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7 Best Multivitamins For Women Over 50
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Ritual Essential for Women 50+
- Free shipping
- Third-party tested
- Traceable ingredients
Care/Of Multivitamin
- Meets RDA for key nutrients
- Affordable
- Free of major allergens
Persona Women’s Foundational Multivitamin
- Personalized vitamin packs available
- Contains antioxidants
- Vegan
A woman’s nutritional needs change throughout life. Eating a well-balanced diet is the best way to ensure your nutritional needs are met during every stage of life.
Unfortunately, many Americans are not meeting the recommended intake for many micronutrients. Many experts[1] attribute this to Western diet culture and eating poor quality, high-calorie diet.
Women who lack adequate amounts of key nutrients in their diet may have difficulty achieving optimal health and wellness.
Whether you’re a picky eater or simply want peace of mind knowing your body is getting adequate nutrition, a daily multivitamin can help ensure any nutrient gaps in your diet are filled.
This article will discuss how to choose the best multivitamin for women over 50. It will also discuss our top multivitamin picks for 2024.
Best Multivitamins For Women’s Health in (October. 2024)
- Ritual Essential for Women 50+ – Editor’s choice
- Care/of Multivitamin – Best Variety
- Persona Women’s Foundational Multivitamin – Best All-natural Blends
- Thorne Women’s Multi 50+ – Best Overall Women’s Multivitamin
- Olly The Perfect Women’s Multi – Best for Women Above 50
- SmartyPants Multivitamin for Women 50+ – Best formula for Overall Health
- Garden of Life Mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily Multi – Best Women’s Multivitamin Subscription
How To Choose The Best Multivitamins For Women?
In order to get the full benefit of a daily multivitamin, you’ll need to choose one that is high-quality and meets your nutrient needs. Here are some other things to consider when choosing multivitamins for women.
Ingredients
It’s important to always check the supplement label to find out exactly what you’re getting. Some multivitamins contain additional ingredients or herbs that can interact with certain medications. Additionally, if you are allergic to soy or wheat, you’ll want to ensure your vitamin of choice does not contain these ingredients.
Brand Reputation
A brand’s reputation says a lot about the quality of its products. If most customers are satisfied with a brand’s products and customer service team, you will likely be too. Opt for a brand with a good reputation, even if it means spending a few extra dollars.
Third-Party Testing
When possible, opt for a multivitamin that has been tested by a third party. This is one of the best ways to ensure a product is safe and high-quality. It also checks to make sure the supplement contains ingredients in the quantities outlined on the label.
Top 7 Best Multivitamins For Women Over 50
Ritual Essential for Women 50+
If you’re looking for a high-quality vegan multivitamin designed for women over the age of 50, Ritual Essential is a great choice.
- Free shipping
- Third-party tested
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids
- Vegan
- Traceable ingredients
- Subscription only available
Ritual Essential Multivitamin for Women 50+ is designed for postmenopausal women to promote healthy aging from within.
It contains eight ingredients, including over 100% of the Daily Value for vitamin D, B12, and folate. Plus, it also contains a vegan-certified Omega-3 DHA, which can help support heart health, and boron[2], which may support bone health in women over 50.
Ingredients are traceable, so you can see where each ingredient is sourced from. This multivitamin is vegan, gluten-free, free of major allergens, and free of artificial colors.
Ritual offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and free shipping. A third party tests all products to ensure quality and transparency.
At this time, the multivitamin is only available if you purchase a monthly subscription. However, you can pause it at any time.
Care/of Multivitamin
Care/of Multivitamin is formulated with vitamins and minerals that are lacking in the diets of many Americans without adding too many nutrients that we’re likely already getting from our diet.
- Meets RDA for key vitamins and minerals
- Affordable
- Free of major allergens
- No third-party testing
Care/of is a well-known supplement company that sells customized vitamin packs tailored to a person’s individual health needs.
Instead of overdoing it with nutrients that we’re likely already getting from our diet, the brand focuses on nutrients we’re more likely to be deficient in. The nutrients in Care/Of are easily digestible and easily absorbed by the body.
For example, it contains methylated B vitamins and chelated minerals[3] which the body may better absorb.
Although this supplement is not specifically formulated for women over 50, it meets over 100% of the Daily Value for key nutrients such as vitamin D and B12 that women over 50 are more likely to be deficient in. It contains 1,000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D and 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B6. It also has a small amount of calcium.
Care/of Multivitamin is free of common allergens including egg, fish, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, and peanuts. It’s also non-GMO, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
The recommended dosage is two capsules daily.
Unfortunately, the company does not offer a one-time purchase option. You must pay for a monthly subscription. However, you can pause or cancel at any time.
Persona Women’s Foundational Multivitamin
Persona Women’s Foundational Multivitamin is available as a part of a vitamin pack that’s tailored to meet your individual nutritional needs.
