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Once Daily High Energy Iron Free Multivitamin
Solaray
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(1345 ratings)
PABA 25 mg
Folate 680 mcg
Vitamin B5 25 mg
Choline 7.8 mg
Thiamin 5 mg
Niacin 25 mg
Riboflavin 5 mg
Score 65.0
Solaray Once Daily is an iron-free multivitamin emphasizing energy with a full B-complex. While affordable and convenient, its extremely high Vitamin A content from retinyl palmitate is concerning for daily use, and it uses less bioavailable forms of some key B vitamins.
Quantity: 120 VegCap(s)Servings size: 1 VegCap(s) (120 servings)
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Brain Health
leaderboard Score 65.0
Solaray Once Daily is an iron-free multivitamin emphasizing energy with a full B-complex. While affordable and convenient, its extremely high Vitamin A content from retinyl palmitate is concerning for daily use, and it uses less bioavailable forms of some key B vitamins.
This multivitamin by Solaray is formulated for general health with an emphasis on 'High Energy,' primarily supported by its comprehensive B vitamin complex. It includes important co-factors like Choline, Inositol, and PABA, along with a range of minerals, some in 'asporotate' (chelated) forms which generally suggest better absorption. The 'iron-free' aspect is a key feature, making it suitable for individuals who already get sufficient iron or need to avoid excess. While the once-daily convenience and affordable price per serving are appealing, the product contains an extremely high dose of Vitamin A (7500mcg RAE, equivalent to 25,000 IU) derived from both Retinyl Palmitate (pre-formed Vitamin A) and Beta-Carotene. This level far exceeds the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of 3000mcg RAE for adults and could lead to toxicity with prolonged daily use. Furthermore, several B vitamins are in their standard, less active forms (e.g., Folic Acid instead of L-Methylfolate, Cyanocobalamin instead of Methylcobalamin), which may not be optimally utilized by all individuals, especially those with genetic variations like MTHFR. The doses of certain minerals such as Magnesium and Zinc are also quite low for optimal physiological benefits.
- Iron-free formulation is ideal for individuals who do not need additional iron supplementation.
- Contains a wide range of B vitamins, crucial for energy production and metabolism.
- Includes choline, inositol, and PABA, which offer general health and cognitive support.
- Convenient once-daily dosing simplifies supplementation routine.
- Reasonably priced at $0.27 per serving.
- Contains an excessive amount of Vitamin A (7500mcg RAE), particularly from Retinyl Palmitate, which can lead to toxicity with prolonged daily intake.
- Uses less bioavailable forms for key B vitamins, such as Folic Acid (instead of L-Methylfolate) and Cyanocobalamin (instead of Methylcobalamin), potentially reducing efficacy for some users.
- Dosages of essential minerals like magnesium (10mg total) and zinc (1.5mg) are very low, offering minimal therapeutic benefit.
- The 'Whole Food and Herb Base' is a proprietary blend with unspecified quantities, making it difficult to assess its true contribution to overall health goals.
- The exceptionally high dose of Vitamin A (25,000 IU from Retinyl Palmitate and Beta-Carotene) significantly exceeds the recommended daily upper intake limit and may pose a risk of liver toxicity or other adverse effects with long-term consumption.
- Individuals with MTHFR gene variations may have difficulty converting the Folic Acid in this product to its active form, potentially reducing its effectiveness for folate-related health benefits.
$33.54($0.27 per serving)
 Amazon | $ 37.10 | |
 iHerb | $ 33.54 | |
 Vitacost | $ 37.29 |
| Ingredient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate, Beta-Carotene) | 7500 mcg |
| Vitamin C (Rose Hip, Ascorbic Acid, Acerola Cherry) | 75 mg |
| Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) | 10 mcg |
| Vitamin E (D-Alpha-Tocopheryl Succinate, Natural) | 67 mg |
| Thiamine (Thiamine Mononitrate) | 5 mg |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | 5 mg |
| Niacin (Niacinamide) | 25 mg |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) | 5 mg |
| Folic Acid | 680 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) | 25 mcg |
| Biotin | 10 mcg |
| Pantothenic Acid (Calcium Pantothenate) | 25 mg |
| Calcium (Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Asporotate) | 10 mg |
| Iodine (Kelp) | 22.5 mcg |
| Magnesium (Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Asporotate) | 5 mg |
| Zinc (Zinc Asporotate) | 1.5 mg |
| Selenium (Selenomethionine) | 1 mcg |
| Copper (Copper Asporotate) | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese (Manganese Asporotate) | 0.5 mg |
| Chromium (Chromium Asporotate) | 2 mcg |
| Potassium (Potassium Asporotate) | 5 mg |
| Choline (Choline Bitartrate) | 7.8 mg |
| Para-Aminobenzoic Acid | 25 mg |
| Inositol | 20 mg |
| Whole Food and Herb Base | 93 mg |
Categories
Vitamin B5 75.0
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) is provided as Calcium Pantothenate at 25mg, which is a robust and highly bioavailable dose. This vitamin is crucial for energy metabolism and adrenal gland function, making this a strong component of the B-complex in this product.
Niacin 70.0
The product contains 25mg of Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3 that provides metabolic benefits without causing the 'niacin flush' often associated with nicotinic acid. This is a standard and effective dose for daily supplementation.
Riboflavin 70.0
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is present at 5mg, a standard and effective dose for its role in energy production and cellular growth. While Riboflavin 5'-Phosphate (an active form) might offer slightly better absorption, the provided form is generally well-utilized by the body.
Goals
General Health 75.0
As a comprehensive multivitamin, it covers a wide array of essential vitamins and minerals, providing foundational support for overall well-being. Despite some suboptimal ingredient forms and concerns with Vitamin A, it serves as a reasonable daily nutritional base.
Energy 70.0
The product provides a comprehensive range of B vitamins, which are fundamental for cellular energy production. Although the forms are standard rather than highly active, they will contribute to general energy levels. However, it lacks additional ingredients for an acute 'energy boost' often found in specialized formulations.
Productivity Boost 70.0
By supporting cellular energy and overall metabolic health through its B vitamin complex, the multivitamin can contribute to sustained energy levels, which indirectly supports productivity. It is not, however, a 'boost' in the sense of acute stimulation.
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