AG1: Overhyped Multivitamin or Super Supplement?

What’s Not So Good About AG1?

AG1 may not be right (or necessary) for everyone. Here’s why:

Lack of research to confirm safety and effectiveness

“While many of AG1’s individual ingredients are backed by research suggesting health benefits, there is no research specifically on AG1 to support its effectiveness,” says Costa.

AG1 also doesn’t list individual dosages for the nutrients packed into its three proprietary blends (“Alkaline, Nutrient-Dense Raw Superfood Complex,” “Nutrient Dense Extracts, Herbs, and Antioxidants,” and “Digestive Enzyme and Super Mushroom Complex”). This makes it impossible to know whether you’re getting an effective dose of any of those ingredients, says Turoff.

Fernando also warns the lack of transparency could be a red flag for people who are sensitive to any of the ingredients found in the blends—such as people on certain medications, with certain health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Not a substitute for whole fruits and vegetables

The company markets AG1 as having the same antioxidant content as 12 servings of fruit and vegetables. While AG1 may provide some of the nutrients found in fresh fruit and veggies, there’s currently not enough evidence to show that consuming them in powdered form has the same benefits as eating whole foods.

“It’s a safe bet that these powders are not a direct substitute for the antioxidants you get from whole vegetables and fruits,” says Kadey. Why? According to Fernando, whole fruits and vegetables naturally contain optimal amounts of nutrients and antioxidants that exert a synergistic effect on health. It’s unclear whether AG1 packs the same punch.

Plus, AG1 fails to offer the fiber that you would get from eating fresh produce. “When you eat actual fruits and vegetables, you get the benefit of satiety in addition to the vitamins and minerals,” says Turoff. Fiber helps to slow down digestion and balance blood sugar levels, keeping you energized and satisfied for hours. The USDA recommends that adults consume 22 to 34 grams of fiber per day, but a scoop of AG1 only provides two grams of fiber (5).

May not help with specific gut problems

Some people do not need and cannot tolerate certain probiotics, says Turoff. “There is a possibility that the probiotics in AG1 may not be the right strains of microorganisms or in the amounts needed for you,” explains Kadey.

It really comes down to what you need a probiotic for. If you have general needs, AG1 might be okay. But if using a probiotic for a specific issue, you’ll need a specific probiotic for that issue. For example, L. bulgaricus (one of the probiotics in Activia yogurt) is effective for IBS; while, L. rhamnosus GG (LGG) is effective for diarrhea sparked by taking an antibiotic (6). “CFU recommendations will also differ based on what you are trying to treat, ” explains Turoff.

AG1 also contains prebiotics, which can help boost the strength and integrity of new and existing beneficial microbes in your gut (7). That said, because the prebiotics in AG1 are in the proprietary blends, there’s no way to know if they’re included at an effective dose.

Lacks some essential nutrients

AG1’s biggest selling point is that it’s a solid multivitamin; but unfortunately, it won’t cover all your needs. AG1 contains low levels of important micronutrients like calcium and magnesium, which most of us fail to get enough of (8, 9). It’s also completely void of vitamin D, iron, and omega-3’s. 

While you might need more vitamin D if you fail to get enough sun, Fernando actually likes that AG1 left iron out of the mix. “Iron needs are highly variable. Iron supplements can also often have GI side effects (like constipation or diarrhea), and since iron and calcium compete for absorption, it’s best to take an iron supplement separate from a multivitamin that contains calcium,” she explains.