Going to the store or searching the internet for a good multivitamin can be confusing and frustrating. Answering these simple four questions will help you determine the quality of any multivitamin. Answer Yes to all Four Questions and you have a higher quality multivitamin. Answer No to all Four Questions and you have a poorer quality multivitamin. The more Yes answers the better!

Answering Question Number One

Look at the ingredients label and find the Vitamin E. You are looking for either the words d-alpha tocopherol or dl-alpha tocopherol. Some vitamins will have the form listed right after the vitamin and some will list the form at the bottom. Here are the two examples:

Vitamin E (as d-alpha-tocopherol succinate)

or

Ingredients: Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ascorbic acid (Vit. C), Ferrous Fumarate, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit E), Beta Carotene, Biotin, etc.

You want a multivitamin that supplies vitamin E in its natural form which is the “d” form of alpha tocopherol. The “dl” form is the unnatural, man-made form that is not utilized by your body as well as the natural form. Remember that you “Don’t Like” the unnatural “dl” form.

Question 1: Does the multivitamin supply Vitamin E in the natural “d” form? Yes or No

Answering Question Number Two

Now find the Calcium, Zinc and Magnesium. The table below gives you a guide to identify higher quality. High quality multi’s will contain only the “Higher Quality” mineral names, medium quality will contain mixtures of both, poorer quality will contain only the “Poorer Quality” mineral names.

Question 2: Does the multivitamin supply only Higher Quality minerals? Yes or No

Answering Question Number Three

Look to see if the ingredients label contains any of these preservatives, fillers, colorings, or chemicals.

Question 3: Is your multivitamin completely FREE of these chemicals? Yes or No

Answering Question Number Four

Finally, look at the label and see if you find any individual herbs or blends of herbs. Blends of herbs will be listed as a “Proprietary Blend” followed by a list of numerous herbs. Many companies use herbs as a marketing ploy to make you think that you are getting a benefit from taking very small amounts of an herb when in fact the amount being supplied is clinically worthless. Do not be fooled by slick herbal marketing. Common herbs are Ginsengs, Ginkgo Biloba, Soy, Black Cohosh, Pomegranate, Saw Palmetto and Wild Yam.

Question 4: Is the multivitamin formula FREE of any herbals? Yes or No