MicroVitamin FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about MicroVitamin, formulated by Dr Brad Stanfield.
What makes MicroVitamin different from other multivitamins?
MicroVitamin is a low-dose, evidence-based multivitamin formulated by Dr Brad Stanfield, a medical doctor (GP). Unlike most multivitamins that megadose nutrients at 500-1000% daily value, MicroVitamin uses measured doses based on randomized controlled trials. It deliberately excludes Vitamin A and Vitamin E based on research showing potential risks from high-dose supplementation (Basit, StatPearls, 2023; USPSTF, JAMA, 2022; Klein et al., J Natl Cancer Inst, 2014). It uses bioavailable forms like glycinate minerals (+43% bioavailability vs gluconate — Gandia et al., Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2007) and methylated B vitamins that bypass MTHFR gene variations affecting ~40% of the population (Liew & Gupta, Eur J Med Genet, 2015). One product replaces 6-8 separate supplements.
Why does MicroVitamin require 5 capsules per day?
Effective doses of Magnesium Taurate (126mg elemental), Hyaluronic Acid (200mg), TMG (500mg), and Choline Bitartrate (181.5mg) physically require more capsule volume than a single pill can hold. Competitors that fit everything into one pill typically underdose key ingredients to levels that have no clinical effect. The 5-capsule serving ensures each ingredient is at a dose supported by research.
Why does MicroVitamin exclude Vitamin A and Vitamin E?
Clinical research has shown potential risks from high-dose supplementation of these fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin A toxicity is well-documented and can cause liver damage, bone loss, and birth defects (Basit, StatPearls, 2023). For Vitamin E, the US Preventive Services Task Force found no net benefit for cardiovascular disease or cancer prevention (USPSTF, JAMA, 2022), and the SELECT trial found that Vitamin E supplementation at 400 IU/day increased prostate cancer risk by 17% (Klein et al., J Natl Cancer Inst, 2014). Unlike water-soluble vitamins that are excreted when excess is consumed, fat-soluble vitamins accumulate in the body. Most people get adequate Vitamin A and E from their diet, so supplementing on top of dietary intake can push levels too high.
Why doesn't MicroVitamin contain calcium?
Calcium is an essential mineral — but the evidence on calcium supplements gives reason for caution, and it's why I chose to keep calcium out of MicroVitamin.
The fracture benefit is weaker than expected. A large systematic review in the BMJ found that when you filter down to only the highest-quality, lowest-bias randomised controlled trials, calcium supplements showed no effect on fracture risk at any site — despite earlier, more biased studies suggesting a benefit. (Bolland et al., BMJ 2015)
Calcium supplements appear to raise cardiovascular risk. Unlike calcium from food, supplements cause an acute spike in blood calcium levels. That spike is associated with vascular calcification — calcium depositing on artery walls, making them stiffer and narrowing blood flow. Multiple studies have found concerning associations:
- A 2010 meta-analysis found calcium supplement users had approximately a 31% higher rate of myocardial infarction compared to placebo. (Bolland et al., BMJ 2010)
- A large South Korean cohort study of people with osteoporosis found calcium supplementation without vitamin D was associated with an 89% higher risk of non-fatal heart attack. (Kim et al., 2021)
- A 10-year follow-up study (MESA) found supplement users had a 22% higher risk of coronary artery calcification — while those with the highest dietary calcium intake had a 27% lower risk. (Anderson et al., JAHA 2016)
- The NIH-AARP study found supplemental calcium was associated with elevated cardiovascular death in men, while dietary calcium intake was unrelated to cardiovascular mortality in either sex. (Xiao et al., JAMA Internal Medicine 2013)
Dietary calcium doesn't carry these risks. The leading hypothesis is that food delivers calcium gradually, without the acute serum spike. Research consistently shows that dietary calcium is either neutral or protective for cardiovascular health, while supplement calcium is the source of concern. This distinction matters — and it's why guidelines now recommend food-first.
