Essential Basics
by Douglas Laboratories · capsule · 180 capsules
- On the market (NIH)
- UPC 7 45287 01100 3
- DSLD label 245292
- Serving 6 capsules
- 30 servings
Essential Basics by Douglas Laboratories lists 30 ingredients, 28 with an amount per serving of 6 capsules, such as 3,000 mcg of vitamin A, 750 mg of vitamin C, 10 mcg (400 IU) of vitamin D3 and 268 mg of vitamin E; 2 sit inside a blend without their own amounts. Its current label entered the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database on February 25, 2021.
What is in Essential Basics?
Each row as the label prints it, per serving of 6 capsules. 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 Beta-Carotene, Fish Oil complex, Vitamin A AcetateVitamin A (Form: as Vitamin A Acetate, Fish Oil complex, and as [1,500 mcg] 50% natural Beta-Carotene) | 3,000 mcg | 333% | |
| Vitamin Cas Calcium AscorbateVitamin C (Form: as Calcium Ascorbate) | 750 mg | 833% | Higher than 90% of 18,583 products listing vitamin C (median 100 mg). |
| Vitamin D3as CholecalciferolVitamin D3 (Alt. Name: Cholecalciferol) Note: 400 IU | 10 mcg (400 IU) | 50% | 57% of 14,175 products listing vitamin D give more (median 15 mcg). |
| Vitamin Eas D-Alpha-Tocopheryl SuccinateVitamin E (Form: as D-Alpha Tocopheryl Succinate) | 268 mg | 1,787% | |
| Thiamineas Thiamine MononitrateThiamine (Form: as Thiamine Mononitrate) | 50 mg | 4,167% | Higher than 82% of 9,830 products listing thiamin (median 5 mg). |
| Riboflavin | 25 mg | 1,923% | Higher than 75% of 9,824 products listing riboflavin (median 4 mg). |
| Blend | 100 mg | 625% | |
| Niacinamide | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Niacin | in the blend, no amount given | ||
| Vitamin B6as Pyridoxine HydrochlorideVitamin B6 (Form: as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) | 25 mg | 1,471% | Higher than 76% of 15,277 products listing vitamin B6 (median 6 mg). |
| Folateas Folic Acid | 667 mcg DFE | 167% | |
| Folic Acid | 400 mcg | ||
| Vitamin B12as CyanocobalaminVitamin B12 (Form: as Cyanocobalamin) | 100 mcg | 4,167% | Higher than 61% of 14,425 products listing vitamin B12 (median 36 mcg). |
| Biotin | 300 mcg | 1,000% | Higher than 53% of 9,447 products listing biotin (median 200 mcg). |
| Pantothenic Acidas D-Calcium PantothenatePantothenic Acid (Form: as D-Calcium Pantothenate) | 150 mg | 3,000% | Higher than 93% of 10,060 products listing pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) (median 12 mg). |
| Cholineas Choline BitartrateCholine (Form: as Choline Bitartrate) | 100 mg | 18% | Higher than 72% of 4,738 products listing choline (median 40 mg). |
| Calciumas Calcium Ascorbate, Calcium CitrateCalcium (Form: as Calcium Citrate, and Calcium Ascorbate) | 250 mg | 19% | Higher than 73% of 17,831 products listing calcium (median 115 mg). |
| Iodineas KelpIodine (Form: from Kelp) | 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) | 250 mg | 60% | Higher than 83% of 14,003 products listing magnesium (median 86 mg). |
| Zincas Zinc Amino Acid ChelateZinc (Form: as Zinc Amino Acid Chelate) | 15 mg | 136% | Higher than 56% of 13,186 products listing zinc (median 11 mg). |
| Seleniumas Selenium Amino Acid ChelateSelenium (Form: as Selenium Amino Acid Complex) | 200 mcg | 364% | Higher than 82% of 7,658 products listing selenium (median 55 mcg). |
| Copperas Copper Amino Acid ChelateCopper (Form: as Copper Amino Acid Chelate) | 2 mg | 222% | Higher than 66% of 6,468 products listing copper (median 1 mg). |
| Manganeseas Manganese Amino Acid ChelateManganese (Form: as Manganese Amino Acid Chelate) | 10 mg | 435% | Higher than 93% of 7,016 products listing manganese (median 2 mg). |
| Chromiumas Chromium PolynicotinateChromium (Form: as Chromium Polynicotinate) | 200 mcg | 571% | Higher than 72% of 7,825 products listing chromium (median 100 mcg). |
