The best way to attain vitamins and minerals is by following a healthy eating plan, as outlined in my book God-given Foods Eating Plan. As I write, “God did not intend for us to get our nourishment from pills. He put all that we need in the foods He provided for us. But we need to eat a variety of these God-given foods” (p.15).

However, I also wrote in my book, “This is not to say there is not a place for supplements. But they are just that, a way to supplement or to add a little ‘extra’ to a healthy diet. In no way can supplements make up for an unhealthy diet.” (p. 15).

But this in no ways means it would be beneficial to take mega-doses of vitamins and minerals. The potential problems with such supplements are detailed in the article Folly of Synthetic, Mega-Dose Supplements. But there is some wisdom to the idea of taking a basic supplement containing 100% of the Daily Value (DV) for a variety of nutrients as an “insurance” against nutrient deficiencies.

There are many such supplements popularly available. However, there are two common problems with them. First, the nutrients are synthetic. Second, they often contain artificial colorings.

In regards to the first point, that is why my favorite multi is Twinlab’s Food Based Ultra Daily. Follow the link for details. However, it is somewhat expensive. So for those with limited budgets, a synthetic supplement will have to do.

However, the second problem holds true for most such products. As I discuss in my book, by definition, such artificial colorings ingredients are not natural or “God-given” and are best avoided.

But one such supplement that does not contain artificial ingredients is Higher Power’s Once Daily Multi. It contains 28 different nutrients, with most being in the 100 - 200% of the DV range. It is a very inexpensive and can purchased from Bodybuilding.com Note that Higher Power is Bodybuilding.com’s own brand.

Below is the label information:

Beta Carotene (Pro-Vitamin A) – 5750 IU – 115%
Vitamin D – 520 IU – 130%
Vitamin E – 36 IU – 120%
Vitamin C (With Rose Hips) – 75 mg – 125%
Folic Acid – 400 mcg – 100%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) – 2.55 mg – 170%
Vitamin B2 – 3 mg – 176%
Niacin – 20 mg – 100%
Vitamin B6 – 3.2 mg – 160%
Vitamin B12 – 12 mcg – 200%
Biotin – 300 mcg – 100%
Pantothenic Acid – 10 mg – 100%

Iodine – 150 mcg – 100%
Iron – 1.8 mg – 10%
Magnesium – 60 mg – 15%
Calcium – 100 mg – 10%
Phosphorus – 100 mg – 10%
Copper – 2 mg – 100%
Zinc – 15 mg – 100%
Manganese – 4 mg – **
Potassium – 15.4 mg – **
Molybdenum – 25 mcg – **
Chromium – 50 mcg – **
Boron – 150 mcg – **
Selenium – 25 mcg – **
Vitamin K1 – 25 mcg – **
Vanadium – 10– mcg **
Lecithin – 10 mg – **

** Not currently considered essential.

Directions:
As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule per day after a meal.

However, it should be noted, there are a few mistakes on this label. It has the following nutrients all marked as “Not currently considered essential.” But they most definitely are, with DVs available: Manganese, Potassium, Molybdenum, Chromium, Boron, Selenium, Vitamin K1.

The DVs for the amounts given would be:

Manganese: 200%
Potassium: <1%
Molybdenum: 33%
Chromium: 40%
Boron: <1%
Selenium: 35%
Vitamin K1: 25%

I contacted Bodybuilding.com, and the said they will look into and correct this problem.