The Best Multivitamins For Women – Top Brands, Benefits, And The Side Effects
Research shows women experience at least one type of nutritional deficiency. While we sure can get some (or even most) of the nutrients through a healthy and wholesome diet, there are certain factors out of our reach. Like, say, you can’t control the production of fruits and veggies, and neither can you control what chemicals go into the crop. This is why multivitamins could be a healthy way to supplement your diet and make up for your nutritional deficiencies.
The logic is simple. There are 13 vitamins all women must take (in addition to certain minerals and fatty acids) (1). If your diet doesn’t provide you with one or more of these, that’s a problem. One study conducted by the Serbian Medical School tells us that a whopping 75% of women can develop nutritional deficiencies if they never took multivitamin supplements (2).Problem.
In this post, we’ll discuss everything about women’s nutrition, the top (and reliable) supplement brands you can consider, and how multivitamins benefit you in the first place. Keep reading. Because this is about you, dear women.
Important To Note
A multivitamin supplement is just that – a supplement. You only take a supplement to bridge the nutritional gap and ensure you get the nutrients that you otherwise don’t from your regular diet.
Mind you, they are not replacements. Just supplements.
In This Article
What Does A Multivitamin Supplement Do To You?
According to the World Health Organization, one must consume at least 5 servings of a combination of fruits and vegetables every single day (3). And as per the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the following counts as one single serving of fruits and vegetables (4).
Vegetable Group | ||
---|---|---|
1 cup of raw leafy vegetables | ||
1/2 cup of other vegetables cooked or raw | ||
3/4 cup of vegetable juice | ||
Fruit Group | ||
1 medium apple, banana, orange, pear | ||
1/2 cup of chopped, cooked, or canned fruit | ||
3/4 cup of fruit juice |
Though more recent studies suggest we have 10 servings a day, we guess you got the point. In our fast-paced lives, having the required servings of fruits and veggies regularly is far from practical. Hence, the rising amount of deficiencies, especially in adult women. Studies have shown women are more likely to be nutritionally deficient than men, a couple of factors for that being menstruation and pregnancy (5). This is why women need to take a look at multivitamins, probably more seriously today than ever before.
A multivitamin bridges the nutritional gap and ensures we are getting the required nutrients on a daily basis. But what are these nutrients that women need?
What Are The Nutrients Women Need?
The following table lists the most essential nutrients for women, along with their benefits and RDA.
Nutrient | Benefit | RDA |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | Boosts vision and skin health | 5,000 International Units (IU) |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | Helps the body metabolize fat and generate energy | 1.5 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | Protects the body’s cells from free radicals | 1.7 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | Cuts heart disease risk | 20 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | Promotes hormone production and immunity | 10 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | Helps produce myelin, a protective layer around cells | 2 mg |
Vitamin B7 (Biotin) | Boosts metabolism and health of the skin, hair, and nails | 300 µg (micrograms) |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | Promotes nervous system health (especially of the baby), and is important during pregnancy | 400 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | Enhances production of red blood cells | 6 µg |
Vitamin C | Aids growth and repair of body tissues | 60 mg |
Vitamin D | Promotes calcium absorption for stronger bones | 400 IU |
Vitamin E | Fights free radicals and boosts immunity | 30 IU |
Vitamin K | Helps blood clot (to prevent excessive bleeding) and keeps the heart and bones strong | 80 µg |
Choline | Crucial for nerve and liver function | 400 mg |
Iron | Essential for the production of hemoglobin and prevention of anemia | 18 mg |
Iodine | Promotes thyroid health and pregnant health (for the brain health of the growing fetus) | 150 µg and 220 µg for pregnant women |
Magnesium | Promotes over 300 biochemical functions in the body | 320 mg |
Calcium | Promotes bone health and helps prevent diabetes | 1,200 mg |
Omega-3 fatty acids | Fight inflammation and boost brain health | 500 mg of EPA and DHA |
Those are the most essential nutrients women need on a daily basis. Multivitamins also contain other ingredients like cellulose and rice bran. Anyway, we now move on to the top brands. There are hundreds of brands that manufacture and sell multivitamin supplements – so which one should you go for? Is there anything like a complete multivitamin? What do the ratings and reviews say?
