VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS · GUIDE
Formula Ingredient A to Z: Where Each Ingredient Is Covered on This Site
An index of ingredients found in multivitamins, blends and powders, with other names for each and the page on this site where it is covered. Links only; no advice or product names.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Back to Supplement FormulasHow to use this index
Supplement labels use many names for the same thing. This page is a finding aid: find the ingredient as printed on a label, then follow the link to the page that covers it. It makes no claim about whether any ingredient works or is safe for you, and it names no products. Each linked page carries its own evidence and safety sections.FDA says the "dietary ingredients" in supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs and other botanicals, amino acids, and other dietary substances such as enzymes and live microbials (commonly called probiotics). [1] Anything not named in the Supplement Facts panel must be in the "other ingredients" list. [1] For those items see other ingredients. For a directory arranged by category, use the main A to Z ingredient directory.
Being listed here is not an endorsement. FDA states that it does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness. [2] Medicine interactions, pregnancy, children, kidney or liver conditions and surgery matter for many of these ingredients. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before using any of them. [1]
Vitamins
| Ingredient | Also called on labels or in our titles | Where covered |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Retinol, beta-carotene | More about Vitamin A → |
| Thiamin | Vitamin B1 | More about Thiamin → |
| Riboflavin | Vitamin B2 | More about Riboflavin → |
| Niacin | Vitamin B3, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, niacinamide | More about Niacin → |
| Pantothenic acid | Vitamin B5 | More about Pantothenic acid → |
| Vitamin B6 | Vitamin B6 forms | More about Vitamin B6 → |
| Biotin | Vitamin B7 | More about Biotin → |
| Folate | Vitamin B9, folic acid, methylfolate | Folate and folic acid; folate vs folic acid vs methylfolate |
| Vitamin B12 | Methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin | Vitamin B12; B12 forms |
| B-complex | B vitamins together | More about B-complex → |
| Vitamin C | More about Vitamin C → | |
| Vitamin D | D2, D3 | Vitamin D; D2 vs D3 |
| Vitamin E | Tocopherols, tocotrienols | More about Vitamin E → |
| Vitamin K | K1, K2, MK-4, MK-7 | More about Vitamin K → |
| Choline | An essential nutrient, not a B vitamin | More about Choline → |
For general background see understanding vitamins and vitamin deficiency testing.
Minerals and electrolytes
| Ingredient | Also called on labels or in our titles | Where covered |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Calcium carbonate, calcium citrate | Calcium; carbonate vs citrate |
| Chromium | More about Chromium → | |
| Copper | More about Copper → | |
| Fluoride | More about Fluoride → | |
| Iodine | More about Iodine → | |
| Iron | Ferrous sulfate, fumarate, gluconate, bisglycinate, heme | Iron; iron forms |
| Magnesium | Glycinate, citrate, oxide, malate, threonate | Magnesium; magnesium forms |
| Manganese | More about Manganese → | |
| Molybdenum | More about Molybdenum → | |
| Phosphorus | More about Phosphorus → | |
| Potassium | More about Potassium → | |
| Selenium | More about Selenium → | |
| Sodium and chloride | Salt, electrolytes | Sodium and chloride; electrolyte supplements |
| Zinc | Gluconate, citrate, acetate, picolinate, oxide | Zinc; zinc forms |
Related: understanding minerals and mineral interactions and absorption.
Amino acids, protein, collagen and creatine
| Ingredient | Also called on labels or in our titles | Where covered |
|---|---|---|
| Arginine and citrulline | L-arginine, L-citrulline | More about Arginine and citrulline → |
| BCAAs | Leucine, isoleucine, valine | BCAAs; BCAAs vs EAAs vs protein |
| Essential amino acids | EAAs | More about Essential amino acids → |
| Beta-alanine | More about Beta-alanine → | |
| Carnitine | Acetyl-L-carnitine | More about Carnitine → |
| Glutamine | More about Glutamine → | |
| Glycine | More about Glycine → | |
| Lysine | More about Lysine → | |
| N-acetylcysteine | NAC | More about N-acetylcysteine → |
| Taurine | More about Taurine → | |
| Tryptophan | More about Tryptophan → | |
| Tyrosine | L-tyrosine | More about Tyrosine → |
| Whey protein | Concentrate, isolate, hydrolyzed | More about Whey protein → |
| Casein | More about Casein → | |
| Plant protein | Soy, pea, rice | More about Plant protein → |
| Egg-white and other protein powders | More about Egg-white and other protein powders → | |
| Collagen | Peptides, gelatin, types I, II and III | Collagen; peptides vs gelatin |
| Creatine | Monohydrate, HCl | Creatine; monohydrate vs other forms |
Hubs: Amino Acids & Protein and Collagen & Creatine.
Omega fatty acids
| Ingredient | Also called on labels or in our titles | Where covered |
|---|---|---|
| Fish oil | EPA, DHA | More about Fish oil → |
| Krill oil | More about Krill oil → | |
| Algal oil | Algae oil, vegetarian EPA and DHA | More about Algal oil → |
| Cod liver oil | Omega-3 plus vitamins A and D | More about Cod liver oil → |
| Flaxseed oil | ALA, plant omega-3 | Flaxseed oil; ALA, EPA and DHA |
| Evening primrose, borage | GLA | More about Evening primrose, borage → |
See also the Omega Fatty Acids hub.
Probiotics, fiber and enzymes
| Ingredient | Also called on labels or in our titles | Where covered |
|---|---|---|
| Probiotics | Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium | Probiotic supplements explained; Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium |
| Saccharomyces boulardii | More about Saccharomyces boulardii → | |
| Prebiotic fibers | Inulin, FOS, GOS, resistant starch | More about Prebiotic fibers → |
| Psyllium and fiber | More about Psyllium and fiber → | |
| Digestive enzymes | Lactase, alpha-galactosidase | Digestive enzyme supplements; lactase and alpha-galactosidase |
Gut blends as a whole are on gut health formulas.
