multi vitamin potency.

Multis are definitely not created equal. For example, many minerals can be had as various compounds and chelates, although the absorption efficiency between them is as varied as can be. That being said, the most efficient multis are certainly not the cheapest, and the most effective ones are not the all-in-one pill form.

Perhaps the most important things an athlete should consider in addition to a nutritionally *complete* diet are effective daily dosages of the antioxidants Vit E, C, and maybe beta carotene, an effective form of B12, and perhaps nominal amounts of additional minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and possibly iron (chelates are best) if training volume is high. There are other agents and nutritional aids that may be beneficial as well, but these more or less fall outside of what you'd expect to be present in a good 'multi'.

Many of these compounds I buy separately as efficient forms, which is a little less convenient, but guarantees efficiency, so as for the most efficient brands of multi vitamins on the market, I really haven't researched the current offerings.