Which multivitamin for women is best

If you do not identify as your biological sex or are on hormone therapy, it's best to have a conversation with your doctor about which vitamin blend would be best for you. Here, we'll take a look at the best multivitamins out there for people AFAB, and we'll use the term "women" throughout to stay close to the language used by the brands.

Nature Made is a trusted brand for a reason — their formulations give you a well-rounded mix of all the vitamins and minerals you need in a multivitamin.

In this case, you'll get plenty of vitamin D , iron, zinc, vitamin B12 , folate and a healthy dose of calcium. Plus, their products are third-party tested by USP, which means you're getting what's on the label, in the right amounts, without harmful additives.

It also means the nutrients will break down properly in your body. Being on a budget doesn't mean you have to buy untested vitamins. On the contrary, Theralogix is a budget-friendly brand that has a lot going for it. It's NSF third-party tested, made in the United States and produced in factories that follow current good manufacturing practices.

This supplement also contains a good mix of all the necessary nutrients for a premenopausal woman: vitamin D, calcium, zinc, B12, folate and percent of the daily value for iron. If an organic, sourced-from-whole-food multivitamin is what you're looking for, MyKind by Garden of Life is a good choice for you. It does not contain the RDA for iron for either pre- or post-menopausal women, however, so you'll need to make sure you're getting enough iron from your diet or taking a separate iron supplement.

One important note about gummy vitamins: Most of them do not contain iron. This may be to prevent iron from altering the taste of the gummy or to eliminate the risk of iron overdose in the event that a child thinks they're candy.

This multi has everything else going for it, though — vitamin D, B12, folate and a little calcium you should still aim to get calcium from your diet if you choose this vitamin.

Most importantly, it's NSF-certified, meaning you're getting what the manufacturer claims. Pregnancy is not the time to trust any old multivitamin. You need to be sure you're getting exactly what's on the label with nothing else added in, and this one has the USP seal to set your mind at ease.

If you're not getting a prescription prenatal from your doctor, Nature Made prenatals are a good choice off the shelf. Iron needs increase significantly during pregnancy due to increased blood volume, so instead of 18 mg in most women's formulas, the RDA for pregnancy is 27 mg and this supplement gives you percent of this.

In addition, you're getting extra folate, and mg of DHA, which is essential for your baby's brain and nervous system development. Pregnancy calls for increased nutrient demands for a woman, and those demands don't end after the birth of your baby.

Postnatal needs, especially during lactation, may deplete your body of important nutrient stores if your diet is not adequate. Addressing nutritional gaps with multivitamin and mineral supplements. Nutr J. Published Jul Updated October 17, Published Feb Int J Endocrinol. Daily iron supplementation for improving anaemia, iron status and health in menstruating women.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Published Apr Parvataneni S, Maw M. Ileus due to iron pills: a case report and literature report on the importance of stool softeners. Folic acid. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published April 19, Scaglione F, Panzavolta G. Folate, folic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate are not the same thing. Stevens SL. Fat-Soluble Vitamins.

Nurs Clin North Am. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Should you take a multivitamin? Cleveland Clinic. Published October 29, The best time to take vitamins. Published April 26, Fat-soluble vitamins. Nutrition for the Primary Care Provider. Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements. Updated July 22, Vitamin D: beyond bone. Ann N Y Acad Sci. Food and Drug Administration. Food Allergies. Updated February 8, Updated April 11, MTHFR gene, folic acid, and preventing neural tube defects.

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Learn about our editorial process. She is also the founder of Marisa Moore Nutrition. Learn about our Medical Review Board. Fact checked by Shereen Lehman, MS. But not all multivitamins are created equal. Vitamins are not regulated by the FDA, so it can be difficult to figure out which companies are providing a quality product.

For example, some multivitamins use folic acid, which is a synthetic version of folate —an important nutrient used for cell growth and metabolism. Not every person can absorb folic acid efficiently. Scroll through the website and you get the sense that taking these vitamins is rather trendy and fun—but Ritual is not playing around. The makers are serious about the quality of their product and very transparent about where and how they source their material. The inclusion of omega-3s, which can help regulate inflammation and reduce blood clotting, is rare for a multi, says Dr.

