Compare Vitamins and Supplements (9 min.)

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With so many vitamins and supplements on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. How do you know which ones are right for you? This guide compares top-selling products, including multivitamins, fish oil, and turmeric supplements, so that you can make more informed choices about your health.

While comparing each Cooper Complete product to everything else available would be a monumental task—and information overload for our valued customers—we share below how three of our most popular products compare to competitors’ best sellers of their types.

Compare Vitamins and Supplements: Multivitamins

Since multivitamins contain so many essential nutrients (16-17 in Cooper Complete Basic One Daily Multivitamins), it’s easy to assume they all deliver the same or similar benefits. But when you look closer, important differences are evident.

Comparing Cooper Complete Basic One to Centrum Adults multivitamins—some of the most popular multivitamins on the market—the story begins with the B vitamins.

Compare Basic One and Centrum Vitamins
Ingredient	Cooper Complete Basic One	Centrum Adults	Centrum Silver Adults
Thiamin-vitamin B1	1.5 mg	1.5 mg	1.5 mg
Riboflavin-vitamin B2	2 mg	1.7 mg	1.7 mg
Niacin-vitamin B3	20 mg (as niacinamide)	20 mg	20 mg
Pantothenic Acid-vitamin B5	10 mg	10 mg	10 mg
Vitamin B6	10 mg	2 mg	3 mg
Biotin-vitamin B7	—	30 mcg	30 mcg
Folic Acid-vitamin B9	333 mcg DFE (200 mcg as Quatrefolic® (6s)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, glucosamine sale)	667 mcg DFE (400 mcg folic acid)	667 mcg DFE (400 mcg folic acid)
Vitamin B12	400 mcg (as methylcobalamin)	6 mcg	25 mcg

Forms of Folic Acid

The folic acid contained in Centrum Adults multivitamin is a synthetic form, while the folate in Cooper Complete Basic One is Quatrefolic^®, the naturally occurring active form of folate (5-methyltetrahydrofolate or 5-MTHF). This form of folate crosses the blood-brain barrier† to help the body produce serotonin†, norepinephrine† and dopamine†, and doesn’t mask the anemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiencies the way many other forms of folic acid do.

It is estimated that as many as 60% of U.S. consumers can’t convert folic acid to the active form the body uses†. Unlike synthetic forms of folate, which require an additional enzyme to aid conversion, the 5-MTHF found in Basic One can be immediately absorbed by the body to deliver its benefits†. Read more about the benefits of folate here†.

Commercial cereals, bread and other grains have been fortified in the United States since 1998, and the average adult consumes 100 to 200 mcg per day of folic acid from fortified foods. Individuals consuming higher levels of cereals and grains and also taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid may go above the 1000 mcg daily tolerable upper intake level (UL). Taking into account the average diet, Basic One contains 200 mcg of folic acid rather than 400 mcg.

Vitamin B12 Absorption

As we age, stomach acid levels decrease, reducing the absorption of nutrients, including B12. The form of B12 found in Cooper Complete Basic One—methylcobalamin—is more absorbable† than the synthetic form found in Centrum Adults. Additionally, Basic One contains 400 mcg of vitamin B12, which helps ensure the body has a healthy level of B12†, compared to the 6 mcg in Centrum Adults and 25 mcg found in Centrum Silver multivitamins. Vitamin B12 is crucial in cell metabolism throughout the body†, DNA production†, and healthy nerve function†.

Letter Vitamins and Lycopene

In addition to the significant advantages offered by Basic One’s B vitamins, there are several important differences you should be aware of with other multivitamin ingredients.

