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Let’s be real — despite plenty of Insta wellness gurus suggesting that a healthy, balanced diet is easy to achieve, that’s not always the case for everyone. Especially when it comes to the complexities of women’s needs.

Dietary imbalances and nutritional deficiencies are rife. And if your body’s deprived of the vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients it needs to maintain optimal tissue and organ function, your health can be negatively affected.

Enter the multivitamin. These blended formulas can help fill any nutritional gaps and ensure your body has precisely what it needs to keep you well. And they’re particularly important during pregnancy and for women with certain health conditions.

But which multivitamin should you choose? Let’s have a look.

The ideal multivitamin for you depends on your age, lifestyle, and general health. Think: a pregnant person requires different nutrients than a not-pregnant vegan person.

But there are still some important things to look for in general, including:

Nutrients

Certifications

Before you throw away your hard-earned cash on any ol’ multivitamin, understand that nutritional supplements, including vitamins, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So, your best bet is to choose a third-party tested product to ensure your vitamins are safe and effective. Independent labs to look out for include Consumer Lab, Lab Door, NSF, and USP.

If you can’t find those kinds of certifications, look for vitamins made in facilities that are compliant with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs). CGMPs are standards set forth by the FDA designed to ensure that supplements are packaged and labeled appropriately. CGMPs *don’t* involve testing the contents of supplements, though.

Form

Capsules, gummies, chewables, powders, and liquids. You’ve got options, hunny.

Think about the form of vitamin you prefer. If the idea of trying to swallow a big old capsule fills you with dread, maybe a powder, chewable, or liquid would fit better into your daily routine and make it more likely you’ll actually take it.

Or if the idea of chewables and liquids gives you flashbacks to your Flintstone’s vitamins and childrens’ Motrin days, stick with capsules or gummies.

Appropriate daily values

Look for a multivitamin with at least 100 percent of the daily value (DV) for most ingredients.

You prob won’t find this with calcium because the pill would be too large to swallow. Likewise, magnesium and potassium levels are often low in multivitamins to avoid interactions with any medications.

On the flip side, some ingredients might have a super high percentage — like an 800 to 1000 percent DV. This is common with vitamins that your body might not absorb 100 percent of, like vitamin B12.

Balance of ingredients

You’ll need an appropriate balance of nutrients for your age, sex, and nutritional and reproductive status. For example, older peeps need more calcium and vitamin D, whereas premenopausal and pregnant peeps need more iron.

Many brands make multivitamins that account for these needs. Look for products labeled with your age range and sex — and if you’re pregnant or nursing, look for prenatal/postnatal formulas.

Price

There’s a multivitamin for every price point, so you DON’T have to bust your budget for a multi. However, in general, the less expensive vitamins may use inexpensive nutrient forms that aren’t as well absorbed by the body as those used in higher-end supplements.

For example, magnesium oxide is used in many inexpensive multivitamins and magnesium supplements, but it may not be as effective as magnesium picolinate.

Dietary restrictions

You’ll also want to check that your multi meshes well with your dietary preferences and restrictions — some things you may want to check for specifically are:

To save you the trouble of sorting through the millions of multivitamins on the market, we’ve brought you the best by using criteria like:

  • Nutrients. We prioritized formulas with a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals.
  • Quality. For the best bang for your buck, we chose vitamins that have some form of third-party testing and certification.
  • Reviews. We scoured reviews to make sure these vitamins are legit and that people lurve them. We also threw in a couple of our own faves.
  • Price. There’s something to suit everyone with products at a range of price points.
  • Vetted products. We put ever product through a thorough vetting process that checks for unsupported health claims, ingredient transparency, label accuracy, and important certifications. We also make sure the company isn’t engaging in any shady business practices or involved in any lawsuits concerning its products. Only products that passed made our list.

Pricing guide

Different multivitamins require different dosages and are available in different quantities. Pricing below is based on the price per dose.

  • $ = under $0.50
  • $$ = $0.50–$1.00
  • $$$ = over $1.00
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We plucked these beauties from the multitudes.