What Are The Top Multivitamin Brands?
1. HealthKart HK Basics Multivitamin Women
HealthKart HK Basics Multivitamins for Women are enriched with the goodness of ginseng extracts, multi-minerals, and taurine. They contain nine essential amino acids that help in improving your immunity and overall health. Incorporate these multivitamins into your daily diet to lead a healthy lifestyle. They keep you mentally alert and physically active. They are also rich in vitamin D3 and magnesium that improve bone health and delay the aging process.
Pros
- Promotes energy metabolism, good for heart functioning, and improves skin and eye health.
Cons
None
2. Nature Made, Multi For Her With Iron And Calcium
Nature Made is quite known for its organic ingredients, and this supplement claims to contain no artificial flavors or colors, or preservatives.
Pros
- Gluten and yeast-free, which makes it a viable option for anyone who has Celiac (gluten intolerance) disease or yeast infections.
Cons
- The tablets are a little big, and swallowing them might be a problem for some.
3. Revital Woman
Revital Woman is a balanced combination of 12 vitamins and 18 minerals, along with ginseng. This multivitamin fights weakness in women and also keeps your hair and skin healthy.
Pros
- It contains adequate amounts of selenium, which is especially important for women.
Cons
None
4. Twinlab Daily One Caps Multi-Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
This multivitamin contains three superfruits – pomegranate, acai, and mangosteen. These fruits boost immunity in women and also offer high-quality B and C vitamins. It also contains iron, which can be particularly beneficial for women as they have higher iron needs.
Pros
- It is both vegan and vegetarian.
Cons
- The supplement contains higher levels of iron, and this might cause certain individuals to feel nauseous (especially if they have a history of feeling uncomfortable after taking supplements containing iron).
5. Carbamide Forte Multivitamin Tablets
Carbamide Forte Multivitamin Tablets are specially formulated to improve digestion, boost energy, improve skin glow, promote stronger hair, build immunity, and encourage weight management. The vitamins and minerals present in each tablet boost energy at the cellular level. These multivitamins with probiotics contain 43 ingredients and 8 vital blends. The antioxidant blend helps to fight free radicals and makes you look younger.
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Non-GMO
- Vegetarian product
Cons
- None
6. Smarty Pants Women’s Complete
Each gummy has the power of CoQ10 and omega-3 fatty acids, which help improve cognition. For women, who are quite well known to multitask and easily take care of too many things at a time, these nutrients are indeed important.
Pros
- The supplement is non-GMO.
Cons
- The omega-3 fatty acid content is not adequate, which means you need to take more gummies to meet the need. You are better off taking an exclusive omega-3 supplement
7. GNC Women’s Ultra Mega
This multivitamin scores quite well in purity rankings. It also contains caffeine and green tea extract, which means you will be getting a kick of caffeine regularly. Which is a big plus for busy women on the go.
Pros
- The taste is quite good as they are gummies.
Cons
- In case you have a history of reacting to niacin, you might experience itchy and inflamed skin
8. Boldfit Multivitamin For Women
The Boldfit Multivitamin For Women helps in nutrient absorption and maintains the health of your hair and nails. It contains vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, tulsi, giloy, spirulina, magnesium, phosphorus, and biotin. This supplement is infused with a prebiotic and postbiotic blend that improves your digestive system, treats gut problems, and maintains immunity.
Pros
- Made with clinically researched ingredients and is free of gluten, soy, GMO, and sugar.
Cons
None
9. Rainbow Light Vibrance Women’s Multivitamin
This multivitamin includes 1,076 mg of a certified organic blend of fruits and vegetables – including acai, pomegranate, blueberry, spirulina, kale, broccoli, and beet.
Pros
- It supports energy metabolism and fortifies the immune system.
Cons
- Quite expensive when compared to other multivitamin brands.