Compare Letter Vitamins and Lycopene
Ingredient	Cooper Complete Basic One	Centrum Adults	Centrum Silver Adults
Vitamin A	600 mcg (100% as beta-carotene)	1050 mcg (29% as beta-carotene)	750 mcg (40% as beta-carotene)
Vitamin C	150 mg	60 mg	60 mg
Vitamin D3	50 mcg (2000 IU)	25 mcg (1000 IU)	25 mcg (1000 IU)
Vitamin E	134 mg (as natural d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate)	13.5 mg	22.5 mg
Vitamin K		25 mcg	30 mcg
Lycopene	5 mg (5000 mcg)		300 mcg (0.3 mg)

Vitamin A

Consuming too much vitamin A may interfere with the ability of vitamin D to work properly. Additionally, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, “it is preferable to choose a multivitamin supplement that has all or the vast majority of its vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene†.” While all 600 mcg of Basic One’s vitamin A is non-toxic beta carotene, only 304.5 mcg (29%) of Centrum Adults’ vitamin A comes from beta carotene.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C supports immune health and helps with iron absorption†. Some studies have explored its potential role in supporting cardiovascular health†. The National Institutes of Health tells us that adults who take 80-110 mg per day of vitamin C may reduce their risk of cancer†.

Vitamin D3

The physicians of Cooper Clinic have established 50 mcg (2000 IU) as the baseline level of vitamin D supplementation. Centrum Adults multivitamins deliver only half this recommended level with each daily serving.

Vitamin E

A study of approximately 90,000 nurses found the incidence of heart disease was 30% to 40% lower in those with the highest intakes of vitamin E, primarily from supplements†. Basic One contains more vitamin E than Centrum Adults and is a natural form (D-alpha-tocopheryl succinate), which is absorbed and retained better than the synthetic form†.

Vitamin K

To enable individuals on traditional blood thinners to take our multivitamins safely, vitamin K has been intentionally excluded from Cooper Complete Basic One as it plays an important role in blood clotting†.

Lycopene

A Finnish study found that men with the highest concentrations of lycopene had a decreased risk of stroke†. Basic One contains more than 16 times more lycopene than Centrum Silver Adults.

[Bonus: Read about reasons to take a multivitamin.]

Compare Vitamins and Supplements: Fish Oil Supplements

The U.S. accounts for almost 78% of the over $5.6 billion global omega-3 supplement market, with annual growth predicted at 8.6% through 2028. The Mayo Clinic considers omega-3 fatty acids essential for good health†, reducing heart disease risk†, lowering blood pressure†, triglycerides† and cholesterol† and providing inflammatory relief† for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis†.

American Heart Association (AHA)  recommends eating fatty fish, the primary source of omega-3 fats, at least two times per week. Two to three 3-ounce servings of fatty fish a week provide an average daily intake of 500 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the types of fatty acids associated with a lower risk of heart disease†. Cooper Clinic physicians recommend a minimum daily serving of 1000 mg (1 gram) per day of EPA and DHA fatty acids.

As with multivitamins and any other nutritional supplement, it’s important to read the product label carefully to identify the meaningful differences in omega-3 supplements. You want to consume adequate levels of EPA and DHA—and not pay too much for them. Below is a comparison of Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 and two top-selling brands, Nordic Naturals^® Ultimate Omega^® and Nature Made^® Fish Oil.

Compare Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements (Softgels)
Ingredient	Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3	Nordic Naturals® Ultimate Omega	Nature Made® Fish Oil 1200 mg (360 mg Omega-3)
Total omega-3 fatty acids	1400 mg	1280 mg	720 mg
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)	720 mg	650 mg	600 mg EPA + DHA combined
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)	480 mg	450 mg	^see above
Other omega-3 fatty acids	200 mg	180 mg	120 mg

While Nature Made Fish Oil is attractively priced—making it a top-selling supplement—it actually costs almost 10% more than Cooper Complete Advanced Omega 3 for the amount of EPA and DHA consumed with each serving. Nordic Natural Ultimate Omega, on the other hand, contains 8% less EPA and DHA at a cost that’s 30% higher than Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3.

For more information on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, read about the health support they deliver throughout the body†.

Compare Vitamins and Supplements: Turmeric Supplements

Considered a superstar among natural health practitioners, the anti-inflammatory benefits of the antioxidant turmeric are behind the recent growth of this popular supplement†. Fortune Business InsightsTM reports that the turmeric supplement market, valued at $73.4 million globally, will double to more than $155 million by 2029.

Turmeric is often taken for its antioxidant properties and support for the body’s inflammatory response†. In addition to its anti-inflammatory benefits for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, turmeric is being studied for its role in supporting skin, heart, brain, and digestive system health†.

