Shopping for a multivitamin can be overwhelming. There are endless formulas, multivitamins with larger and smaller ingredient lists, products with probiotics, and brands that promise easier digestion. Even after you make your decision, you may wonder, “Am I just throwing my money away?” It’s a fair question. What isn’t in question is the importance of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Your body needs them to produce red blood cells, regulate brain and organ function, and repair wounds. It’s estimated that 90 percent of Americans don’t eat enough fruits and veggies. As a result, about one-third of the U.S. population is at risk of being deficient in at least one vitamin. (1)
If you’re a woman, taking a women’s multivitamin can be used to address a variety of important health areas: supplementing a less-than-ideal diet, boosting your iron intake, supporting joint and bone health…the list goes on. But you need to know what you’re getting in your vitamin supplement and why. To help you find the right multivitamin, we tried dozens of brands for women — from the most popular to newer, lesser-known labels. In the end, we narrowed down the list of the best multivitamins for women to the top products for young women, female athletes, women over 50, and a few other categories.
Best Women’s Multivitamins
- Best Multivitamin for Women Overall: Transparent Labs Multivitamin
- Best for Women’s 50+ Multivitamin: Ritual Essential for Women Over 50
- Best Women’s Multivitamin with Probiotics: AG1
- Best Women’s Multivitamin with Transparent Ingredients: Powher Multivitamin
- Best Personalized Women’s Multivitamin: Nurish
- Best Women’s Multivitamin Gummy: Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy
- Best Women’s Multivitamin for Energy: Legion Triumph for Women
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. None of these supplements are meant to treat or cure any disease. If you feel you may be deficient in a particular nutrient or nutrients, please seek out a medical professional.
Best Multivitamins for Women Video Review
Take a closer look at our top picks for women’s multivitamins as Nick English breaks down our reasoning and why each of these products made our master list.
Best Multivitamin for Women Overall: Transparent Labs Multivitamin
Transparent Labs Multivitamin is an advanced micronutrient complex that includes 23 minerals, vitamins, and adaptogens to bring you a full spectrum of micronutrients. This contains 100% or more of your daily needs for 11 of the established daily values, while four supplements are extra and don't have a basic daily value requirement.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 1204mcg vitamin A, 100mg vitamin C, 65mcg vitamin D, 500mg vitamin K, 20mg vitamin B1, 200mcg vitamin B12, 200mcg biotin, 550mg vitamin B, 300mg organic ashwagandha extract, 100mg coenzyme Q10
- Capsules Per Serving: 4
- Price Per Serving: $1
Pros
- This multivitamin has 23 all-encompassing ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, and adaptogens.
- This formula is totally free of artificial ingredients.
- You get at least 100 percent of your RDI for all the vitamins and minerals in this supplement.
Cons
- You do have to take four capsules for one serving, which can be inconvenient for some.
- Transparent Labs is gentle on the stomach, but it’s iron-free.
- Those who want superfoods, like spirulina or acerola cherry, will have to look for a different multivitamin.
This pick has 28 vitamins and minerals — not only is this a robust list of ingredients, but this supplement also comes at a very reasonable price point.
Transparent Labs made a rather comprehensive formula for this multi with over 20 vitamins and minerals to help you stay on track with your micronutrient needs. Of those, 11 are over 100 percent of your recommended daily intake (RDI) with all of the vitamins — A, C, D, and K — as well as B vitamins with high doses between 111 and 8,333 percent of your RDI. The formula has one milligram of boron too — which may seem low but is within the desired range — and might be helpful in regulating hormone levels in women’s bodies. (16)
There are also some extras, like 300mg of ashwagandha to help relieve stress and potentially decrease inflammation. (17) What you won’t find in this multi is important too, namely any artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives. This product is also suitable for vegetarians since the capsules are made from vegetable cellulose instead of gelatin. One major downside for some folks that are somewhat pill-averse is that you need to take four capsules to receive a full serving. If that’s not a problem, then you can pick this up for a reasonable price — around $29.99 ($1.00 per serving).
Transparent Labs is an all-natural multivitamin with high doses above your RDI for the majority of its vitamins and minerals. This product includes a few extra credit ingredients outside of a normal multivitamin, including the adaptogen ashwagandha, which may be helpful for mood support and anxiety, along with CoQ10, which can potentially help with heart health.