- Provides 19 vitamins and minerals
- Contains antioxidants
- Personalization available
- Does not meet 100% RDA for vitamin B12
- Cannot purchase multivitamin alone
Persona Women’s Foundational Multivitamin provides 19 essential vitamins and minerals to fill dietary gaps and support overall health and well-being. Although this formula isn’t explicitly designed for women over the age of 50, it contains key nutrients to support optimal health as you age.
Persona’s multivitamin contains vitamins A, C, D, B6, and B12. It’s also got folate and iron in addition to antioxidants like astaxanthin and lycopene. Antioxidants[6] are known to protect your cells against damage from free radicals, which play a role in chronic disease.
This supplement is vegan and non-GMO. Although it is not made with common allergens, the multivitamin is manufactured in a facility that processes products containing wheat, soy, lactose, egg, gluten, and peanuts.
The recommended dosage is one capsule daily.
At this time, the multivitamin cannot be purchased separately. However, it is available as a part of the women’s healthy aging vitamin pack. Simply take the quiz on their website, and you’ll get customized vitamin recommendations based on your health and lifestyle.
Thorne Women’s Multi 50+
Thorne Women’s Multi 50+ is a comprehensive, iron-free multivitamin designed for women over the age 50. It contains beneficial nutrients in optimal amounts to support healthy aging.
- Contains calcium
- Meets over 100% RDA for most nutrients
- Designed for women over 50
- Pricey
- Must take 3-6 capsules daily
Thorne Women’s Multi 50+ comprehensive multivitamin that’s designed for aging women who are not at risk for iron deficiency.
Among many other vitamins and minerals, it includes vitamins A, C, D, E, and B6. Thorne’s multivitamin also includes magnesium and a small amount of calcium. If you are already taking separate calcium supplements, you may want to avoid taking a multivitamin with calcium.
It also contains lutein[7], an antioxidant known to support eye health, and is commonly taken to prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
The dosage recommended for Thorne is 3-6 capsules daily, as recommended by your healthcare provider.
It is also gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and artificial coloring. The company also adheres to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs).
Olly The Perfect Women’s Multi
If you prefer gummies over pills, Olly The Perfect Women’s Multivitamin comes in a delicious gummy form and has optimal amounts of essential nutrients to help fill dietary gaps.
- Gummy form
- Third-party tested
- Meets 100% RDA for vital nutrients
- Affordable
- Contains added sugars
Olly The Perfect Women’s Multivitamin delivers a daily dose of 18 vital nutrients to help fill dietary gaps. Although it is not specifically tailored to women over 50, it contains optimal doses of recommended nutrients to support healthy aging.
It contains over 100% of the Daily Value for vitamin D, E, B12, folic acid, and B6. This multivitamin also contains a small amount (8% DV) of calcium.
Olly’s multivitamin comes in a berry-flavored gummy form for those who do not like to swallow pills. However, it does contain two grams of added sugar, which is fairly low compared to other gummy vitamins.
It’s important to brush your teeth after taking gummy vitamins to prevent dental cavities.
It is also third-party tested, and NSF certified. If you’re not satisfied with the product, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund.
SmartyPants Multivitamin for Women 50+
SmartyPants Multivitamin for Women 50+ is a delicious tasting, affordable gummy that is formulated to meet the nutrient needs of women over 50.
- Gummy form
- Designed for women over 50
- Contains fish oil
- Third-party tested
- Contains added sugar
SmartyPants Multivitamin for Women 50+ is packed with 15 important nutrients to support healthy aging. It is iron-free and provides 100% of the recommended intake for vitamin D, B12, and folate. Additionally, it contains the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
To meet the daily recommended dosage, consumers are advised to take six gummies each day. It contains 6 grams of added sugar, similar to other gummy vitamins.
All products are made in a cGMP-compliant facility in North America. They’re also tested by a third party to ensure quality. SmartyPants also offers a 30-day 100% money-back guarantee.
Garden of Life Mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily Multi
If you are looking for an affordable, high-quality vegan multivitamin, Garden of Life Mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily Multi is a great choice.
- Easy to find at local retail stores
- USDA-certified organic
- Vegan
- Once-daily formula
- Third-party tested
- May contain unnecessary ingredients
Garden of Life Mykind Organics Women’s daily Multivitamin is made from over 30 organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It is specifically formulated for women over the age of 40. Each pill is packed with over 20 vitamins and minerals to help fill dietary gaps.
It contains over 100% of the Daily Value for nutrients that may benefit women over 50, including folate, vitamin D, B12, and B6. It’s also got iron and zinc.
Some studies[4] suggest B vitamins, including vitamin B6, B12, and folate, may be associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, research remains conflicting and does not support supplemental amounts of B vitamins at this time.
Garden of Life’s multivitamin also contains additional ingredients such as organic black cohosh, turmeric, and tomato.
Studies[5] suggest turmeric — when taken with vitamin E — can significantly reduce hot flashes in postmenopausal women. This brand contains 130% of the Daily Value for vitamin E.
