Aktuelle Ernährungsmedizin 2013; 38 - PP43
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1343716

Multivitamin/Multimineral supplements in Switzerland: Considerable variety in composition and coverage of ADI

P Marques-Vidal 1, N Droz 2
  • 1Institut Universitaire de Medecine Sociale et Preventive
  • 2Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland

Introduction: Little is known regarding multivitamin/multimineral (MVM) characteristics in Switzerland

Objectives: To assess the composition of MVM available in Switzerland and their coverage of the adult allowable daily intakes (ADI or apports journaliers admissibles).

Methods: Information on the composition of vitamin/mineral supplements were obtained from the Swiss drug compendium, the websites of vitamin/mineral supplement producers and in drugstores, parapharmacies and supermarkets. A vitamin/mineral supplement was considered as MVM if it contained at least 5 vitamins and/or minerals.

Results: Of the 259 vitamin/mineral supplements collected, 92 (%) were considered as MVM. The most frequent vitamins were B6 (68 supplements, 73.9%), C (72.8%), B2 (68.5%) and B1 (66.3%); the least frequent were K (18.5%), biotin (51.1%), pantothene (55.4%) and E (56.5%). For each vitamin, about half of MVMs provided more than 150% of the ADI. Regarding minerals, the most frequent ones were zinc (63 supplements, 68.5%), calcium (57.6%), magnesium (56.5%) and copper (50.0%), and the least frequent were silicium (2.2%), fluorine (3.3%), phosphorous (18.5%) and chrome (22.8%). Only one out of four MVM contained iodine. For each mineral, about half of the MVMs provided between 50 and 150% of the ADI, but this value was lower for magnesium (15.4%) and calcium (20.8%). Few MVMs provided more than 150% of the ADI. Although few MVMs provided less than 15% of the ADI for vitamins, a considerable fraction did so for minerals (42.3% for magnesium and 28.3% for calcium).

Conclusion: In Switzerland, MVMs vary considerably regarding composition and amount of vitamins and/or minerals. Few MVMs contain fluorine, the intake which has been shown to be deficient in a large fraction of the Swiss population. Finally, a significant fraction of MVM provides less than 15% of the ADI for minerals, which calls for implementation measures.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared