Choosing supplements for yourself and your family can feel confusing. Labels look similar. Percentages look high or low. Every brand promises something different. It’s a lot.
We recently received a thoughtful question from a customer about daily values on our labels, and it inspired a conversation worth sharing. How do you actually know what’s safe and effective?
Here are three key things to understand when evaluating any multivitamin or supplement, whether it’s byMae or another brand.
1. Daily Value (DV) vs. Upper Limit (UL)
This is the most common point of confusion. Here is the simple breakdown:
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Daily Value (DV): The recommended amount of a nutrient needed to meet most people's basic nutritional needs.
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Upper Limit (UL): The highest level of a nutrient that is considered safe to consume daily without negative side effects.
They are not the same thing. A product might have 100% (or more) of the Daily Value, but still be well below the Upper Limit.
For example:
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Vitamin B12: Has no established upper limit because it is water-soluble and generally has very low toxicity.
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Vitamin B6: Has an upper limit of 100 mg per day for adults. byMae’s Multi+ includes 9 mg, which is effective but far below that safety threshold.
Understanding this difference allows you to read labels with confidence, rather than worry, when you see percentages that seem high.
2. Water-Soluble vs. Fat-Soluble Vitamins
A second important distinction is how your body processes different types of vitamins.
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Water-Soluble Vitamins (Vitamin C, B Vitamins): Your body uses what it needs right now and excretes the rest. If you take more than necessary, your body simply flushes it out.
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Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, K): Your body stores the extras in the liver and fatty tissues for later use.
This matters when checking labels. It’s why formulations should strike a careful balance—enough to be effective, but not excessive, especially with fat-soluble nutrients.
3. Bioavailability: Why Absorption Matters
Even when you choose the right ingredients, no body absorbs vitamins at 100% efficiency. Absorption is personal and depends on several factors:
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Genetics and metabolism
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Gut health
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Timing and whether vitamins are taken with food
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The form of the vitamin (this is why we prioritize the most bioavailable options, like Methylated B12)
This is why even well-formulated products are not magic bullets. They are steady, supportive inputs designed to bridge the gap between your diet and your body's needs.
A Final Note: This Is Personal
Every family is different. Everybody is different.
At byMae, we believe in transparency, education, and supporting you with science-informed tools. But ultimately, we support you in making the choices that feel right for your household.
As always, we recommend speaking with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting or changing any supplement routine to ensure it fits your specific health history.
Your family. Your body. Your call. We’re just here to help make the confusing parts a little more clear.
