What You Need to Know About Multivitamins

Food-Based Multivitamins

What they are: Vitamins combined with powdered whole foods. “The manufacturers basically break down vegetables, fruits, and other food ingredients, add vitamins, and formulate that into capsules,” explains Preeti Kulkarni, a naturopathic doctor in Los Gatos, California.

Benefits: Less chance of stomach upset. “Since you’re combining the vitamins with real food,” says Kulkarni, “they will be absorbed better and shouldn’t cause gastric distress.” In fact, it’s even OK to take this kind of multi on an empty stomach. Try New Chapter Organics Only One ($50 for 90 tablets, newchapter.com for stores).

Keep in mind: Despite the name, the vitamins you’re getting aren’t necessarily more natural; often they’re the same synthetically produced versions as in basic multis.