplement acts as a nutritional safety net, especially for those who are:
• cutting back on food intake to lose weight or for other health reasons
• avoiding certain foods such as eggs, dairy or wheat, due to intolerances
• following a mainly plant-based diet and avoiding meat or other animal products
• planning a baby
• over the age of 50 – when absorption of certain nutrients starts to decline.

Multivitamins and age

One of the most important factors in selecting a multivitamin is your age. This is especially vital for children, who need different levels of ingredients at different stages of growth, and for older adults as your need for many vitamins and minerals increases from middle-age onwards. This is partly because your metabolism needs more to function at the same efficiency as in your youth, and partly because of reduced production of stomach acids and intestinal juices. Known as hypochlorhydria, this slows the absorption of certain nutrients, especially B vitamins and calcium. At the same time, you make four times less vitamin D in your skin by the time you are in your 60s, than you did in your 220s. You will usually benefit from a supplement providing lower levels of iron, however, as excess appears to be detrimental to long-term good health.

Multivitamins and quality

Ensure your chosen supplement is made to pharmaceutical standards to ensure the product is checked at every stage of production for purity and consistency of dose.

In the UK, compliance with GMP regulations is assessed by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees compliance with regulations relating to the Dietary Supplement Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) for quality control.

Either check the manufacturer’s website for a GMP statement or Google the manufacturer’s name plus the term ‘GMP’ or ‘Good Manufacturing Practice’.

These standards ensure that every stage of production is documented, all raw materials are tested to confirm their identity and purity, and that finished products are tested to ensure they contain the right amounts of each ingredient.

Most little-known, value ranges are not produced to GMP standards as these processes significantly increase manufacturing costs.

Multivitamin labels

Look at the labels to see how each supplement compares. The level of vitamins and minerals present in each supplement is described in terms of how they contribute to your daily needs.

In the US, labels show the percentage of the Daily Value (DV) provided, while in the EU the term used is the Nutrient Reference Value (NRV).

These values are set in an attempt to define the needs of almost all the adult population although different criteria are used in different countries.

Multivitamin ingredients

The best supplements will provide micronutrients in the most bioavailable form. Vitamin E is most active in the natural, d-alpha tocopheryl form, rather than as the synthetic form, dl-alpha tocopheryl. Similarly, vitamin D is best absorbed as vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which is 20% – 40% more effective in maintaining your blood vitamin D levels than the vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) form.

Minerals that are chelated with amino acids are also better absorbed, although these tend to be more expensive and you need a greater amount to obtain the same quantity of elemental mineral (as the amino acid part is relatively heavy).

As well as ingredients that are present, those that are absent are just as important. For example, are you looking for a supplement that is designed as vegetarian or vegan friendly, or which is gluten, yeast, lactose or dairy free? Is it free from added sugar or artificial sweeteners? This may not matter to you, but many people prefer to avoid aspartame, for example, and to avoid sugar in children’s chewable multivitamins to protect their teeth.

Are the tablets/capsules foil-sealed for freshness? When buying more than a few month’s worth of tablets/capsules at a time, this will retain the nutritional quality of the vitamins for longer, by reducing deterioration through contact with air.

Finally, check the use by date. Supplements that are nearing the end of their shelf life typically contain lower levels of vitamins due to their natural degradation. Manufacturers add an ‘overage’ to ensure their stated levels are still present by the time the product expires. Once the use-by-date is past, you are better off ditching the product and replacing it.

Children’s multivitamins

A children’s formula will usually provide around 50% to 70% of the daily vitamins needed by children aged 3 to 12. Only give supplements to children who are old enough to chew properly to avoid choking.

Adult multivitamins

A basic adult multivitamin formula will provide the most important vitamins (A, B group, C, D, E, folic acid) plus key minerals such as copper, iodine, manganese and zinc, at up to 100% of the recommended daily amount (DV/NRV). Calcium and magnesium are usually present in lower quantities to avoid creating a one-a-day pill the size of a toy car.

A complete A to Z formula will typically include all the important micronutrients, including vitamin K, selenium, boron, chromium and molybdenum. These are often too large to create a single tablet or capsule, and the recommended dose may be two or more a day. Some are specifically aimed at men, and some at women.

An enhanced multivitamin formula usually combine boosted amounts of certain vitamins and minerals with additional ingredients such as probiotic bacteria (to aid digestion), bioflavonoids (as antioxidants and to boost absorption) or herbal extracts (eg ginseng, ginkgo). These top-line formulas tend to cost more as they include more expensive ingredients, such as chelated minerals, or food-state ingredients that are better absorbed and used in the body – a factor known as bioavailability.

Targeted multivitamin formulas are designed to meet a particular health need, such as overcoming tiredness, boosting energy, helping to lower blood pressure, or to support heart function. These tend to lack other vitamins and minerals that do not contribute to the stated health problem they are designed to meet.

Vegetarian and vegan multivitamins

People who follow a plant-based diet may sometimes find it difficult (although not impossible) to obtain particular nutrients from their food, such as vitamin B12, zinc and iron.

Ingredients for vegetarian and vegan multivitamins are sourced from mineral salts, plant extracts, algae, yeasts and from bacterial fermentation.

Pregnancy multivitamins

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the need for many vitamins and minerals increases. At the same time, your appetite may be reduced by nausea and feelings of exhaustion and bloating during the early weeks. Good nutrition with optimal intakes of vitamins and minerals is vital to help nourish the growing baby whose cells are dividing rapidly.

Good supplies of folic acid are especially important to help reduce the risk of certain abnormalities known as neural tube defects. Folic acid is best started before you try to conceive and is included in preconceptual supplements that are designed to help boost fertility.

Multivitamins designed for use during pregnancy will also include folic acid and, if they include vitamin A, this will be in the form of betacarotene or mixed carotenoids, rather than in the retinol form (excess of which has been linked with certain developmental problems).

