Learn How Centrum Vitamins Compare To Cooper Complete
Throughout the years, multivitamins have evolved from a fitness fad to a key staple in many individuals’ health and wellness routines. People from all walks of life, who find themselves at varying stages of life and health, experience similar benefits that multivitamins offer. Many people believe multivitamins are all the same. We decided to compare Centrum vitamins to Cooper Complete vitamins to see if there are differences.
Basic One Daily Multivitamin Iron Free
Basic One daily multivitamin contains methylated (5-MTHF) folate and vitamin B12, 50 mcg (2000 IU) vitamin D3, magnesium, zinc and other premium vitamins and minerals in amounts proven beneficial to optimal health.
$29.98 Add to cartThe Benefits of Taking a Multivitamin
Recent studies have shown taking a daily multivitamin reduces inflammation levels which lowers one’s risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, with the Cooper Complete Original Multivitamin reducing inflammation by 32 percent. While supplements provide many benefits, it is important to remember supplements are not a sufficient substitute for meals. Instead, they close the gaps in an individual’s daily dietary habits. Dr. Cooper specifies in his 8 Healthy Steps to Get Cooperized™, that it is not just about taking supplements but taking the right supplements for you according to your health needs and goals.
Choosing the Right Multivitamin for You
So how do you select the right supplements for you? Where do you even start when you look at the ingredients label? Do your eyes glaze over or do you feel like you’re staring at the periodic table of elements on the back of a bottle?
Men’s and women’s multivitamin ingredients and recommended dosages of each vitamin and mineral are almost identical. The main difference you will see is the presence or absence of iron across various brand names on the vitamin shelf. People who are at a higher risk for iron deficiency include women who are either premenopausal or pregnant, vegetarians, as well as long-distance runners or endurance athletes. If you experience symptoms such as weakness, extreme fatigue, poor appetite or dizziness, see your health care provider about the possibility of an iron deficiency, which can usually be treated with supplementation.
Key Vitamins to Look for and Their Benefits
Always be sure to check for the key ingredients on the nutrition label of each multivitamin supplement and know how each ingredient plays its own part in supplementing your wellness journey. The necessary levels of each element will vary based on gender, age, pregnancy and previously diagnosed health conditions.
Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed by tissues for immediate use of the body. Our body absorbs water-soluble vitamins directly into the bloodstream, with our kidneys regulating levels, and eliminates excess in our urine.
- The B vitamins include B-12, which supports energy production by converting foods from a healthy diet into energy. B-6 helps the body create serotonin which promotes good mood and brain health. Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid help cell multiplication.
- Vitamin C supports functions such as boosting the immune system, iron absorption, and healing wounds.
Compare Centrum Vitamins – B Vitamins |
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INGREDIENT | Basic One Multi | Centrum Adults | Centrum Silver Adults | Centrum Multi Gummies Adults |
Thiamin (Vit. B1) | 1.5 mg | 1.5 mg | 1.5 mg | – |
Riboflavin (Vit. B2) | 2 mg | 1.7 mg | 0.26 mg | |
Niacin (Vit. B3) | 20 mg | 20 mg | 20 mg | 3.2 mg |
Pantothenic Acid (Vit. B5) | 10 mg | 10 mg | 10 mg | 3 mg |
Vit. B6 | 10 mg | 2 mg | 3 mg | 1.6 mg |
Biotin (Vit. B7) | 30 mcg | 30 mcg | 30 mcg | |
Folic Acid (Vit. B9) | 333 mcg DFE 200 mcg L-5-MTHF | 667 mcg DFE 400 mcg folic acid) | 667 mcg DFE 400 mcg folic acid) | 40 mcg DFE 24 mcg folic acid) |
Vit. B12 | 400 mcg | 6 mcg | 25 mcg | 10 mcg |
Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed by fat and distributed through the bloodstream. The fat-soluble vitamins need stomach acid to be properly absorbed. Once absorbed, they live in fatty tissues and the liver until needed.
- Vitamin A is known for its antioxidant properties that are needed for vision, cell division, reproduction and immunity.
- Vitamin D is ideal for heart, bone and immune health.
- Vitamin E serves as an antioxidant and helps protect cells, boosts the immune system and aids in blood clot prevention. Vitamin E aids the body in vitamin A absorption.
Compare Centrum – Letter Ingredients |
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INGREDIENT | Basic One Multi | Centrum Adults | Centrum Silver Adults | Centrum Multi Gummies Adults |
Vitamin A | 600 mcg | 1,050 mcg | 750 mcg | 600 mcg |
Vitamin C | 150 mg | 60 mg | 60 mg | 30 mcg |
Vitamin D | 50 mcg (2,000 IU) | 25 mcg (1,000 IU) | 25 mcg (1,000 IU) | 25 mcg (1,000 IU) |
Vitamin E | 134 mg | 13.5 mg | 22.5 mg | 18 mg |
Vitamin K | – | 25 mcg | 30 mcg | – |
How Minerals Help The Body
You’ve successfully checked the boxes of the fundamental vitamins, but what about minerals?
