Vitamin supplements typically vary, depending on the population group they are made and marketed for. However, most supplements contain some common essential vitamins and minerals in varying amounts. Dietary Reference Intakes that have been established by the federal Institute of Medicine to help meet the nutrient needs for different population groups. DRIs include recommended dietary allowances and adequate intakes. Many multivitamin supplements contain part or all of the DRIs for certain nutrients.
Vitamins
Common vitamins in supplements include vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B-6, B-12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin and pantothenic acid. Amounts of each vitamin and the percent daily value are listed on the supplement ingredient label. DRIs for folate are higher for pregnant and nursing women than for other adults; therefore, folic acid or synthetic folate is present in prenatal vitamin supplements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture website provides DRI tables with recommendations for different population groups, which are based on gender and age.
Minerals
The following minerals are usually present in multivitamin supplements: calcium, iron, zinc, chromium, copper, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum and selenium. Iodine is an essential mineral present in some multivitamin supplements and is especially important for pregnant and nursing women. The RDA for iron is significantly higher for pregnant women compared with other adults; therefore, most prenatal vitamins provide more iron than regular multivitamin supplements.
Prenatal Vitamins
In addition to providing significant amounts of iron, folic acid and iodine, some prenatal vitamins contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are important nutrients for pregnant women, according to the American Dietetic Association. Although omega-3s are essential fatty acids and not considered vitamins or minerals, they are present in some prenatal vitamins because of their importance in fetal cognitive development.
Variations
Most multivitamin supplements are customized for men, women, older adults, pregnant women or children. Liquid infant vitamin supplements are also available. Although most essential vitamins and minerals are present in multivitamin supplements, amounts of each nutrient may vary. For example, vitamins made for women of childbearing age typically contain higher amounts of iron than multivitamins for men. Not all multivitamin supplements contain all essential nutrients, and some may contain greater amounts of certain nutrients than what is necessary. Therefore, it's important to check the nutrition label of all multivitamin or prenatal vitamin supplements, and consult with your health care provider before using them.
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