The long-chain omega-3 essential fatty acid, DHA, is important for the baby’s developing brain. This is also included in many pregnancy supplements. Avoid omega-3 fish oils not designed for pregnancy, as these may contain too much of another essential fatty acid, EPA, which is less beneficial during pregnancy due to its blood thinning action. Similarly, avoid cod liver oil (and other liver products) during pregnancy as the retinol vitamin A they contain is best avoided during pregnancy unless medically indicated for a proven deficiency.

Vitabiotics’ Pregnacare is the supplement I took throughout both my pregnancies – including one with twins. They provide 19 vitamins and minerals, including recommended amounts of folic acid and boosted levels of vitamin D, B vitamins, iron and zinc. Pregnacare provides vitamin A in the form of mixed carotenoids.

Multivitamins for the over 50s

Multivitamins aimed at people aged 50+ typically provide 150% to 200% of the RDA/NRV for key nutrients, especially B vitamins to account for reduced intestinal absorption. They often contain additional beneficial ingredients such as antioxidant bioflavonoids or herbal extracts, such as ginkgo, that offer age-related benefits. These formulas also tend to contain less iron.

Menopause multivitamins are formulated for women going through the ‘change of life’ and tend to focus on providing bone-friendly nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin K and boron, plus soy isoflavones which provide a useful plant hormone boost.

Multivitamins for the over 70s

Multivitamins designed for people aged 70+ are becoming increasingly popular. These multivitamins typically offers 200% to 300% of the key nutrients which you absorb less efficiently in later life.

These multivitamins tend to provide more vitamin D, B vitamins, and ingredients such as antioxidants such as alpha lipoic acid, l-carnitine or coenzyme Q10 that are beneficial for ageing cells.

Some multivitamins for the over 70s also contain additional herbal ingredients in small amounts, such as Siberian ginseng for energy and immunity, or Ginkgo biloba extracts to aid memory.

Chewable Multivitamins

One of the nicest ways to take supplements is as tasty, chewable pastilles, gummies or tablets, which give you something to look forward to every day. While chewable multivitamins are likely to contain a small amount of sugar, or a sweetener such as xylitol to make them palatable, they are rapidly growing in popularity.

Avoid multivitamin megadoses

High intakes of certain vitamins and minerals are just as harmful as not enough. Nutritional scientists have identified tolerable upper safe levels (USLs or ULs) for long-term intakes of many vitamins and minerals. As with the recommended daily amounts, these differ slightly from country to country.

Mega-doses are best avoided except under the advice of a nutritional therapist or healthcare professional to treat a proven, severe nutritional deficiency.

Do not exceed recommended doses. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, only take supplements designed for use at these times, as excess vitamin A (including that found in cod liver oil) may be harmful.

What do you take?

Do you take a multivitamin and mineral supplement? Which brand did you select and how did you decide on it? Was it the price, because it was produced by a trusted manufacturer, because someone recommended it, or because it targeted your particular needs? Do leave a comment below as I’m interested to know your thoughts.

Image credit: maxxyustas/bigstock


About Dr Sarah Brewer

QUORA EXPERT - TOP WRITER 2018 Dr Sarah Brewer MSc (Nutr Med), MA (Cantab), MB, BChir, RNutr, MBANT, CNHC qualified from Cambridge University with degrees in Natural Sciences, Medicine and Surgery. After working in general practice, she gained a master's degree in nutritional medicine from the University of Surrey. Sarah is a registered Medical Doctor, a registered Nutritionist and a registered Nutritional Therapist. She is an award winning author of over 60 popular self-help books and a columnist for Prima magazine.

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106 thoughts on “The Best Multivitamin Supplements

  • John

    I take multivitality 70 plus.in last 9 months I have joint pain in shoulders & Hips. ARTHRITIS ? is it possible Mulyivitality 70 is causing this?

  • Lesley

    Hi Dr. Brewer.
    My mother in law is 88 years of age,and my father in law 93. She has dementia. At the moment they both have severe colds, and my mum in law is not eating much. I wondered if Healthspan Multivitality 70+ would be the best supplement for them to take at this time.
    I would be most grateful for any advice.
    Kind regards,Lesley.

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Lesley, a multivitamin and mineral supplement can help to safeguard against nutritional deficiencies. Pelargonium is the most effective treatment I’ve come across for treating colds, but sucking zinc acetate lozenges is also effective. Hope they feel better soon – do contact their doctor if you are at all concerned as colds can lead to chest infections in older people. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Kevin

    Dr Brewer,
    I am age attained 60 years and take a cod liver oil capsule (1000mg) and a vitamin C soluble tablet (1000mg) once a day – both Aldi brand.
    I am concerned at their cheapness (hence effectiveness) and wondered whether I would be better off taking a better quality daily multi-vitamin tablet instead.
    What course of action would you recommend?
    Many thanks- Kevin

  • Tony

    Dr Brewer, thank you very much for your reply. I will get some Multivitality 70+ as you suggest. Reading some of the other excellent posts, perhaps I should also have added that I recently, both within the last 6 weeks had a TURP procedure and a prostate biopsy which had a good result and also bunion and foot surgery meaning I can’t put any weight on my right foot for around 8 weeks. Are there also any other supplements you might recommend to speed up the healing process for my foot?

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Tony, I hope you are making a good recovery. Ensuring a healthy diet is key for healing, with lots of fruit and veg for vitamin C, and a protein source with each meal. A rub-on cream called comfrey is often recommended for bone healing – it’s traditional name is ‘knitbone’. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Tony

    Dr Brewer, I’m a 71 year old male, fairly fit and would like to take some multivitamin supplements. Up to now I’ve been taking Doterra lifelong vitality pack 6 tablets a day (2 of each) but they are rather expensive so I’m looking for something a bit cheaper. I’m looking at Vita Biotics Wellman 70+ or Healthspan Multivitality 70 plus. Do you have a preference for either? Thanks very much in advance
    Regards
    Tony

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Tony I act as a medical adviser to Healthspan and know that their multivitamins are made to a pharmaceutical standard known as GMP. I helped formulate Multivitality 70+ and believe it is an excellent option. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Tan

    Hi Dr Brewer. I am a mid 50’s male and have had a total colectomy for over 30 years plus bi-lateral hip replacements. What do you think of the Boots A-z vitamin supplements and Focival? I am also a type 2 diabetic on tablets and been on warfarin for over 25 years.

