Finding the best multivitamin for women can be daunting, especially considering how many factors are involved. First and foremost, there’s the decision of whether to be taking one at all, since most health experts agree that striving for a balanced diet is the best way to monitor your vitamin intake. One such expert is Dr. Abisola Olulade, a board certified family medicine physician in San Diego, California, who told Woman's Day that those “consuming a healthy balanced diet do not need a supplement at all, so the best supplement at times is no supplement.” She explains that “It’s always better to focus on getting nutrients from food.”
There are exceptions to this rule however, which is why consulting with your doctor is always a smart choice. Dr. Olulade explains that, for example, lifestyle diets such as veganism and vegetarianism may make it difficult to maintain an adequate Vitamin B12 level. There are also vitamins not easily found in food sources, like Vitamin D, which make it a common deficiency in women, especially those with darker skin or those who don’t spend much time in the sun. Iron, folic acid, and calcium are three other supplements that may be helpful depending on your lifestyle, health, and age. However, only a doctor can tell you if you have a true deficiency.
If you’ve made changes to your diet and are still seeking vitamin supplements, it’s important to know that supplements are regulated by the FDA as food and not drugs. This makes consulting with your doctor even more essential, since they can help recommend the safest options. If you’re ready to start some initial research on your own, Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, registered dietitian nutritionist, and certified exercise physiologist, told Woman’s Day there are several third-party certifications you should look out for. These include:
Dr. Bazilian says that while not all of these certifications are necessary, the more a supplement has, the better. She explains that GMP is the most imperative, since it has “a number of steps to ensure that the sourcing and ingredients are processed in the best standards.” This covers everything in the manufacturing process “from ingredient sourcing, formulation, even labeling and packaging.” Other tips Dr. Bazilian recommends for choosing a multivitamin include opting for the lowest dosage that provides benefits, finding budget-friendly brands, and looking for supplements that you can actually tolerate, in order to ensure your daily routine is sustainable.
For a multivitamin that checks all the boxes, Dr. Bazilian highly recommends NOW Eve. She explains it offers all the best quality indicators, including third party testing like GMP and UL certification, plus it's geared toward women and budget-friendly.
As Lisa DeFazio, MS, RD, told Woman's Day,"this vegan multivitamin contains the essentials, as well as a digestive enzyme/probiotic blend." It uses raw, non-GMO, and gluten-free ingredients, and it also "includes turmeric, which is a natural anti-inflammatory."
This is a food-based multivitamin that has Dr. Bazilian's stamp of approval. You can feel really good about the certified organic blend of superfoods hiding inside, which includes spirulina, acai, pomegranate, blueberry, broccoli, kale, and beet.
Ritual is a vitamin subscription service, which means it'll automatically show up on your doorstep each month. On top of how convenient it is, DeFazio appreciates Ritual's commitment to high quality and transparency. "The designed-for-women formula is vegan, allergen-free, and free of the synthetic fillers that are found in so many vitamins on the market," she says.
For those with lower tolerance to supplements, Dr. Bazilian suggests trying a liquid vitamin like this one from Now. It has all the quality indicators as the pill form does, but is more versatile since, "a person can microdose or spread it out over time." She adds that you can put small amounts into a "smoothie, or oatmeal, or in your morning beverage, or on a spoon."
The Olly multivitamin delivers a daily dose of 18 essential nutrients, which includes the B vitamins, antioxidants, vitamin D, and calcium. This gummy vitamin also features a blend of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as biotin and folic acid to support energy and bone health, DeFazio explains. "To get your daily dose, all you have to do is put one into your mouth and chew, making it an easy choice for adults and kids alike who dislike swallowing large pills," she says.
Another recommendation from Dr. Bazilian, this supplement doesn't contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It's also yeast- and gluten-free, which makes it a viable option for those suffering from celiac disease or yeast overgrowth.
HUM's multivitamin is the personal favorite of Brigitte Zeitlin, RD and owner of BZ Nutrition. It contains 22 essential vitamins and minerals, plus an extra dose of iron, which makes it especially beneficial for pre-menopausal women.
Centrum Silver Women's Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplement for Age 50+
Centrum Silver Women's Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplement for Age 50+
For women over 50, Dr. Bazilian recommends this multivitamin from Centrum Silver. It's specifically designed to support heart, brain, and eye health, and it also offers Centrum's highest levels of Vitamin D3 to help strengthen bones.
A great catch-all multivitamin, this product contains all of the daily essential vitamins you need at an affordable price. The only downside? Some people complain of nausea or stomach upset, which can be a reaction to iron. Experts suggest taking a multivitamin with food if it does end up upsetting your stomach.
Garden of Life mykind Organics Women's Once Daily Whole Food Multivitamin
Garden of Life mykind Organics Women's Once Daily Whole Food Multivitamin
Made from certified organic whole foods, you won't find any artificial flavorings, preservatives, or sweeteners in this supplement. It also packs a lot of nutrients into one little pill, which is another reason why Dr. Bazilian recommends it.
This multivitamin is manufactured with natural ingredients, so it's formulated with no hormones or preservatives. It has over 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon, and is rated highly in categories such as ease of swallowing, quality ingredients, and taste.
This multi is fermented with certified organic, non-GMO whole foods and beneficial probiotics, and gets Dr. Bazilian's endorsement. Plus, every product from this brand is tested for harmful substances such as heavy metals and pesticides.
This multivitamin has nearly 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon, and is also recommended by Dr. Bazilian. It's made from a blend of organic fruits and vegetables containing vitamins A, C, D3, E, B12, calcium, and folate (which is a more absorbable version of folic acid).
Dr. Brynna Connor, MD, Healthcare Ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com told Woman's Day that she personally uses Thorne multivitamins since, "they are of high quality with less filler and superb ingredients." She does recommend "a very individualized approach" since it involves "precision medicine" that will be most effective when targeted correctly.