Multivitamin Guide

How effective are
the multivitamins you take?
What are the best

multivitamin brands
on the market?
2007 Edition
The Multivitamin Guide
Vitamin supplements are becoming increasingly popular.

According to a recent national health survey, as many as 78 million
Americans use multivitamins on a regular basis.
But are you getting what youre paying for?

A study conducted at Yale New Haven Hospital tested 257 vitamin
products. Only 49 were judged as having adequate ratios of nutrients.
Find out which multivitamin products really work.
Contents:
What is the source of this information? .................................................................................. 2
How is the comparison made? .................................................................................................... 2
What are the optimal doses for each vitamin and mineral? .............................................. 3
What are the findings of the comparison?.............................................................................. 3
What is the score of the multivitamins you are taking? ..................................................... 4
Price and availability of top nutritional supplements .......................................................... 5
How do the commonly-available vitamin brands compare? .............................................. 6
Appendix A: Full list of multivitamin products and their scores ....................................... 7
Appendix B: Definition of the 14 comparison criteria........................................................13
Appendix C: Why take vitamin supplements? ......................................................................15
Appendix D: Do medical authorities recommend vitamin supplements?......................16
-1-
What is the source of this information?

The information in this document comes from the thirdedition of the Comparative Guide to Nutritional
Supplements (ISBN: 0973253800) written by Lyle
MacWilliam, BSc, MSc, FP. This is the most
comprehensive, science-based comparison of multivitamin
products published to date.
Please note that this document provides only a high level
summary of the findings of the guide. For more in-depth
information, it is recommended you purchase a copy of the
guide from www.amazon.com.
The author of the Comparative
This guide provides the most
Guide to Nutritional Supplements, comprehensive comparison of
vitamin supplements available
Lyle MacWilliam, is a respected
on the market in North America
biochemist and a former member
of Canadian Parliament. He was commissioned by the
Canadian Minister of Health to develop a new regulatory
framework to ensure people have access to safe, effective, high
quality nutritional products. This guide is the culmination of
over six years of research and analysis in this area.
Lyle MacWilliam,
BSc, MSc, FP
In this comparative study, Mr. MacWilliam identified over

1000 multivitamin formulas, which were available on the market in the United States and
Canada. He then short-listed 510 of these products for further analysis and comparison.
How is the comparison made?

Fourteen criteria were used to compare the short-listed 510 multivitamin products. The
development of each criterion was based on scientific evidence available in the latest
published medical literature. The 14 comparison criteria are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Completeness
Potency
Bioavailability
Bioactivity of Vitamin E
Cardiac Health Triad
Homocysteine Reduction Triad
Bone Health Complex
8. Antioxidant Triad
9. Glutathione Support
10. Metabolic Support
11. Bioflavonoid Profile
12. Phenolic Compound Profile
13. Lipotropic Factors
14. Potential Toxicities
For an in-depth explanation of each of the 14 comparison criteria please refer to

Appendix B. From these 14 criteria, a Product Score, based on a percentage ranking, is
calculated. A score approaching 100% represents a product that possesses those
characteristics for optimal nutrition. Conversely, a low percent score represents a product
possessing few, if any, of the characteristics for optimal nutrition.
-2-
What are the optimal doses for each vitamin and mineral?
The Blended Standard represents the optimal quantities of vitamins and minerals
individuals should be taking every day according to the latest research in the area of
nutritional supplementation. This Standard includes the 39 essential ingredients, listed in
the table below alongside with their recommended daily dose:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Vitamin A
Vitamin D3
Vitamin K*
Biotin
Folic Acid
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B3 complex
Vitamin B5
VitaminB6
Vitamin B12
beta-Carotene
Coenzyme Q10
Lipoic Acid
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Bioflavonoids (mixed)
Phenolic compounds
Procyanidolic Oligomers
7500 IU
350 IU
180 ug
200 ug
400 ug
50 mg
43 mg
75 mg
75 mg
63 mg
300 ug
12,500 IU
45 mg
35 mg
35 mg
2,000 mg
500 IU
555 mg
25 mg
75 mg
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
n-Acetyl-l-Cysteine
l-Carnitine
Choline
Inositol
Lecithin
Boron*
Calcium
Chromium
Copper
Iodine
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Molybdenum
Potassium
Selenium
Silicon
Vanadium
Zinc
56 mg
750 mg
59 mg
125 mg
350 mg
3 mg
800 mg
275 ug
2 mg
100 ug
23 mg
450 mg
7 mg
63 ug
300 mg
150 ug
8 mg
75 ug
23 mg
* Not availab le in Canadian products
What are the findings of the comparison?

After Mr. MacWilliam assessed all 510 products he assigned each of them a score from
1% to 100%, 100% being the highest. The author believed that a score of 80% and above
was commendable.
Surprisingly only 8 out of the 510 products were able to surpass this benchmark.
The products that scored above 80% are listed in the table below:
Company
USANA Health Sciences
Douglas Laboratories
Vitamin Research Products
Source Naturals
Source Naturals
FreeLife
Life Extension Foundation
Product
Essentials (U.S.)
Ultra Preventive X
Extended Plus
Life Force Multiple
Elan VitaI
Essentials (Canadian)
Basic Mindell Plus
Life Extension Mix
Score Rank
96.1%
1
95.4%
2
93.1%
3
92.8%
4
91.8%
5
90.2%
6
82.3%
7
81.4%
8
The top four manufacturers listed above - USANA Health Sciences, Douglas
Laboratories, Vitamin Research Products, and Source Naturals are considered to
set the standard for nutritional supplement quality, potency and bioavailability.
-3-
What is the score of the multivitamins you are taking?

In order to find the Product Score of the multivitamin product you are taking please refer
to Appendix A where all 510 evaluated products are listed in alphabetic order alongside
with their Product Score.
The table below provides a summary of the Product Scores of some of the more popular
vitamin brands available on the market.
Com pany
Product
Score Rank
Atkins
Bronson Laboratories
Centrum
DaVinci Laboratories
Dr. Julian W hitaker's
Equate
GNC
Herbalife
Jamieson
Kirkland Signature (Costco)
Lifestyles
Mannatech
Melaleuca
Metagenics
Nature Made
Nikken
NOW Foods
Nutrilite (Amway, Quixtar)
One A Day
Puritan's Pride
Purity Products
Safeway Select
Sundown
Rite Aid
Shaklee
Solgar
SupraLife
Thompson
TwinLab
Vitamin Power
Vitamin W orld
W algreens
YourLife
Basic #3
Performance Edge for W omen
Forte
Spectra W oman
Forward Multi-Nutrient
Complete
Mega Men's
Formula 2
Mega-Vim Level 4 Potency
Daily Multivitamin
Lifecycles for W omen
Glycentials
Vitality Pak (Mel-VIta, Mela-Cal)
Multigenics Intensive Care Formula
Essential Mega
Bio-Directed Multi-Vltamin/Mineral
Vit-Min Caps High Potency Multiple
Double X
Active
Time Release Mega Vita-Min
Perfect Multi Focus Formula
Super W omen's Multivitamin
Complete Ultra
W hole Source
Basics with Iron
Omnium
Maxum Essentials
Human Nature Green Multi
Daily One without Iron
Essentials
Power Source 100
Mega Vita Min for W omen
Ultra Choice Premium W omen
Super Multi with Herbs
46.1%
43.8%
4.7%
66.8%
74.7%
4.9%
21.1%
14.8%
9.0%
5.2%
14.5%
33.1%
6.2%
51.0%
17.9%
11.1%
26.2%
30.0%
5.1%
15.3%
68.9%
28.2%
8.1%
6.2%
30.5%
56.5%
48.9%
29.3%
26.4%
96.1%
26.9%
19.4%
22.1%
7.5%
104
120
442
17
13
430
255
319
376
416
323
181
402
82
292
353
221
201
419
311
16
209
382
403
200
62
91
203
218
1
215
272
247
391
Given that the benchmark for product excellence is 80%, we can conclude that the great
majority of multivitamin products on the market do not provide adequate protection
against diseases, such as cancer, arthrosclerosis, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis.
Using a multivitamin product with a score of 80% or above is strongly advised.
-4-
Price and availability of top nutritional supplements

