Four major criteria may be used in a premium multivitamin comparison in the medical marketplace. A summary practitioner multivitamin comparison is listed in the table. Practitioner multivitamins are multivitamins recommended by medical doctors – MDs, DOs, NDs, nurse practitioners – NPs, Licensed Acupuncturists – LAc, Certified Health Coaches – CHC, and other medical practitioners.
- Quality Ingredients
- Value
- Compliance
- Independent Rating
Multivitamin Comparison
The 2017 6th edition Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements compared 1,600 multivitamins in North America. These are the highest rated products from each practitioner multivitamin brand. This table lists the contents of the manufacturer’s recommended daily dose and other published information.
Supplement | Maximum Vitality® | Douglas Labs® Ultra Preventive® X | DaVinci® Metabolic Multi | Designs for Health® Complete Multi™ | Thorne Research EXOS/Multi Vitamin Elite | Pure Encapsulations® Polyphenol Nutrients | ProThera® MultiThera® 1,2,3 | Metagenics® Multigenics® Intensive Care | Ortho Molecular® Alpha Base | Vital Nutrients Multinutrients 2,3,5 | Vitamin Research Products® Extend Core | Allergy Research Group® Multi-Vi-Min® | Comments | Life Extension® Mix™ | Metagenics® PhytoMulti® | Nature Made® Multi for Her 50+ | Pfizer Inc. Centrum® Silver Men | GNC Women's Ultra Mega 50 Plus | Supplement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # pills per day | 4 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 - 6 | 3 | 1 | 9 - 14 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | # pills per day | |
| MSRP Price per month | $47.98 | $76.60 | $64.40 | $49.80 | $59.99 | $48.80 | $35.95 | $42.49 | $26.20 | $36.20 - 38.30 | $19.95 | $5.76 | $80.00-90.00 | $47.59 | MSRP Price per month | ||||
| 2017 Comparative Guide rating | 5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 1.5 | new focus on nutrients for longevity, cell signaling, transcription factors | 5 | 2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 2017 Comparative Guide rating |
| 2017 Comp Guide Quality medal | Gold | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | manufacturing quality | - | - | - | - | - | 2017 Comparative Guide medal |
| 2014 Comparative Guide rating | 5 | 5 | NR | 4.5 | 4 | NR | 4.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 2 | new findings on vitamin D3 & iodine | 5 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 3 | 2014 Comparative Guide rating |
| 2007 Comparative Guide rating | 5 | 5 | NR | 3 | 3.5 | NR | 4 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 2 | new research on inflammation, oxidative stress, degenerative diseases | 5 | NR | 0.5 | 0.5 | 2 | 2007 Comparative Guide rating |
| 2003 Comparative Guide rating | 100* | 95.4 | NR | NR | 46.9 | NR | NR | 51 | NR | NR | 93.1 | 18.7 | *2004 update after publication, NR = not rated | 81.4 | NR | NR | 4.7 | 28.2 | 2003 Comparative Guide rating |
| Available at internet discounters | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | Available at internet discounters | |
| Premium Ingredients | Premium Ingredients | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coenzyme Q10 | 20 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | expensive, assists ATP production | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Coenzyme Q10 |
| trans-Resveratrol | 20 mg | 0 | 25 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | lifespan support | 0 | 10 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | trans-Resveratrol |
| alpha- & R-Lipoic Acid | 100 mg | 0 | 150 mg | 10 mg | 0 | 100 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 mg | 0 | expensive, universal antioxidant | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | alpha- & R-Lipoic Acid |
| Vitamin E Tocopherol Complex | 67 mg | * | 0 | 300 mg | 48 mg | 0 | ^ | 100.5 mg | 50 mg | 0 | * | 0 | Newer research demonstrates important benefits of these expensive natural forms of Vitamin E. *included but amount not specified. | 60 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Vitamin E Tocopherol Complex |