Life Extension claims to include only nutrients and dosages proven by science to be effective. For example, this multivitamin contains four forms of tocopherol vitamin E, an antioxidant that can boost vision, brain, skin and reproductive health.

Thorne—a company that works with professional athletes—is all about making products that lead to optimal performance. Basic Nutrients III includes essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.

We know pesticides and harsh chemicals can make their way into food, but what about supplements? Innate Response is one of the first companies to guarantee that its products are free of any residue of glyphosate , an herbicide that can kill certain weeds and grasses.

Vegans and plant-based eaters can not only feel good about consuming a product that is aligned with their values but can be sure they're getting a big bang for their buck by choosing a product that is glyphosate-free. In addition to glyphosate, each batch of ingredients is tested for over different pesticides and herbicides. For women looking to conceive, the safety and efficacy of supplements are super important.

Klaire Labs Prenatal and Nursing Formula Supplement is a top choice because it provides absorbable forms of the key nutrients that are needed by pregnant and nursing women. As women age, it's important for them to consume adequate amounts of bone-supporting nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. Plus, free of milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts this is an excellent choice for those with dietary restrictions. Ideal for picky eaters or for those that have a hard time swallowing pills, this product is a great way to support your nutrient intake if your diet is less than perfect.

These chewable vitamins come in a Blissful Berry flavor that is made with no artificial colors, flavors and is gluten-free. There are 90 gummies per bottle which is a day supply. As a bonus, we love that there are only 2 grams of sugar per serving. Although this product is technically a prenatal vitamin, any woman of childbearing age can take a prenatal multivitamin and benefit from the breadth and potency of its nutrients. This one is particularly great for anyone who wants to add iron to their diet, as it contains 27 milligrams per serving.

Plus, unlike many prenatal vitamins that require multiple tablets per dose, you get everything you need in one tablet, here. FYI: When taking a supplement that contains iron, do not take it with coffee, tea, bran, or milk, as this can affect absorption. Best for delicious and beautiful plant-based meals, Sakara now offers shoppers another way to nourish themselves from the inside out via Sakara Rx: The Foundation.

One purchase contains 30 days' worth of supplements. Buyers are instructed to take one packet, which includes six pills, with breakfast or lunch and plenty of water. Each packet includes two superfood multivitamins, one macro-mineral a blend of calcium and magnesium , one algae omega an alternative to fish oil, this sources omega-3 fatty acids from algae , one adaptogenic B complex a blend of B vitamins and ashwagandha , and one probiotic formula.

Each once-a-day pill provides 15 vitamins and minerals including activated forms of vitamin B This product is also certified organic and is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and free of synthetic binders and fillers.

For women of child-bearing age or women who are already pregnant, consuming adequate folate is necessary for optimal health. Meeting the recommended intake of folate may also be helpful for women that struggle with depression.

Once again, you can absolutely take a prenatal regardless of whether or not you are actively trying to conceive. What makes this product stand out among the rest is the use of Quatrefolic , a metabolized form of folate that bypasses many conversion steps in the body so that it can be used more quickly. In addition to containing the eight B vitamins, each serving of this supplement features alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant that helps cells utilize glucose for fuel —which is especially helpful if you're active.

Looking for a trusted source of nutrients to support hair, skin, and nail health? Megafood is one of the original companies to use whole food sources for their supplements and keep harsh chemicals out of their bottles.

Two plant-based tablets contain vitamins A, C, E, and B6, biotin, zinc , and selenium, as well as carrots, organic oranges, organic brown rice, and organic nettle leaf. Overall, this formula strives to nourish and support a healthy complexion, nails, and hair. Also, this supplement is vegetarian-friendly, as it is made with nutrients derived from plant-based sources.

We love Pure Encapsulations O. E Multivitamin because it packs tons of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants into a reasonable single-capsule serving. In addition to nutrient variety and serving size, this product puts purity, quality, and potency at the forefront of production. When it comes to how many multivitamins you should take per day, Alpert says that it fully depends on the brand and formula.