Half of us worry whether we're taking the right multivitamin and if it could be contaminated. Chris Olsen with test results to put your mind at ease.
Christopher Guglielmo is a personal trainer who makes taking care of himself a priority. Like nearly 40 per cent of all adults, he takes a multivitamin every day,
With so many different multivitamins on the market, knowing which one is right for you can be confusing. Consumer Reports tested 21 regular daily multivitamins, as well as one for seniors and chewable vitamins for children.
"Not everyone needs to take a multivitamin, particularly if you eat a balanced diet. But it's necessary for pregnant women and people on strict diets," Gayle Williams of Consumer Reports said.
Consumer Reports had an outside lab test for the ingredients claimed, as well as contamination.
None contained worrisome levels of heavy metals or excessive doses of any vitamin or mineral.
Consumer Reports also tested to see how well the multivitamins dissolve. That's important, so you're able to get all the nutrients. A couple had problems but they are sold only in the United States.
"The good news is all the other multivitamins passed Consumer Reports' tests, so you can choose by price," Williams said.
One of the least expensive for all three types was Equate from Walmart and the Kirkland Signature multivitamins from Costco will save you even more. And if you really want to cut your costs, look for multivitamin sales and buy in bulk, since many vitamins don't expire for at least a year. But don't rely on a multivitamin for your nutrients, experts say you still need to eat a varied diet rich in fruit and vegetables.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