Nutritional supplements with a product score of 80% and above are typically several
times more expensive than low-end multivitamins that can be found in grocery stores.
The table below provides a cost comparison of the top-ranked nutritional supplements.
The table lists the price of each product, the number of tablets in a single package, as well
as, the recommended daily dose. These numbers are then used to calculate the products
Cost-Per-Day.
Product Cost of Top Multivitamin Brands
Company
Product

Source Naturals
Source Naturals
FreeLife
Essentials (U.S.)
Ultra Preventive X
Extended Plus
Life Force Multiple
Elan VitaI
Basic Mindell Plus
Life Extension Mix
Price
Contents
Daily Dose
Cost/Day
Availability
$39.95
$57.10
$48.95
$37.98
$66.50
$69.95
$69.75
224 tablets
240 tablets
360 capsules
180 capsules
180 tablets
60 packets
315 tablets
8
8
12
8
6
2
9
$1.43
$1.90
$1.63
$1.69
$2.22
$2.33
$1.99
Online
Online
Online
Online
Online
Online
Online
The diagram below takes the Cost-Per-Day numbers from the table and provides a visual
comparison of the cost for the top multivitamin brands.
Cost-Per-Day Comparison
Source Naturals (Life Force)
Source Naturals (Elan Vital)
FreeLife
$1.00
$1.50
$2.00
High-end multivitamin products are generally not available through traditional retail
outlets, such as supermarkets and health stores. The main reason for that is their higher
production cost, which comes as a result of the R&D and the superior quality of the raw
materials used in the preparation of the product. Because of the higher production costs,
most high-end supplement manufacturers have chosen to sell their products over the
Internet directly to consumers. In that way they are able to avoid the markups charged by
distributors/retailers and offer their premium products at a lower retail price than would
otherwise be possible. In other words, buying direct from the manufacturer saves you
money.
-5-
How do the commonly-available vitamin brands compare?

The most widespread multivitamin brands are Centrum, GNC, One-A-Day, and Equate.
The main reasons behind the popularity of these brands are their low cost and their
widespread availability through a variety of retail outlets. Unfortunately none of the
above products is very effective from a medical point of view. Centrum, One-A-Day and
Equate multivitamins have Product Scores of 4.7%, 5.1%, and 4.9% respectively, while
GNC multivitamins (which retail at a slightly higher price) have a Product Score of 21%.
The diagram below provides a visual depiction of the Price versus Effectiveness
relationship of the most popular multivitamin brands, relative to the top three nutritional
supplements.
High
Price vs. Effectiveness Comparison

USANA
Vitamin Research
Product Effectiveness
Douglas Labs
Amway
Equate
GNC
Low
One-A-Day
Centrum
Low
Product Price
High
If you would like more information on the top three multivitamin products, visit the
manufacturers websites by clicking on the links below:
!
USANA Health Sciences Essentials

http://www.usana-health.com/en/essentials.htm
Douglas Labs Ultra Preventive X

http://www.douglaslabs.com/pdf/pds/45410.pdf
Vitamin Research Products Extended Plus

http://www.vrp.com/ProductPage.aspx?ProdID=3226
***
-6-
Appendix A: Full list of multivitamin products and their

scores (sorted by company name)
Company
Product
21st Ce ntury
21st Ce ntury
21st Ce ntury
21st Ce ntury
4Life
4Life
4Life
4Life
Absolute Nutrition
Action Labs
Action Labs
Action Labs
Adrien Gagnon (Sa nte Naturelle )
Advanced Physicia n's Products
Advocare
Albi Imports
Albi Imports
Alive Vitamins
All One Pow de r
Allergy Re search Group
Alpha Nutrition
American Longevity
amni
amni
amni
amni
amni
amni
amni
amni
Andre w Le ssman's
Andre w Le ssman's
Apex Fitne ss Group
Atkins
Atkins
Atkins
Avon
Avon
Avon
Ba sic Nutrition
Bio Actif Inc.
Bluebonne t
Body W ise Inte rnationa l
Bronson La boratories
Ca rlson
Ce ll Te ch
Ce ll Te ch
Ce ntrum
Ce ntrum
Ce ntrum
Ce ntrum
Ce ntrum
Ce ntrum
Ce ntrum
Ce ntrum
Ce ntrum
Club Vitamin
Colgan Institute
Comprehe nsive Formula
Comprehe nsive Formula
Coope r
Coope r
Country Life
Country Life
Country Life
Country Life
Country Life
Country Life
Creative Nutrition Cana da
Creative Nutrition Cana da
Cypress (Star 2000)
Da Vinci La bora torie s
Advanced 21 w ith Lutein