- Phosphorus helps proper kidney function, and muscle contraction and normalizes heartbeat and nerve signaling. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy contain phosphorus, as well as carbonated colas.
- Magnesium advocates heart health, good sleep and nervous system regulation. The body needs magnesium in order to make protein. It also plays a role in muscle contractions and nerve transmission.
- Potassium is efficient in reducing sodium levels and also promotes heart health. Present in all body tissues, our cells need potassium in order to function normally. Like magnesium, potassium also plays a role in muscle contractions and nerve transmission.
Centrum Vitamins – Mineral Comparisons |
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INGREDIENT | Basic One Multi | Centrum Adults | Centrum Silver Adults | Centrum Multi Gummies Adults |
Calcium | – | 200 mg | 220 mg | – |
Chloride | – | 72 mg | 72 mg | – |
Magnesium | 200 mg | 50 mg | 50 mg | – |
Phosphorus | – | 20 mg | 20 mg | – |
Potassium | – | 80 mg | 80 mg | – |
Sodium | – | – | – | 10 mg |
Trace minerals are also called microminerals because the body needs them in small amounts.
- Chromium supports insulin regulation.
- Iodine helps regulate metabolism, growth and development. Food sources of iodine include seafood and iodized salt. Foods grown in iodine-rich soil will also contain iodine.
- Iron is needed for hemoglobin, and supports muscle metabolism and healthy connective tissue. When we compare Centrum vitamins, the Adult formulation contains 18 mg iron. In healthy adults, Iron deficiency is most often in women of reproductive age, and women who are pregnant.
- Manganese supports the body’s enzyme systems and is a naturally occurring mineral found in many foods.
- Selenium is an antioxidant found in meats, grains and seafood. Selenium supports DNA synthesis and helps protect against oxidative damage and infection.
Compare Centrum Vitamins – Trace Minerals |
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INGREDIENT | Basic One Multi | Centrum Adults | Centrum Silver Adults | Centrum Multi Gummies Adults |
Chromium | 100 mcg | 35 mcg | 50 mcg | – |
Copper | – | 0.5 mg | 0.5 mg | – |
Iodine | – | 150 mcg | 150 mcg | 80 mcg |
Iron | * | 18 mg | – | – |
Manganese | – | 2.3 mg | 2.3 mg | 0.46 mg |
Molybdenum | – | 45 mcg | 45 mcg | – |
Selenium | 100 mcg | 55 mcg | 19 mcg | – |
Zinc | 15 mg | 11 mg | 11 mg | 5 mg |
*Cooper Complete Original Multivitamin and Basic One Multivitamin “With Iron” formulations contain 18 mg iron per serving.
How Multivitamin Nutrients Provide What Your Diet Cannot
Other important nutrients that do not fall in the letter vitamin or typical mineral category are significant in maintaining physical health because they are often not as prevalent in most foods. These include:
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is valuable for heart health and statin-related muscle pain.
- Lycopene is optimal for reducing inflammation.
- Lutein is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation as well as promotes eye and skin health. It’s estimated Americans consume 1-3 mg lutein daily, with levels higher in those who eat lots of green leafy vegetables and egg yolks. A minimum of 10 mg per day is recommended. When we compare Centrum vitamins, Centrum Silver contains 2.5% of the recommended level of lutein while Cooper Complete Original Multivitamins contain 60% of the recommended level.
Important Nutrient Comparisons |
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INGREDIENT | Basic One Multi | Centrum Adults | Centrum Silver Adults | Centrum Multi Gummies Adults |
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) | – | – | – | – |
Lycopene | 5 mg | – | 300 mcg | – |
Lutein | – | – | 250 mcg | – |
When comparing ingredient levels, it’s important to know that 1 milligram (mg) is the equivalent of 1,000 micrograms (mcg). So, with 10 mg lycopene, Cooper Complete Original Multivitamins contain 32 times more lycopene than Centrum Silver Adults which contains 300 mcg.
Multivitamins Enhance, Rather Than Replace, a Healthy Diet
While the hunt for a multivitamin can be a bit overwhelming, remember they are just a piece of the puzzle. Supplements are meant to support your lifestyle choices, specifically your dietary habits, where there is a lack of daily intake of certain fruits, vegetables, grains, fats or proteins. It is always important to ask your physician or health care provider what nutrients would be right for you.