Best multivitamin for women in their 20s

Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+

  • Price: $$
  • Type: capsule
  • Serving: 2 capsules (30 doses)
  • Age range: 18+ (50+, prenatal or postnatal options also available)
  • Vitamins and minerals: vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, omega-3 DHA

Ritual is a subscription vitamin service that sends you high quality multivitamins every month — which is SUPER convenient.

The brand offers multivitamins for women and men 18+ or 50+, plus prenatal and postnatal options. There are also options for kids and teens. Fun for the whole fam! AND you get a vitamin that’s uniquely customized to your age, gender, and reproductive status.

These oil capsules are vegan and have a mint flavoring, which helps mask any fishy aftertaste. The 18+ option is also USP verified, so you can trust that each capsule actually contains what it says it does.

Reviewers love these and say they’ve simplified their morning vitamin routines. One of our editors tried them and says she loves the minty flavoring and how high quality they are. She also loves how convenient it is to get a multivitamin shipped right to your door. Seriously, it’s easy as hell — even for the busiest of busy bees.

Some peeps had trouble contacting customer service for shipping issues, but reviewers are def satisfied overall.

Pros

  • brain, blood, bone, and antioxidant support
  • USP verified and certified non-GMO
  • can choose from 18+, 50+, prenatal, or postnatal options
  • vegan

Cons

  • some customer service complaints
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Best multivitamin for women over 30

Care/of Personalized Vitamins

  • Price: $–$$$ varies based on selected supplements
  • Type: capsule and powders
  • Serving: 1+ capsules or powder packs per day
  • Age range: 18+
  • Vitamins and minerals: varies based on selected supplements

Care/of is a vitamin subscription that’s perfect for our over 30 crew. To get started, you’ll take a detailed quiz that asks you a bunch of questions about your lifestyle, diet, and health goals. Based on your answers, the brand recommends a slew of supplements that you can add to your daily packs. You don’t need to select all of ’em, either — you can just choose the ones you’re comfortable with or can afford.

We think this is the perf option for women over 30 because it’s so personalized. Many multivites for women over 30 might include support for fertility when you might not want to have kids. But if you’re lookin’ to have kids ASAP, that support is still an option. Others don’t take into account that you might not be getting your period every month (we’re looking at you, hormonal birth control) and maybe don’t need that added iron.

But our favorite part of Care/of is that it also takes into account stress, gut health, your exercise routine, and any skin/hair/nail concerns. Everyone’s going through something diff in their 30s, so a little personalization is an amazing way to get what you need and skip what you don’t.

The biggest downside is that it can get pricey — especially if you decide to buy all of the recommendations.

Pros

  • personalized supplements based on your unique needs and goals
  • convenient packs and monthly subscription

Cons

  • can get really expensive
  • multiple capsules or powders instead of one vitamin
  • not all supplements are vegan
  • unclear if they’re third-party tested (though the company mentions testing on its site)
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Best multivitamin for women over 40

New Chapter Every Woman’s One Daily Multi 40+

  • Price: $$
  • Type: tablet
  • Serving: 1 tablet (72 doses)
  • Age range: 40+
  • Vitamins and minerals: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum

Entering the season of endless 29th (or 39th) birthdays? We feel ya, and so does New Chapter.

This multivitamin — designed for women of a Certain Age — contains critical nutrients in a fermented form that’s easier to digest and increases absorption. Plus, they’re made from whole food ingredients, rather than lab-made synthetics.

New Chapter boasts that these vitamins can ease digestion, soothe stress, boost energy, and support immune function while being gentle on your stomach. That’s thanks to added ingredients like ginger (great for inflammation and digestion), turmeric (also great for inflammation), peppermint leaf (A+ for digestion), and maca root (a fave for fatigue and digestion).

The company also goes a step further with values that include waste reduction, climate-friendly farming, and sustainable sourcing. It also follows a code of conduct that cares for human rights.

One thing to note for peeps with soy allergies is that these multivitamins do contain fermented soy products.

Keep in mind that some herbal ingredients — although natural or organic — can interact with certain medications and might not be safe for pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or taking regular medication, check in with your doc before starting these.