One Daily Maximum
One Daily Men's
Therapeutic-M W ith Lute in
BioVita Mins Type II
BioVita mins Type III
BioVlta Mins Type I
MultiPlex Stress Formula
Dieters' Multi's
Action-Tabs Ma de for Me n
Action-Tabs Ma de for W ome n
Essential Nutrie nts
Multi-Vltamines et Mineraux
Complete MultiVltamin/Mine ral w ith Iron
Complete MultiVltamin/Mine ral w ithout Iron
Ma ximum MultiVita min/Mine ral w ithout Iron
Ma ximum Pote ncy MultiVita min/Mine ral w ith Iron
Gold
Rocky Mountain Multiple
Super One a Da y
Super One Plus
Multiple Vitamins a nd Minerals
EDP Basic
Multi-Vi-Min
Multi-Vi-Min w ithout Copper and Iron
Alpha ENF
Ultima te Da ily
Added Protection III
Ba sic Preventive 1
Ba sic Preventive 2
Ba sic Preventive 3
Ba sic Preventive 4
Ba sic Preventive 5
Ba sic Preventive w ith Ex tra D
Essential Basics
Ma ximum Complete for Men
Ma ximum Complete for W omen
Profile 5
Ba sic #1
Ba sic #3
Immune
VitAdvance Me n's Complete Multivita min
VitAdvance W omen's Complete I Bala nce d Multi
VitAdvance W omen's Complete II Balance d Multi
Multiple Vitamins & Minerals
Phytobec #1
Super Earth Formula
Right Choice AM/PM
Advanced Mature Gold
Fortifie d Vitamin & Mine ral Insurance Formula
Ma ture Formula
Me n's Complete Formula w ith 7-Keto
Pe rformance Edge for Men
Pe rformance Edge for W ome n
Multi-Gel
Alpha Sun
Omega Sun
Ce ntrum
Forte
Pe rformance
Protegra
Se lect
Se lect Che w ables
Se lect Che w ables for Adults ove r 50
Se lect for Adults over 50
Silver
Be st
Formula MCS
Me n's
W ome n's
Complete
Complete w ith Iron
Adult's Multi
Da ily Vege taria n Support
Hi Pote ncy Action 75
Ma x for Me n
Ma xine
Ve giCa ps
PLUS Formula
PRIME Formula
MultiVltamin w ith Minerals
Da ily Best
Country
-7-
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
US
CA/US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA/US
US
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA/US
CA
US
US
Score
4.9%
5.3%
7.3%
4.6%
33.2%
44.0%
21.6%
5.9%
26.4%
1.3%
0.0%
4.4%
9.9%
49.1%
49.1%
57.2%
57.4%
35.7%
34.3%
10.9%
20.9%
49.9%
18.3%
16.6%
18.7%
21.9%
60.7%
69.1%
60.2%
59.6%
60.2%
59.6%
59.9%
60.0%
51.5%
30.8%
31.2%
16.8%
38.2%
46.1%
14.6%
10.9%
10.5%
10.5%
4.4%
15.1%
54.0%
52.2%
18.0%
33.2%
8.6%
21.5%
43.6%
43.8%
45.7%
0.3%
0.3%
3.2%
4.7%
5.2%
7.2%
4.6%
4.0%
4.7%
5.0%
4.7%
3.6%
63.3%
14.0%
11.8%
45.8%
38.0%
9.8%
44.5%
24.0%
32.8%
43.1%
19.2%
54.8%
52.4%
14.1%
21.9%
Rank
429
413
394
453
178
119
251
406
216
495
502
460
367
89
90
53
52
168
174
355
260
87
286
297
278
248
39
15
41
46
42
47
45
43
76
195
193
296
146
104
322
356
361
362
461
315
71
74
290
179
378
252
121
120
107
497
498
482
442
415
395
454
474
443
423
444
477
30
328
348
106
149
370
115
234
184
124
273
66
73
326
249
Company
Product

Doctor's Nutrition
Doctor's Nutrition
Doctor's Nutrition
Doctor's Nutrition
Doctor's Nutrition
Dougla s La bora tories
EAS
EcoNugenics
EcoNugenics
EHN Inc.
Enerex
Enzymatic The rapy
Enzymatic The rapy
Epic4Health
Equate
Equate
Equate
Equate
Equate
Essentials by Mega food
Flora
Flora
FoodScience of Ve rmont
For Mor Interna tional
For Mor Interna tional
Freeda Vitamins
Freeda Vitamins
Freeda Vitamins
FreeLife
Future biotics
Future biotics
Future biotics
Garry Null's
Garry Null's
Genestra (Seroyal)
Gerbe x
Geritol
GNC
GNC
GNC
GNC
GNC
GNC
GNC
GNC
Golde n Ne o-Life Diamite Interna tiona l
Good Neighbor Pha rma cy
Good Neighbor Pha rma cy
Great Earth
Great Earth
Greens+
Greens+
He rba life
He rba life
Hillestad Pharmace utica ls
Hillestad Pharmace utica ls
Holista Hea lth
Immuvit
Inno-Vite
Ja mie son
Ja mie son
Ja mie son
Ja mie son
Ja rrow
Ja rrow
Ja rrow
Je an Carper's
Je an Carper's
Omni
Spectra
Spectra Ma n
Spectra Ve geta rian
Spectra w ithout Copper and Iron
Spectra W oman
Me ga Veggie Vites
Me ga Vites Senior
Me ga Vites w ithout Copper & Iron
Me ga Vites W oman
UItraNutrie nt
Ultra Preve ntive Be ta
Ultra Preve ntive III
Ultra Preve ntive IX
Ultra Preve ntive X
Ultra Vita 75 II
Forw a rd Multi-Nutrient
Forw a rd Multi-Nutrient
Multi-Blend
Me n's Longevity Essentials Plus
W ome n's Longe vity Rhythms Gold
protect+
Sona
Doctor's Choice for Men
Doctor's Choice for W omen
Physician's Multi Vitamin Formula
Ce ntury Comple te
Ce ntury Plus
Complete
Complete Mature
Multi-Vitamin & Minerals
Essentials for Life
Essentials for W ome n
One Daily for Men
MultiCaps
MultiTabs
Da ily Best
Me n's Supe rior
Superior Care
Total Care
W ome n's Supe rior
AnOx
Oral Chela te
Quinta bs-M
Ultra Freeda Iron-Free
Ultra Freeda w ith Iron
Ba sic Mindell Plus
Hi Ene rgy Multi for Men
Multi-Vitamin Energy Plus for W omen
Ve geta rian Super Multi
Super AM Formula
Supreme Health Formula
Super Orti-Vite
Ge rivol
Complete
Me ga Men's
Preventron
SoloCa ps
Solotron w ithout Iron
Ultra Mega Gold w ithout Iron
Ultra Mega Gre en
Ultra Mega Tw o w ithout Iron
W ome n's Ultra Mega
Formula IV
Ba lanced Care Complete Multi
Ce ntury Se nior
Super Hy-Vites-Ultra Stre ngth/Timed Rele ase
TNT - Total Nutrition Tablet
Greens+
Multi+
Formula 2
Formula 2
Sterling
Summit Gold
Multi-Spectrum
Immuvit
Total NRG Lift
Adult's 50+ Vita -Vim
Me ga-Vim Leve l 4 Potency
Pow er Vita mins for Men
Super Vita -Vim
Multi 1-to-3
Multi E-Z Pow de r
W ome n's Multi
Stop Aging Now !
Stop Aging Now ! Plus
Country
-8-
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
US
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
CA
US
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
US
CA
US
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
Score
63.6%
64.7%
62.5%
48.6%
64.5%
66.8%
43.3%
54.7%
64.2%
66.8%
55.9%
75.1%
70.0%
66.6%
95.4%
16.2%
74.7%
58.5%
62.1%
20.3%
57.0%
7.8%
20.6%
42.5%
45.5%
31.3%
3.5%
4.7%
4.9%
4.7%
2.8%
51.2%
34.8%
20.6%
10.6%
10.6%
21.9%
62.5%
64.7%
13.3%
63.8%
42.1%
13.7%
1.5%
25.8%
23.4%
82.3%
40.3%
18.7%
40.3%
17.7%
47.2%
44.8%
0.0%
3.4%
21.1%
9.9%
10.6%
7.7%
37.1%
46.9%
24.5%
28.2%
0.0%
5.0%
4.7%
29.4%
48.6%
14.8%
37.9%
15.2%
14.8%
21.0%
19.1%
35.9%
4.4%
15.5%
4.4%
9.0%
3.5%
8.3%
37.7%
48.7%
31.5%
58.5%
58.5%
Rank
29
23
33
93
26
17
122
67
27
18
64
11
14
20
2
306
13
48
38
265
54
383
262
126
109
192
478
445
430
446
486
79
172
263
358
359
250
34
24
333
28
129
331
494
225
240
7
137
279
138
294
98
114
503
480
255
368
360
385
155
100
231
207
504
424
447
202
94
318
151
314
319
259
274
165
462
309
463
376
479
380
153
92
191
49
50
Company
Product
KAL
KAL
KAL
KAL
KAL
KAL
Ka runa
Ka runa
Ka runa
Kirkland Signa ture (Costco)
Kirkma n Laboratories
Kirkma n Laboratories
Klama th Blue Gree n Algae
Klama th Blue Gree n Algae
Kroge r
La bora toire La lco Enr.
Le Naturiste (Je an Marc Brunet)
Le s Produits Na ture ls Suisse Inc.
Life Brand
Life Brand
Life Brand
Life Ex tension Foundation
Life Force International
Life Plus
Life Plus
LifeScript
Lifestyles
Lifestyles
Lifestyles
Lifestyles
LifeTime
LiFizz
London Drugs
London Na tura ls
London's Best
Lorna Vanderhaeghe
Manna tech
Manna tech
Marke t America
Matol
MD He althline
Melale uca
Metagenics
Metagenics
Micha el's Naturopa thic Programs
MMS Pro
Moducare
Molecular Biologics
Molecular Biologics
Molecular Biologics
More Than A Multiple
Mountain Naturals of Ve rmont
N. V. Perricone , MD
Na tional Vitamin Compa ny
Na trol
Na trol
Na trol
Na tura l Fa ctors
Na tura l Fa ctors
Na tura l Fa ctors
Na ture Ma de
Na ture Ma de
Na ture 's Answ e r
Na ture 's Blend
Na ture 's Blend
Na ture 's Bounty
Na ture 's Bounty
Na ture 's Bounty
Na ture 's Bounty
Na ture 's Life
Na ture 's Plus
Na ture 's Plus
Na ture 's Plus
Na ture 's Plus
Na ture 's Plus
Na ture 's Sunshine
Na ture 's Sunshine
Na ture 's Sunshine
Na ture 's W ay
Na ture 's W ay
Na ture 's W ay
Enhanced Energy w ith Lutein, Iron-Free

