The Best Multivitamins for Women in 2024
Are you a woman looking to add nutrients to your diet? If so, you may want to take a multivitamin. But with so many options, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
The Forbes Health editorial team consulted with a panel of experts, who gave their recommendations on the best multivitamins for women and explained why they chose them. Remember, as with all supplements, be sure to talk to your doctor before starting a new multivitamin routine.
What is the right multivitamin for women?
A multivitamin is exactly what it sounds like a supplement that contains a variety of vitamins. Spencer Kroll, MD, Ph.D, of Kroll Medical Group in Morganville, New Jersey, describes multivitamins as a dietary supplement that usually contains fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins. You can take multivitamins in liquid and solid form, sometimes even by injection.
There are a large number of multivitamins on the market because they can be made in different formulas, each with different vitamin combinations. “Some come with higher mineral content,” he says. “Some with additional concentrations of vitamins such as vitamin D, which may be more important for preventing osteoporosis in women.”
What do multivitamins do?
For those at risk of nutritional deficiencies, multivitamins can help fill nutrient gaps in the diet. Specifically, they can help people reach the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Adequate Intake (AI) of certain vitamins and minerals that they may not be getting through food alone.
While some people choose to take multivitamins to prevent chronic disease, research on this potential health benefit is mixed.
What ingredients do women’s multivitamins usually contain?
These are the most common types of vitamins found in multivitamins:
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Biotin
•folic acid
• Niacin
• Pantothenic acid
• Riboflavin
• Thiamine
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C
Multivitamins usually contain minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc.
Benefits of multivitamins for women
The biggest benefit of multivitamins is that they allow you to supplement vitamins and nutrients that you may not be getting from your diet.
Research shows that taking a multivitamin can also help boost your immune system over time, especially those with vitamin C and zinc. In addition, taking a multivitamin can boost your metabolism, cognitive function, and memory.
The use of multivitamins can be useful for pregnant women. In a 2021 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers emphasized the importance of early use of multivitamin supplements to achieve adequate vitamin D status in pregnant women.
Are women’s multivitamins effective?
As mentioned above, the effectiveness of multivitamins for reducing the risk of chronic diseases varies. The researchers note that the results of some large-scale controlled studies show benefits such as reduced risk of certain types of cancer and, potentially, cardiovascular disease. It is best to consult your doctor whether a multivitamin is recommended for you and your needs.
In general, women’s multivitamins improve health and women’s vitamin needs. In women, special multivitamins usually contain adequate amounts of vitamins such as vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), and biotin. There are also minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc and folic acid (vitamin B9). In the following, we will examine the role of multivitamins for women in their daily routine:
Maintaining the health of skin, hair, and nails: Vitamins A, C, E, and biotin, which are present in some women’s multivitamins, can help maintain the health and beauty of skin, hair, and nails.
• Maintaining bone health: Vitamin D and calcium in women’s multivitamins can help maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis (decreased bone strength) and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
• Cardiovascular Health Support: Some women’s multivitamins contain adequate amounts of B vitamins and folate, which can help control blood cholesterol levels and prevent some cardiovascular diseases.
• Regulation of hormone levels: Some women’s multivitamins contain adequate amounts of vitamins B6, B12, and folate, which may be effective in regulating the body’s hormone levels.
• Increased energy: B vitamins and iron in women’s multivitamins can help increase energy levels and reduce fatigue and suffering related to iron deficiency.
It is important to note that any balanced diet and the use of multivitamins should not replace a healthy and varied diet. Also, it is better to consult a doctor or nutritionist before taking any dietary supplement.
Also, some vitamins may help reduce body pains in people suffering from nutrient deficiencies. For example, as mentioned earlier, vitamin D may help improve bone pain, muscle pain, and weakness in people who don’t get enough of this vitamin in their diet.
Magnesium may also help relieve migraines and headaches. In addition, research suggests that magnesium may also help improve symptoms associated with the chronic pain disorder fibromyalgia. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims.
Do you need a multivitamin?