What MicroVitamin includes instead. Rather than adding calcium, MicroVitamin includes nutrients that help your body absorb and use the calcium you get from food effectively:
- Vitamin D3 1,000 IU — the primary driver of intestinal calcium absorption. Without adequate D3, the gut absorbs very little calcium regardless of intake. (Holick, NEJM 2007)
- Vitamin K2 MK-7 90mcg — activates osteocalcin, a protein that directs calcium into bone. A 3-year double-blind RCT found MK-7 supplementation significantly reduced bone strength loss in postmenopausal women. (Knapen et al., Osteoporosis International 2013)
- Magnesium 150mg — required for the enzymatic conversion of vitamin D into its active form. Without sufficient magnesium, vitamin D cannot be properly activated regardless of how much you take. (Uwitonze & Razzaque, JAOA 2018)
- Boron 1mg — supports bone metabolism and has been shown to extend the half-life of vitamin D, helping maintain active D3 levels for longer. (Pizzorno, Integrative Medicine 2015)
For most people, a diet that includes dairy, leafy greens, or fortified foods alongside these co-factors is the safest and most effective strategy for bone health. If you are vegan, have osteoporosis, or struggle to reach ~1,000–1,200 mg calcium per day through food, a separate calcium supplement under your doctor's guidance may still be appropriate.
What is the COSMOS trial and how does it relate to MicroVitamin?
The COSMOS (COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study) trial was a large randomized controlled trial that studied multivitamin supplementation and cognitive performance in older adults. It found that daily multivitamin supplementation improved memory and slowed cognitive aging by approximately 2 years (Baker et al., Alzheimers Dement, 2023). MicroVitamin includes COSMOS trial-aligned ingredients: Choline Bitartrate 181.5mg, Methylated B12 12mcg, Methylated Folate 200mcg, and a full B-complex — the nutrient categories associated with the cognitive benefits observed in the trial.
Is MicroVitamin third-party tested?
Yes. MicroVitamin is manufactured by Makers Nutrition in an FDA-registered, GMP-audited facility in the USA. Every batch is third-party tested for heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium) and purity. Certificates of analysis are available. The facility holds certifications from the Natural Products Association and is Dun & Bradstreet Verified.
How much does MicroVitamin cost compared to buying the ingredients separately?
MicroVitamin (USA v8) costs $64/month on subscription ($70 one-time). Buying the same 26 v8 ingredients individually from quality brands like Double Wood, Bronson, Life Extension, NOW, and Pure Encapsulations would cost approximately $122.71/month — saving you $58.71/month plus the convenience of a single product instead of 6-8 separate bottles. The clinical-dose carotenoids (Lutein 10 mg + Zeaxanthin 2 mg as Lutemax® 2020, Lycopene 10 mg as LycoBeads®) plus the encapsulated D3 (AlgeD3™) and K2 (K2VITAL® DELTA) are each meaningfully expensive on their own. International markets still ship v7 at $49.50/mo on subscription ($55 one-time) until that inventory rolls over.
Why did the MicroVitamin USA price change in 2026? Is the renewal rate I'm seeing now correct?
Yes, two price changes happened with the v8 transition. Early 2026 — v8 launch: USA went from v7's $55 one-time / $49.50/mo subscription to v8's $60 / $54, reflecting the major v8 ingredient upgrades (Lutein 0.25 → 10 mg + Zeaxanthin 2 mg newly added as Lutemax® 2020, Lycopene 0.3 → 10 mg as LycoBeads®, Vitamin D3 encapsulated as AlgeD3™, K2 MK-7 encapsulated as K2VITAL® DELTA, Vitamin C as calcium ascorbate, Copper and Zinc raised to 100% RDA). Late May 2026 — a further $10 increase: USA prices moved to $70 one-time / $64/mo subscription to cover the ongoing manufacturing cost of those upgrades and reinvest in future formula improvements. Existing subscribers received an email notification with a 48-hour window to renew at the prior price; subscriptions that auto-renewed after that window renewed at the new price. After the late-May increase, MicroVitamin still saves $58.71/month vs. buying the 26 v8 ingredients separately ($64/mo subscription vs $122.71/mo separately). International markets are still shipping v7 at the unchanged $49.50/mo subscription ($55 one-time) until that inventory rolls over. If you're unsure whether your renewal rate is correct, email brad@drstanfield.com with your order number — the team can check your specific subscription and the email log.