High Potency Soft Multiple, Iron-Free
Multi-Four
Multiple Energy
Ve geta rian Multiple
Vitality for W omen
HIM
Ma xxum 2
Ma xxum 4
Da ily Multivitamin
Kirkma n's Everyday
Kirkma n's Supe r Nu-The ra
Ta blets
Ve gica ps
Advanced Formula Complete
Multi Max
US-100 Multi-vitamines
Sw ica l Ene rgy
Optimum
Optimum 50+
Spectrum Forte
Life Ex tension Mix
Body Balance
Da ily Bio-Basics
TVM-Plus
Da ily Essentials, plus Ca lcium Complete
Lifecycles for Mature Me n
Lifecycles for Mature W ome n
Lifecycles for Men
Lifecycles for W ome n
Nutrilife
Multivitamin
Multi Premium
Multi-Vitamin Select
Premie r
Fe mmEsse ntials (multiple only)
Glycentials
GlycoLEAN Catalyst
Isotonix Multite ch Multivitamin
Ma tolife
Advanced Gree n Multi
Vitality Pak (Me l-VIta, Mela-Cal)
Multigenics Inte nsive Ca re Formula
Multigenics Inte nsive Ca re Formula w ithout Iron
Active Senior Tabs
for Me n
for W omen
Just One
Preventamins
Multi-mune
Allervimin
Bio-Na tura lvite
De rma -Vite s
Me n's Supe rior
Superior Care
W ome n's Supe rior
Physician's Super Antiox ida nt Vitamin, Minera l & Phyto-Nutrient Fo
Life-line Mega Multi w ith Minera ls
My Favorite Multiple Comple te Care
My Favorite Multiple Origina l
My Favorite Multiple Take One
MultiStart
MultiStart Men's
MultiStart W omen's
Essential Balance
Essential Mega
Multi-Daily
Ma ximum Daily Gre en
Vitaminix Ultimate
Green Source Vege taria n Formula
Me ga Vita Min for W ome n Time Rele ase
Ultra Man Time Release
Ultra Vita-Time Iron Free
Green Multi
Re generation
Source of Life No Iron
Uitra One
Ultra II
Ultra-One Iron-Free Sustaine d Re lease
Super Supplementa l Vitamins and Minera ls
Super Supplementa l w ithout Iron
SynerPro
Age Right Formula
Alivel W hole Food Energize r (lron-Fre e)
Completia Ultra Ene rgy Multi (lron-Fre e)
Country
-9-
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
CA/US
CAlUS
CA/US
CA/US
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
US
US
CA/US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
Score
49.2%
19.1%
33.0%
51.2%
31.7%
35.0%
41.2%
65.7%
79.0%
5.2%
3.1%
12.3%
0.3%
0.3%
4.9%
7.7%
9.5%
0.0%
5.0%
5.0%
4.3%
81.4%
9.2%
32.3%
22.7%
36.6%
14.7%
14.7%
5.8%
14.5%
7.4%
2.9%
15.0%
12.4%
18.8%
56.5%
33.1%
26.2%
3.2%
40.0%
4.8%
6.2%
51.0%
50.5%
56.6%
36.9%
36.9%
23.6%
58.1%
8.6%
8.3%
9.7%
20.2%
44.4%
62.5%
64.7%
66.8%
41.7%
11.9%
27.3%
36.7%
27.2%
13.3%
47.7%
56.9%
4.4%
17.9%
21.2%
37.5%
54.7%
40.1%
19.4%
12.5%
4.7%
42.0%
30.7%
29.2%
18.6%
18.6%
23.7%
26.2%
28.6%
4.9%
38.0%
60.0%
17.6%
Rank
88
275
183
80
190
171
133
22
9
416
484
344
499
500
431
386
372
505
425
426
465
8
374
188
245
162
320
321
407
323
392
485
317
340
277
61
181
219
483
141
439
402
82
84
60
158
159
239
51
379
381
371
266
116
35
25
19
132
347
212
161
213
334
97
57
464
292
254
154
68
139
270
337
448
130
196
204
281
280
238
220
206
432
150
44
295
Company
Product
Na ture 's W ay
Na ture 's W ay
Ne w Image Inte rna tiona l
Ne w Roots Herbal
Ne w Roots Herbal
Ne w ays
Ne w Vision
Nikken
NOW Foods
NOW Foods
NOW Foods
NOW Foods
Nu-life
Nu-life
Nu-life
Nu-life
Nutra Therapeutics
NutriBiotics
NutriBiotics
Nutricology
Nutricology
Nutrie x
Nutrilite (Amw a y, Quixta r)
Nutrilite IAmw a y, Quixta r)
Nutrillte (Amw a y, Qulxta r)
Nutrina
Nutrina
Nutrina
Nutrition Dynamics
Nutrition Dynamics
Nutrition Dynamics
Nutrition Dynamics
Nutrition Dynamics
Nutrition for Life
Nutrition for Life
Nutri-W est
Nutri-W est
Nutri-W est
Nutri-W est
Olympian Labs
Omnitrition
One A Day
One A Day
One A Day
OneSource
Optimox
Optimox
Optimox
Oregon He alth
Pa ramette s
Pa taki USA
Pe rfect Choice
Pe rfect Choice
Pe rfect Choice
Pe rformance Labs
Pe rsonnelle (Pharmetics Inc.)
Pe rsonnelle (Pharmetics Inc.)
Pe rsonnelle (Pharmetlcs Inc.)
Pharmacist's Ultima te Health
Pharmacist's Ultima te Health
Pharmane x (Nu Skin)
Pharmasave
Pharmasave
PharmAssure
PharmAssure
Pharmetics
Pharmetics
PhytoPharmica
PhytoPharmica
PhytoPharmica
PhytoPharmica
Pilgrim's
Pilgrim's
Prairie Naturals
ProActive
ProActive
Purita n's Pride
Purita n's Pride
Purita n's Pride
Purita n's Pride
Purita n's Pride
Purita n's Pride
Purita n's Pride
Purita n's Pride
Da ily Tw o Multi Iron-Fre e