10. Oziva Protein and Herbs for Women
This is primarily a whey protein supplement, but with a unique blend of 28 essential vitamins and minerals. It also contains Ayurvedic herbs like tulsi, shatavari, and ginger. The protein reduces muscle soreness, while the other nutrients improve overall health.
Pros
- Tastes quite nice.
Cons
None
11. Seven Seas Perfect7 Woman Multivitamin and Multimineral
This supplement focuses on the seven major benefits for women – hence the name. The nutrients in the supplement help support women’s energy and vitality, skin health, hair and nail health, strong bones and muscles, memory, immunity, and vision.
Pros
- Specifically targets the seven key areas of women’s health.
Cons
None
12. TrueBasics Multivit Women
TrueBasics Multivit Women is specially formulated to improve day-long energy, skin radiance, and joint flexibility & mobility. It delays signs of aging. The multivitamin contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals that support an active lifecycle. It also has antioxidants that help fight free radicals.
Pros
- Packed with clinically tested ingredients
- Suitable for women
- Ideal for beauty and wellness
Cons
- Unpleasant smell
- Allergen alert: contains soy
13. Healthvit Cenvitan Women Multivitamin & Multimineral
The Healthvit Cenvitan Women Multivitamin & Multimineral contains vitamins A, C, E, and biotin that help maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails. It increases stamina, boosts your energy, regulates hormones, and enhances metabolism.
Pros
It promotes metabolism, boosts immunity, and improves the overall health of your hair, nails, and skin.
Cons
None
14. WOW Life Science Multivitamin for Women
The WOW Life Science Multivitamin For Women is a vegetarian supplement packed with vitamins and minerals to support good health. It manages oxidative damage, improves heart health, nerve, and gut health, aids in metabolism, maintains healthy bones and muscles, and boosts energy levels. This product contains 11 macro minerals, 12 essential vitamins, trace minerals, and five specialized blends with amino acids, antioxidants, fruit, and herbal extracts.
Pros
- It supports eye health and helps maintain metabolism.
Cons
None
15. Now Foods Eve Superior Women’s Multi
The multivitamin offers everything except for the standard doses of B vitamins, which comes in a separate packaging. But otherwise, this one can be a good way to meet women’s growing nutritional needs.
Pros
- The mineral ingredients are present as chelates (and not organic salts), which get better absorbed by the body.
Cons
- Might cause breakouts in certain people.
16. Garden Life Women’s Multi 40+
This is a vegan, whole food multivitamin formulated for women over 40+. It promotes overall health and well-being. It contains 120 tablets.
Pros
- It is organic and vegan.
Cons
None
17. Fast&Up Vitalize Immunity Essential Multivitamin
This multivitamin is suitable for everyone above 10 years of age. It helps bridge the nutritional gap and keeps one energetic throughout the day. It has 21 key ingredients and is ideal for all athletes, bodybuilders, sports enthusiasts, etc.
Pros
- Easily absorbed by the body
Cons
None
18. Swisse Ultivite Women’s Multivitamin
The Swisse Ultivite Women’s Multivitamin contains antioxidants, herbs, minerals, vitamins E, C, B6, B12, chamomile, magnesium, zinc, Siberian ginseng, and calcium. These ingredients maintain the health of your heart, brain, skin, hair, nails. This multivitamin supplement enhances your energy and improves overall health. It boosts immunity, keeps hemoglobin levels in check, and improves the digestive system.
Pros
- It contains minerals and antioxidants and is devoid of lactose or gluten.
Cons
None
19. One A Day Women’s Multivitamin
The B vitamins in the multivitamin enhance physical energy, while vitamins A, C, and E fight free radicals and boost immunity. These properties can especially be beneficial for women who spend most of their time outdoors, often working in polluted environments.
Pros
- The price is affordable.
Cons
None
20. Inlife Multivitamin And Minerals
Inlife multivitamin contains 22 essential nutrients in an advanced formula. It helps energize you without having to take caffeine or sugar.