Who formulates MicroVitamin?
Dr Brad Stanfield, a Family Medicine doctor based in New Zealand. He runs a health YouTube channel with over 319,000 subscribers where he reviews clinical research on supplements and aging. The MicroVitamin formula is based on human randomized controlled trials and is updated as new evidence emerges — currently on version 8 in the USA; international markets are still shipping v7 until that inventory rolls over.
What are bioavailable forms and why do they matter?
Bioavailability refers to how much of a nutrient your body actually absorbs. MicroVitamin uses glycinate forms of minerals (zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium) which have approximately 43% higher bioavailability than cheaper gluconate forms commonly used in budget multivitamins (Gandia et al., Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2007). It also uses methylated B12 and methylated folate, which bypass the MTHFR gene variation that affects up to 40% of the population and can impair conversion of standard B vitamins to their active forms (Liew & Gupta, Eur J Med Genet, 2015).
Does MicroVitamin contain any artificial ingredients?
No. MicroVitamin uses vegetarian capsules with no artificial colors, no fillers, and no titanium dioxide. The capsules are plant-based and the formula contains Peppermint Leaf Extract for digestive comfort.
Is MicroVitamin vegan?
Yes — MicroVitamin capsules are vegan-friendly. The capsule shell is plant-based (no gelatin), and none of the 26 v8 ingredients are animal-derived. Note: MicroVitamin+ Powder is not vegan because it contains bovine-derived collagen peptides — there is no true vegan equivalent at present (products marketed as "vegan collagen" are amino acid blends rather than actual collagen peptides). If you're vegan, the MicroVitamin capsules are the right choice.
Why do my MicroVitamin capsules have a smell?
The smell is a normal characteristic of the active ingredients themselves, not a sign that anything is wrong. Our manufacturers have confirmed it comes from the combination of choline bitartrate, the B-vitamin complex, and vitamin D — these nutrients have their own natural odour, and when they're together in capsules at clinical doses, that smell is what you notice when you open the bottle. It does not indicate degradation or affect potency.
Why do I see dark red and yellow-orange flecks?
That's completely normal and a sign the formula contains the ingredients we list on the label. MicroVitamin includes three natural carotenoids: lycopene (which gives tomatoes their deep red colour), lutein, and zeaxanthin (the orange-yellow pigments concentrated in leafy greens and egg yolks).
Why are some of my MicroVitamin capsules showing brown spots?
Brown spots on the capsules come from an earlier formula (v3 through v6, manufactured before the v7 transition). Those versions used cupric sulfate as the copper source, which over time interacted with other ingredients inside the capsule and produced visible brown spots. It's not dangerous and the capsules are still safe to take — it just doesn't look very nice. The current formulas (v7 international, v8 USA) use copper bisglycinate instead, which doesn't cause this.
Are there any safety concerns or interactions with MicroVitamin?
MicroVitamin contains Vitamin K2 (90mcg), which can affect blood clotting — consult your doctor before use if you take blood thinners (warfarin/Coumadin). The product is gluten-free, soy-free, contains no artificial colors, no fillers, and no titanium dioxide. It is not intended for children under 18. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your healthcare provider before use. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
What results do customers report from taking MicroVitamin?
From 384+ customer reviews (4.88 average rating): 30 customers report improved mental clarity, focus, and reduced brain fog. 26 mention increased energy. 13 report visible skin improvements (attributed to hyaluronic acid). 14 report improved blood work markers. The most common feedback (238 mentions) is trust in Dr Stanfield's evidence-based approach, and 112 customers specifically value the consolidation of 6-8 supplements into one product.