Antioxidants and specialty compounds
| Ingredient | Also called on labels or in our titles | Where covered |
|---|---|---|
| Coenzyme Q10 | CoQ10, ubiquinone, ubiquinol | More about Coenzyme Q10 → |
| Glutathione | Oral, liposomal | More about Glutathione → |
| Curcumin | Turmeric extract | Curcumin supplements; turmeric |
| Alpha-lipoic acid | More about Alpha-lipoic acid → | |
| Astaxanthin | More about Astaxanthin → | |
| Carotenoids | Beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene | More about Carotenoids → |
| Quercetin, resveratrol | Polyphenols | More about Quercetin, resveratrol → |
| NAD, NMN | Longevity products | More about NAD, NMN → |
| Berberine | More about Berberine → |
Hub pages: Antioxidants & Specialty Compounds and antioxidants explained.
Brain, calming and energy ingredients
| Ingredient | Also called on labels or in our titles | Where covered |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | More about Caffeine → | |
| L-theanine | More about L-theanine → | |
| Citicoline, alpha-GPC | Choline-related products | More about Citicoline, alpha-GPC → |
| Phosphatidylserine | More about Phosphatidylserine → | |
| Melatonin | More about Melatonin → | |
| Memory-product claims | More about Memory-product claims → | |
| Brain blends | Multicomponent formulas | More about Brain blends → |
Hub: Nootropics.
Herbs, mushrooms and other plant ingredients
| Ingredient | Also called on labels or in our titles | Where covered |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha | Withania somnifera | Ashwagandha in Ayurveda; stress and adaptogen blends |
| Bacopa, ginkgo, Lion's mane, Rhodiola | Botanical and mushroom nootropics | More about Bacopa, ginkgo, Lion's mane, Rhodiola → |
| Black cohosh, soy, red clover | Menopause botanicals | More about Black cohosh, soy, red clover → |
| Echinacea | More about Echinacea → | |
| Elderberry | More about Elderberry → | |
| Garlic | More about Garlic → | |
| Ginger | More about Ginger → | |
| Ginkgo | More about Ginkgo → | |
| Ginseng | Ren Shen, Panax ginseng | More about Ginseng → |
| Green tea | More about Green tea → | |
| Kava | More about Kava → | |
| Milk thistle | More about Milk thistle → | |
| Moringa | More about Moringa → | |
| Saw palmetto | More about Saw palmetto → | |
| St. John's wort | More about St. John's wort → | |
| Spirulina, chlorella | Algae powders | More about Spirulina, chlorella → |
| Valerian | More about Valerian → | |
| Reishi, cordyceps | Mushroom ingredients | Reishi and cordyceps; mushroom blends |
For the whole herb library start at Herbs & Botanicals.
Joint, bone and sports ingredients
| Ingredient | Also called on labels or in our titles | Where covered |
|---|---|---|
| Glucosamine and chondroitin | Joint products | More about Glucosamine and chondroitin → |
| MSM, turmeric, collagen | Joint blends | More about MSM, turmeric, collagen → |
| Calcium, vitamin D, K, magnesium | Bone blends | More about Calcium, vitamin D, K, magnesium → |
| Pre-workout blends | Multi-ingredient sports products | More about Pre-workout blends → |
Product types rather than single ingredients
| Product type | Where covered |
|---|---|
| Multivitamins and multiminerals | More about Multivitamins and multiminerals → |
| Prenatal and postnatal | More about Prenatal and postnatal → |
| Children and teens | More about Children and teens → |
| Older adults | More about Older adults → |
| Vegetarian and vegan | More about Vegetarian and vegan → |
| Sleep, stress, energy, focus | More about Sleep, stress, energy, focus → |
| Weight, menopause, prostate | More about Weight, menopause, prostate → |
| Greens and superfood powders | More about Greens and superfood powders → |
Before you act on anything here
Use our label checklist to read a product and the clinician questions to prepare a conversation. Some ingredients on this list interact with medicines. For example, FDA names St. John's wort as making several medicines less effective, and warfarin, ginkgo biloba, aspirin and vitamin E as each able to thin the blood. [3] Details are on medication interactions. If a child has swallowed any of these products, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or 911.
Frequently asked questions
Does the order or presence of an ingredient here mean it is recommended?
No. This is an index. Nothing here ranks ingredients or says that any should be used. FDA notes that it does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness. [2]
Why does the same ingredient have different names?
Labels may print a chemical name, a form, a vitamin letter or a common name. The "also called" column lists names that appear in our page titles. Always compare the form and unit on a label before assuming two products match. [1]
What if my ingredient is not listed?
Search the A to Z ingredient directory or check the ingredient in FDA's directory of select ingredients, which is not a complete list. [2] If an ingredient is in neither place, ask a pharmacist about it.
Can I rely on the ingredients named on a label?
Not entirely. NCCIH notes that what is on the label may not be what is in the product, and that FDA has found prescription drugs in some products sold as supplements. [4]
Which page covers duplicates across several products?
See doubling up for how amounts add up across multivitamins, blends and fortified foods.
References
- FDA: Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements (content current 27 Aug 2026). Read 2026-10-23.
- FDA: Information on Select Dietary Supplement Ingredients and Other Substances (content current 1 May 2026). Read 2026-10-23.
- FDA: Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health (content current 2 Jun 2022). Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH: Using Dietary Supplements Wisely (page footer: last updated January 2019). Read 2026-10-23.