04/17/2025
Did you know that Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee is often credited as one of the pioneers of the multivitamin. In 1915, he developed what is believed to be one of the first multivitamin supplements in the United States, which he called "Vitalized Minerals." This product was a blend of essential minerals and vitamins—before the term “vitamin” was even commonly used (the word "vitamin" itself was only coined around 1912).
Why this matters:
At the time, nutritional science was still in its infancy. Dr. Shaklee was ahead of his time, emphasizing prevention and wellness long before it was mainstream. His approach laid the foundation for what would become the Shaklee Corporation in 1956, the first company in the U.S. to offer a nutrition-based wellness business opportunity.
So while he may not have been the only person working on multivitamins in the early 1900s, Dr. Shaklee was definitely one of the first to formulate, market, and advocate for them in a holistic, health-focused way—and his legacy helped shape the modern supplement industry.
