Vitamins & minerals

Testing carries the most weight (35%) because a label alone cannot be trusted: a review of lead in mineral and multivitamin products (opens in a new tab) found some with concerning amounts and said only third-party testing shows which. We count independent tests most, paid seals less, and long ingredient lists as a cost. Most people who eat well gain little from a multivitamin, while a single nutrient helps when you are low, as with vitamin D.

Ingredients 25%

Forms the body uses well, at doses the research supports, with few fillers: no artificial colors, titanium dioxide, sweeteners or proprietary blends.

Independent testing 35%

Highest when someone the maker does not pay (a consumer group, journalist, university or regulator) has tested it for the contaminants that matter here and published clean results. A certification the maker pays for, or the maker’s own lab reports, count for less, and claims with nothing published count for little.

Evidence 15%

The dose and form match the research, and the label claims stay within it. Megadoses cost points.

Trust 10%

Highest when the maker names everything, answers questions, and has no recalls, warning letters, Prop 65 notices or lawsuits over safety or labeling. Points come off for unresolved problems and for paid promoters it does not disclose.

Value 15%

Price per day’s dose against the others here that pass.

Each product scores every one from 1 to 5, and its rating is the weighted average. We list only products rated 3 or above that break none of our rules.

We avoid

• Proprietary blends that hide amounts.
• Doses above the tolerable upper intake level without a reason, such as vitamin D over 4,000 IU, zinc over 40 mg or supplemental magnesium over 350 mg a day.
• Seals the maker gives itself (“lab tested”, “GMP quality”) with no named testing organization.
• Cure, detox or “boosts everything” claims.
• Vitamin K products with no warning for people who take warfarin.

Read the research

• Types of Magnesium
• Supplementation guide
• Zinc Basics
• The B complex