| Vitamin E Tocotrienols | 10 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Vitamin E Tocotrienols | |
| Vitamin K-2 | 180 mcg | 0 | 100 mcg | 50 mcg | 200 mcg | 0 | 20 mcg | 0 | 62.5 mcg@ | 0 | 0 | 0 | Longevity via cell signaling protein activation, enabling bone, artery, heart support. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Vitamin K-2 |
| Betaine (Trimethylglycine) | 75 mg | 114 mg | 0 | 200 mg | 0 | 100 mg | 0 | 131 mg | 0 | 0 | 25 mg | 0 | Methylation reactions and homocysteine balance | 100 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Betaine |
| Green Tea Extract | 70 mg | 50 mg | ^ | 0 | 75 mg | 100 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | immune system | 325 mg | ^ | 0 | 0 | 0 | Green Tea Extract |
| Milk Thistle | 60 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | liver health | 100 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Milk Thistle |
| Choline & PC | 75 mg | 60 mg | 100 mg | 100 mg | 150 mg | 100 mg | 150 mg | 94 mg | 50 mg | 0 | 120 mg | 0 | structural integrity, cell membrane signaling, neurotransmission | 270 mg | 25 mg | 0 | 0 | 2.5 mg | Choline & PC |
| Inositol | 100 mg | 100 mg | 125 mg | 100 mg | 0 | 125 mg | 50 mg | 90 mg | 50 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | signaling and secondary messenger molecules for bone, nerve, genetic expression | 250 mg | 25 mg | 0 | 0 | 2.5 mg | Inositol |
| DMAE | 30 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | brain and muscle support | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | DMAE |
| Grape Seed Extract (Proanthocyanadins) | 30 mg | 50 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 mg | 0 | from grape seed, red wine and pine bark | 50 mg | ^ | 0 | 0 | 0 | Grape Seed Extract (Proanthocyanadins) |
| MSM | 25 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | skin, hair & muscle support | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | MSM |
| Turmeric | 25 mg | 0 | ^ | 0 | 200 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | immune system, liver | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Turmeric |
| Hawthorn | 25 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | heart benefits | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hawthorn |
| N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine | 25 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | brain support | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine |
| Quercetin | 25 mg | 0 | 0 | 25 mg | 0 | 50 mg | 0 | 19 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | heart and endurance support | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Quercetin |
| Ginkgo Leaf | 20 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | for microcirculation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 mg | Ginkgo Leaf |
| Bilberry | 5 mg | ^ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 mg | 0 | vision | 150 mg | ^ | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bilberry |
| Lycopene | 3 mg | 6 mg | 1.25 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | blood pressure | 3 mg | 6 mg | 0 | 600 mcg | 0 | Lycopene |
| Lutein | 2 mg | 6 mg | 6 mg | 0 | 900 mcg | 6 mg | 0 | ^ | 0 | 0 | 4 mg | 0 | vision | 15 mg | 6 mg | 0 | 300 mcg | 1 mg | Lutein |
| Boron | 2 mg | 1.5 mg | 2 mg | 2 mg | 3 mg | 2 mg | 2 mg | 0 | 1.5 mg | 1.5 mg | 3 mg | 200 mcg | bone health, hormone management | 3 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 150 mcg | Boron |
| Black Pepper Extract | 3 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | enhances micronutrient absorption | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Black Pepper Extract |
| PABA/Taurine | 0 | 50 mg | 300 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 mg | 37.5 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 mg | 200 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | PABA/Taurine | |