Best Multivitamin for Women Over 50: Ritual Essential for Women 50+
A subscription-based multivitamin with transparent ingredient sourcing, easy-to-take capsules, and a formula specifically designed for women over 50 years old.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 50mcg vitamin D3. 10mg vitamin E, 200mcg folate, 16mcg vitamin B12, 60mg magnesium, 0.7mg boron, 330mg omega-3 acid, 100mcg vitamin K2
- Capsules Per Serving: 2
- Price Per Serving: $0.66
Pros
- This formula is ideal for older adults, as it’s tailored to bone health and immune function.
- These capsules have no artificial colors and are free of gluten and major allergens.
- You only have to take two capsules daily for a full dose.
Cons
- This formula is specifically tailored to women over 50.
- This formula is only a supplement – it doesn’t have all the vitamins and nutrients you need each day.
For women over 50, you may want to look for a multivitamin that increases energy, supports bone health, and promotes immune function — this pick is that vitamin.
Ritual has crafted a formula specific to women over 50 years old. It contains eight ingredients — including vitamin D, K2, E, B12, folate, omega-3, boron, and magnesium — in particular doses. Ritual packs its formulas with a lot of vitamins and minerals in high doses.
They purposely leave out specific ingredients — vitamin C and calcium in this case, as women in this category most likely get enough of those two. Any more is unnecessary. “I like to look at a multivitamin as insurance,” Taub-Dix says. A nutrient-dense diet should be your main priority, but a supplement can offer a little extra support. The focus of this formula is heart health, immune function, bone support, and muscle function, and the label reflects that.
If you’re over 50 and want a vitamin supplement with a streamlined formula that caters specifically to women in your age group, Ritual’s 50+ formula is your best bet.
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Probiotics: AG1
This nutritious greens powder is NSF certified for sport and includes 75 absorbable ingredients and is free of gluten, sugar, dairy, eggs, and peanuts. It is compatible with vegan, keto, and paleo diets.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 555mcg vitamin A, 420mg vitamin C, 83mg vitamin E, 3mg thiamin, 2mg riboflavin, 20mg niacin, 3mg vitamin B6, 22mcg vitamin B12, 38mg dairy free probiotics
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Price Per Serving: $3.30
Pros
- Per scoop, you get 7.2 billion CFU of dairy-free probiotics to support your gut health, alongside 75 other vitamins and minerals.
- This comes in powder form, so you don’t need to swallow pills.
- This greens powder offers adaptogens and digestive enzymes.
Cons
- While AG1 tastes pretty good, some may not love the taste of greens powders.
- This product can be pretty pricey compared to other multivitamins.
Some women may be on the hunt for a multivitamin that includes probiotics to help with gut health. This robust formula contains vitamins, minerals, whole foods, and pre- and probiotics.
AG1 is a multifaceted greens supplement. It contains 75 minerals, vitamins, whole foods, and of course, pre- and probiotics in each one-scoop serving. What makes the probiotics so special in this formula is that they’re also paired with prebiotic, inulin, which is a fiber that may help feed probiotics and enhance their presence in the gut to help maintain healthy bacteria. (2) This formula also contains 7.2 billion units of dairy-free probiotics in the form of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum — two strains of probiotics.
This formula is a high-quality greens powder that doesn’t contain any gluten, added sugar, eggs, peanuts, or dairy, so it is an excellent choice for those who have any sensitivities or allergies to those ingredients. A major fear for some in regards to greens powder is the taste, and AG1 is naturally flavored with vanilla and pineapple flavor and picks up some subtle hints from other fruits and veggies in the mix like cherry, broccoli, and stevia.
It is also worth noting that some of the ingredients in this formula are in a proprietary blend, and therefore don’t mention exact dosages. A one-month supply of AG1 will cost you around $3.30 per day, which is more expensive than other multivitamins, but for the 75 versatile and high-quality ingredients, it is well worth the price if it fits your budget.
Athletics Greens AG1 contains 75 vitamins, minerals, whole foods, and gut health ingredients, including the addition of prebiotics and probiotics, which can help optimize digestion and absorption. This formula contains 7,200,000,000 units of probiotics, as well as some prebiotics in a proprietary blend to potentially improve your gut microbiome.
Read our full AG1 Review.
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Transparent Ingredients: Powher Multivitamin
Powher includes 25 ingredients, all of which were specifically chosen for women. These ingredients range from vitamins A, C, D, and E to B vitamins, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and selenium.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 750mcg vitamin A, 75mg vitamin C, 25mcg vitamin D3, 10mg vitamin E, 50mcg vitamin K1, 1.1mg vitamin B1, 1.1mg vitamin B2, 1.3mg vitamin B6, 50mcg biotin, 10mg CoQ10, 20mg choline, 9mg iron
- Serving Size: 1 capsule
- Price Per Serving: $1.16
Pros
- The Powher website lists all their ingredients with dosages and detailed descriptions.
