Multivitamins are supplements that contain an assortment of nutrients required by the human body. The specific nutrients and the amounts of each provided per serving vary from product to product. Most contain doses of all or most of the 13 essential vitamins: A, C, D, E, K, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyroxidine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12). In addition, most formulas also include minerals, such as potassium, calcium and iron. To learn more about what each supplement provides, you can check out the product descriptions.

Multivitamins are taken to provide vitamins to the body that aren't taken in through the diet. Multivitamins may also help when someone has a vitamin deficiency. Overall, multivitamins replenish the body's supply of vitamins to ensure you're getting all the vitamins you need.

Most multivitamins are formulated to meet specific dietary needs. You can find products for children, adults and seniors here at CVS. The amounts of the nutrients are tailored to the daily allowances of vitamins and minerals recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Adult vitamins may be made specifically for men or for women or be suitable for both. For pregnant women and nursing mothers, doctors typically recommend multivitamins called prenatal vitamins. Special multivitamin formulations are also available for individuals with certain medical concerns. For example, you can find products geared toward immune support, bone and joint health, heart health, memory support and more.

There is no "best time" to take a multivitamin. But often, people take their multivitamin in the morning with their morning medications. It is recommended to take your multivitamin with food as some of the vitamins in it are likely fat-soluble.