Pros

  • immune, stress, energy, and digestive support, plus probiotics
  • fermented for easier digestion
  • formulated for women over 40
  • third-party tested and certified gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and organic

Cons

  • contains a common allergen (soy)
  • herbs might interact with medications or be unsafe for pregnancy
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Best multivitamin for women with iron

Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women

  • Price: $$
  • Type: capsule
  • Serving: 2 capsules (60 doses)
  • Age range: 18+
  • Vitamins and minerals: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum

Optimum Nutrition’s Opti-Women multivitamin contains 100 percent of your daily recommended iron — plus a hefty dose of vitamin C, which is needed to help absorb iron properly.

But these aren’t all about the iron. They contain an impressive 23 vitamins and minerals, like folic acid, calcium, and vitamin B12.

They also contain ingredients like alpha lipoic acid (an antioxidant), dong quai (an anti-inflammatory that might help support bone health), and garcinia extract (which might help peeps lose weight).

These multivitamins seem to work wonders for some reviewers, but some reported allergic reactions like skin rashes.

Keep in mind that some herbal ingredients — although natural or organic — can interact with certain medications and might not be safe for pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or taking regular medication, check in with your doc before starting these.

Pros

  • energy, metabolism, muscle, bone, and immunity support
  • contains 100 percent of daily iron needs
  • third-party tested and made in a cGMP-registered, Informed Sport, and Informed Choice registered facility
  • vegetarian

Cons

  • some reports of allergic reactions
  • herbs might interact with medications or be unsafe for pregnancy
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Best women’s multivitamin for immune system support

Rainbow Light Women’s One

  • Price: $
  • Type: tablet
  • Serving: 1 tablet (90 doses)
  • Age range: 18+
  • Vitamins and minerals: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, molybdenum

Rainbow Light is our best immune-boosting vitamin thanks to its high-potency zinc and absorbable forms of vitamins B2, B5, folate, calcium, and iron. These tablets also boast vitamin D and calcium to support bone health and vitamins B6, B12, and choline to boost energy and help protect your nerves.

The formula is gluten-free, vegetarian, and verified by the non-GMO project. You’ll only need one tablet per day to fulfill your vitamin needs and you’ll also meet around a third of your iron requirements.

Overall, reviews are outstanding, but some are disappointed that the tablets aren’t vegan, and they cause your pee to turn a luminous yellow color (usually thanks to B vitamins). Plus, there are a couple of reports of tablets becoming moldy at the bottom of the bottle. Don’t forget that vitamins expire!

Pros

Cons

  • yellow pee
  • some complaints of moldy tablets
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Best women’s multivitamin for hormonal support

Mega Food Women’s One Daily

  • Price: $$
  • Type: tablets
  • Serving: 1 tablet (90 doses)
  • Age range: 18+
  • Vitamins and minerals: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum

Mega Food prides itself on quality, natural ingredients, and crafting its vitamin supplements from real food like shiitake mushrooms, oranges, and turmeric.

These once-a-day multivitamins contain ingredients that may help balance your mood, improve your stress response (thanks to three adaptogens: ashwagandha, eleuthero, and Schisandra), and even improve symptoms of premenstrual symptoms (hi, Chaste Tree Berry).

If you’re following specific dietary guidelines, these vitamins are an excellent choice as they’re kosher, vegan, and gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free. And yes, they’re non-GMO. However, they don’t provide your entire recommended daily amount of many of the vitamins and minerals.

Keep in mind that some herbal ingredients — although natural or organic — can interact with certain medications and might not be safe during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or taking regular medication, check in with your doc before starting these.

Pros

  • contains adaptogens and other herbs for stress and hormone support
  • third-party tested and certified non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher; tested for 125+ pesticides and herbicides
  • vegetarian
  • dairy-free
  • soy-free

Cons

  • doesn’t provide 100% of many nutrients
  • herbs might interact with medications or be unsafe for pregnancy
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Best prenatal multivitamin for women

Klaire Labs Prenatal & Nursing Formula

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: capsule
  • Serving: 3 capsules (30 doses)
  • Age range: 18+ (for any women in their child-bearing years, pregnant, or nursing)
  • Vitamins and minerals: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, chromium, molybdenum

Klaire Labs Prenatal and Nursing Formula Supplement is our top prenatal choice. It’s specially formulated to provide all the essential vitamins and minerals in a well-absorbed and tolerated form. We’re talking extra vitamin D to meet your increased needs, active folate and B12, and bioavailable choline necessary for healthy brain and spinal cord development.

