Centrum Silver vs. One A Day
In an ideal world, you should be able to get all the nutrients you need from the food you eat. But if you're over the age of 50, you may benefit from taking a vitamin and mineral supplement, says the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
In an ideal world, you should be able to get all the nutrients you need from the food you eat. But if you're over the age of 50, you may benefit from taking a vitamin and mineral supplement, says the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Centrum and One A Day are two brands that offer vitamin and mineral supplements for those 50 and above. If you're considering a vitamin and mineral supplement, consult with your doctor to help you determine a formula that works for you.
Centrum and One A Day
Both Centrum and One A Day vitamins offer multivitamin and mineral tablets that you need to only take once a day. For older adults, Centrum offers a line called Centrum Silver, which includes formulas specifically designed for men and women, as well as the standard and a chewable form. One A Day offers formulas for men and women over the age of 50, as well as a formula for both men and women over the age of 65.
Comparing the Vitamins
When it comes to vitamin content, both the Centrum Silver and the One A Day formulas are excellent sources of all the essential vitamins. However, the One A Day formulas for men and women 50+ are better sources of most, including vitamins C, D, B-6, thiamine and riboflavin. The One A Day formula for those 65 and older has more vitamin C and D than the Centrum but has a similar B vitamin content.
Comparing the Minerals
The mineral content in all the formulas varies greatly, not only in amounts but what's offered as well. The Centrum Silver contains more of the essential minerals than any of the One A Day formulas. Minerals found in all of the formulas include calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese and chromium. Some of the formulas also contain phosphorus, chloride, potassium and molybdenum. While Centrum Silver may be a more complete formula, some of the minerals are in small amounts. For example, the phosphorus, chloride and potassium in Centrum Silver each meet 2 percent of the daily value.
Nutrients of Concern for Older Adults
Older adults need to make sure they get adequate amounts of vitamins D and B-12 and calcium in their diet for good health.
All of the vitamin formulations from Centrum and One A Day meet more than 100 percent of the daily value for vitamin D and 400 percent or more of the daily value for vitamin B-12. Calcium content varies, with most meeting 20 percent or more of the daily value per tablet, with the exception of the One A Day formula for adults 65 years and older, which meets 12 percent of the daily value.