- You get iron in this supplement, which isn’t super common with multis.
- The serving size is only one capsule per day.
Cons
- This supplement doesn’t have any adaptogens or probiotics added.
Figuring out which ingredients you need is one thing, but you should also know what each of these ingredients can do for you. After all, don’t you want to know what’s going on in your body?
Powher is the brand that we found to be the most transparent about their ingredients. On their website, Powher lists each ingredient and explains how it can help your body. Every ingredient is also listed individually on the label along with its dosage — you won’t find any blends here. Plus, you only need to take one capsule per day, which is ideal for those who don’t like to take a lot of pills.
While it’s great that Powher provides the user with complete transparency about their ingredients, that doesn’t mean you only need those vitamins and minerals listed. You still need a healthy diet of whole foods — including fruits and vegetables — to get the most from your multivitamin.
If you value a transparent label and website that lists all of your multivitamin’s ingredients in their entirety, Powher is going to be your best bet.
Read our full Powher Multivitamin Review.
Best Personalized Women’s Multivitamin: Nurish
Nurish requires a quiz to build out your pack of daily vitamins based on your goals. Along with a multivitamin, Nurish may also include additional supplements, like omega-3, vitamin C, and magnesium.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: Varies depending on your personal blend, but can include vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and/or hair and nail supplements.
- Serving Size: One personal pack daily
- Price: Per Serving: Varies depending on personal pack ($30 to $50 per month)
Pros
- You get a fully customized vitamin pack for your needs.
- You can pick and choose which vitamins and minerals you want.
- The subscription arrives right on your doorstep each month.
Cons
- You have to take multiple pills per day.
- If you want to stop taking Nurish, you need to remember to cancel your subscription.
Some companies offer the opportunity to make your own formula for a multivitamin that is completely customized to you and your personal needs — this pick is one of our favorites.
Take five minutes to fill out their online quiz, which asks you a few questions about your goals, lifestyle, and values, and Nurish will customize a pack of vitamins and minerals tailored to you. Nurish vitamin packs can help consolidate your supplement stash, and make taking your vitamins on the road with you a little easier.
Each vitamin ranges from about $4 to $8 per month, and Nurish recommends about five or six vitamins to start. These can include everything from vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and a multivitamin to even a hair, skin, and nail supplement. You can add or subtract as many as you want to suit your needs or budget, but if you’re trying to hit the goals you input on the quiz, we recommend sticking with what Nurish suggests — that price can range anywhere from about $30 per month to $50 per month, depending on how many vitamins you get.
Nurish MultivitaminFor anyone who values a formula that’s made specifically for you, these packets can include only vitamins you personally need based on your precursory nutrition quiz.
Read our full Nurish Multivitamin Review.
Best Women’s Multivitamin Gummy: Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy
Smarty Pants Daily Gummies contains 10mg of Bacillus subtilis probiotics that have a 99 percent survivability rate. It also contains vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, vitamins A,C,D and E, folate, omega-3, biotin, and zinc.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 270mcg vitamin A, 45mg vitamin C, 50mcg vitamin D, 12mg vitamin E, 1.5mg vitamin B6, 400mcg folate, 3mcg vitamin B12, 30mcg biotin, 10mg bacillus subtilis (1 billion CFU)
- Serving Size: 4 gummies
- Price Per Serving: $1.23
Pros
- These gummies taste good and are convenient to take each day.
- The biotin in these gummies offers some additional hair/skin/nail support.
- You get probiotics in this formula, which isn’t something every multi offers.
Cons
- Gummies are yummy, but you have to take four per serving.
- There are definitely some cheaper options out there.
If you’re looking to add a little flavor to your daily multivitamin, a gummy supplement is a great way to go. This gummy multi is one of the best we’ve tried.
The Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy packs 15 essential nutrients — including omega-3’s, vitamin D3, vitamin C, and vitamin B12 — into one four-gummy serving. In addition, this supplement contains biotin, which may help with hair, skin, and nail health, a benefit many women take a separate supplement for already.
Smarty Pants also includes zinc, which may help with immune support. This product is certified organic and vegetarian and comes in a 120-gummy bottle of multiple fruity flavors.
Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummies are comprehensive and great tasting — though you do have to take four gummies per serving, which may be a lot for some to chew.
