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What are Alive Vitamins Made Of? A Deep Dive into Ingredients and Sourcing

3 min read

Did you know that some Alive! multivitamin formulas contain over 20 essential vitamins and minerals, alongside unique fruit and veggie powder blends? This article details exactly what are Alive vitamins made of, explaining the mix of synthetic nutrients and proprietary ingredient blends that support various health aspects.

Quick Summary

Alive vitamins are formulated by Nature's Way using a combination of essential vitamins, minerals, and proprietary blends derived from powdered fruits, vegetables, and other botanicals. Formulations vary depending on the specific product.

Key Points

  • Core Nutrients: Alive vitamins contain essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, C, D3, E, B-complex, iron, zinc, and calcium.

  • Fruit & Veggie Blends: Many formulas include trademarked Orchard Fruits™ & Garden Veggies™ powder blends made from concentrated juices of various produce.

  • Specialty Blends: Some 'Ultra' formulas feature additional blends like Daily Greens, Mushroom Defense, Cardio, and digestive enzymes for targeted support.

  • Synthetic and Natural Sources: The vitamins and minerals are sourced from both synthetic compounds and natural, plant-based materials.

  • Gummies vs. Tablets: Gummy formulas typically use pectin and sweeteners, avoiding gelatin, while tablet versions may contain gelatin along with binders like cellulose.

  • Sourcing Transparency: Ingredient lists clearly break down the composition, including proprietary blends and their source materials.

  • Not Whole Produce: The fruit and vegetable components are powdered concentrates, not nutritionally equivalent to eating whole fruits and vegetables.

In This Article

Alive! multivitamins, produced by Nature's Way, are a popular line of dietary supplements. Their composition varies significantly based on the specific product (e.g., 'Ultra', 'Complete', 'Gummy') and the target demographic (men, women, age groups). These supplements combine essential vitamins and minerals with distinctive botanical additions.

The Core Vitamin and Mineral Composition

Alive! formulas contain a broad spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals, often in high potencies. Key components include B-vitamins for energy metabolism, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin E. Mineral content typically includes calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, and selenium, sourced from compounds like calcium carbonate and zinc oxide. Some advanced formulas may feature specific forms, such as methylcobalamin for B12, or use red algae as a mineral source.

The Distinctive Fruit and Veggie Blends

A notable feature of Alive! vitamins is their proprietary 'Orchard Fruits™ & Garden Veggies™' powder blends. These blends consist of powdered concentrates from various fruits and vegetables, not whole produce. This was clarified in a 2014 review by the National Advertising Division (NAD) regarding claims about being “made with 26 fruits and vegetables”. Newer 'Complete' formulas also include a 'Superfood Antioxidant Blend' featuring ingredients like pomegranate extract and spinach.

Specialized Botanical and Enzyme Blends

Many Alive! formulas, particularly the 'Ultra' potency lines, incorporate additional blends targeting specific health benefits. These can include a 'Daily Greens Blend' with spirulina and kelp, a 'Mushroom Defense Blend' with various organic mushrooms, a 'Cardio Blend' with hawthorn berry, and a 'Mind & Body Energy Blend' with ingredients like eleuthero and ginseng. Some formulas also contain a 'Digestive Enzyme Blend'.

Comparison of Alive! Vitamin Formulations

The table below highlights typical ingredient variations across different Alive! product types.

Feature Alive! Ultra Potency (e.g., Women's 50+) Alive! Complete (e.g., Men's) Alive! Gummy (e.g., Women's)
B-Vitamins High potency, often with active form (methyl B12) High potency, often with standard forms (cyanocobalamin) High potency, includes B12, biotin, folate
Vitamins A, C, D3, E, K High potency, typically 200% or more DV for many 100% or more DV for most key vitamins 100% or more DV for key vitamins
Minerals Includes trace minerals, may use red algae source for calcium/magnesium Includes essential minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium oxide Includes calcium, phosphorus, boron and chromium
Fruit & Veggie Blends 60mg Orchard Fruits & Garden Veggies powder blend 100mg Orchard Fruits & Garden Veggies powder blend 26 fruits and vegetables powder blend
Added Blends Multiple targeted blends (Mind & Body, Cardio, Greens, Mushroom) Includes Superfood Antioxidant powder blend None besides fruit/veg powder blend
Other Ingredients Binders, fillers, glycerin, brown rice, gelatin Binders, fillers, gelatin, carnauba wax Pectin-based, organic tapioca syrup, cane sugar, no gelatin

Fillers and Other Components

Alive! multivitamins also include various fillers, binders, and processing aids. Tablet formulations may contain cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and sometimes gelatin. Gummy versions are typically pectin-based, use organic tapioca syrup and cane sugar for sweetness, and exclude gelatin. Examining the 'Other ingredients' list is crucial for those with dietary restrictions or sensitivities.

Conclusion

Alive! multivitamins are formulated using a combination of essential vitamins and minerals alongside proprietary powdered blends from plant-based sources. The specific ingredients vary by product line, making it important to consult the supplement facts label for detailed information. While fruit and veggie powders are included, they are concentrated forms and do not replace the nutritional benefits of whole produce. This blend of traditional nutrients and specialized ingredients allows Nature's Way to cater to diverse health needs.

For more information on specific formulations, you can visit the official Nature's Way website: {Link: naturesway.com https://www.naturesway.com}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all Alive vitamins are vegetarian or vegan. Some tablet and capsule versions contain gelatin, while gummy formulas are often pectin-based and gelatin-free. Check the 'Other ingredients' list on the product packaging.

This blend consists of powdered juice concentrates from various fruits and vegetables, such as blueberry, orange, carrot, pomegranate, beet, and spinach. It is not equivalent to consuming whole produce.

Many Alive formulas state they contain no artificial colors. However, always check the specific product label for the full ingredient list.

'Ultra' formulas often have higher potencies and more specialized plant-based blends like Cardio and Mushroom Defense. 'Complete' formulas are a baseline multivitamin with essential nutrients and foundational blends.

Nature's Way uses globally sourced raw materials, which may include materials from China, although the vitamins are manufactured in the United States.

In 2014, the National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended Nature's Way modify claims about being “made with 26 fruits and vegetables” because the vitamins use small amounts of fruit and vegetable juice powders, not whole produce, deeming the claim potentially misleading. For details, see {Link: nutraceuticalsworld.com https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/breaking-news/nad-advises-natures-way-to-change-alive-vitamin-claims/}.

Some tablet and capsule forms of Alive vitamins contain gelatin, typically from bovine or porcine sources. However, gummy multivitamins are usually made with pectin and are gelatin-free.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.