What nutrients are typically found in a multivitamin?

Nutrients Typically Found in Multivitamins

A standard multivitamin typically contains a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E, K, and minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and selenium. 1

Core Components of Multivitamins

Vitamins

• Water-soluble vitamins:

  • Vitamin B complex (B1/thiamin, B2/riboflavin, B3/niacin, B5/pantothenic acid, B6/pyridoxine, B7/biotin, B9/folate, B12/cobalamin)
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

• Fat-soluble vitamins:

  • Vitamin A (typically 6000 IU in standard formulations) 1
  • Vitamin D (usually 400-1000 IU, though bariatric guidelines recommend higher doses) 1
  • Vitamin E (often 30-45 IU)
  • Vitamin K (may be included in smaller amounts)

Minerals

• Major minerals:

  • Calcium (often as calcium carbonate or citrate) 2
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc (typically 15 mg) 1
  • Iron (amounts vary; higher in women's formulations)

• Trace minerals:

  • Copper (typically 2 mg) 1
  • Selenium
  • Chromium
  • Manganese
  • Molybdenum
  • Iodine

Dosage Considerations

Multivitamin formulations typically provide nutrients at levels close to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Daily Value (DV), though this can vary significantly between products 3. Important dosage considerations include:

• Most standard multivitamins contain 100% or less of the RDA for included nutrients 4
• Special populations may require different formulations:
  • Prenatal vitamins contain higher levels of folate (800-1000 μg) and iron 1
  • Bariatric surgery patients often require higher doses of certain nutrients 1
  • Senior formulations may contain higher vitamin D and B12 levels

Clinical Considerations

Safety Profile

Multivitamins containing nutrients at or below 100% of the RDA are generally considered safe for long-term use, with only minor adverse effects such as mild gastrointestinal symptoms reported in studies 4, 5.

Potential Interactions

• Calcium supplements in multivitamins may contribute to constipation in some individuals, particularly when in the form of calcium carbonate 2
• Iron and calcium should be taken 2 hours apart as they may inhibit each other's absorption 1
• Folic acid doses exceeding the RDA (0.4 mg) should not be included in multivitamin preparations for general use, as higher doses may mask B12 deficiency 6

Quality Variability

There is significant variability in the composition of commercially available multivitamin products, with actual nutrient content sometimes deviating from label values 7. This lack of standardization makes it difficult to directly compare different multivitamin products.

Special Population Considerations

For bariatric surgery patients, guidelines recommend more specific supplementation:

• Two multivitamin-mineral supplements daily (containing iron, folic acid, zinc, copper, selenium, and thiamin at 200% of the RDA) 1
• Additional calcium citrate (preferred over carbonate due to absorption issues) 1, 2
• Higher vitamin D supplementation (3000 IU daily) 1

For older adults:

• Higher calcium requirements (1200 mg/day for those over 50) 2
• May benefit from calcium citrate rather than carbonate if constipation is a concern 2

Multivitamins serve an important role in filling nutritional gaps in the diet, which may help prevent conditions such as anemia, neural tube defects, and osteoporosis 8.