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Tan, Forceval is a good brand and is made to a pharmaceutical standard known as GMP. Boots supplements are popular but I was unable to easily find out whether or not they are made to GMP. When on warfarin, it’s important to ensure you remain on the same dose of vitamin K if switching brands or this might affect your INR result until you are restabilised on a new intake. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Tracy

    Hi, great site! I have a gastric band, active for over 10 years now. Recently have good restriction on intake, (lost 4 stone in 4 months) so hardly eating much and notice my hair fall-out is quite bad. Due to gastric band, swallowing pills is not ideal. I have started taking Centrum multivitamin fruity chewable’s. Would there be something better to help hair not fall out? and approximately how long will I have to take the supplement vitamins for it to help stop my hair falling out so bad? Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. Tracy

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Tracy, There are liquid supplements for supporting skin hair and nails, such as LQ Liquid Health. It will take a few months for new hair to grow through if a nutritional deficiency was the underlying cause (eg iron – your doctor can test for this if you also feel tired and could have anaemia). I also recommend the Plantur 39 range of caffeine shampoo productsfor women who are losing hair as a result of menopause. Hope that helps, best wishes, Sarah B

  • Paula

    Hi, I hope you can help. I am looking for a high quality multivitamin with iron. I am 48 years old. I have a B12 deficiency which I receive B12 injections every 3 months. I have chronic fatigue which is ment to improve with the injections but I am not noticing much difference. My iron level is on the low side and my nurse has suggested taking a multivitamin with iron to see if this helps improve my energy levels. There is so many different products. I assume the cheaper ones will not provide enough of the vitamin. Can you suggest something I can buy in UK.

  • Nicola

    Hi doctor Sarah
    I am 33 years old and the last 6 months have suffered terribly with PMS before and after my monthly cycle, almost like I don’t get a break from the symptoms of PMS.
    I have been advised to try wellwoman vitamins which include evening primrose and Starflower oil to help relieve symptoms.
    Can you advise me if these are a good choice to start taking? I have also been told that they contain alot of synthetic substance, I don’t think this is correct but can you advise me?
    Thanks a lot
    Nicly

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Nicola, PMS symptoms should stop promptly once menstruation starts, so it’s worth seeing your doctor to check the diagnosis and find out what else could be causing your problems – you may have menstrual magnificatin of another problem if it is lasting continuously. I have a post on Best Supplements for PMS which includes a symptom tracker ou can download and print to help your doctor work out what is going on. Further down that post is information on symptoms and causes of PMS. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Polly

    Hello Dr Brewer. As a 71year old woman I am thinking of taking a multivitamin supplement such as Healthspan’s Mutivitality 70 plus, mainly because as a fibromyalgia sufferer I have gradually lost my appetite for main meals and very much like your previous correspondent I tend to have porridge, toast and sandwiches with just the occasional stab at a cooked meal. It appears to be common in the fibro community. My question is – as I already take a number of supplements to address the symptoms of the fibro, i.e. vitamins B12 and D3 in high strengths, as well as magnesium, malic acid and turmeric, plus calcium/d3 on prescription (osteopinia) would I then be in danger of overdosing on any of these?

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Polly, I have a post on the best supplements for fibromyalgia on my nutritional medicine website. B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin d and ubiquinol coenzyme Q10 are key, and turmeric is good for pain. You can check whether or not the multivitamin you add in will take you over the . For vitamin B12, the upper safe level is 2,000 mcg (2 mg) per day, while for vitamin D3 it is 100mcg (4,000 IU). For magnesium, taking more than 400mg can have a laxative effect (not always a bad thing!) and you may find that a magnesium oil spray to rub into the skin works better to top up your magnesium. Hope that helps – certainly it’s important to avoid lack of other vitamins and minerals which can cause listlessless, dry skin and contribute to fatigue. There are some excellent pain relieving devices available, too. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Pauline

    Hello, I’m a 67 year old lady with severe C.O.P.D. The disease suddenly became dramatically worse, causing lack of appetite and a weight loss of nearly two stone. My appetite is better now but main meals over-face me. I tend to eat something-on-toast or porridge/cereals. Could you recommend a suitable vitamin and mineral supplement please? A blood test showed that I am anaemic. I am going into Hospital for an iron infusion, soon. Thank you in advance, Pauline

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Pauline, Sorry to hear you’ve been so ill. You are likely to benefit from a full specturm multivitamin that includes iron. Not many do, but you could try Sanatogen A-Z Complete Multivitamin, for example. Another option is to take a multivitamin that doesn’t contain iron such as Alive! Max3 Daily Multivitamin, or Pharmaton Vitality (which also includes ginseng) and to get your iron tablets separately from a supplement such as Floradix which also provides additional B vitamins for energy. Do check with your doctor before starting an iron supplement, however. If you are clinically anaemic, then perhaps your doctor could prescribe them? I hope you feel better soon. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Balbinder

    Hi, I am a 46 year old lady who was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I have had a craniotomy and radiotherapy. Soon I will be starting P C V chemotherapy. My consultant said I could take a multi vitamin , please could you advise which brands are good and omega 3 please which are also ok. Is there any other beneficial supplements for me, I need gluten free please

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Balbinder, Select a multivitamin or omega-3 that is made to a pharmaceutical standard known as GMP. You can usually find this by googling the name of the brand plus ‘GMP’ or by inputting eg ‘multivitamin GMP’ via Amazon. The supplement write up will confirm if they are gluten free. Best wishes for successful treatment. Sarah B

  • Amy

    Hi!! just discovered this post & it’s great!:) my questions;
    1) what do you think is best form for supplement? pills, effervescents, granules, gummy bears etc
    ( I’m taking effervescents for many years but now some news say they raise chance for heart/brain stroke 20x!x,x facepalm
    2) also arhritic!:) would like to hear your opinion is there anything that can make my joints less stiff & more flexible?x,x:)

    thank you!