It’s also free of common allergens like casein, eggs, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. One possible drawback is the dosage is three tablets daily.

Pros

  • active folate and B12, bioavailable choline, high dose of vitamin D
  • formulated specifically for pregnancy and nursing
  • third-party tested and made in a cGMP facility

Cons

  • large daily dose (3 tablets daily)
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Best organic multivitamin for women

Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily Multi

  • Price: $$
  • Type: tablet
  • Serving: 1 tablet (60 doses)
  • Age range: 18+
  • Vitamins and minerals: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium

If you prefer to avoid GMO ingredients, pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals and are looking for a USDA organic-certified product, check out our best organic choice from Garden of Life.

These tablets boast 15 vitamins and minerals formulated from organic whole foods that fulfill your full daily recommended values or more. You also benefit from activated forms of vitamin B12 that boost energy levels and metabolism.

One negative is that the tablets only contain 14 percent of your recommended iron intake, so you may need other forms of supplementation to meet that goal.

Pros

  • general health and energy support
  • third-party tested and certified non-GMO and organic
  • vegan

Cons

  • limited iron content
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Best gummy multivitamin for women

Olly Women’s Multi

  • Price: $
  • Type: gummy
  • Serving: 2 gummies (45 doses)
  • Age range: 18+
  • Vitamins and minerals: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, zinc, selenium, chromium

As gummy vitamins go, Olly’s are low in sugar at 2 grams per serving and reviewers rave about the flavor, so they’re our best gummy choice.

These vitamins are v affordable, but you’ll need to take 2 daily to get the recommended amounts of 18 essential nutrients. You’ll also need to look elsewhere for iron — these don’t got it.

They’re free of artificial ingredients and gluten and they’re NSF certified, so you can feel confident you’re getting the ingredients Olly says you’re getting. But they’re not suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Pros

  • general health and immune support
  • convenient gummy form
  • third-party tested and NSF certified

Cons

  • doesn’t contain iron
  • not vegan or vegetarian
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Best multivitamin for women with probiotics

Garden of Life Vitamin Code Women

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: capsule
  • Serving: 4 capsules (30 doses)
  • Age range: 18+
  • Vitamins and minerals: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, molybdenum

Made from high quality raw, whole foods, Garden Of Life Vitamin Code for Women supports breast, reproductive, bone, skin, and gut health. This vitamin is an excellent option for women’s specific nutritional needs with vitamins A, C, D3, E, and B-complex and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and zinc.

Although you need four of these antioxidant and enzyme-packed capsules daily, they’re clean, organic, and non-GMO. Plus, they contain gut-friendly Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae bacteria to boost digestive health.

Pros

  • energy, metabolism, reproductive, skin/nail support, plus probiotics for gut health
  • third-party tested and certified non-GMO, certified gluten-free

Cons

  • 4 capsule daily dose
  • expensive
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PriceServingAge rangeBest forProsCons
Ritual Women’s Multivitamin $$2 capsules18+, 50+, prenatal or postnatalbrain, blood, bone, and antioxidant support
USP verified (18+ only), non-GMO, vegan
some customer service complaints
Care/of Personalized Vitamins$–$$$1+ capsules or powder packs18+personalized supplements based on your unique needs and goalsconvenient packs and subscription
can get really expensive, need to take multiple supplements
New Chapter Every Woman’s One Daily Multi$$1 tablet40+immune, stress, energy, and digestive support, plus probioticsfermented for easier digestion, certified gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and organic


contains a common allergen (soy)
Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women2 capsules18+energy, metabolism, muscle, bone, and immunity support
100% DV of iron, made in a CGMP-registered, Informed-Sport, and Informed Choice registered facility, vegetarian
some reports of allergic reactions, herbs might interact with medications or be unsafe for pregnancy
Rainbow Light Women’s One$1 tablet18+high potency vitamin C, D, and zinc for immune support
non-GMO, RAW, and CLEAN, manufactured in GMP-compliant facility, gluten-free, vegetarian some complaints of moldy tablets and yellow pee
Mega Food Women’s One Daily$$1 tablet18+contains adaptogens and other herbs for stress and hormone supportcertified non-GMO certified gluten-free, certified kosher, dairy-free, soy-free
doesn’t provide 100% of many nutrients
Klaire Labs Prenatal & Nursing Formula$$$3 capsules18+ (child-bearing years, pregnant, or nursing)active folate and B12, bioavailable choline, high dose of vitamin Dformulated specifically for pregnancy and nursing, made in a cGMP facility