Additionally, preliminary research indicates turmeric may also reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar†. And there is growing research on turmeric’s role in protecting the brain from Alzheimer’s disease†. Read more to get the details on the whole-body benefits of turmeric†.

When it comes to finding the best turmeric supplement for you, read labels carefully to understand the amount of curcuminoids in each recommended serving clearly. Curcuminoids are natural polyphenol compounds derived from turmeric root and are the active ingredients delivering this supplement’s benefits†.

Natural turmeric powder contains 150 mg of curcuminoids in each teaspoon (3% of volume). Additionally, turmeric supplements may include turmeric curcuminoid extract standardized to 95% pure curcumin to deliver its optimal benefits†.

Compare Turmeric Supplements
Ingredient	Cooper Complete Turmeric Curcumin Complex	Qunol® Extra Strength Turmeric Curcumin Complex	BioSchwartz Premium Ultra Pure Turmeric Curcumin with Bioperine® 1500 mg
Turmeric Complex	1000 mg	1000 mg	1350 mg
Curcuminoids	1000 mg 95% standardized	180-220 mg 18-22% curcuminoids	150 mg 150 mg 95% standardized
Contains BioPerine®	Yes	No	Yes

While Qunol^® and BioSchwartz^® turmeric supplements may appear to contain the highest amounts of curcuminoids based on the volume stated on the label (1500 and 1350 mg, respectively), Cooper Complete Turmeric Curcumin Complex, with 1000 mg at 95% standardized curcuminoids, has 400% more than BioSchwartz or 200% more than Qunol.

In addition to its high concentration of curcuminoids, Cooper Complete Turmeric also contains BioPerine. This black pepper extract contains piperine, which improves curcumin absorption by a factor of 20†. Not all turmeric supplements contain this helpful ingredient†. (BioPerine also improves the absorption of CoQ10 and iron supplements†.)

[Bonus: Read about eight reasons you might want to take a turmeric supplement.]

FAQs

Q: How do I know if a supplement is high quality?

A: Look at the supplement facts panel and review both the ingredients and their levels.

Q: What should I look for when comparing multivitamins?

A: Consider both the form and the amount of each nutrient. Look for bioavailable ingredients such as folate (instead of folic acid) or natural vitamin E (d-alpha). It’s also important to compare ingredient amounts. For example, Cooper Complete vitamins all contain 50 mcg (2000 IU), whereas there are still many multivitamins that only contain 25 mcg (1000 IU) or even dramatically less.

Q: What’s the difference between synthetic and natural vitamin forms?

A: Some synthetic vitamins, like vitamin C, are effective. However, natural forms are often better absorbed and retained in the body†. For instance, natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) is more bioavailable than the synthetic form (dl-alpha-tocopherol).

Q: What are curcuminoids in turmeric supplements?

A: Curcuminoids are the active compounds in turmeric that are believed to support antioxidant activity and the body’s inflammatory response†. Concentration levels may range from 3% in turmeric root powder to 95% in standardized extracts. Always check the Supplement Facts panel; this is where legally required concentrations are listed, not just marketing claims on the front of the bottle.

Q: Are expensive supplements better than cheaper ones?

A: Not always. Some more affordable products use synthetic or less absorbable nutrient forms, or include small “label claim” amounts just for marketing. On the other hand, some pricier supplements may focus more on branding than quality. Ideally, the more expensive product will include higher-quality ingredients, at levels supported by clinical research†.

Q: What’s the difference between folic acid and folate in supplements?

A: Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 that the body must convert before use. Folate, especially in the form of 5-MTHF, is the biologically active version that the body can more readily use†.

Be an Informed Consumer

The best way to evaluate nutritional supplements and help ensure you’re taking those most effective for you is to be an informed consumer†. Read labels carefully and completely. Do your research. And because your physician is most familiar with your personal health profile, talk to them about which supplements are best for you†. Cooper Complete ingredient levels are based on the amounts found to be beneficial in the overall body of scientific research and the amount found in an average healthy diet†.

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Cooper Complete July 11, 2025