Multivitamin Supplements

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A multivitamin combines a range of vitamins and minerals, and sometimes other ingredients, in one daily tablet, capsule, pack or gummy. It is a backup for gaps in your diet rather than a replacement for food. This collection includes two-per-day and once-daily formulas, gender-specific multis and gummies from brands such as Condemned Labz, Allmax and MuscleTech.

Read the Multivitamin Supplements buying guide
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Multivitamin Supplements: buying guide

Who a multivitamin may suit

The US Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) is clear that multivitamins cannot take the place of eating a variety of foods. They may make sense for people who avoid certain foods, such as strict vegetarians and vegans, and for adults over 50, who are advised to get vitamin B12 from fortified foods or supplements. On long-term health, the ODS says multivitamins appear to have little or no effect on heart disease risk and that their effect on cancer risk is unclear, so think of one as nutritional insurance, not a substitute for medical care. Pregnancy needs a dedicated prenatal formula chosen with your doctor, not a sports multi.

Types in this collection

  • Two-per-day or once-daily tablets. Simpler formulas taken with meals.
  • Men's and women's formulas. Blends adjusted by the brand for each group, so compare the actual amounts rather than the label on the front.
  • Gummies. Easier to take, including kids' formulas. Compare nutrient amounts per serve and the sugar content.

How to compare multivitamins

Check the amount of each nutrient per daily dose and how many tablets or packs that dose involves. Then add up what you already get from other supplements and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals. The ODS warns that taking several products can push intake of some nutrients, particularly iron, vitamin A and zinc, above safe upper limits. Look for extras such as caffeine or herbal blends in sports packs, and check for allergens.

Safety

A basic multivitamin is unlikely to harm your health, according to the ODS. Smokers, and possibly former smokers, should avoid products with large amounts of beta-carotene or vitamin A. If you take warfarin, check with your doctor before using any product containing vitamin K.

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Related categories

Browse vitamins and minerals, vitamin D, magnesium and kids supplements.

Sources: NIH ODS: Multivitamin/mineral supplements; healthdirect: Vegetarian and vegan diets.

Order online with Australia-wide delivery, free on orders of $100 or more, or visit a Supps247 store in Melbourne, regional Victoria or Brisbane to compare products in person before you buy. Members can use our price match guarantee on full-priced items.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, check with your doctor first.

Multivitamin Supplements: questions and answers

Do I need a multivitamin if I eat a healthy diet?
Probably not. The US Office of Dietary Supplements says multivitamins cannot replace eating a variety of foods, and studies show little or no effect on heart disease risk. A multi can help fill gaps if you avoid whole food groups, eat a restricted diet or are over 50 and need extra vitamin B12. If you are unsure, a blood test through your GP shows whether you are actually low in anything.
Is it safe to take a multivitamin every day?
For most adults, yes. The US Office of Dietary Supplements says taking a basic multivitamin is unlikely to harm your health. The risk comes from stacking several products, which can push iron, vitamin A or zinc above safe upper limits. Smokers should avoid high doses of beta-carotene and vitamin A, and anyone on warfarin should check with their doctor before taking vitamin K.
Should vegans take a multivitamin?
It can help. The US Office of Dietary Supplements says people who avoid certain foods, such as strict vegetarians and vegans, might consider a multivitamin. Healthdirect specifically recommends vitamin B12 supplements for vegans, and notes that iron, zinc, iodine and omega-3 can be low on a plant-based diet. Check the label to make sure the multi itself is suitable for vegans.
Can I take a multivitamin with my other supplements?
Usually, but check the totals. Many sports products, greens powders and fortified foods already contain vitamins and minerals. The US Office of Dietary Supplements warns that combining products can push some nutrients, particularly iron, vitamin A and zinc, above safe upper limits. Add up the amounts on each label, and ask your pharmacist if you take prescription medicines.
Where can I buy a multivitamin in Melbourne?
You can order multivitamins online from Supps247 or buy them in our stores across Melbourne and Victoria, including Chapel Street in South Yarra, Craigieburn and Clyde North. The range covers two-tablet daily formulas such as Condemned Labz Multi, men's and women's multis, gummies and kids' formulas. Not every store carries the full range, so check the product page or call ahead. Find your nearest store, or order online for delivery in 2 to 8 business days.
How do I compare multivitamins for men, women and kids?
Look past the label on the front and compare the amounts on the panel. Sports and men's multis are often high in vitamin D and zinc, so check them against Australia's adult upper limits of 80 mcg of vitamin D and 40 mg of zinc a day from all sources. Condemned Labz Multi, for example, gives 20 mcg of vitamin D3 and 11 mg of zinc per two tablets, with no iron. Women who think they need iron should take it on medical advice. Keep kids' gummies out of reach, as they can look like lollies, and ask your GP or pharmacist before giving supplements to a child.
Do multivitamins work, and what are the real benefits?
They work in a narrow sense: a multivitamin reliably adds the vitamins and minerals printed on its label, which matters if your diet falls short, for example if you skip whole food groups or eat very little. What research has not shown is a clear long-term health payoff for people who already eat well. The US Office of Dietary Supplements reports that most studies found little or no effect on major health outcomes, and that the effect on cancer risk is unclear. Use a multi to cover gaps, not as a shortcut to better health.
What side effects can a multivitamin cause?
A basic multivitamin at the label dose is unlikely to cause harm, according to the US Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron is the ingredient most likely to cause trouble: high doses, especially on an empty stomach, can bring on an upset stomach, constipation or nausea. Check vitamin B6 as well: the TGA warns that tingling, burning or numbness in the hands or feet can occur at doses below 50 mg a day, and sports multis, magnesium and zinc products often add B6. If you notice those symptoms, stop and see your GP.
When is the best time to take a multivitamin if I am just starting?
No time of day has been proven best, so choose the one you will remember. Most labels say to take it with a meal: Condemned Labz Multi suggests 2 tablets with breakfast or lunch, partly to reduce the chance of an upset stomach, and the Vitaform women's formula says after breakfast. If you are new to multivitamins, start with one simple daily formula at the label dose, hold off on other vitamin products for the first few weeks, and keep the bottle where you eat breakfast so it becomes a habit.
Do athletes need a sports multivitamin?
Not automatically. The Australian Institute of Sport places multivitamins in Group B, meaning emerging or mixed evidence that is worth considering only in specific situations, such as when an athlete's food choices are restricted. If you eat a varied diet with enough food for your training, a multi is optional. If you want one, sports formulas such as MuscleTech Platinum Multi Vitamin (3 tablets a day) and Mutant Multi add amino or herbal blends, so compare the actual vitamin amounts. Drug-tested athletes should choose batch-tested products.
Which multivitamin suits men over 50, and can I get one without iron?
Multis made for older adults usually carry more calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 and less iron than those for younger adults, according to the US Office of Dietary Supplements, which also advises people over 50 to get B12 from fortified foods or supplements. Healthdirect says to see your doctor before taking any iron supplement, so an iron-free formula makes sense unless you have been told you need iron. Options here with no iron on the label include Condemned Labz Multi and Allmax Vitaform, which also contains glucosamine from shellfish.
Can I get multivitamin gummies near me?
Gummies suit people who find tablets hard to swallow, but compare the panel with a tablet before you switch, as gummies can contain sugar and may provide fewer nutrients or leave out iron. The gummies in this range are children's formulas, such as Piping Rock Kids Multivitamin with Probiotic and Renew Actives Kids Multivitamin and Minerals. Use our store locator to find multivitamins near you, and check the product page or call the store before you travel, as stock varies.

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