Multivitamin Iron-Free
Multi
Multi-Max
Phytomax
Orache l
JuicePow e r Ve geta ble Caps
Bio-Directe d Multi-Vltamin/Mineral
Iron-Free Vit-Min 75+
Specia l Tw o
Vit-Min 100 (Timed Rele ase High Pote ncy)
Vit-Min Caps High Potency Multiple
Gourmet Multiple
The Le gend for W omen
Ultima te One for Me n
Ultima te One for W omen
AlI-ln-One
Ultima te Matrix Men
Ultima te Matrix W omen
Multi-Vi-Min
Multi-Vi-Min w ithout Copper & Iron
Nutriex
Double X
Double X
Da ily
Athlete Formula
Champion Formula
Fitness Formula
Ba sic Formula
Da y Start/Day End Essentials
Iodine Free "Ve gi" Formula
Multi-vitasorb
Optimum Health Essentials
Essentials
Grand Master Formula
Multi Complex
Multibalance for Me n
Multibalance for W omen
W hole System Health Mainte nance
Vita-Vitamin
Omni4
Active
Advance Men's Formula
Advance W ome n's Formula
Multivitamins a nd Minerals for Adults
Androvite for Men
Gynovite Plus
Optivite PMT for W omen
Multi-Guard w ith CoQ10
Adults Complete
2101 Formula
Complete Extra
Multivitamin Specia lly Formulate d for Me n
Multivitamin Specia lly Formulate d for W omen
Vltalert
Multivitamines et Minera ux Forte
Multivitamines et Minera ux Preventa -Tab
Multivitamines et Minera ux Natura Se nior
Ma n's Ultimate Formula
W oma n's Ultimate Formula
Life Essentials
LifePa k Prime
LifePa k w ith Ca techins
MultiForte 29
MultiSelect 29
Me n's Biomultiple
W ome n's Biomultiple
Formula Forte
Multivitamins a nd Minerals w ith beta -Carotene
Clinica l Nutrients for 45-Plus W omen
Clinica l Nutrients for 50-Plus Men
Clinica l Nutrients for Me n
Clinica l Nutrients for W omen
Se nse of Energy
Silver Stars Multi
Multi-Force
for Active Men
for Adult Men
Green Source Iron Free
High Potency Puritron
Me ga Vita Min for W ome n
Solovites
Super All Day Nutricom
Time Relea se Mega Vita -Min
UItra-VIta-Min
UItra-VIta-Min Iron-Free
Country
- 10 -
US
US
US
CA
CA
US
CA/US
CA/US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA/US
CA/US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
CA
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
Score
34.8%
33.2%
27.4%
46.3%
2.5%
24.1%
2.4%
11.1%
32.6%
43.1%
32.8%
26.2%
23.8%
33.8%
35.8%
21.4%
22.7%
35.2%
35.2%
13.1%
13.0%
40.5%
23.0%
30.0%
3.4%
18.1%
24.6%
19.9%
37.0%
63.0%
16.5%
0.7%
66.6%
15.1%
54.3%
10.5%
16.6%
16.6%
19.8%
22.8%
0.0%
5.1%
4.6%
1.9%
5.8%
50.1%
30.5%
42.5%
55.0%
4.5%
10.1%
6.0%
21.1%
28.2%
7.6%
4.3%
6.9%
4.9%
37.8%
60.7%
13.8%
52.7%
28.0%
4.3%
4.6%
11.5%
12.2%
4.3%
18.3%
45.3%
45.4%
42.5%
45.5%
51.7%
26.4%
35.8%
41.2%
30.5%
37.1%
0.0%
19.4%
12.2%
5.7%
15.3%
5.1%
4.3%
Rank
173
180
211
103
487
233
488
353
186
125
185
221
236
175
166
253
246
169
170
335
336
136
242
201
481
288
229
267
157
32
300
496
21
316
69
363
298
299
268
244
506
419
455
492
408
85
198
127
65
458
365
404
256
208
388
466
397
433
152
40
330
72
210
467
456
350
345
468
287
112
111
128
110
75
217
167
134
199
156
507
271
346
410
311
420
469
Company
Product
Purita n's Pride