While multivitamins are often believed to be beneficial, they are not always necessary. Dr. Kroll notes that you don’t need to take it if you’re taking enough nutrients in your regular diet. But when people cannot get the recommended amount of certain vitamins and minerals through their diet, they can benefit from taking a multivitamin. The cases in which it is suggested that a person should not stop taking multivitamins are:
• Pregnant people and those trying to get pregnant
• Those following a vegetarian or other restricted diet for more than a week
• Loss of appetite, eating less than usual, or having difficulty eating a balanced diet each day
• Those who find it difficult to include balanced meals in their daily schedule
• People who experience conditions that affect nutrient absorption
• Experiencing a condition that reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, such as celiac disease or ulcerative colitis
• Having surgery that interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, such as gastric bypass surgery or the Whipple procedure
• Being 50 years or older
• Taking certain medications such as diuretics or proton pump inhibitors
Consult your doctor to determine if you should add a multivitamin to your health regimen. Don’t forget that 97% of women aged 19-50 don’t get enough vitamin D from their diet.
Who should avoid taking multivitamins?
People who eat a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats are likely to get enough vitamins and minerals from foods alone.
Those taking the prescription drug Warfarin should avoid multivitamins containing vitamin K, as it may decrease the drug’s ability to control blood clotting. Additionally, smokers and ex-smokers may want to take a multivitamin that does not contain high amounts of vitamin A or beta-carotene, as these substances may increase the risk of lung cancer. Consult your doctor to determine if you would need to add a multivitamin to your daily routine.
Is it good for women to take a multivitamin?
Multivitamins are usually safe when taken correctly and as recommended. However, remember that there are risks with excessive and unnecessary consumption. “Poisoning can come from taking too many supplements and taking too many multivitamins,” says Dr. Kroll. Side effects may include kidney dysfunction, liver dysfunction, iron overload, and excessive calcium absorption, leading to kidney stones or calcified atherosclerosis. Some vitamins can interact with other medications in high doses. This is why you should discuss your choice of multivitamin with your doctor.
When is the best time to take a multivitamin?
The best time to take a multivitamin should be based on the label of each supplement. Some supplement labels may direct one to take the multivitamin with water and a meal, while others may recommend taking the supplement with or without food or even on an empty stomach.
Should women take multivitamins daily?
Whether you should take a daily multivitamin, it should be decided by you and your doctor. However, the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements notes that the following groups are at greatest risk for specific nutritional deficiencies:
• Pregnant and lactating people
• Mature women, especially those aged 50 and over
• People who are non-Hispanic black
• People with low socio-economic status
• People who are underweight or overweight
What to look for in women’s multivitamin?
A unisex multivitamin is fine for women, but according to our panel, it’s better to consider a multivitamin made specifically for women, because these multivitamins contain the right ingredients for them.
Dr. Kroll advises women to look for multivitamins with adequate vitamin D and vitamin B complex, which are important for their anti-inflammatory and heart-protective effects. But he also suggests talking to your doctor about your individual needs so they can help you identify the right multivitamin by checking your blood tests for individual vitamin deficiencies.
How to choose the best multivitamins for women?
The best multivitamin for you depends on a variety of factors, including your age, diet, and personal health history. However, pregnant women and people over the age of 50 may benefit from taking multivitamins tailored to their specific needs. You can decide which multivitamin is best for you by consulting with your doctor.
Frequent Questions
Frequent Questions about multivitamins for women are as follow:
What are the best multivitamins for women?
The best multivitamin varies from person to person and based on factors such as cost, doctor’s recommendation, side effects, and more.
What vitamins should women take daily?
While the exact combination of vitamins and minerals that women may need depends largely on factors such as age, personal health history, and current medications, common ingredients in many multivitamins for women include A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K. Biotin, folic acid, calcium, iron, copper, iodine and zinc.
What are the best multivitamins for pregnant women?
The best multivitamins for pregnant women and people trying to get pregnant usually include the following vitamins and minerals: folic acid, iron, calcium, iodine, choline, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, and D, and omega fatty acids. 3.
Do women’s multivitamins have side effects?
Women’s multivitamins may cause gastrointestinal side effects such as stomach upset, diarrhea, or constipation. However, research shows that multivitamins are generally safe for long-term use if taken under the supervision of a doctor and with regular checkups.
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