Best Women’s Multivitamin for Energy: Legion Triumph for Women
Legion Triumph includes 10mg of iron per serving, which is 60 percent of your RDI. On top of that, you’ll find 22 key vitamins and minerals, like vitamin A, C, D, and E, vitamins K1 and K2, B vitamins, as well as calcium, magnesium, biotin, zinc, and iron.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 90mg vitamin C, 2000IU vitamin D, 500mcg vitamin K1, 100mcg vitamin K2, 30mg vitamin B1, 20mg vitamin B2, 100mg vitamin B3, 100mg vitamin B5, 15mg vitamin B6, 600mcg vitamin B12
- Serving Size: 8 capsules
- Price Per Serving: $1.67
Pros
- The many B vitamins in this formula can help increase energy levels.
- This supplement has a pretty comprehensive list with 22 vitamins and minerals.
- This formula does have some additional herbs and adaptogens.
Cons
- You need to take eight capsules daily.
- This product is a little pricey compared to other options on this list.
Whether you’re working through a tough training schedule or just seem to be hitting a lull in the afternoon, a multivitamin with plenty of B vitamins may help increase your energy levels.
Insufficient levels of B vitamins may contribute to mental fog and fatigue. (18) Luckily, this formula has more than 100 percent of your daily intake of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12.
In addition to these energy-boosting ingredients, Legion contains a pretty comprehensive list of vitamins and minerals — 22 to be exact — which include vitamins A, C, D, and E, vitamins K1 and K2, biotin, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. A downside of this supplement, however, is that for the full dose, you do have to consume eight capsules daily, which can be a lot for some.
Legion Triumph MultivitaminWhile Legion Triumph may be a little more expensive than some other multivitamins, this supplement contains 22 key vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12 and CoQ10, which may help with energy.
Benefits of Women’s Multivitamins
While different companies take different approaches to gender-specific nutrition, many multivitamins for women emphasize ingredients like biotin and collagen, which may help hair and nail health, a common concern among women.
You can also expect to find more iron, vitamins C, E, and K, as well as calcium and magnesium in multis made for women. Below, we explain why.
Biotin
Biotin is a B vitamin that has been shown to improve hair and skin health, as well as your nails, according to a Swiss study published in Cutis. (3)(4)
Zinc
Take a look at your nails. Are they discolored or split? It could be a sign of zinc deficiency, according to research in the Journal of Drugs & Dermatology. (5)(6) Zinc plays a crucial role in healthy cell division, and because our nails grow quickly, signs of deficiency make themselves known on your nails quicker than in any other areas. Zinc may also help with protein synthesis, which means it could help athletes recover faster.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an antioxidant that has been shown to protect the body against free radicals. (7)
Folic Acid
Whether you’re growing out your nails, promoting mental health, or looking to fight inflammation, this B vitamin has some serious potential benefits. And if you’re trying to cut pounds, here’s a bonus: One short study from Clinical Nutrition suggests that even a low daily dose of folic acid could reduce inflammation in people who are overweight. (8)
Vitamin C
Also known as Ascorbic Acid, this vitamin is best known for boosting the immune system. (9) But it also helps in the production of collagen and wound healing. (10) Because our bodies cannot store Vitamin C, we need to get it either through food or supplementation regularly.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is involved in many bodily processes, including building proteins and enzymes, boosting the immune system, and fighting inflammation. It’s also good for bone health, which is why folks over 50 may want to pay extra attention to this one. Because it’s tricky to get the right amount from food, most people have to get the rest of their daily needs through sun exposure and supplementation.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may help prevent damage to the body’s cells. It’s also essential for the functional and structural maintenance of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle tissue.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K can help reduce inflammatory markers; research shows that it may help protect against heart disease, as well as osteoporosis. (11)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
You may already try to seek out healthy omega-3 fatty acids in your food (cue: avocado toast and salmon sushi), but according to research, more than 70 percent of women don’t get enough omega-3s in their diet. This can be problematic because they may promote a more robust immune system, and support cardiovascular, joint, and vision health.
Iron
Since women are more likely to be iron-deficient than men — especially at different points in the menstrual cycle — having a multivitamin that includes a dose of iron can be particularly helpful. Some of the potential benefits of having iron in a multivitamin include increased energy, better brain function, and healthy red blood cells.
Collagen
Collagen is a protein found in the connective tissue in our bodies, which means it’s in our skin, hair, muscles, bones, and even blood vessels. This ingredient may help women reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve skin hydration. (12)
Magnesium
Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, such as regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure, as well as building protein, bone, and even DNA.