Purity Products
Purity Products
QCI Nutritionals
QCI Nutritionals
QCI Nutritionals
QCL Nutritiona ls
QCL Nutritiona ls
Quest
Quest
Quest
Quest
Quest
R Garden Internationale
Ra inbow Light
Ra inbow Light
Ra inbow Light
Ra inbow Light
Ra inbow Light
Re liv
Re liv
Re liv
Re liv
Re -VIta
Ripple Cre ek
Ripple Cre ek
Ripple Cre ek
Rite Aid
Rite AId
Rite Aid
Rite Aid
Rite Aid
Royal Bodycare
Royal Bodycare
Rx Vitamins
Rx Vitamins
Sa few ay Select
Sa few ay Select
Sa few ay Select
Sa few ay Select
Sa few ay Select
Sa nte Naturelle
Sa v-On Osco by Albertson's
Sa v-On Osco by Albertson's
Schiff
Schiff
Schiff
Shakle e
Shakle e
Shakle e
Sisu
Sisu
Sisu
Sisu
SoIara y
Solara y
Solara y
Solara y
Solara y
Solgar
Solgar
Solgar
Solgar
Solgar
Solgar
Solgar
Solgar
Solgar
Solgar
SomaLife
Source Na turals
Source Na turals
Source Na turals
Source Na turals
SportPharma
Sports Nutrition 2000
Spring Valley
Spring Valley
Sundow n
Sundow n
Sundow n
Sundow n
Sunkist
Sunkist
Sunrider
Supra Life
Vita-Min
Pe rfect Multi Focus Formula
Purity's Pe rfect Multi
Ultra Vitality #1
Ultra Vitality #2
Ultra Vitality #3
Da ily Preve ntive #1
Da ily Preve ntive #3
Ex tra Once A Day
Ma ximum Once A Day
Once A Da y
Premium Multi-One w ith Nia cina mide
Super Once a Day
Multiple Vitamin Minera l Formula
Advanced Nutritiona l System
Complete Nutritiona l System
Iron-Free Advanced Nutritional Syste m
Just Once Iron Free
Pe rformance Energy Multivitamin for Men
Classic
Classic
Now
Now
Liqua Health
Me ga-100 (Slow Release )
Me ga-Caps 2 (Quick Release )
Me ga-One 75 (Slow Rele ase )
Ce ntra l-Vite
Ce ntra l-Vite Se lect
W hole Source
W hole Source Complete Formula for Men
W hole Source Complete Formula for W omen
Omega Boost
Ultima te
Re vita lize
Re vita lize No Iron
Ce ntra l-Vite Forte 29
One Ta blet Daily
One Ta blet Daily Advanced Formula for W omen
Super Men's Multivitamin
Super W omen's Multivitamin
Fe minex Multi
One Daily Active
Therapeulic-M
Double Day
Prime Years
Single Day
Ba sics w ith Iron
Ba sics w ith Iron
Vita-Le a Advanced Formula
Ma n Only One, Iron Free
Nutricology Multi-Vi-Min
Only One
Ve gi-Mins
Ve geta rian Spe ctro Multi-Vita-Min
Iron-Free Spectro Multi-VIta-Min
Iron-Free Spectro Multi-Vita-Min
Spectro 3 Iron Free
Spectro Multi-Vita-Min
Ea rth Source Multi-Nutrient
Fe male Multiple
Formula VM-2000
Iron-Free Omnium
Multi II Vegicaps
Na turvite
Omnium
Solovite Iron-Free
Ve gica ps Vege taria n Multiple
VM-75 Iron-Free
SomaVit
Elan VitaI
Life Force Multiple
Me ga-one Multiple
Ultra Multiple
Multiguard
Athlete 's Multi
Ma ximum One Dally
Multiplus
Complete Energy
Complete Multi 50+
Complete Multi Daily
Complete Ultra
Multi-Active
Multi-Men's
Me tabalance 44
Formula Plus
Country
- 11 -
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
US
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA/US
US
US
CA
CA
CA
US
US
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
CA/US
CA
CA/US
CA/US
US
US
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA/US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
Score
0.0%
68.9%
62.2%
51.2%
51.5%
50.9%
48.4%
48.1%
18.6%
40.6%
0.3%
23.2%
11.4%
12.4%
63.2%
36.0%
62.2%
9.9%
41.9%
10.4%
7.7%
9.0%
6.0%
5.8%
32.2%
23.0%
16.4%
4.9%
4.8%
6.2%
5.6%
4.8%
36.3%
16.3%
39.1%
39.1%
4.7%
3.7%
0.0%
18.0%
28.2%
9.2%
4.9%
4.3%
4.9%
7.0%
15.9%
30.5%
24.6%
13.4%
16.4%
10.1%
16.4%
47.1%
57.0%
56.7%
38.2%
56.7%
57.0%
51.4%
50.1%
32.5%
45.1%
15.5%
14.5%
56.5%
5.6%
25.9%
18.5%
9.5%
91.8%
92.8%
30.6%
7.5%
74.9%
28.9%
5.0%
5.0%
5.1%
5.3%
5.1%
8.1%
12.4%
15.8%
20.4%
43.3%
Rank
508
16
36
81
77
83
95
96
282
135
501
241
352
341
31
164
37
369
131
364
387
377
405
409
189
243
301
434
440
403
411
441
163
305
143
144
449
476
509
291
209
375
435
470
436
396
307
200
230
332
302
366
303
99
56
58
147
59
55
78
86
187
113
310
324
62
412
222
284
373
5
4
197
390
12
205
427
428
421
414
422
382
342
308
264
123
Company
Product
Supra Life
Supra Life
Sw iss Natural Sources
Symmetry
Symmetry
The Green Turtie Bay Vitamin Co.
The Green Turtle Bay Vitamin Co.
The Green Turtle Bay Vitamin Co.
Thompson
Thompson
Thompson
Thompson
Thompson
Thorne Re search
Thorne Re search
Thorne Re search
Total Health Solulions
Total Health Solutions
Trace Mine rals
Trace Mine rals
Trace Mine rals
Trophic
Truehope
Truly Health
Truly Health
Tw inLab
Tw inLab
Tw inLab
Tw inLab
Tw inLab
Tyler
Ultima te Health
Ultima te Health
Ultima te Nutrition
Unicity Netw ork (Re xall, Enrich)
USANA He alth Scie nces
USANA He alth Scie nces
Va lu-Rite
Va lu-Rite
Va xa
Ve ga Nutritiona ls
Ve ga Nutritiona ls
Ve gLife
VirtuVites
Vitality Products
Vitality Products
Vitamin Pow er
Vitamin Pow er
Vitamin Pow er
Vitamin Pow er
Vitamin Re search Products
Vitamin W orld
Vitamin W orld
Vitamin W orld
Vitamin W orld
Vitamin W orld
Vitamin W orld
Vitamin W orld
Vitamin W orld
Vitamin W orld
VitaSmart
VitaSmart
Vitaza n He rbs a nd Vitamins
Vitaza n He rbs a nd Vitamins
Viva Life Sciences
Viva Life Sciences
Vita-Complete
W algreens
W algreens
W ampole
W atkins
W atkins
W ebbe r Na tura ls
W ellne ss International Netw ork
W este rn Fa mily
W este rn Fa mily
W este rn Fa mily
W este rn Fa mily
YourLife
YourLife
YourLife
ZonePerfe ct
Ma xum Essentials
Ultra Body Toddy
Hi Pote ncy Sw iss One "80"
Super Adult Chew a ble
Super Sw iss One "50"
NutraPack
Ultra Vitality
Sunnie
Pow erMate
Pow erVites
Human Nature Gree n Multi
Me ga 80
Multi-Formula for W ome n
Multiple Choice
Super Max icaps
Al's Formula
Ba sic Nutrients III
Ba sic Nutrients V
Bone Plants
Vita Active s
Electro-Vita -Min
ImmunoMa x
Ma xi Multi
Se lect
Empow erplus
Ce ntury Premium
Ce ntury Silver
Da ily One w ithout Iron
Da ily Tw o Caps w ithout Iron
DualTa bs
Me ga 6 Ca ps
SuperTw in
Multiplex-2 w ithout Iron
40+ Multiple
P.M. Formula
Super Complete
Ca rdio-Basics
Essentials (Canadia n)
Essentials (U.S.)
Advanced Formula Complete Pre mium
Iron-Free Multivitamin Mineral Suppleme nt
Da ily Essentials
Formula ZM3
Spectrum
SpectroVeg High Energy
Vita-Min 75
Complete Multi-Vita mins w ith Minera ls
Tw o-A-Day
Pow er Source 100
Super-Vite
Ultra Multi 90 Plus
Vita-Max 1
Ex tended Plus
Da ily 3 W ith Antioxidant Factors
Green Source Iron Free
Me ga Vita Min for W ome n
Me ga Vita Min for W ome n, Iron Free
Nutri 100
Time Relea se Mega Vita -Min Iron-Fre e
Ultra Vita MAN
Ultra VIta-Min Iron Free
Ce ntury Advantage
Ce ntury Se nior Iron Free
Multi #2
ORO #1
Da ilyGuard
VIVA for Life
AA (Anti-Aging)
Ultra Choice Premium Men
Ultra Choice Premium W omen
Complete Multi-Adult
Super Multi
Superfood Multiple
Multivitamins Extra B
Phyto-Vite
Complete Adva nced Formula w ith Lutein
Multra Forte
Multra Plex
Therapeulic-M
Na tura l lron-fre e
One Dally 50+
Super Multi w ith He rbs
Multi Vitamin & Mineral
Country
1 Overall product score based on 14 scientific criteria

