Multivitamin Ingredients Guide
Learn about the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients found in multivitamins — including benefits, recommended daily values, and which products contain each ingredient.
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
Vitamin D3 is the most bioavailable form of vitamin D, produced naturally in skin when exposed to sunlight. It's essential for calcium absorption, bone health, immune function, and muscle function.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant essential for collagen synthesis, immune function, and iron absorption. It must be obtained from diet or supplements as humans cannot synthesize it.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. Methylcobalamin is the active, directly usable form superior to cyanocobalamin.
Folate (Vitamin B9 / 5-MTHF)
Folate is a B-vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, and neural tube development during pregnancy. The methylated form (5-MTHF) is the bioactive form that bypasses MTHFR gene variants.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions. It's critical for immune function, wound healing, protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, and testosterone production.
Magnesium
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions. Over 50% of Americans are deficient, making it one of the most important supplements.
Vitamin A (Retinol / Beta-Carotene)
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, immune function, and cell growth. Beta-carotene (provitamin A) is safer than preformed retinol as the body converts only what it needs.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. D-alpha-tocopherol is the natural, more bioavailable form compared to synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol.
Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone)
Vitamin K2 activates proteins that regulate calcium deposition — directing calcium to bones and teeth rather than arteries. The MK-7 form has the longest half-life and best bioavailability.
Iron
Iron is an essential mineral for hemoglobin production, oxygen transport, and energy metabolism. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential for antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone metabolism, and immune function. It's a component of glutathione peroxidase, one of the body's most important antioxidant enzymes.
Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, essential for bone and teeth structure, muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting. Calcium carbonate requires stomach acid; calcium citrate is absorbed without food.
Omega-3 DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that's a structural component of the brain, retina, and cell membranes. It's critical for brain development in infants and cognitive health throughout life.
Iodine
Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, growth, and development. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy causes severe developmental disorders.
Choline
Choline is an essential nutrient involved in liver function, brain development, muscle movement, and nervous system health. It's particularly critical during pregnancy for fetal brain development.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a carotenoid antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color. It has been studied for its potential role in prostate health and cardiovascular protection.
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Niacin is a B-vitamin involved in over 400 enzymatic reactions, primarily in energy metabolism. It exists as nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. High-dose nicotinic acid can cause flushing.
Copper
Copper is an essential trace mineral needed for iron metabolism, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase), connective tissue formation, and neurological function.
Lutein
Lutein is a carotenoid antioxidant concentrated in the macula of the eye. It filters blue light and protects against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Boron
Boron is a trace mineral with emerging evidence for supporting bone health, cognitive function, and hormone balance. It appears to influence vitamin D and estrogen metabolism.
TMG (Trimethylglycine / Betaine)
Trimethylglycine (TMG), also known as betaine anhydrous, is a methyl donor involved in homocysteine metabolism and the methylation cycle. It has been studied for cardiovascular health, liver function, and exercise performance.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan that holds up to 1000x its weight in water. Oral supplementation at clinically studied doses has been shown to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Zeaxanthin
Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant that, together with lutein, forms the macular pigment in the eye. It selectively accumulates in the central macula where visual acuity is highest and filters damaging blue light.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Thiamine is a water-soluble B-vitamin essential for converting carbohydrates into energy and for proper nerve and heart function. It plays a central role in the Krebs cycle and is required for synthesis of acetylcholine.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Riboflavin is a water-soluble B-vitamin that serves as a precursor to FAD and FMN coenzymes, which are essential for energy metabolism, cellular growth, and the metabolism of other B-vitamins.
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble B-vitamin that is a precursor to Coenzyme A (CoA), which is central to fatty acid synthesis, energy metabolism, and the production of steroid hormones and neurotransmitters.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine / P5P)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble vitamin that serves as a coenzyme for over 100 enzyme reactions. Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P5P) is the active coenzyme form, superior to pyridoxine HCl as it requires no conversion.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin is a water-soluble B-vitamin that serves as a coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and gluconeogenesis. It is often marketed for hair and nail health.
Potassium
Potassium is an essential electrolyte and the most abundant intracellular cation in the body. It is critical for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, fluid balance, and blood pressure regulation.
Manganese
Manganese is an essential trace mineral that serves as a cofactor for multiple enzymes involved in bone formation, amino acid metabolism, and antioxidant defense (manganese superoxide dismutase).
Chromium
Chromium is an essential trace mineral that enhances the action of insulin and plays a role in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It is required in very small amounts.