Women frequently lack essential nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium. While eating more specific foods may assist, multivitamins are another way to guarantee you’re receiving enough nutrients.
The 11 best multivitamins for women are listed here, along with nutritionist advice on what to look for.
Benefits of multivitamins for women
While many women may achieve their dietary requirements solely via food, some may benefit from multivitamins.
For example, physicians frequently advise pregnant or nursing women to take a multivitamin since nutritional shortages during critical phases of growth and development can result in severe and permanent consequences for both the pregnant woman and the newborn (1, 2, 3, 4).
Furthermore, studies have revealed that pregnant women’s usual intakes of several nutrients – iron, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), folic acid, and vitamin D — fall short of their requirements (1, 2, 3).
People who follow diets that exclude certain foods, such as vegans or those with food allergies, may benefit from taking a multivitamin to compensate for nutritional deficiencies.
A multivitamin can assist in filling any nutrient deficits that may exist (5).
However, only some people need a multivitamin because some only obtain enough nutrients from their diet.
How we chose
We compiled a list of the top multivitamins for women using the following characteristics, which we feel are essential indicators of safety, quality, and transparency:
- Nutrient quality: We sought items that used nutrients in highly absorbable ways.
- Ingredients: We choose items created with high-quality components and devoid of artificial additives. We also paid great attention to each product’s different types and quantities of nutrients.
- Health concerns: We sought goods that could meet a variety of requirements.
- Vetting: All of the multivitamins on our list have been thoroughly reviewed to ensure that they meet Healthline’s brand integrity criteria and attitude to wellness.
Eathealthyisgood’s picks for the best multivitamins for women
Best subscription
Care/of The Foundation Multivitamin + Iron
- Age:18+
- Type: tablets
- Dosage: 2 tablets daily
- Vitamins and minerals: Folate, choline, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, silica, boron, mixed tocopherols, and vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, and K2
The Foundation’s Care Multivitamin + Iron is a high-quality multivitamin the manufacturer sends to your home monthly.
The multivitamin is available in handy daily packets. It includes less than 100% of the Daily Value (DV) of certain nutrients since it is intended to supplement your diet rather than act as the sole source of those nutrients.
However, because women’s diets are frequently deficient in these nutrients, vitamin B12, D3, and folate are added at or over 100% of the DV (1, 6).
This multivitamin contains iron, which is essential for menstruating women. Care/of does, however, provide an iron-free version of The Foundation.
Care/of goods is third-party tested and satisfies NSF International standards.
Best for women in their 20s
Ritual Essential for Women 18+
- Age: 18–49
- Type: capsules
- Dosage: 2 capsules daily
- Minerals and vitamins include folate, iron, magnesium, boron, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins D3, E, B12, and K1.
This subscription-based multivitamin has elements that many women in their twenties need, such as vitamin D, folate, and omega-3 DHA (7, 8, 9).
DHA omega-3 is linked to eye, heart, and brain health. While it is generally found in fish, Ritual obtains it from microalgae, making it vegan-friendly (10).
Clinical research found that using this medication for 12 weeks improved vitamin D and DHA levels in 105 healthy women aged 21-40. However, Ritual hired some writers and helped fund the study (11).
This multivitamin lacks vitamin C, B vitamins, selenium, and calcium. However, it includes vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin K2, which can enhance calcium absorption from your diet (12, 13).
Best for women over 40
Garden of Life mykind Organics Vitamins for Women 40 Plus
- Age: 40+
- Type: tablets
- Dosage: 2 tablets daily
- Vitamins and minerals: Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, and B12.
This Garden of Life multivitamin is an excellent alternative for women in their 40s and beyond since it promotes breast, hormone, and heart health in women over 40.
This product is USDA Organic; the components are obtained from whole foods. It is also non-GMO confirmed and vegan.
Just bear in mind that the supplement lacks iron, so that menstruating women may need an additional iron supplement.
Garden of Life products is third-party tested, albeit the testing organization’s identity is not given.
Best for women over 50
Thorne Women’s Multi 50+
- Age: 50+
- Type: capsules
- Dosage: 6 capsules daily
- Vitamins and minerals: Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, boron, lutein, as well as vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, and B12.
Women require less iron after menopause but more calcium and vitamin B6 (13, 14).
This multivitamin for women over 50 has been designed to meet these shifting demands by containing highly absorbable versions of vitamins D, B12, and B6.