2 Ranking of this product out of all the 510 products compared
- 12 -
US
US
CA
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA/US
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
CA
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
CA
CA
US
US
US
US
US
Score
48.9%
38.1%
20.9%
23.8%
19.6%
25.5%
7.8%
10.9%
11.1%
7.4%
29.3%
4.9%
6.3%
4.5%
19.0%
46.9%
38.7%
44.4%
6.7%
18.1%
14.3%
1.7%
13.9%
33.1%
25.9%
6.9%
4.6%
26.4%
33.8%
40.1%
56.2%
33.6%
54.2%
18.6%
14.1%
75.8%
31.0%
90.2%
96.1%
5.2%
0.0%
7.6%
2.3%
2.3%
45.9%
24.2%
25.9%
21.1%
26.9%
15.3%
11.5%
6.8%
93.1%
45.6%
39.8%
19.4%
16.4%
44.4%
25.6%
15.3%
12.5%
4.7%
5.2%
4.7%
12.5%
18.4%
36.8%
17.9%
4.3%
21.1%
22.1%
4.3%
23.9%
27.2%
2.3%
46.6%
4.9%
12.4%
11.6%
4.3%
3.9%
4.7%
7.5%
25.1%
Rank
91
148
261
237
269
227
384
357
354
393
203
437
401
459
276
101
145
117
400
289
325
493
329
182
223
398
457
218
176
140
63
177
70
283
327
10
194
6
1
417
510
389
489
490
105
232
224
257
215
312
351
399
3
108
142
272
304
118
226
313
338
450
418
451
339
285
160
293
471
258
247
472
235
214
491
102
438
343
349
473
475
452
391
228
Appendix B: Definition of the 14 comparison criteria

The definitions of each of the fourteen criteria used in the comparison are as follows:
1. Completeness - Does the product contain the full spectrum of nutrients listed in the
Blended Standard and considered essential for optimal health?
2. Potency - Of those nutrients in the product, what percent are found at potency levels
meeting or exceeding 50 percent of the potency for those nutrients in the Blended
Standard?
3. Bioavailability - Does the product contain minerals in their most bioavailable firms as
amino acid chelates or organic acid complexes?
4. Bioactivity of Vitamin E - Does the product contain only the d-isomer of vitamin E
(the natural, biologically active form of alpha tocopherol) or does the product use the d/l
isomers of vitamin E (a synthetic form, where the biological activity is about one-half [or
less] of the natural vitamin E)?
5. Cardiac Health Triad - Does the product contain vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and
magnesium, three nutritional components important to cardiac health, at potencies that
meet or exceed 50 percent of the Blended Standard?
6. Homocysteine Reduction Triad - Does the product contain the nutritional triad of
vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid, at levels meeting or exceeding 50 percent of the
Blended Standard?
7. Bone Health Complex - Does the product contain the nutrients shown by clinical
studies to be important for optimal bone health (vitamin D, vitamin K, folic acid, vitamin
B6, vitamin B12, boron, calcium, magnesium, silicon and zinc) at potencies equal to or
exceeding 50 percent of the potencies listed in the Blended Standard?
8. Antioxidant Triad - Does the product contain the important antioxidant triad of
vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene at potencies equal to or exceeding 50 percent of
the potencies listed in the Blended Standard?
9. Glutathione Support - Does the product contain the nutritional precursors necessary
for glutathione synthesis and the proper functioning of the Glutathione Peroxidase
Pathway, at potencies equal to or exceeding 50 percent of the potencies listed in the
Blended Standard?
10. Metabolic Support - Does the product contain the nutrients necessary to help
regulate glucose metabolism and support the body's ability to generate, store and utilize
energy, and are these nutrients available at potencies equal to or exceeding 50 percent of
the potencies listed in the Blended Standard?
- 13 -
11. Bioflavonoid Profile - Does the product contain a mixture of bioflavonoids (citrus
flavonoids, soy isoflavones, quercetin, quercitrin, hesperidin, rutin, bilberry extract and
green tea catechins) and proanthocyanidins at potencies that meet or exceed 50 percent of
the combined recommended potencies for PCOs and mixed bioflavonoids in the Blended
Standard?
12. Phenolic Compound Profile - Does the product contain phenolic compounds (poly
phenolic acids and their derivatives, including curcumin) at a potency level recently
established in the literature (25 mg) that has been associated with a reduced incidence of
coronary heart disease?
13. Lipotropic Factors - Does the product contain the important lipotropic factors,
choline (including phosphatidylcholine) and inositol, at levels meeting or exceeding 50
percent of the Blended Standard?
14. Potential Toxicities - Does the nutritional supplement contain levels of vitamin A
and iron that exceed 100% of the Blended Standard?
- 14 -
Appendix C: Why take vitamin supplements?