| Base/other herbals | 0 | 1,540 mg^ | 425 mg^ | 0 | 0 | 151 mg | 100 mg | 4 mg^ | 0 | 0 | 428 mg | 0 | vegetable, fruit, herb, green food base | 1,749 mg | 400 mg^ | 0 | 0 | 10 mg | Base/other herbals |
| Other minor components | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | rutin, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, bromelain, glutamic acid, L-methionine, etc. | yes | yes | no | yes | yes | Other minor components |
| Standard Ingredients | Standard Ingredients | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vitamin A | 2,500 IU | 5,000 IU | 1,750 IU | 0 | 2,400 IU | 0 | 2,500 IU | 1,125 IU | 0* | 0 | 0 | 2,000 IU | Higher Beta Carotene:Vitamin A ratio is preferred. Beta Carotene is converted to Vitamin A as needed with no toxic build-up. *Doesn't specify breakdown. | 0* | 5,000 IU | 1,250 IU | 2,485 IU | 3,500 IU | Vitamin A |
| Beta Carotene | 12,500 IU | 10,000 IU | 1,750 IU | 7,142 IU | 3,600 IU | 7,500 IU | 15,000 IU | 6,375 IU | 7,500 IU* | 20,000 IU | 3000 IU | 0 | 5,000 IU* | 5,000 IU | 1,250 IU | 1,015 IU | 0 | Beta Carotene | |
| Vitamin C | 500 mg | 1,400 mg | 620 mg | 600 mg | 400 mg | 500 mg | 1,200 mg | 900 mg | 500 mg | 850 mg | 300 mg | 30 mg | 2,000 mg | 120 mg | 180 mg | 120 mg | 150 mg | Vitamin C | |
| Vitamin D-3 | 2,000 IU | 1,000 IU | 2,000 IU | 1,000 IU | 2,500 IU | 800 IU | 1,000 IU | 300 IU | 1,000 IU | 1,000 IU | 10 mcg | 100 IU | 2,000 IU | 1,000 IU | 1,000 IU | 1,000 IU | 1,200 IU | Vitamin D-3 | |
| Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) | 30 IU | 400 IU | 100 IU | 50 IU | 40 IU | 100 IU | 400 IU | 150 IU | 100 IU | 400 IU | 62 mcg | 80 IU+ | Other forms of E are listed above; saturating receptors with d-alpha blocks other tocopherols & tocotrienols | 100 IU | 100 IU | 60 IU+ | 60 IU+ | 35 IU | Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) |
| Thiamin (vitamin B-1) | 50 mg | 100 mg | 25 mg | 75 mg | 50 mg | 50 mg | 100 mg | 22.5 mg | 25 mg | 40 mg | 60 mg | 20 mg | 125 mg | 25 mg | 1.5 mg | 1.5 mg | 4.95 mg | Thiamin (vitamin B-1) | |
| Riboflavin (vitamin B-2) | 50 mg | 50 mg | 37.5 mg | 75 mg | 12 mg | 37.5 mg | 50 mg | 25.5 mg | 25 mg | 15 mg | 60 mg | 10 mg | 50 mg | 15 mg | 1.7 mg | 1.7 mg | 3.74 mg | Riboflavin (vitamin B-2) | |
| Niacin & Niacinamide | 50 mg | 190 mg | 75 mg | 75 mg | 60 mg | 75 mg | 200 mg | 315 mg | 25 mg | 110 mg | 50 mg | 30 mg | 190 mg | 50 mg | 20 mg | 20 mg | 22 mg | Niacin & Niacinamide | |
| Iron | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-20 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 mg | 0 | multivitamins should contain no iron | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 mg | Iron |
| Vitamin B-6 | 50 mg | 100 mg | 25 mg | 50 mg | 20 mg | 25 mg | 50 mg | 30 mg | 37 mg | 15 mg | 60 mg | 31 mg | 105 mg | 25 mg | 6 mg | 6 mg | 6.6 mg | Vitamin B-6 | |
| Folate (methylated) | 400 mcg | 800 mcg | 800 mcg | 400 mcg | 1,000 mcg | 800 mcg | 800 mcg | 600 mcg | 400 mcg | 400 mcg | 800 mcg# | 60 mcg | # not methylated | 400 mcg | 800 mcg | 400 mcg# | 300 mcg# | 600 mcg# | Folate (methylated) |
| Vitamin B-12 (methylated) | 500 mcg | 250 mcg | 500 mcg | 500 mcg | 600 mcg | 500 mcg | 200 mcg | 150 mcg | 500 mcg | 500 mcg | 400 mcg# | 80 mcg | # not methylated | 600 mcg | 200 mcg | 25 mcg# | 100 mcg# | 110 mcg# | Vitamin B-12 (methylated) |
| Biotin | 150 mcg | 300 mcg | 3,000 mcg | 500 mcg | 1,000 mcg | 800 mcg | 300 mcg | 150 mcg | 200 mcg | 400 mcg | 600 mcg | 80 mcg | 3,000 mcg | 500 mcg | 30 mcg | 30 mcg | 300 mcg | Biotin | |
| Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B-5) | 50 mg | 500 mg | 50 mg | 250 mg | 45 mg | 50 mg | 400 mg | 150 mg | 150 mg | 350 mg | 50 mg | 100 mg | 600 mg | 75 mg | 10 mg | 10 mg | 16.5 mg | Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B-5) | |
| Calcium | 61 mg | 500 mg | 150 mg | 100 mg | 88 mg | 300 mg | 253 mg | 375 mg | 100 mg | 300 mg | 240 mg | 20 mg | Increasing concern that high dose calcium buffers simultaneous dosing of other micronutrients. | 460 mg | 0 | 200 mg | 210 mg | 500 mg | Calcium |
| Iodine | 100 mcg | 200 mcg | 200 mcg | 200 mcg | 150 mcg | 200 mcg | 150 mcg | 114 mcg | 112 mcg | 225 mcg | 150 mcg | 0 | 150 mcg | 150 mcg | 150 mcg | 150 mcg | 150 mcg | Iodine | |
| Magnesium | 100 mg | 500 mg | 150 mg | 200 mg | 170 mg | 150 mg | 200 mg | 187.5 mg | 200 mg | 275 mg | 240 mg | 20 mg | 400 mg | 40 mg | 100 mg | 75 mg | 50 mg | Magnesium | |
| Zinc | 15 mg | 25 mg | 15 mg | 25 mg | 30 mg | 15 mg | 15 mg | 15.5 mg | 10 mg | 15 mg | 15 mg | 6 mg | 35 mg | 15 mg | 15 mg | 15 mg | 30 mg | Zinc | |
| Selenium | 100 mcg | 200 mcg | 70 mcg | 250 mcg | 200 mcg | 200 mcg | 200 mcg | 150 mcg | 100 mcg | 200 mcg | 200 mcg | 40 mcg | 200 mcg | 100 mcg | 70 mcg | 21 mcg | 70 mcg | Selenium | |
| Copper | 100 mcg | 2 mg | 2 mg | 0 | 1.5 mg | 2 mg | 0-2 mg | 1.5 mg | 1 mg | 2 mg | 2 mg | 0 | Increasing concerns about toxicity. | 1 mg | 1 mg | 2 mg | 0.5 mg | 2 mg | Copper |
| Manganese | 3 mg | 10 mg | 2 mg | 1 mg | 3 mg | 5 mg | 2 mg | 0.75 mg | 2 mg | 6 mg | 2 mg | 3 mg | 1 mg | 0.5 mg | 4 mg | 4 mg | 2 mg | Manganese | |
| Chromium | 100 mcg | 200 mcg | 400 mcg | 200 mcg | 400 mcg | 100 mcg | 200 mcg | 150 mcg | 200 mcg | 200 mcg | 200 mcg | 80 mcg | 500 mcg | 200 mcg | 120 mcg | 60 mcg | 200 mcg | Chromium | |
| Molybdenum | 100 mcg | 100 mcg | 0 | 100 mcg | 100 mcg | 100 mcg | 150 mcg | 78 mcg | 25 mcg | 100 mcg | 45 mcg | 40 mcg | 125 mcg | 50 mcg | 75 mcg | 50 mcg | 75 mcg | Molybdenum | |
| Potassium | 50 mg | 99 mg | 50 mg | 100 mg | 0 | 99 mg | 0 | 74 mg | 50 mg | 75 mg | 0 | 20 mg | 35 mg | 0 | 0 | 80 mg | 80 mg | Potassium | |
| Data from manufacturers websites August 2017 | Manufacturers highest rated product profiled. | *<50% Is Vit A | +as synthetic DL-alpha tocopherol | ||||||||||||||||
| ^unidentified quantity in base | @ <50% is K2 | Wholly Immune powder is no longer in Comparative Guide | ^unidentified quantity in base | ||||||||||||||||
Optimum Silver rated 4, but appears to be discontinued |
Quality Ingredients:
Most of these practitioner multivitamin brands use quality ingredients in the standard multivitamin components, such as the methylcobalamin form of Vitamin B-12, the D-3 form of Vitamin D, and a mix of various forms of minerals utilizing the amino acid chelate or Krebs cycle form of the mineral for greater absorption.
Maximum Vitality® includes a number of expensive ingredients not included in other practitioner multivitamins. These include Coenzyme Q10, trans-Resveratrol, alpha- and r-lipoic acid, the gamma tocopherol and tocotrienol forms of vitamin E, and proanthocyanidins from grape seed. Many of the ingredients in prophylactic doses are included to balance and enhance overall health. These dosages are not intended to cure disease or patients with serious deficiencies.
See Quality at RSLabs for more information.
Value
With the lowest price per month compared to lesser, 4-Star-rated multivitamins, patients are pleased in the choice of Maximum Vitality as the patient greatest value among practitioner multivitamins.
Compliance
Compliance is perhaps the most critical confounding factor. For if the patient is required to follow too difficult a dosing protocol, and ends up not taking their multivitamin, then no matter how high the quality, the unused supplements provide no value. Maximum Vitality provides the greatest opportunity for compliance in this practitioner multivitamin comparison with a dose of only 4 tablets per day.
Independent Rating
Confirming the sophisticated formulation and quality ingredients, Lyle MacWilliam’s 2017 6th edition of the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements assigned Maximum Vitality® the only top 5-Star rating among practitioner multivitamin brands. Past editions show Maximum Vitality rating 5-Stars in the 2014 and 2007 editions, and 100 in an update to their 2003 edition, the only practitioner brand multivitamin to demonstrate ongoing enhancements to maintain a top rating for over 14 years.
