Essential
by 4 Today · other (e.g. tea bag) · 30 packets
- Off the market since May 2025 (NIH)
- DSLD label 33398
- Serving 1 packet (4 tablets and 1 gel cap)
Essential by 4 Today lists 57 ingredients, 30 with an amount per serving of 1 packet, such as 3,600 IU of vitamin A, 7,650 IU of beta carotene, 284 mg of vitamin C and 210 IU (5.25 mcg) of vitamin D; 27 sit inside a blend without their own amounts. Its current label entered the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database on May 23, 2014.
What is in Essential?
Each row as the label prints it, per serving of 1 packet. The capsule beside an amount places it among every product in the NIH database that lists the same ingredient: the bar is the middle half of their amounts, the line in it the median, the whiskers the 10th and 90th percentiles; the green tick is the FDA Daily Value and the red dashed tick the adult upper limit (IOM).
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV | Among products listing it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin Aas Vitamin A PalmitateVitamin A (Form: as Vitamin A Palmitate) | 3,600 IU | 72% | Higher than 91% of 5,772 products listing vitamin A (median 4,000 IU). |
| Beta Caroteneas natural Mixed CarotenoidsBeta Carotene (Form: as natural mixed carotenoids) | 7,650 IU | ||
| Vitamin C | 284 mg | 473% | Higher than 75% of 18,583 products listing vitamin C (median 100 mg). |
| Ascorbic Acid | no amount given | ||
| Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex | no amount given | ||
| Vitamin Das CholecalciferolVitamin D (Form: as Cholecalciferol) | 210 IU (5.25 mcg) | 53% | 83% of 14,175 products listing vitamin D give more (median 15 mcg). |
| Vitamin Eas D-Alpha-Tocopherol SuccinateVitamin E (Form: as D-Alpha Tocopherol Succinate) | 205 IU | 684% | Higher than 89% of 6,459 products listing vitamin E (median 30 IU). |
| Thiamineas Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B1Thiamin (Form: as B-1 thiamin mononitrate) | 6 mg | 400% | Higher than 55% of 9,830 products listing thiamin (median 5 mg). |
| Riboflavinas Vitamin B2 | 6 mg | 353% | Higher than 57% of 9,824 products listing riboflavin (median 4 mg). |
| Niacinas NiacinamideNiacin (Form: as Niacinamide) | 15 mg | 75% | 71% of 12,413 products listing niacin give more (median 20 mg). |
| Vitamin B6as Pyridoxine HydrochlorideVitamin B-6 (Form: as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) | 12 mg | 600% | Higher than 66% of 15,277 products listing vitamin B6 (median 6 mg). |
| Folic Acid | 200 mcg | 50% | 71% of 7,022 products listing folate give more (median 400 mcg). |
| Vitamin B12as CyanocobalaminVitamin B-12 (Form: as Cyanocobalamin) | 15 mcg | 250% | 61% of 14,425 products listing vitamin B12 give more (median 36 mcg). |
| Biotin | 150 mcg | 50% | 51% of 9,447 products listing biotin give more (median 200 mcg). |
| Pantothenic Acidas D-Calcium PantothenatePantothenic Acid (Form: as D-Calcium Pantothenate) | 25 mg | 250% | Higher than 61% of 10,060 products listing pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) (median 12 mg). |
| Calciumas Calcium Amino Acid ChelateCalcium (Form: as Calcium Amino Acid Chelate) | 236 mg | 24% | Higher than 72% of 17,831 products listing calcium (median 115 mg). |
| Ironas Iron Amino Acid ChelateIron (Form: as Iron Amino Acid Chelate) | 6.75 mg | 38% | Higher than 59% of 6,910 products listing iron (median 5 mg). |
| Iodineas Potassium IodideIodine (Form: as Potassium Iodide) | 150 mcg | 100% | 15% of 6,382 products listing iodine give more (median 150 mcg). |
| Magnesiumas Magnesium Amino Acid ChelateMagnesium (Form: as Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate) | 236 mg | 59% | Higher than 83% of 14,003 products listing magnesium (median 86 mg). |
| Zincas Zinc Amino Acid ChelateZinc (Form: as Zinc Amino Acid Chelate) | 7.5 mg | 50% | 63% of 13,186 products listing zinc give more (median 11 mg). |
| Seleniumas Selenium Amino Acid ChelateSelenium (Form: as Selenium Amino Acid Complex) | 50 mcg | 71% | 56% of 7,658 products listing selenium give more (median 55 mcg). |
| Copperas Copper Amino Acid ChelateCopper (Form: as Copper Amino Acid Chelate) | 1 mg | 50% | 40% of 6,468 products listing copper give more (median 1 mg). |
| Manganeseas Manganese Amino Acid ChelateManganese (Form: as Manganese Amino Acid Chelate) | 2 mg | 100% | 38% of 7,016 products listing manganese give more (median 2 mg). |
| Chromiumas Chromium Amino Acid ChelateChromium (Form: as Chromium Amino Acid Chelate) | 120 mcg | 100% | Higher than 54% of 7,825 products listing chromium (median 100 mcg). |
| Molybdenumas molybdenum amino acid complexMolybdenum (Form: as molybdenum amino acid complex) | 75 mcg | 100% | Higher than 62% of 4,390 products listing molybdenum (median 50 mcg). |
| Cholineas Choline BitartrateCholine (Form: as Choline Bitartrate) | 9 mg | 2%* | 89% of 4,738 products listing choline give more (median 40 mg). |
| Inositolas Inositol MonophosphateInositol (Form: as Inositol Monophosphate) | 15 mg | 69% of 4,042 products listing inositol give more (median 30 mg). | |
| Boronas Boron Amino Acid ComplexBoron (Form: as Boron Amino Acid Complex) | 50 mcg | 96% of 3,339 products listing boron give more (median 1 mg). | |
| Vanadiumas Vanadium Amino Acid ChelateVanadium (Form: as vanadium amino acid chelate) | 3.75 mcg | 96% of 1,744 products listing vanadium give more (median 25 mcg). | |
| Proprietary Phytonutrient and Enzyme BlendProprietary Phytonutrient and Enzyme Blend Note: of | 664.5 mg | ||
