For Heart Health: What Should an Optimal Multinutrient Formula Contain?

How do I know if my multinutrient vitamin has everything I need for optimal heart health and overall health?

When shopping for a multinutrient formula, there are a number of “basics” that I recommend it include for maintaining optimum heart health, as well as overall health. As you’ll see from the list below, I'm not a proponent of mega-dosing. However, I also don’t believe that you can get all of the nutritional support you need by taking a supplement that promises everything in just one tablet or capsule a day. I would avoid those types of products.

This list is my baseline for what constitutes a quality multinutrient. Compare it with your multivitamin’s nutrition label to see how the brand in your medicine cabinet stacks up.

• 7,500 IU mixed carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha-carotene), and vitamin A (palmitate)
• 200–400 IU vitamin E (mixed tocopherols, gamma tocopherol, tocotrienols)
• 400–500 mg vitamin C
• 400–2,000 IU vitamin D
• 500–750 mg calcium
• 200–500 mg magnesium
• 50–100 mg potassium
• 100–200 mcg selenium
• 400–800 mcg folic acid
• 10–20 mg vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• 10–20 mg vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• 20–40 mg vitamin B6
• 200–1,000 mcg vitamin B12
• 25–50 mg vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• 10–20 mg zinc
• 100–200 mcg chromium picolinate
• 10–40 mg quercetin
• 200–500 mcg vanadium
• 1–2 mg manganese
• 1 mg copper
• 75–150 mg iodine (kelp)
• 75–150 mg molybdenum
• 50 mg inositol
• 25–200 mcg biotin

One more thing: Remember that a multinutrient is only the foundation of a complete supplement program. For optima; heart health, I also recommend that everyone supplement with at least 1 to 2 grams of omega-3 essential fatty acids daily. And if you have other cardiovascular concerns, you’ll also benefit from my “Awesome Foursome”—the four supplements I recommend for anyone looking for additional support. As a last step, I often recommend that patients take specific supplements based on other health concerns they may have.

Learn More From Dr. Sinatra

• Read more questions and answers about my Cardinal Principles of Health.
• Read more questions and answers on all topics.