Assessment of Elemental Composition in Multivitamin Preparations Marketed in Libya: Implications for Safety and Efficacy

This study evaluates the actual and labeled amounts of macro and trace elements in five multivitamin preparations marketed in Libya, utilizing inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The analysis focuses on essential minerals such as calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn), alongside common heavy metals including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). The findings reveal significant discrepancies between the actual and labeled amounts of certain elements, raising concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of these supplements for long-term consumption.