It also contains lutein, an antioxidant that aids in maintaining eye health (15).
Thorne Research manufactures its goods in third-party accredited facilities, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration has given it an “A” grade. Supplements from the brand are also NSF Certified for Sport.
Best for women over 60
MegaFood Multi for Women 55+
- Age: 55+
- Type: tablets
- Dosage: 2 tablets daily
- Vitamins and minerals include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum, as well as vitamins A, C, D3, E, K, B6, and B12.
This MegaFood multivitamin is technically created for women over 55; it is our choice as the best for women over 60 because it is formulated to assist healthy aging beyond menopause.
This complete multivitamin incorporates whole-food components. It also has a low iron content (16).
Remember that while MegaFood supplements are tested for herbicides and pesticides, they are not checked for purity or accuracy by a third party.
Best gummy
OLLY The Perfect Women’s Multi
- Age: 18+
- Type: gummies
- Dosage: 2 gummies daily
- Vitamins and minerals: Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, zinc, selenium, chromium, boron, and vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, and B12.
If swallowing capsules or pills is difficult, this gummy vitamin may be a better option.
It contains various minerals, including B vitamins, vitamin D, and calcium. It’s also excellent for postmenopausal women because it’s iron-free (16).
Biotin, which is supposed to improve the skin, is also contained. However, this evidence needs to be more consistent (17, 18, 19).
NSF International has independently tested this product.
Best gluten-free
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Women
- Age: 18–49
- Type: capsules
- Dosage: 4 capsules daily
- Vitamins and minerals: Minerals and vitamins include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum, as well as vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, and B12.
This gluten-free multivitamin makes it an excellent choice if you have celiac disease or another gluten-related problem.
It includes probiotics and enzymes that are alive, as well as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D3, E, and B complex.
It also contains several secret mixes. Thus, the amounts of each component are not disclosed. As a result, if you are allergic to any of the substances in the mixture, you should avoid using them.
This product is made in facilities that follow the Food and Drug Administration’s current reasonable manufacturing procedures (CGMPs) (FDA). It is also third-party tested, albeit the testing organization’s identity is not provided.
Best with iron
Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women
- Age: 18–49
- Type: capsules
- Dosage: 2 capsules daily
- Vitamins and minerals: Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum, as well as vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, and B12.
This product is designed to help active women by including folic acid, iron, and vitamin D. (20, 21, 22).
It is also third-party tested and processed at a facility that adheres to CGMP standards.
Because this multivitamin provides high amounts of various elements, taking just 1 capsule per day may be adequate, depending on your needs.
Furthermore, while the Vegetarian Society has certified the capsules, the manufacturer does not specify whether the nutrients are obtained from plant or animal sources.
Finally, because the product contains multiple herbs, it may interfere with some drugs.
Best prenatal multivitamin
FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin
- Age group: 18+
- Type: capsules
- Dosage: 8 capsules daily
- Vitamins and minerals: Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, potassium, vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, and K2.
This prenatal vitamin was created by a registered dietitian and fertility nutrition specialist to give the nutrients required to maintain a healthy pregnancy (3).
In addition to minerals like folate and calcium, the supplement contains choline, an essential component required for embryonic growth and appropriate placental function (23).
FullWell did not include omega-3 DHA, according to the company’s website, due to concerns that DHA may not be as beneficial when coupled with a multivitamin.
However, because proper DHA levels are critical during pregnancy, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about taking a DHA supplement (3).
FullWell Prenatal Multivitamins are third-party tested. However, the testing organization’s identity is not published.
Best for sensitive stomachs
New Chapter One Daily Every Woman’s Multi
- Age group: 18–49
- Type: tablets
- Dosage: 1 tablet daily
- Vitamins and minerals: Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum, as well as vitamins A, C, D3, E, K, B6, and B12.
This multivitamin includes probiotics and fermented nutrients, which the manufacturer claims are straightforward on the stomach.
It’s also created with certified organic veggies and herbs and doesn’t include artificial fillers or animal gelatin.
This supplement contains unique blends, so read the label carefully for any components you are allergic to or may conflict with your medications.
New Chapter is a Certified B Corporation with NSF Certified goods.
Best affordable women’s multivitamin
Nature Made Multi for Her
- Age group: 18–49
- Type: tablets
- Dosage: 1 tablet daily
- Vitamins and minerals: Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum, as well as vitamins A, C, D3, E, K, B6, and B12.