Calcium
Vegan women in particular should be on the lookout for bone-boosting calcium in their multivitamins because they won’t be getting it from the most common source: dairy.
Coenzyme Q10
We consider CoQ10 a bonus ingredient anytime it shows up in a multi. It’s an antioxidant that’s found in every cell of the body. Your body makes CoQ10, and your cells use it to produce the energy your body needs for cell growth and maintenance. Because levels of it decrease as we age, some seek supplementation.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant, found in every cell in the body, that may help manage inflammation. We naturally produce ALA in our body, but like collagen, our levels decrease as we age. So whenever we see it in a multivitamin, we’re especially amped for older women.
How We Chose the Best Women’s Multivitamins
We tried dozens of multivitamins to land on this list of the best on the market for you, whether you’re a young woman, over the age of 50, an athlete, or want to bolster your overall health. We looked at the ingredients, price, taste, and quality.
Diversity of Nutrients in Multivitamins for Women
Since we are looking at multivitamins here, we wanted ingredients lists that were comprehensive. We haven’t selected many multivitamins that just have vitamins and minerals — as we mentioned, some have enzymes, some have omega-3s, and some even have probiotics. It was important to us that the products we selected went beyond your typical vitamins and minerals ingredient list.
Potency Support
You definitely don’t need a high dose of every nutrient — especially if you’re following a healthy diet and are already getting a lot of vitamins and minerals via whole foods. But we did make sure that the ingredients in our picks each came in a proper dosing to supplement healthy diets.
Interaction of Nutrients in Multivitamins
Some nutrients interact with each other, which also affects the dosage that certain ingredients should have. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition is one of many publications that found too much zinc in a multi can make it more difficult to absorb calcium. We made sure that the products we selected did not have ingredients interacting in this way. (14)
Comparing Price of Multivitamins for Women
As you pick and choose your favorite picks from this list, here’s an easy table to compare prices across different brands and products.
Best Multivitamin for Women Overall | Transparent Labs Multivitamin | $29.99
Per serving: $1.00 |
Best for Women’s 50+ Multivitamin | Ritual Essential for Women Over 50 | $39.00
Per serving: $1.30 |
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Probiotics | AG1 | $79.00
Per serving: $2.63 |
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Transparent Ingredients | Powher Multivitamin | $39.99
Per serving: $1.33 |
Best Personalized Women’s Multivitamin | Nurish | $4.00-15.00 per product
Per serving: varies depending on personalized recommendations |
Best Women’s Multivitamin Gummy | Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy | $36.95
Per serving: $1.23 |
Best Women’s Multivitamin for Energy | Legion Triumph for Women | $49.99
Per serving: $1.67 |
Comparing Women’s Multivitamin Formulas
There are plenty of vitamins and nutrients every woman needs to stay healthy. But there are a few that are especially crucial, including vitamin B9 (aka folate or folic acid), vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and iron, according to the Office on Women’s Health. Using this chart, you can compare our picks to see how much of your daily recommended value each product provides.
Note: As Nurish is a personalized supplement, the actual values of each vitamin and mineral will vary depending on your personal needs and choices.
Vitamin B9 | Vitamin B12 | Vitamin D | Calcium | Iron | |
Transparent Labs Multivitamin | N/A | 8333% | 310% | N/A | N/A |
Ritual Essential for Women Over 50 | 50% | 667% | 250% | N/A | N/A |
AG1 | 170% | 917% | N/A | 9% | N/A |
Powher Multivitamin | 167% | 100% | 125% | 8% | 50% |
Nurish | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy | 100% | 125% | 250% | N/A | N/A |
Legion Triumph for Women | 50% | 25000% | 500% | <1% | 60% |
What to Consider Before Buying A Women’s Multivitamin
Since there are so many ingredients within multivitamins, you’ll definitely want to consider the ingredients you’re looking for, your preferred form, and the price you’re willing to pay before deciding which supplement to buy.
Ingredients and Dosage
The ingredients in multivitamins can vary quite a bit, so if you’re looking for a specific vitamin or mineral, it’s going to be important for you to check the label before you decide which supplement to buy. In addition, you’ll want to make sure your vitamins and minerals are coming in your desired dosages. Many multis can offer over 100 percent of your RDI for some ingredients, and if you’re looking to avoid those amounts, reading each label thoroughly is going to be key.
