Product Image

Balanced Minerals

MegaFood
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(560 ratings)
Zinc 15 mg
Selenium 60 mcg
Manganese 2 mg
Molybdenum 23 mcg
Product Image
Score 20.0

MegaFood's Balanced Minerals offers bioavailable forms of many key trace minerals. However, the dangerously high listed chromium dosage of 180mg makes this product potentially unsafe and severely diminishes its overall utility. Additionally, the amounts of calcium and magnesium are too low for effective supplementation.

Quantity: 90 Tablet(s)Servings size: 3 Tablet(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Immunity
Skin Health
Hair Health
General Health
Testosterone Support

Score 20.0

MegaFood's Balanced Minerals offers bioavailable forms of many key trace minerals. However, the dangerously high listed chromium dosage of 180mg makes this product potentially unsafe and severely diminishes its overall utility. Additionally, the amounts of calcium and magnesium are too low for effective supplementation.

Analysis

MegaFood's Balanced Minerals is designed to offer a broad spectrum of essential trace minerals, utilizing premium, chelated forms like bisglycinates and glycinates, which generally boast superior absorption compared to common mineral salts. While the inclusion of Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Boron, Iodine, Magnesium, and Calcium is beneficial for diverse physiological functions, the formulation is severely marred by the stated GTF Chromium content. The quantity of 180mg of GTF Chromium (from 60mg each of Chromium Nicotinate, Glycinate, and Glutamate) is an alarmingly high dosage; typical safe and effective supplemental doses are in the microgram (mcg) range, not milligrams (mg). This extreme amount raises significant health and safety concerns, potentially leading to toxicity. Furthermore, the dosages of key macronutrients like Magnesium (50mg) and Calcium (100mg) are quite low, meaning the product wouldn't effectively address significant deficiencies in these areas, despite providing beneficial trace elements. The 'Organic Herb Blend' is a nice touch for a whole-food supplement, but its specific composition and contribution remain opaque.

Pros
  • Utilizes highly bioavailable chelated forms for most minerals (e.g., bisglycinates, glycinates), which significantly improves absorption and reduces gastrointestinal discomfort.
  • Provides a broad spectrum of important trace minerals essential for various bodily functions, including Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Boron, and Iodine.
  • The inclusion of an 'Organic Herb Blend' aligns with a whole-food philosophy, potentially offering synergistic benefits from plant compounds.
Cons
  • The stated quantity of GTF Chromium (180mg) is an alarmingly high and potentially toxic dose that could pose severe health risks, as typical supplemental doses are in micrograms.
  • Dosages of essential macronutrients like Magnesium (50mg) and Calcium (100mg) are too low to provide significant daily intake or address common deficiencies.
  • The Iodine content (50mcg) is below the recommended daily allowance for adults, making it an insufficient source for optimal thyroid support.
  • The specific ingredients and quantities within the 'Organic Herb Blend' are not disclosed, reducing transparency for consumers regarding its exact benefits.
Warnings
  • The quantity of GTF Chromium (180mg) listed on this product is extremely high and potentially dangerous. This dosage is several thousand times higher than typical safe supplemental levels (which are in micrograms) and could lead to chromium toxicity.
  • Users should verify the chromium dosage directly with the manufacturer or consult a healthcare professional before considering this product due to severe potential health risks.
$29.99($0.99 per serving)
Walmart
$ 29.99
Pure Formulas
$ 29.99
iHerb
$ 29.99
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Calcium (Calcium Bisglycinate) 100 mg
Iodine (Iodine Glycinate) 50 mcg
Magnesium (Magnesium Bisglycinate) 50 mg
Zinc (Zinc Bisglycinate) 15 mg
Selenium (Selenium Glycinate) 60 mcg
Manganese (Manganese Bisglycinate) 2 mg
GTF Chromium (Chromium Nicotinate, Chromium Glycinate, Chromium Glutamate) 60 mg
Molybdenum (Molybdenum Bisglycinate) 23 mcg
Boron (Boron Triglycinate) 500 mcg
Organic Herb Blend 150 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Kosher Dairy Free No Allergies Vegetarian
Categories
Zinc 70.0
The product provides 15mg of Zinc in the highly bioavailable Bisglycinate form, which is well-absorbed and generally gentle on the stomach. This dosage is effective for daily maintenance and immune support.
Selenium 65.0
It contains 60mcg of Selenium in the Glycinate form, considered a good, bioavailable option. This amount slightly exceeds the RDA, offering good antioxidant and thyroid support without being excessive.
Manganese 60.0
The product includes 2mg of Manganese as Manganese Bisglycinate, a well-absorbed form. While slightly under the adult RDA of 2.3mg, it still contributes meaningfully to bone health and metabolic processes.
Goals
Immunity 50.0
The product includes beneficial immune-supporting minerals like Zinc (15mg) and Selenium (60mcg) in well-absorbed forms. However, the overwhelming concern about the extremely high chromium dose makes the overall product unsuitable for this goal, as potential harm outweighs specific ingredient benefits.
Skin Health 45.0
Zinc and Selenium are present in good forms, contributing to skin integrity and protection due to their antioxidant roles. Yet, the significant safety concern regarding the chromium dosage makes this product a poor choice for promoting skin health due to the risk of adverse effects.
Hair Health 45.0
Zinc and Selenium are known to support hair follicle health, and Iodine, though at a lower dose, is crucial for thyroid function which impacts hair. Despite these inclusions, the alarmingly high chromium level poses a substantial safety risk, negating its potential benefits for hair health.
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89 Value

Sentry Men

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This male-specific multivitamin provides all the core minerals (Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Molybdenum) found in the original product, along with a wide array of other vitamins and minerals. Given the original product's listed goal of 'Testosterone Support', this alternative offers a more tailored and comprehensive approach for male health, at a significantly lower price per serving (0.07 compared to original's 0.99), presenting strong value.
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One 'n' Only Women

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4.4
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This multi-nutrient formula is exceptionally comprehensive, featuring all four key minerals (Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Molybdenum) in premium, highly absorbable forms (e.g., glycinate, citrate, lactate, selenocysteine). Beyond the minerals, it includes a rich blend of active B vitamins, herbal extracts, and superfood complexes, offering holistic support for a wide range of health goals including general health, anti-aging, and metabolism, making it a high-quality, comprehensive upgrade.
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