This multivitamin is less costly than many others on the market, yet it still provides 23 minerals for women’s health.
Notably, it provides 100% of the daily need for iron in the highly absorbable form of ferrous fumarate, making it an excellent choice for menstruation women (24).
It has also been third-party tested and validated by the US Pharmacopeia (USP).
How to choose a multivitamin for women
With so many multivitamins on the market, choosing one might take a lot of work. Here are a few things to think about:
- Age and life stage: Because nutritional requirements fluctuate as you age, certain multivitamins are designed for specific age groups. Similarly, pregnant or breastfeeding women should choose a product to satisfy their prenatal or postnatal needs.
- Dietary restrictions or allergies: Check the ingredient labels carefully if you have a food allergy or dietary constraint.
- Amounts of nutrients provided: Unless a healthcare expert suggests, avoiding goods containing extremely high doses of nutrients is usually better.
- The number of pills: If you have trouble remembering to take your vitamins, use a once-a-day formulation. Furthermore, consider a gummy or chewable alternative if you dislike taking medications.
- Budget: Consider the price per serving when deciding if a supplement suits your budget.
- Quality: Choose items examined by third-party organizations such as USP, NSF International, and ConsumerLab.
We recommend consulting with a healthcare expert before starting any new supplement. Not everyone needs multivitamins; your doctor may advise you to take a single-nutrient vitamin instead.
Frequently asked questions
Do women’s multivitamins work?
Multivitamins can assist some persons in meeting their nutritional requirements. They can, however, boost nutritional intakes over what is deemed safe (25).
Multivitamins may serve a role in promoting general health and reducing chronic illnesses, but further study is needed (26, 27).
Furthermore, research has shown that healthy persons are more likely to take a multivitamin regularly than those with nutritional deficits. As a result, research on whether taking a multivitamin can enhance health outcomes is equivocal (25).
However, your doctor may still advise you to take one to assist in replacing any nutritional gaps in your diet.
Is it reasonable to take a multivitamin every day?
According to research, taking a multivitamin daily can help some people fulfill their nutritional needs, but it can also contribute to an overabundance of nutrients in others (25).
As a result, it’s critical to thoroughly study supplement labels and identify any nutrients you’re currently getting through your food or other supplements.
Another crucial consideration is the sort of vitamins contained in a product.
When water-soluble vitamins, such as B and C, are ingested in excess, they are readily eliminated in your urine. However, fat-soluble vitamins – vitamins A, D, E, and K — can accumulate in your body and cause toxicity (28).
Before starting any new supplement, including a multivitamin, consult a healthcare expert.
What vitamins should women take daily?
Because nutritional requirements differ from person to person, there is no one-size-fits-all vitamin strategy.
Women are not unusual to be deficient in iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B6 (29).
Still, before taking any vitamin supplements, evaluate your diet with a nutritionist to see whether accessories are essential.
What’s the best time to take a multivitamin?
Water-soluble vitamins, for example, may be absorbed on an empty stomach. However, because multivitamins often contain fat-soluble vitamins that require dietary fat for absorption, they should be taken with a meal or snack.
To help you remember to take your multivitamin, take it with the same meal daily.
What are the best multivitamins for pregnant women?
If you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, it is suggested that you take a multivitamin designed mainly to satisfy the unique nutritional demands of pregnancy (2).
FullWell is a tremendous prenatal multivitamin. Each serving contains vitamin D, folate, and choline, a vital ingredient for fetal and placental development that is sometimes lacking in prenatal supplements (30).
Of course, there are some different high-quality prenatal multivitamins to consider.
What’s the highest rated women’s multivitamin?
OLLY With almost 25,900 five-star reviews at the time of publication, The Perfect Women’s Multi is one of the top rated women’s multivitamins on Amazon. It’s also our favorite gummy multivitamin for ladies.
While reviews are significant, remember that no single multivitamin is optimal for everyone. Various factors, including age, lifestyle, dietary preferences, health problems, and current medicines, determine your supplement requirements.
The bottom line
Multivitamins can assist in bridging nutritional gaps for persons unable to satisfy their nutrient demands solely via food, as well as those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have particular dietary limitations.
However, only some people need a multivitamin, and ingesting some excess nutrients can harm general health.
Before starting any new supplements, including a multivitamin, consult a healthcare expert.
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