  • Melanie

    I don’t take them at the moment as I have been quite sceptical about them but my doctor has recommended them so I am investigating which ones are considered to be the best or best for me

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Melanie, Is there a reason why your doctor has recommended them? Do you need/choose to follow a restricted diet, or do you have symptoms that might be due to a vitamin and mineral deficiency, or which might respond to certain supplements (such as high blood pressure)?

  • KAREN

    Hi. I am a 47 yr old female going in for open heart surgery very soon. I’m looking to take something to help keep all these nasty colds and other virus at bay as I don’t want to catch anything before or after my operation, and for a fast healing recovery

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Karen, It’s important to seek advice from your doctor/surgeon/anaesthetist as some of the herbal medicines used to prevent/treat colds can interact with drugs used during surgery and may, for example, thin the blood too much. In general, taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement plus additional vitamin D is likely to get their approval (as these will correct any nutritional deficiency that might impair immunity), but do check with your doctors first. Wishing you all the best for a swift recovery, best wishes, Sarah B

  • Rebecca

    Hi. I have two children (3 1/2 years & 2 years). Naturally with children attending nursery there is always an illness of one sort or another around. I’m looking for a multivitamin for them to take to give their systems a boost as we have had variety of illnesses since sept 2017 and specifically my youngest has just finished his 10th course of antibios this year for recurrent ear infections. Any suggestions appreciated (I’ve tried abidec but they refuse due to the taste). Thanks

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Rebecca, The Department of Health recommend all children aged six months to 5 years are given supplements providing vitamins A, C and D every day. I helped to develop Healthspan’s MultiVitality Children’s Gummy Bears which are sugar free chewables for children aged over 3 years (the age cut off is due to potential choking risk, although other brands often say from 2 upwards – it does depend on the child). These provide vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D3, E, K1, biotin and folic acid – in orange, lemon and raspberry flavoured bears and taste really good. Otherwise, Nordic Berries taste good and are aimed at childen aged 2+ and provide vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D3, biotin, E plus zinc. Another option is nutrigen vitamxin sprinkles which you add to food and can be used from ages 7 months up to 13 years. A probiotic will help to replenish healthy digestive bacteria wiped out by the antibiotics. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Akash

    Hello Sir/mam
    I am looking for pure natural multivitamin brand for
    men below 50age & above 50age.
    Also for women. Can you please suggest me some good brands ?

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Akash, Best advice is to select a product made to GMP standards, such as Healthspan or NuU in the UK, and Vimerson Health or Dr Tobias in the US. Otherwise, the supplements I@ve highlighted in this post are all excellent quality. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Shariefa

    Hello Dr Sarah,
    my brother has classical hodgkin lymphoma, I read that salvestrol platinum pills + omega 3 + A-Z multivitamins can be good plan for him, I would like to ask you for advice , please , what do you think can be good for him to take ?
    Thank you

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Shariefa, Diet should always come first, although a multivitamin and omega-3 can help to correct any deficiencies due to poor appetite or restricted intakes. It’s important that your brother seeks personal and individually tailored advice from a dietician or experienced nutritional therapist in consultation with his doctor. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, but do help your brother makes an excellent recovery. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Chris

    Hi Sarah,

    Such a Great article. Do you have any recommendations on a multivitamin but in a desolvable/Effervescent format?

    I’m a cancer survivor and my specialist has recommend I take a multivitamin on a daily basis but I struggle with tablets.

    Because I have had chemo and radiotherapy when I was treated I’m struggling with fatigue and also need to get my energy levels up.

    I have only just been diagnosed as clear but had some very harsh treatment where I lost quite a lot of weight and my fitness deteriorated so looking for something to get me out and about again and shake this fatigue off.

    I’m 42 years old if that helps.

    Thanks I’m advance x

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Chris, One of the nicest ways to take multivitamins is in gummy formula, although these – and effervescents – tend to focus on vitamins rather than minerals. Some contain sugar and some artificial sweeteners, so this may put you off. Effervescents tend to have a high sodium content so best avoided – esepcially if your blood pressure is raised. Liquid formulas are another option although the flavours can be a challenge. A relatively new supplement by includes more vitamins and minerals than I’ve seen on most other liquids and doesn’t taste too bad – can be diluted in juice if needed. It’s aimed at aged 50 plus but don’t let that put you off – a version is available for men and a different one for women. You may also benefit from an immune boosting probiotic supplement after all you have been through. I hope that helps. Best wishes, Sarah B

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Serkan, Diet should always come first, but it’s worth taking a gold standard A-Z style multivitamin If you are in competition, you will need a brand that is Informed Sport accredited (checked to ensure they only contain sports’ permitted ingredients). If you are in the UK, then Healthspan Elite is a leading brand.You can find other Informed Sport certified products HERE. For strength training, protein supplements are popular to help build muscle. Cherry juice has been found to reduce muscle damage and improve muscle recovery after exercise. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Joyce

    Are you sponsored by these companies; as you are paid to put them here in this article – ?!
    I take Isotonix which addresses absorption as a delivery method-
    Drinking the supplement which goes directly to the stomach makes sure you absorb all that you need rather than a pill that ends up as mostly urine!
    Thoughts 🙂

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Joyce, No I am not paid or sponsored by these companies to write about them in my posts. The only funding to cover my costs and time comes from my Amazon affiliate links and google ads. I am open and transparent about this in my side bar notice, and in my Affiliate Disclosure page. I earn pennies for doing this but want to share my professional knowledge as a medical nutritionist. I am not familiar with Isotonix but they look expensive. Don’t believe all the marketting hype you read. Whether you take a multivitamin as a liquid or as a tablet it will still arrive directly in the stomach where it is broken down by stomach acid and enzymes to form a slurry. This passes into the small intestines where it is absorbed. Most people who produce sufficient levels of stomach acid will not have any problem with absorption. In order to end up in the urine the micronutrients must, by definition, have been absorbed into the circulation first to travel to the kidneys! If there are problems with absorption, then a spray that allows you to absorb micronutrients across the mouth lining is the best solution. Hope that helps. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Jonathan Brown