It’s also important to note that many of these multivitamins contain blends of vitamins and minerals. The labels don’t necessarily list out exactly what’s in each of these blends. While that may not be an issue for some, if you’re concerned about exact dosages, keep an eye on those labels for proprietary blends.
Form
While there is no form that is better than the other, you’ll still want to consider your personal preference before buying — do you prefer capsule, gummy, or powder multivitamins? For example, if you’re always on the go, a capsule might be easiest to travel with. On the other hand, a powder mixed in water may be easier to digest for some women. Make sure to weigh all the pros and cons before deciding.
Price
Prices can vary with multivitamins because their ingredients vary so much. If your multi has an extensive ingredient list, you can expect it to be more expensive. If you’re opting for a personalized multivitamin, you can also expect to be dishing out a little more cash. Decide on your price point before you start sifting through options.
When Should I Take Multivitamins?
Since many multivitamins contain B vitamins (which can help provide energy for the day), it’s best for women to take this supplement with breakfast in the morning. Since multivitamins are typically taken to fill gaps in your diet, you can still fill those gaps if you take your vitamin at night. However, your body may not get to take advantage of the potential energy boost from particular ingredients if they’re being processed overnight. (13)
Final Word
If you suspect that you have a vitamin deficiency, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about getting work done to see if you’re low in any particular nutrient. Then from there, you and your doctor can work together to determine what particular foods you should be eating more of, or if a supplement makes sense for you.
If you decide to go with a multivitamin, choose the ingredients you want, the form you want to take it in, and your price point before sifting through options. No matter what you end up needing, this list should have a pick to suit you.
FAQs
Do I even need to take a multivitamin?
Probably. Even with a “perfect” diet, many things (like stress, sleep schedule, and even the storage and transportation of food) make it tough for you to get the nutrients you need solely from the foods you eat. By incorporating a vitamin supplement into your diet, you may be able to fill the gaps on your plate.
But the vitamin and minerals you should take and prioritize change with each stage of life. Just remember, whatever your age, a multivitamin can’t make up for a bad diet.
Are some vitamins more important for women?
Generally, men and women have the same recommended intake of vitamins and minerals. However, men and women have different risks for certain ailments. That’s why it’s often emphasized that women should make sure they consume sufficient amounts of these vitamins:
- Calcium, Vitamin K, and Vitamin D: These nutrients all interact synergistically to improve bone strength, which is important because women are at a higher risk of osteoporosis.
- Folate: This B-vitamin is often recommended to reduce the risk of birth defects.
- Iron: Women lose more iron than men do because of menstruation, and are thus more likely to experience a deficiency. They also tend to consume less iron than men.
What vitamins should a woman take on a daily basis?
Ideally, we’d consume all of the vitamins and minerals we’re meant to in a day. The ones women should focus on, however, are the ones that they tend to not meet the recommended intake: magnesium, potassium, Vitamin D, calcium, Vitamin A. vitamin C, and Vitamin E.
What vitamins do postmenopausal women need more of?
Calcium needs appear to increase after menopause, as bone loss may accelerate. On a similar note, postmenopausal women should try to meet their needs for Vitamin D, Vitamin K, and magnesium, which all contribute to bone health. Folate, often associated with pregnancy, is also important as it’s cardioprotective.
What is the best multivitamin for women?
Women have different needs than men physiologically and their supplements should reflect those distinct requirements. Transparent Labs made their formula with over 20 well-dosed ingredients — more than half are over 100 percent of your daily needs. There are also a few nice extras, like CoQ10 for potential heart health and ashwagandha, which may aid in mood support, making it our favorite option right now.
What is the best multivitamin for pregnant women?
Although we think Transparent Labs’ Multivitamin is the best all-around women’s pick, pregnant women may need a different formula. Different women have different vitamin and mineral needs during pregnancy, so it’s best to consult your healthcare provider before trying a new multivitamin supplement.
References
- Bird JK, Murphy RA, Ciappio ED, McBurney MI. Risk of Deficiency in Multiple Concurrent Micronutrients in Children and Adults in the United States. Nutrients. 2017;9(7):655. Published 2017 Jun 24. doi:10.3390/nu9070655
- Kelly G. Inulin-type prebiotics–a review: part 1. Altern Med Rev. 2008 Dec;13(4):315-29. PMID: 19152479.
- Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 16;12(1):228. doi: 10.3390/nu12010228. PMID: 31963141; PMCID: PMC7019700.
- Glynis A. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012 Nov;5(11):28-34. PMID: 23198010; PMCID: PMC3509882.
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