| Lecithin | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Broccoli | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Cabbage | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Carrot | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Apple Pectin | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Digestive Enzymes | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Lipase | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Bromelain | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Sucrase | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Acid Proteaseacid stable Protease | in the blend, no amount given |
Show the other 21 rows of the label
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV | Among products listing it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diastaseas Malt | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Papain | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Peptidase | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Phytase | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Lactase | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Alpha-Galactosidase | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Amyloglucosidase | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Proteaseas Aspergillus oryzae | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Cellulase | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Amylase | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Neutral Protease | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Inulin | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Bio Vin Plus(R) Grape Seed Extractas ProanthocyanidinsBio Vin Plus(R) Grape Seed Extract (Form: 95% Proanthocyanidins) CorrectedName: Grape PlantPart: Seed | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Norwegian Kelp | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Proprietary Herbal Standardized BlendProprietary Herbal Standardized Blend Note: of | 180 mg | ||
| Gingko biloba | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| GarlicGarlic Note: odorless | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Cayenne Pepper | 40,000 HU | ||
| Essential Fatty Acidsas Fish OilEssential Fatty Acids (Form: as fish oil) | 1 g | ||
| Eicosapentaenoic Acid | 300 mg | 48% of 3,134 products listing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) give more (median 300 mg). | |
| Docosahexaenoic Acid | 200 mg | 54% of 3,627 products listing DHA give more (median 232 mg). |
* % Daily Value computed from the printed amount and the FDA Daily Value (21 CFR 101.9); the label prints none for that row.
Source: NIH ODS Dietary Supplement Label Database, label 33398 (entered May 23, 2014), version 9.4.0. See the label on DSLD. Amounts are what the maker printed; DSLD does not test products. Daily Values: the FDA's Daily Value page.
Is that a lot?
The rows in the top or bottom tenth of the products that list the same ingredient, and any above the adult upper limit at the most servings a day the directions give:
- Its 11,250 IU of vitamin A (2 rows of the label added together) is higher than 91% of the 5,772 vitamin A products that print an amount; 497 list more.
- 96% of the 3,339 products that print an amount of boron list more than its 0.05 mg of boron (median 1 mg).
- 96% of the 1,744 products that print an amount of vanadium list more than its 3.75 mcg of vanadium (median 25 mcg).
The NIH database records one serving a day from the label's directions; its % Daily Values are for adults and children 4 or more years of age. The directions as printed are further down this page.
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the most of a nutrient per day, from food, water and supplements together, that is likely to pose no risk for almost all adults (Institute of Medicine, 2011). It does not apply under medical supervision. This page compares labels; it is not medical advice.
Sources: amounts from the DSLD label; Daily Values from 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv); adult upper limits from the Institute of Medicine's DRI summary tables (2011). How positions are computed.
Which products have the closest formulas?
The products whose ingredient lists overlap most with Essential's, rare ingredients counting for more.
- Total Health FormulaMicroTech Professional Formulations 32 shared, 50% alike
- Fatigue FormulaMicroTech Professional Formulations 33 shared, 47% alike
- Spectro Energy MultivitaminSolaray · off the market 42 shared, 46% alike
- Women's One MultivitaminRainbow Light · off the market 37 shared, 44% alike
- Young Men's Multivitamin Plus Healthy SkinRainbow Light Vibrance · off the market 36 shared, 44% alike
- Teen Girl's Multivitamin Plus Healthy Skin SupportRainbow Light Vibrance · off the market 36 shared, 44% alike
Source: ingredient lists of every product's current label in DSLD (version 9.4.0); similarity weights each shared ingredient by how rare it is.
What does the label say about taking it?
Quoted from the label as DSLD transcribed it: the maker's words, including any claim about what the product does, which the FDA has not evaluated and PlainVitamins does not endorse.
- Directions
- RECOMMENDED USE For best results take one packet (4 tablets and 1 gel cap) once a day with food. 2 packets maximum, for highly active people. Best when not taken on an empty stomach. This product is intended as a compliment to healthy eating and exercise.
Source: label statements in DSLD label 33398.
What else is on the label?
Seals and symbols as the label prints them (the maker's; a certifier's own list confirms a seal): ALBION MINERALS.
How many labels does Essential have?
One label is on file, entered on May 23, 2014.
- Label 33398 (current) Entered May 23, 2014 · off the market May 28, 2025 · 30 packets
Source: DSLD label entry and market events, version 9.4.0 (labels entered through September 25, 2025).
Who makes it?
The label names 4 TODAY(R), Inc. (distributor), Carson City, NV, U.S.A. All 4 Today products.