    Hello Sarah
    Thanks for an interesting and informative article.
    I just wondered – do you have any evidence that Boots ‘A-Z Complete Vitamins & Minerals’ are significantly less beneficial than Centrum and Multibionta? (The Boots tablets contain 100% of the NRV for all vitamins apart from vitamin A (50%) and for six6 out of ten minerals.) Im asking because they’re far cheaper!
    Thanks
    Jonny

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Jonathan, No, I don’t have any evidence that one is better than the other. Centrum tends to have the widest range of minerals. Multibionta has the addition of probiotics – it depends what you are looking for. If the ingredients are the same, then Boots is a trusted brand. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • MS

    Hi Dr Brewer,

    I have bought quite a few supplements recently to help my son (age 13) and myself as we both have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
    It has been hard finding supplements my son can tolerate (such as di-ribose made him feel nauseous), a multivitamin (biocare) had a horrible smell which he hated, some tablets (such as the Co-enzyme Q10) he couldn’t swallow and for NAC (we tried PharmaNAC as after research it seemed the most effective) he didn’t like it being effervescent as again it made him feel unwell.
    Do you have a recommendation for a Co-Q10 that would be in liquid form or chewing?
    And any recommendations for how to take NAC so that it is still in a useful form?

    Thanks for any advice, from
    MS

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      The best liquid ubiquinol available via a dropper to add to food is unfortunately a silly price on Amazon US and Amazon UK. My general advice for overcoming tiredness all the time is here in case it helps (eg could it be carbon monoxide exposure as two of you are affected?). For NAC I usually reocmmend the Swanson version Amazon US and Amazon UK. Good intakes of magnesium and B vitamins are also important and there is growing evidence for probiotics in playing a role in gut-brain interactions that can affect mood and fatigue. BioCare have an interesting product, MitoGuard Intensive which combines B vits, magnesium, D-ribose, CoQ10 and NAC in sachets with a blackcurrant flavour which may solve the problem if he likes the taste. These are available from Amazon US and Amazon UK. I hope that helps. Best wishes, Sarah B

  • Hilda

    Thank you so much for your reply. I will get some Co Q10 and 5-HTP. I am on no medications from GP except for low dose Bisoprolol for blood pressure. Thank you so much for your time. Hilda

  • Hilda

    Hello Dr Brewer. I am a 64 year old lady. I suffer with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and my muscles hurt constantly. I take a Healthspan multivitamin and their joint synergex and magnesium.Is there anything else I could add to the regime that may help energy levels and my sleep patterns. Many thanks for your time in anticipation of your reply. Hilda

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hello Hilda, Following a gluten-free diet has helped in some cases, and is worth trying to see if symptoms improve. Magnesium supplements are good to continue, as research suggests that disturbances in calcium-magnesium flow in and out of cells may be involved. Similarly, co-enzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) can improve energy production in cells so they function better. People with fibromyalgia have low serotonin levels and sleep disturbances which can respond to 5-HTP. This helps to boost the production of melatonin, the body’s natural sleep hormone, and appears to extend the amount of time spent in REM (rapid eye movement, or dreaming) sleep so you wake feeling more refreshed. Some research also suggests that 5-HTP helps to improve pain, number of tender points, morning stiffness, sleep patterns, anxiety and fatigue. I hope that helps, best wishes, Sarah B

  • Sachin

    Hi Sarah.. I am 33 years old men and I am vegetarian as well and avoid green vegetables as well as they don’t have good taste. Can you advise me any multivitamin which is good for me, I also don’t drink alcohol and do smoke. Suggest me some best options. Thanks

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Sachin, Diet should always come first so aim to eat as many other fruit and veg as possible, and get protein and micronutrients from pulses, nuts and seeds. Adding kale or spinach etc to smoothies is a great way to get them without noticing the flavour. There are good multivitamins aimed at vegetarians, such as Solgar Formula VM-75 (Amazon UK or Amazon US). If you are in the UK, another option is Healthspan Multivitality for Vegetarians (for whom I act as a nutritional consultant). Hope that helps, Sarah B

  • Sonia Boulton

    Hi Sarah. I’m 37 years old and just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine. My GP has told be an also anemic and have a vitamin D and calcium deficiency.
    I’m looking at multivitamins But to be honest I’m at a complete lose!
    I have no idea what I should be taking.
    Oh and I’m also due to have an operation to have my gall bladder removed, I’m not sure if that makes a difference to what multivitamin I should or should not take.
    Your advise would be greatly appreciated.
    Regards Sonia

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Sonia, Poor you – lots to cope with. Has your GP prescribed calcium and vitamin D if you are deficient? If he or she has identified a clinical need then they should be prepared to provide this for you. I have some info on gallstones and diet on my Nutritional Medicine website here and info on diet and arthritis here. There is also info on vitamin D and calcium. Diet should always come first, but a good A-Z multivitamin and mineral is a good idea (though these on their own won’t provide much calcium as it would make the tablet too big). Simply drinking an extra pint of milk per day (low fat or semi-skimmed is fine) will provide an impressive 720mg per day calcium. There is more info on this in my post on diet and osteoporosis. I would also suggest taking vitamin K2 as this helps to ensure calcium goes to the right place in the body (ie your bones) rather than your arteries. Regarding the anemia – is this iron deficiency? Do you avoid any particular foods or are you cutting back to lose weight? Check out those links, then get back to me with any additional questions. Hope that helped. Sarah B

  • Mandy

    Hi Sarah, Thank you for a very detailed article, I have a teenage son has lot of allergies from pollen to nuts. And is asthmatic. He is always sneezing , Basically I have changed everything in my house and is on all medication. I was wondering if there is any vitamin you recommend that could help with his allergies. Also I am in early fifties and vegetarian,I feel very tired I was wondering if Veganicity multi vitamin good enough.

