Rankings of 75 Multivitamins
 

For anyone who takes a daily multivitamin, or is thinking about taking one, you may be interested in this ranking of popular multivitamins by LabDoor based on five criteria: “ label accuracy, product purity, nutritional value, ingredient safety, and projected efficacy.” These criteria seem to be reasonable to me, although I would’ve liked to see a more direct measure of product absorbability.

Based on test results, the multivitamins were then rated 1 to 75 and also given a letter grade of A to D-, as shown on this link: https://labdoor.com/rankings/multivitamins

There are two lists: one for highest quality, and one for best value. I assume these lists are recent, as the copyright date on the page is 2015.

This is a testing summary excerpted from the link:

“LabDoor analyzed 75 best-selling multivitamin supplements in the United States, measuring levels of key vitamins (A, B-3, B-6, C, D, and folic acid), minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc), fatty acids (total omega-3, EPA, and DHA), and heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, bismuth, antimony, and silver).

The products tested missed their vitamin label claims by an average of 22.6% and missed their mineral label claims by an average of 29.2%. Supplement labels most commonly overstated their claims for vitamins A and C, with 12 multivitamins (16%) containing at least 30% less vitamin A vs. their label claims and 21 multivitamins (28%) containing at least 10% less vitamin C vs. their label claims.

Samples of every multivitamin passed all six heavy metals assays. 11 products contained at least one artificial color (Blue 1, Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5, or Yellow 6). LabDoor scientists also identified benzoic acid and caramel color in three products and BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene) in five products.”

Fascinating.... who would have guessed Centrum would fail?

But the Kirkland (Costco) brands looked good on both lists.
Recently Consumer Reports, also gave them high marks.

We use the Senior multi (generic to Centrum Silver).

I will use this list from now on... and no longer recommend Centrum!

NOW brands are showing well on both lists too.

Yes, the Centrum result was unexpected and surprising!

The multivitamin I’m currently using is one of the Bluebonnet formulations, which apparently is not one of the popular brands as it was not included in the rankings at all.