Does your Multi Measure Up?
At some point in your life, you were probably told to take a multi-vitamin, perhaps by your parents, a friend, or your doctor. So you go to the store, walk to the “vitamin” section, stare at 29 different types of multi-vitamins trying to decide which one to buy. You might go for the one in the brightest packaging, or the “gummy” version, or maybe the cheapest one. It doesn’t really matter because they are all the same, right? WRONG. Not all multivitamins are created equal. Many of the vitamins found in multi-vitamin supplements have both active and inactive forms. The inactive forms are not able to be absorbed by the body. You need active forms that work with your body(are bioavailable) to create the desired effects. The manufacturers are not required to tell you if the forms used in their supplements are active or inactive. Since its usually quicker and cheaper to use the inactive, or synthetic form of the vitamin, many of the multi-vitamins out there likely contain these lesser quality forms. Check the chart below to see if your multi measures up.
Vitamin | Active Form(s) | Inactive Form(s) |
A | Mixed Carotenoids | Beta-Carotine |
C | Ascorbly Palmitate | ascorbic acid |
B1 | Benfotiamine | thiamine mononitrate |
B2 | Riboflavin 5 Phosphate | Riboflavin |
B3 | Niacinamide, Niacine | |
B5 | none | |
B6 | Pyridoxal 5 phosphate (P5P) | pyroxidine HCL |
B12 | methylcobalamine | cyanocobalamine |
Folic Acid | (5 methyl) tetrahydrofolate | |
Biotin | none | |
Calcium | dicalcium phosphate, citrate | carbonate |
Iron | glycinate (Albion chelates patent #) | citrates, oxides, carbonates, sulfates |
Magnesium | glycinate (Albion chelates patent #) | citrates, oxides, carbonates, sulfates |
E | mixed tocopherols | DL |
D3 | Cholecalciferol | D2 |
Glucosamine | Glucosamine Sulfate | Glucosamine HCL |
Have any questions? Want more help deciding if your multi is right for you? Call us to schedule a consultation: 847-259-6605.