    Many thanks

    Regards

    Mandy

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      An important nutritional approach for atopic conditions such as asthma is to balance the omega3 and omega6 fats in the diet. There is some info here. Identifying food intolerances and cutting back on foods containing sulfites, salicyulates, tartrazine, benzoate and MSG can also help. Fruit and veg supply antioxidants such as vitamin C & E, and magnesium which reduces airway reactivity. Pycnogenols has an antihistamine action. I’ve covered these nutritional approaches in my book on Overcoming Asthma (on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com).If you feel tired all the time its important to see your doctor to identify any underlying medical causes, and to exclude iron deficiency, B12/folate deficiency, thyroid problems and to check your glucose level. If all tests are normal, then a multivitamin might help. My free eBook Do You Need A Multivitamin is available at this link: http://nutritionupdates.subscribemenow.com/ best wishes, Sarah B

  • MANISH CHAWLA

    Hi Sarah
    This is Manish chawla from INDIA.
    I have started taking multivitamin/minerals tabs just about 10 days back.
    My query to you is
    I have started losing weight since day3 of taking these tabs.Is that normal and why does this happen.I am actually worried that whether this is some kind of negative effect on my body.
    I am using NUTRILITE DAILY.What is your feedback and rating for NUTRILITE DAILY about its quality and effectiveness.
    After i have started taking these tabs i frequently feel hungry every 2-3 hours .Altough i eat a good breakfast at 10 am with 2 boiled eggs+peanut butter toast+1 chapatui still i ffel hungryafter2-3 hrs.Then i have nuts at around 1pm(5 almonds+cashewnuts and other nuts).However i again feel hungry at around 3 pm.Is this normal bcoz before starting these tabs i used to eat only 3 normal VEG meals.
    I HAVE BEEN GOING FOR MORNING JOG REGULARLY FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS.

    To guage the effects of these tablets on the body,initially how long do you think one must take these tabs ie 15 daysor 20 days or 1 month.
    Is it true that to absorb MACRONUTRIENTS you need MICRONUTRIENTS.

    Waiting for your suugestion and advice.

    Thanks
    Manish

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi Manish, If you have not changed anything else in your diet then you would not expect to lose weight by taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement. Have you cut back on eating? If weight loss continues, do seek advice from your doctor.

      • MANISH CHAWLA

        No Sarah i havent cut back on eating.
        BUT yes i did make a change in my eating habits ie before starting these tabs i used to take threee full meals ie Breafst then lunch after about 5 hrs and then dinner after 4 hrs from Lunch.
        Also i would admit that i was overweight considering my age and height.My weight was almost 90 kgs which now after about 15 days of starting tabs must be 86-87 kg.
        I have read that due to these tabs your metabolism gets activated and you may loose some addational weight.Is that true.
        I would request you to please also advise on my other queries as below

        1)I am using NUTRILITE DAILY.What is your feedback and rating for NUTRILITE DAILY about its quality and effectiveness.

        2)To to able to take a decision ehether the effects of these tablets on the body are positive or not,initially how long do you think one must take these tabs ie 15 daysor 20 days or 1 month ie what is the minimum time required for these tabs to actually bring some changes in the body which can be felt.

        3)Is it true that to absorb MACRONUTRIENTS you need MICRONUTRIENTS.

        Please reply.

      • MANISH CHAWLA

        Sorry Sarah i forgot tom mention the change in my eating habit.
        When i started taking these tabs alongwith it i also started taking short meals instead of 3 full meals.
        I started having breakfst at 10 am then a small cup of nuts at 1 pm in office then 2 chapatis and vegetable at 3pm then boiled chickpeas at 6pm and finally 2 chapatis with vegetable at dinner at 9 pm.
        I HAVE ALSO STARTED EATING A LOT OF NUTS AFTER STARTING THESE TABS

      • MANISH CHAWLA

        SARAH
        I would also like to mention that i can makeout that there has been a reduction on my bellyfat since my belly has become somewhat flat after i started taking these tabs and nuts.

      • Dr Sarah Brewer

        Great. If you need information on the symptoms that can occur from vitamin or mineral deficiencies, you can obtain my free eBook: Do You Need A MultiVitamin? via this link

      • Dr Sarah Brewer

        Hi Manish, If you have cut back on food intake to lose weight then your approach is clearly working. It’s definitely a good idea to take a multivitamin when eating less to avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies. I was not previously familiar with Nutrilite Daily, but it appears to provide useful amounts of 22 key micronutrients. Taking a multivit is often a leap of faith – if you have symptoms such as tiredness, lethargy, poor immunity etc it can take a while to correct these and you may not initially feel much different. I usually suggest 3 months as a good trial period. To absorb and extract energy from macronutrients and use them to make new building blocks you do need micronutrients. Some macronutrients can affect the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals however.

      • MANISH CHAWLA

        sarah
        Thanks for your expert guidance.
        I have read and heard that a multivitamin pill should be taken with a meal preferably breakfast.
        Any specific reason for that.
        In the morning after getting up and just before i go for my morning jog ,is it advisable to take the multivitamin pill then.
        Please advise.

      • Dr Sarah Brewer

        Vitamin and mineral supplements are usually best taken immediately after food (just four bites of food or a glass of juice will do). If you have not eaten for more than 20 minutes, don’t take your supplements. Wait until you have a snack/juice and take them then. If taken on an empty stomach, some can make you feel sick or cause indigestion. Wash supplements down with water or orange juice. Don’t take them with coffee or tea, as these may interfere with absorption. Fat soluble substances (eg co-enzyme Q10, evening primrose oil, fish oils, vitamins A, D, E, K) should ideally be taken with food containing some fat (eg milk).Where taking two or more capsules of the same preparation a day, spread these out over the day, if possible, to maximise absorption and obtain more even blood levels. If you take a one-a-day vitamin and mineral supplement, it is usually best taken after your evening meal rather than with breakfast. This is because repair processes and mineral movements in your body are greatest at night when growth hormone is secreted. A day’s dose is better taken at the time you are most likely to remember, however. Don’t feel you have to follow any strict regime if you find difficulty remembering to take supplements at a certain time, or if they do not fit in with your particular lifestyle.

      • MANISH CHAWLA

        i have been taking the pill for the last 15 days alongwith breakfast but if taking it just before morning jog has any addational advantages in terms of absorbtion and digestion then i would definately love to do that.
        Please advise

      • Dr Sarah Brewer

        Exercise slows absorption from the gut as blood is diverted away to the muscles, so best to continue taking your multivit wiht breakfast.

