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Mineral guide

Essential minerals and back-to-basics supplements

The boring basics are back: magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, iron, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin K. Boring does not mean automatic.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-03Focus: essential minerals, magnesium, vitamins, forms, daily values
For research and educational purposes only. Not medical advice.

The quick read

The short answer

Back-to-basics supplements are easiest to evaluate when they name the nutrient form, amount, percent Daily Value, and reason for inclusion. FDA changes to the Nutrition Facts label FDA dietary supplement labeling guide

The label problem starts when a foundational nutrient becomes a vague energy, hormone, immunity, or metabolism promise. FTC health products compliance guidance FDA supplement claim substantiation guidance

Forms and amounts matter more than trend status

Magnesium glycinate, citrate, oxide, and other forms are not interchangeable label details. The form can change how buyers think about tolerance and use. NIH ODS magnesium fact sheet

Fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, and K deserve a careful amount check because more is not automatically better. NIH ODS vitamin A fact sheet NIH ODS vitamin D fact sheet NIH ODS vitamin K fact sheet

The NutriScore read

A strong basics formula should be boring: nutrient form, amount, percent Daily Value, allergen context, and no miracle language. FDA dietary supplement labeling guide FTC health products compliance guidance

The red flag is a multi-mineral blend that hides individual amounts while making big claims about energy, hormones, or immunity. FDA supplement claim substantiation guidance

What to check on the label

Form

Check the exact form, such as magnesium glycinate versus oxide.

Amount and percent DV

Compare amount per serving with Daily Value context.

Sensitive nutrients

Be careful with iron, fat-soluble vitamins, pregnancy, medications, and diagnosed deficiencies.

Related NutriScore pages

Sources

  1. NIH ODS dietary supplements: what you need to know: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WYNTK-Consumer/
  2. NIH ODS magnesium fact sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-Consumer/
  3. NIH ODS vitamin A fact sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-Consumer/
  4. NIH ODS vitamin D fact sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
  5. NIH ODS vitamin K fact sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-Consumer/
  6. NIH ODS iron fact sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/
  7. NIH ODS folate fact sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-Consumer/
  8. FDA changes to the Nutrition Facts label: https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/changes-nutrition-facts-label
  9. FDA dietary supplement labeling guide: https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/dietary-supplement-labeling-guide-chapter-iv-nutrition-labeling
  10. FTC health products compliance guidance: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/health-products-compliance-guidance
  11. FDA supplement claim substantiation guidance: https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-substantiation-dietary-supplement-claims-made-under-section-403r-6-federal-food

Corrections: send corrections or updated label/source evidence to support@nutriscore.fit.

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