large daily dose
Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily Multi$$1 tablet18+general health and energy supportcertified non-GMO and organic, veganlimited iron content
Olly Women’s Multi$2 gummies18+general health and immune supportconvenient gummy form, NSF certified
doesn’t contain iron, not vegan or vegetarian
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Women$$$4 capsules18+energy, metabolism, reproductive, skin/nail support, plus probiotics for gut health
certified non-GMO, certified gluten-free
large daily dose

Eating a balanced diet consisting of vegetables, whole grains, and a wide variety of nutrients usually means you’ll have all the vitamins and minerals you need. But, for some peeps — we’re talking vegans, pregnant people, and those who don’t enjoy eating their greens — a multivitamin is worth considering.

Basically, multivitamins can bridge any nutritional gaps in your diet. Many of these dietary gaps can occur in the instance you:

  • avoid certain food groups
  • don’t have time to cook a balanced meal because of your hectic schedule
  • find your wallet’s too skinny for top quality foods
  • you have increased nutritional needs in the case of pregnancy

Additionally, if you have a health condition that reduces nutrient absorption, like celiac disease or ulcerative colitis, or have had gastric bypass surgery, a multivitamin can help support your nutritional needs.

That said, people with a complete, balanced diet are unlikely to get any additional health benefits from supplemental vitamins. Case in point, the researchers in a 2013 review of 26 clinical studies concluded there’s pretty much zero evidence to support any benefits of multivitamins to prevent cardiovascular disease or cancer among healthy adults.

Some signs you may have a vitamin or mineral deficiency include:

The important thing to remember is that these problems aren’t necessarily always related to a nutrient deficiency. Each of them could signify many different things. When in doubt, it’s definitely best to make an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss.

Want to take a different approach? Here are some alternatives to taking a multivitamin.

  • Taking single nutrients. If you’ve been told you need iron or vitamin D or vitamin B12 or any number of other vitamins or minerals, it may be less expensive and easier to simply buy that particular supplement rather than a multi.
  • Eating a nutritious diet. OTOH, if you’re in generally good health and you don’t have any conditions that would affect your ability to absorb nutrients (for example, Crohn’s disease or a past weight loss surgery), a well-balanced diet should provide most of what you need. Aim to include lots of fruits and veggies, meat (which, despite its bad rap, is super nutrient-rich) or plant-based protein sources, omega-3 fats from fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, and some healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, or coconut oil.
  • Adding foods that are great sources of certain vitamins. Vegan? A tablespoon of fortified nutritional yeast will have you covered on vitamin B12. Likewise, a single Brazil nut contains 100 percent of your daily needs for selenium, which may be helpful if you’re limiting carbs. And salmon is an excellent source of brain- and heart-healthy omega-3 fats.
  • Micronutrient testing. If you want some guidance on which nutrients you really need instead of flying blind, consider asking a healthcare pro about micronutrient testing or ordering one yourself from a site like LetsGetChecked. Note: Some blood tests don’t accurately reflect total body stores of certain micronutrients. Working with a healthcare pro is the best way to determine if you have a deficiency.

NOTE: If you’re pregnant, a prenatal vitamin is considered *the* best way to fill nutritional gaps.

If you’re having some mysterious symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, digestive problems, or mood changes that haven’t responded to getting consistent with your multi routine, it’s time to check in with your doctor.

Additionally, contact a healthcare professional if you’re interested in testing for nutrient deficiencies. You can ask your doctor (or a registered dietitian) for some sound advice on multivitamins and other supplements, too.

Our process and why you should trust us

This article was written in part by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), who used her expertise to give her stamp of approval on the best multivitamins for women.