  • Roopesh

    Hi Dr.Sarah
    My wife and I turned to eating a plant based diet for the past 6months now.

    Yes, it was a challenge to cut out the meat and chicken, but for personal reasons, we feel it’s the right thing to do.

    Anyway, we also, don’t take in milk that much and rather opt for almond or coconut milk as substitute.

    My question here, is the ‘Multivitality for Vegs” ideal for us to take or should we try this in conjunction with something else.

    Around 3 o clock in the afternoon, we feel run down.We really want something to help us survive the day.

    Thanks for reading our request.
    Regards
    Roopesh

  • Nikola

    Helo. This is a very informative article. I have been vegan for almost ten years and over that time I had to take many supplements to supplement my vitamin and mineral levels. I purposely avoided taking a multivitamin because I thought that they were useless compared to a supplement of a single vitamin. I am thinking of switching to a strong multivitamin pill instead. Can you please tell me is Healthspans MultiVitality for vegetarians good for vegans as well? Thank you.

  • Roger Hill

    As I get older, my health becomes a bigger issue. I realize I am not as indestructible as I thought I was. Your site provided great insight into what I should do. Definitely increasing Vitamin D and will read labels and pick a general supplement. Centrum is well known so I’ll probably start there. Thanks for the info.

  • Blame

    Vitamins and minerals are important for the body’s natural tear and repair. I totally agree with what you are saying.

    However, there are some old people I know that refuses to take supplements because they believe they are unnatural and lean towards the “medicine” category.

    You know, some people just don’t like the idea of “taking medicine all the time”. Do you think it’s appropriate to “crush” the supplements and mix it into their food?

    Or do you think that will destroy the potent effects of the supplements?

    • DrSarahB

      Some supplements can be crushed, but not all. Don’t think it’s a good idea to give supplements on the sly by mixing it into people’s food though! The only time I have agreed with this approach was with a patient who had dementia and simply wasn’t eating. Then we added a vitamin sprinkle mix to the little food they were getting. For older people who have made a conscious decision not to take them – best to respect that!

  • Anna

    Hi Dr. Brewer,

    Thank you so much for this fantastic article! This is something that I am very interested in as I know I definitely need vitamin supplements.

    I can never decide which one to get and I finally went with Centrum for Women. I am middle-aged and going through what women go through at this age. I’m feeling much more fatigue than I used to.

    Do you think I should stick with the Centrum or go with the One A Day Menopause Formula?

    Also, I know you mentioned expiry dates. I didn’t pay much attention to that, but after reading your article, I checked and I see that I have almost a full bottle which expired in 2015!

    It seems like such a waste to just throw it away. What do you think? Thanks so much for your help and advice in advance!

    Anna

    • DrSarahB

      Hi Anna, If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms then a supplement containing isoflavones would help – diety should always come first so eating more soy-based foods, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, flaxseeds and other source sof plant oestrogens will help, too. Supplements past their expiry dates will still contain the same mineral content, but the level of vitamins will have dropped significantly. VItamins are quite ‘delicate’ and break down – espeically if they are not individually foil-sealed in a blister pack and are exposed to air. They can also develop off flavours and discolouration as they oxidise. I would ditch them and start again. Sorry!

  • Scott Persons

    I like your article where you stated that vitamins are a supplement to a Good diet. A lot of people eat wrong and take there vitimins thinking there ok, Wrong. I personally take only natural vitamins. Super Nutrion brand. Theres no chemicals in the manufacturing. Thank you for getting the word out to inform people the importance of choosing a good quality vitamin supplement.

  • JeffWA

    Dr Brewer,
    With your vast medical knowledge I was highly engaged with all of the info that you presented in your article about the discussion of multi-vitamins.

    I trust you as opposed to some idiot ESPN sportscaster last year who made the uneducated statement during one of his radio shows that the vitamin industry is all a sham and that you “get all of the vitamins that you need eating hamburgers” and other junk food that he mentioned. It was my hope after listening to him that people ignored the empty-headed thoughts coming from his mind.

    As I am now in my late 50’s I absolutely recognize the fact that while I eat a balanced diet emphasized in your article, that in addition to that I take multi-vitamins targeted for my specific age – the Centrum Silver for men 50+ years old.

    I also daily take Omega-3 Fish oil as a supplement. These pills along with prescription medication were all highly recommended by my primary care physician.

    It’s also true as I learned back in my late 20’s and subjected to a lot of colds that overdoing some specific vitamin pills, can be harmful. I was taking extra doses of Vitamin C pills believing that it would help my immune system. Instead it led to my developing a few kidney stones, one that almost caused me to pass out after a road race.

    My doctor upon finding out what I was taking ordered me to stop immediately. I did pass the stones naturally but it was a painful process.

    You wrote the definitive article about multi-vitamins and one that should be required reading for all people interested in the subject!

    Thank you,
    Jeff

    • DrSarahB

      Hi Jeff, I hear so often that ‘you can get all you need from your food’ and while this should be true, some trace minerals simply aren’t in our food at the same level as they were just a generation ago. Vitamin C at levels of up to 1g a day is they recommended tolerable upper level for most people. But, some people have a defect in ascorbic acid or oxalate metabolism and are recurrent stone formers and should restrict daily vitamin C intakes to approximately 100 mg (as should those with renal failure). In these cases, it’s best to get vitamin C from diet alone. Unfortunately, unless there is a known family history, you may not know this applies to you until you’ve already developed a kidney stone. Not a nice experience – one of the worst pains imaginable my patients tell me.

  • Mike

    Firstly i love the design for your home page, and how easy it is to find what product you want on your site. Like the short summaries you get when you hover on the products. Very straight to the point, directing readers to go in for your best opinion and recommending them.

  • Joe

    I love your blog about health reviews. As someone who takes a multivitamin every day I really enjoyed your article about why you need one. And I do agree that diet should always come first but a good multivitamin can fill the gaps of what a diet won’t. All your tips for checking quality standards, labels, and ingredients are sound advice

  • Christian

    Hey great article! I’ve been taking multivitamins for a few years and have been trying to learn more. My biggest question is: do you recommend vitamins that are made with only organic ingredients? Sometimes I feel that the use of these vitamins may be compromised by ingredients that are made with pesticides and such…
    Thanks!