By Dr. George Obikoya
Vitamins are substances that are found in many of the foods we eat. Your body uses
vitamins to do many things, like help you grow and develop. It needs vitamins to help
your blood clot when you get a cut. Some vitamins help us make energy. Vitamins are
even involved in making sure you can see in color, the world would look black and white
without them! And if you've ever wondered what helps make your teeth healthy and
strong, then you'll be sure to smile when you find out it's, guess what, vitamins!
Vitamins regulate metabolism reactions, in contrast to other dietary components known
as macronutrients, for example, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, which are the compounds
utilized in the reactions regulated by the vitamins. Absence of a vitamin blocks one or
more specific metabolic reactions in a cell and eventually may disrupt the metabolic
balance within a cell and in our entire body. Vitamins contain no calories but play an
essential role in your body. Think of vitamins kind of like the fluids in your car. If you
have no oil (vitamins) in your car, it does not matter how much gasoline (calories) you
put in your car, your car will not run. For this reason, it is critically important to ensure a
proper supply of vitamins in your car. Unlike the oil in your car, many vitamins are
purged from your body daily.
With the exception of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), all of the water-soluble vitamins assist
enzymes that function in energy transfer or in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and
proteins. In other words, it will be difficult for our body to break down these nutrients
into energy we can use without vitamins.
Some of the fat-soluble vitamins form part of the structure of biological membranes or
assist in maintaining the integrity and functioning of these membranes. Some fat-soluble
vitamins also may function at the genetic level to control the synthesis of certain
enzymes. These vitamins are necessary for specific functions in highly differentiated
cells.
When you take fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), the vitamins are stored in the fat
tissues in your body and in your liver until your body needs them. Some are stored for a
few days, some for up to six months! Water-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin C and the
B group of vitamins, on the other hand are different. They are not stored as much in your
body. Instead, they travel through your bloodstream and whatever your body doesn't use
comes out when you urinate. So these kinds of vitamins need to be replaced often, and
many people fail to do so. That is why you need to take a high-quality multivitamin in
order to replenish lost vitamins and minerals.
Daily vitamin supplementation is, no doubt, absolutely critical for maintaining a healthy
body.
- 15 -
Appendix D: Do medical authorities recommend vitamin

supplements?
By Lyle MacWilliam, BSc, MSc, FP
After 20 years, the American Medical Association (AMA) has completely reversed its
anti-vitamin stance and now encourages all adults to supplement daily with a multiple
vitamin.
A landmark review of 38 years of scientific evidence by Harvard researchers, Dr. Robert
Fletcher and Dr. Kathleen Fairfield, convinced the conservative Journal of the American
Medical Association (JAMA) to rewrite its policy guidelines regarding the use of vitamin
supplements.
In two reports, published in the June 19, 2002 edition of JAMA, the authors conclude that
the current North American diet, while sufficient to prevent vitamin deficiency diseases
(such as scurvy and pellagra), is inadequate to support the need for optimal health.
Insufficient vitamin intake is apparently a cause of chronic diseases.
Recent evidence has shown that sub-optimal levels of vitamins (below
standard), even well above those causing deficiency syndromes, are risk
factors for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and
osteoporosis. A large portion of the general population is apparently at
increased risk for this reason.
Dr. Robert Fletcher and Dr. Kathleen Fairfield
In the study, the authors examine several nutrients, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D,
E, K, folic acid and several of the carotenoids (alpha- and beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin,
zeaxanthin, lycopene and lutein). Among their conclusions, they note:
! Folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12 are required for proper homo cysteine
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
metabolism, and low levels of the vitamins are associated with increased risk of
heart disease;
Inadequate folic acid status increases the risk of neural tube defects and some
cancers;
Vitamin E and lycopene appear to decrease the risk of prostate cancer;
Vitamin D is associated with a decreased risk of osteoporosis and fracture, when
taken with calcium;
Inadequate vitamin B12 is associated with anemia and neurological disorders;
Low levels of the carotenoids appear to increase the risk of breast, prostate and
lung cancer;
Inadequate vitamin C is associated with increased cancer risk; and,
Low vitamin A status is associated with vision disorders and impaired immune
functions.
- 16 -
In a striking departure from JAMAs anti-vitamin stance of the last twenty years, the
authors conclude that, given today's diet, daily supplementation with a multiple vitamin is
a prudent preventive measure against chronic disease. The researchers base their
guidance on the fact that more than 80 percent of the American population does not
consume anywhere near the five-per-day servings of fruits and vegetables required for
optimal health.
All of us grew up believing that if we ate a reasonable diet, that would
take care of our vitamin needs. But, the new evidence, much of it in the
last couple of years, is that vitamins also prevent the usual diseases we
deal with everyday - heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and birth defects.
Dr. Robert Fletcher
JAMAs last comprehensive review of vitamins, conducted in the 1980s, concluded that
people of normal health do not need to take a multivitamin and can meet all their
nutritional needs through diet. The sudden "about-face," along with JAMAs public
declaration that supplementation is now deemed important to your health, underscores the
strength of the scientific evidence that now prevails.
The JAMA declaration also underscores a growing concern among nutrition experts that
the current recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for vitamins and minerals are too
low. The RDAs were originally established to prevent acute vitamin deficiency disorders;
however, a growing volume of evidence supports the argument that higher levels of many
vitamins and minerals are necessary to achieve optimal health.
Much of the evidence supporting the need for daily supplementation as a preventive
measure comes from large population-based (epidemiological) studies. Among them is a
study conducted some years ago by three eminent scientists, Nobel Laureate Dr. Linus
Pauling, Dr. Richard Passwater and Dr. Jim Enstrom. They examined mortality rates in
elderly Californians, and what they found was remarkable: the death rate for supplement
users was significantly lower than for non-users. Male supplement users had a 22 percent
lower risk of death and female users a 46 percent lower risk, over a given time period.
Later, Enstrom and co-workers found that supplementation with vitamin C, in excess of
250 mg per day (much above the RDA standard), reduced the risk of male mortality from
cardiovascular disease by 42 percent and lowered the risk of death by all causes by 35
percent, providing an estimated six-year increase in life expectancy.
In two large studies of self-supplementation, vitamin E was associated with reduced
coronary risk. The studies, conducted among 39,910 male health care professionals and
87,245 female nurses, found that men and women who took vitamin E supplements for
more than two years showed a 37 percent and 41 percent reduction, respectively, in the
risk of heart disease. These results support a recent large-scale study conducted at Laval
University, Quebec, which found a 69 percent reduction in ischemic heart disease and a
47 percent reduction in cardiac-related deaths among long-term consumers of nutritional
supplements. These results indicate that supplementing your diet with a high-quality
multivitamin on a daily basis is essential for long-term health.
- 17 -

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How effective are

the multivitamins you take?

What are the best

The Multivitamin Guide

Vitamin supplements are becoming increasingly popular.

But are you getting what youre paying for?

Find out which multivitamin products really work.

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What is the source of this information?

In this comparative study, Mr. MacWilliam identified over

How is the comparison made?

For an in-depth explanation of each of the 14 comparison criteria please refer to

The Multivitamin Guide

* Not availab le in Canadian products

What are the findings of the comparison?

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What is the score of the multivitamins you are taking?

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How do the commonly-available vitamin brands compare?

Price vs. Effectiveness Comparison

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Appendix A: Full list of multivitamin products and their

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1 Overall product score based on 14 scientific criteria

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Appendix B: Definition of the 14 comparison criteria

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Appendix C: Why take vitamin supplements?

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Appendix D: Do medical authorities recommend vitamin

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