Before writing about those products, we put them all through a thorough vetting process that checks for unsupported health and disease claims, shady business practices, FDA/FTC warning letters, and lawsuits involving a company’s products. We also made sure that the company is transparent about the ingredients it uses, doesn’t use any illegal ingredients, and provides dosage information. Only products that passed vetting made this list.

After wrapping up our recommendations and tips, we sent this entire article to a second registered dietitian (in this case, Kathy W. Warwick, R.D., CDE) for review.

So basically, you can feel good knowing that we put in WORK to get you these recommendations.

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Got more questions? You’re not alone. Here are some other common questions about taking multivitamins and our best answers.

Are women’s multivitamins worth it?

It depends. You can get all of the same nutrients from eating a balanced diet. But some peeps might need some help bridging some nutritional gaps.

Taking a multivitamin is worth considering if you:

  • avoid certain food groups (hello, vegans and vegetarians)
  • don’t have time to cook a balanced meal because of your hectic schedule
  • find your wallet’s too skinny for top quality foods
  • have increased nutritional needs in the case of pregnancy
  • have a health condition that reduces nutrient absorption (like celiac disease or ulcerative colitis) or have had gastric bypass surgery

Is it good to take a multivitamin every day?

Yes! Especially if you fall into one of the categories we listed just above, or if you’re pregnant or nursing.

However, it’s a good idea to check the label for your multivitamin, and avoid multis that provide super-high doses of certain vitamins or minerals. Most of the time, these multi megadoses just plain aren’t necessary — and occasionally they can become a problem when you’re taking high doses consistently over time.

Also, some multivitamins contain herbal ingredients that — although natural or organic — can interact with certain medications and might not be safe for pregnancy. Check in with a healthcare professional before you add a multivitamin to your daily routine.

Do pregnant women need multivitamins?

Choosing a multivitamin explicitly tailored to pregnant people that focuses on the essential nutrients may help support your health and your baby as they develop. It’s important because some vitamin and mineral deficiencies in early pregnancy can harm the fetus. For example, folic acid reduces the risk of certain congenital abnormalities. So, taking a high quality prenatal vitamin supplement can help keep you and your baby healthy.

But definitely speak with your healthcare provider to make the best decision for you.

How many multivitamins should I take every day?

There isn’t a stock answer to this question, as it depends on the brand you’re using and the multivitamin formula. You may find taking one pill a day meets your needs, or you may require multiple pills with every meal. Don’t dive in before reading the label on your multivitamin to confirm the directions — this isn’t the time for guesswork.

Are gummy vitamins less effective?

Gummy vitamins may taste and look like candy, but if you’ve got your hands on a reputable brand, they shouldn’t be any less effective than pills or capsules. However, one thing to keep an eye out for is sugar. Although it doesn’t alter the effectiveness, some gummy vitamins contain quite a bit of sugar which you may prefer to avoid.

How are vitamins and supplements regulated?

Don’t believe the hype that vitamins are harmless and that it doesn’t matter that the FDA doesn’t regulate them in the same way as pharmaceuticals. Although often marketed as “natural,” this isn’t necessarily the case, and some ingredients can have harmful effects when taken at high doses.

However, the FDA categorizes vitamins as dietary supplements, and they keep track of any side effects that people report and monitor any health claims that the manufacturers publish. If the FDA finds a product is making false health claims or is unsafe, they can issue a warning or demand it’s removed from sale.

If regulation is something you’re concerned about, look for supplements that are third-party tested and/or certified. Testing and certification ensure the purity and accuracy of the ingredients listed.

How can I safely choose a multivitamin supplement?

A 2015 study reported that dietary supplements cause around 20,000 visits to the emergency room each year. Yes, seriously!

Because supplements can interact with medications and there’s a lack of safety information in some instances, certain peeps must chat with a healthcare professional before taking supplements. This applies if you’re currently taking medications, have a health condition, are awaiting surgery, or if you’re pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant.

Sure, a balanced diet might well provide all you need in the way of vitamins and minerals. But, if you’re pregnant, thinking about it, or your diet is restricted in some way, a multivitamin can help fill nutritional gaps.

There are tons of different formulations to choose from at every price point. So, take the time to work out which multivitamin best suits your needs, and you may find that your hair, skin, and overall health reaps the benefits.