    • admin

      With multivitamins this is less of an issue, but if you are taking herbal supplements or plant extracts then some people prefer organic products. Those made to GMP standards will check for the presence of unwanted chemicals so that provides a level of reassurance.

  • Paul

    Sarah this is great information for people who are not getting enough in their system to keep them healthy. I’m young and in shape and eat cleaner than most people I know. However, I still used to catch stomach viruses and colds at least a couple times a year. But since I began taking daily vitamin supplements last year I haven’t been sick once! I really believe the extra boost is keeping my immune system as well as my whole body in near perfect shape.

    • admin

      That’s an interesting observation as even mild deficiencies of some micronutrients – especially the trace elements – can reduce immunity and the ability of white blood cells to fight infections. Research involving older people shows that those taking a multivitamin had half as many days sickness in a year, and mounted a better antibody response to vaccination. It is a leap of faith for many, however.

  • Henning

    Thanks for a thorough article on multivitamin supplements. The days of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” are gone. I try to stay informed about supplements but still learned a lot from your post.

    I know a few MLM distributors who all claim their health products and supplements are better than the regular stuff you buy in a shop. Any truth in that?

    • admin

      I’m sure some distributor’s products are fine – but ask if you are made to GMP/CGMP standard. If they don’t know what you mean then that says a lot! You also need to factor in their commission, and that of the person above them and so on. It all adds to the price – even if it is a quality product. Diet should aways come first, so spend as much as you can afford on locally grown, preferably organic produce. As a nutritional safety net a good supplement has its place and you don’t need to spend a fortune, as long as the quality is there and each dose is consistent.

  • Jenna

    Dr. Sarah, thank you for introducing multivitamin supplements that suit different age groups. I am a person who always pay importance to multivitamin supplements, I feel we should never take this lightly as we cannot take as much vitamins and minerals from our food compared to supplements.I wish to know if I am having back pain after delivering my child, which supplement will help please?

    • admin

      Hi Jenna, that will partly depend on whether or not you are breastfeeding. It’s a good idea to find out what’s causing it so do have a word with your doctor or midwife ( you may have a urinary infection for example, or . need physiotherapy, chiropractic or osteopathy to realign your pelvis. A fish oil supplement can reduce inflammation. A topical rub on treatment may be better than taking tablets – have a look at my post on topical painklling creams and gels here https://experthealthreviews.com/pain-relief-creams-gels How old is your little one?

  • Xander

    Hi there,

    I really enjoyed your post and learned a lot of new things about my vitamin supplement. I have been using Vitamins for almost a month now and have been feeling really great and healthy. I use Centrum for men and think a good brand makes a difference and is more effective than the no name brands. Thanks for the great info

  • lifebeginswithyourhealth

    Thank you for such a informative article on vitamins-minerals and supplements, you gave some very good advice on choosing these products. I like how you recommended some of your vitamins on your website, this will help a great deal for people to narrow down which vitamins they should and wish to add to their diet.

    I am dairy and gluten intolerant, so I know how important it is to choose the right supplements to get the vitamin and minerals you missing from you diet.

    • admin

      Gad you found it helpful – it’s a bit of a minefield selecting the right supplement when you’re faced with awall of brands making similar claims. Although price can be an indicator of quality, this isn’t always the case – especially when buying supplements on-line where overheads are lower. Hope my pointers are helpful.

  • Antonis Christonasis

    Really thorough breakdown of the different multivitamin supplements that exist in the market. I love it that you are trying to raise awareness on the topic. Many people don’t even realise that the suffer from a vitamin deficit. Especially interesting reccomendations tailor made to each individual’s situation.I will certainly consider some of your suggestions. Bravo!

    • admin

      Thanks Antonis. I’ve yet to find a single person who gets all the vitamins and minerals they need from their diet, and see so many people with niggling symptoms as a result. Prescrbing vitamin supplements and seeing patients perk up was how I first got interested in nutrition many moons ago.

  • Sarah

    One problem I have is that almost every single label you read will say made from and with the highest quality ingredients and standards. But even processed food claims that too. So how do you know, truly, that what you’re ingesting is quality? I always try to take multivitamins that aren’t tablets, but capsules. Because the tablets are compressed and stuck together with binders that inhibit digestion. The capsules open to a loose powder that is much easier to break down and digest. What do you think?

    • admin

      Hi Sarah, Fillers, binders and excipients play a necessary role in allowing ingredients to flow through machines rather than caking, and to provide bulk so that ingredients that are measured in tiny amounts become large enough to handle – 25 micrograms of vitamin D3, for example, is a mere speck that would be impossible to distrubute in a consistent, measured dose, even in capsules, without adding other ingredients. Fillers can also include calcium carbonate and vegetarian magnesium stearate which provide some nutrition in their own right. And the effects of binders can be overcome with disintegrants if a tablet needs to break down quickly. I find tablets easier to swallow than capsules, but don’t have strong opinions either way – it comes down to personal choice as long as the ingredients included are of consistent quality. Do you have a particular brand you favour?

  • David

    Hi Sarah. My wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about 7 years ago and, rather than the NHS-prescribed DMDs, she has opted to take an individually-tailored selection of vitamins and minerals, such as B, C, D3, E, alpha-lipoic, omega 3 fish oils, calcium and a few others.
    I would be interested in your view on supplements for certain conditions, obviously MS included!
    David

    • Dr Sarah Brewer

      Hi David, Until recently there wasn’t a lot of info about diet and supplements relating to MS, but the HOLISM study has shown how diet and lifestyle can dramatically improve quality of life. YOu can find some info on my Nutritional Medicine website, with links through the the relevant info via http://drsarahbrewer.com/diet-can-improve-multiple-sclerosis/ Hope that helps. Lots of other info on there relating to nutrition too – the site will soon by moving across to teh same platform as this one but I’m hopeful the links will transfer thanks to some behind the scenes smoke and mirror stuff!