| Molybdenumas Molybdenum Amino Acid ChelateMolybdenum (Form: as Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate) | 100 mcg | 222% | Higher than 86% of 4,390 products listing molybdenum (median 50 mcg). |
| Potassium Complexas Potassium Ascorbate, Potassium AspartatePotassium Complex (Form: as Potassium Aspartate, Potassium Ascorbate) | 50 mg | 1% | The label names the compound (Potassium Complex); its amount is likely the compound's weight, not the potassium it holds, so it is not placed among other products. |
| Inositol | 25 mg | 53% of 4,042 products listing inositol give more (median 30 mg). | |
| Vanadiumas Vanadyl SulfateVanadium (Form: as Vanadyl Sulfate) | 20 mcg | 53% of 1,744 products listing vanadium give more (median 25 mcg). | |
| Boronas Boron Aspartate, Boron CitrateBoron (Form: as Boron Aspartate, Boron Citrate) | 2 mg | Higher than 64% of 3,339 products listing boron (median 1 mg). | |
| Para-Aminobenzoic Acid | 25 mg | 47% of 1,610 products listing PABA give more (median 25 mg). | |
| Citrus Bioflavonoids Complex | 100 mg | Higher than 62% of 2,343 products listing flavonoid (median 50 mg). |
Source: NIH ODS Dietary Supplement Label Database, label 245292 (entered February 25, 2021), 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 150 mg of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is higher than 93% of the 10,060 pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) products that print an amount; 557 list more.
- Its 10 mg of manganese is higher than 93% of the 7,016 manganese products that print an amount; 228 list more.
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 Basics's, rare ingredients counting for more.
- Goliath Multi VitaminGoliath Labs 27 shared, 96% alike
- Basic Preventive 5 (Iron Free)Douglas Laboratories 28 shared, 96% alike
- Vit-Min 75+ Multi Vitamin & MineralNOW · off the market 28 shared, 95% alike
- Iron-Free Vit-Min 75+NOW 28 shared, 95% alike
- Basic Preventive 5 Plus Extra Vitamin DDouglas Laboratories 27 shared, 93% alike
- Basic Preventive 3 (Plus Iron)Douglas Laboratories · off the market 28 shared, 93% 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
- Suggested Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults take 6 capsules daily with food or as directed by your health professional.
- Warnings
- Warning: If you are pregnant or nursing, or if you are taking prescription medications, consult your health professional before using this supplement.
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Use only if safety seal is intact.
- Contains: Fish (Anchovies and Sardines)
- Allergens and what it does not contain
- Gluten-free, Non-GMO
- Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place.
Source: label statements in DSLD label 245292.
What else is on the label?
Other ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Stearate.
How many labels does Essential Basics have?
4 labels are on file under this name since March 23, 2012: other sizes, label designs and reformulations. The current one leads this page.
- Label 245292 (current) Entered February 25, 2021 · on the market · 180 capsules · UPC 7 45287 01100 3
- Label 59548 Entered May 22, 2016 · off the market January 31, 2024 · 180 capsules · UPC 7 45287 01100 3
- Label 10841 Entered July 25, 2012 · off the market December 15, 2015 · 180 capsules · UPC 7 45287 01100 3
- Label 6655 Entered March 23, 2012 · off the market January 20, 2012 · 180 capsules · UPC 7 45287 01100 3
Source: DSLD label entry and market events, version 9.4.0 (labels entered through September 25, 2025).
Who makes it?
The label names Douglas Laboratories (manufacturer), Pittsburgh, PA. All Douglas Laboratories products.