All supplements sold by Garden of Life are tested by a third party to ensure quality and safety. The recommended dosage is one tablet each day.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Women Over 50
Women over the age of 50 need extra amounts of certain vitamins and minerals compared to younger women.
Calcium
Calcium is an important mineral because it works alongside vitamin D to maintain bone health. Over time, loss of calcium in bones can lead to fractures. Good dietary sources of calcium include milk, cheese, yogurt, and dark leafy greens. Women over 50 need to get at least 1,200 milligrams[8] of calcium each day.
Many women over 50 may take calcium supplements. If this is the case, you’ll need to avoid a multivitamin with calcium to prevent taking excess calcium.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is more common than we may realize. In fact, an estimated 41.6%[9] of adults in the United States are vitamin D deficient.
Low levels[10] of vitamin D are associated with cognitive decline, osteoporosis, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
In combination with calcium, vitamin D[11] can help protect older adults from osteoporosis and maintain bone health.
Women between the ages of 51 and 70 should get at least 600 IU[12] each day. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for most women over the age of 70 is 800 IU[13]. Daily intake should not exceed 4000 IU.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is important for keeping red blood cells and nerves healthy. Older adults[14] are at risk for B12 deficiency because absorption from food can decrease with age. Those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are also at a higher risk of a deficiency because many plant foods are low in vitamin B12. The recommended intake is 2.4 micrograms (mcg) per day.
Dosage
The dosage for multivitamin supplements can vary by brand. For example, many of the products we’ve discussed only require one pill or gummy once daily. However, some supplements can go as high as four to six capsules per day. This can be a major drawback if you’re not a pill taker.
Moreover, if you have any nutrient deficiencies, you’ll likely need additional dosages of the nutrients you are deficient in. It’s important to seek professional medical advice to discuss the optimal dosage for you.
Final Thought
Western diet patterns may be associated with vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These nutrients are needed to support women’s health and overall well-being.
Moreover, we all tend to live busy, hectic lives, making it difficult to maintain consistent healthy eating patterns and live a healthy lifestyle.
Taking a multivitamin can ensure dietary nutrient gaps are filled. However, they should never take the place of a healthy diet.
As with all supplements, it’s important to talk to your doctor or registered dietitian about taking multivitamins and discuss the optimal dose for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unless you have a nutrient deficiency, a multivitamin each day should be enough to meet nutrient needs and fill dietary gaps. However, you should always speak with your doctor to discuss what supplements are right for you.
Taking a multivitamin isn’t necessarily beneficial for those who are already eating a well-balanced diet. However, if you are a picky eater or have trouble consuming a balanced diet, you should consider taking a multivitamin.
+ 14 sources
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- in (2018). Micronutrient Inadequacies in the US Population: an Overview. [online] Linus Pauling Institute. Available at: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrient-inadequacies/overview#micronutrient-deficiencies-inadequacies
- Pizzorno, L. (2015). Nothing Boring About Boron. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), [online] 14(4), pp.35–48. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4712861/
- Blancquaert, L., Vervaet, C. and Derave, W. (2019). Predicting and Testing Bioavailability of Magnesium Supplements. Nutrients, [online] 11(7), p.1663. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6683096/
- Nih.gov. (2017). Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin B6. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminB6-healthprofessional/.
- Ataei-Almanghadim, K., Farshbaf-Khalili, A., Ostadrahimi, A.R., Shaseb, E. and Mirghafourvand, M. (2020). The effect of oral capsule of curcumin and vitamin E on the hot flashes and anxiety in postmenopausal women: A triple blind randomised controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, [online] 48, p.102267. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31987231/
- Mayo Clinic. (2019). Slide show: Add antioxidants to your diet. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/multimedia/antioxidants/sls-20076428#:~:text=Antioxidants%20are%20substances%20that%20may,to%20tobacco%20smoke%20or%20radiation.
- Medlineplus.gov. (2022). Lutein: MedlinePlus Supplements. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/754.html#:~:text=Lutein
- https://www.facebook.com/NIHAging (2020). Dietary Supplements for Older Adults. [online] National Institute on Aging. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/dietary-supplements-older-adults#recommendations
- Parva, N.R., Tadepalli, S., Singh, P., Qian, A., Joshi, R., Kandala, H., Nookala, V.K. and Cheriyath, P. (2018). Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Risk Factors in the US Population (2011-2012). Cureus. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6075634/
- Meehan, M. and Penckofer, S. (2014). The Role of Vitamin D in the Aging Adult. Journal of Aging and Gerontology, [online] 2(2), pp.60–71. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4399494/
- ods.od.nih.gov. (n.d.). Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin D. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Without%20sufficient%20vitamin%20D%2C%20bones
- https://www.facebook.com/NIHAging (2020). Dietary Supplements for Older Adults. [online] National Institute on Aging. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/dietary-supplements-older-adults#recommendations
- https://www.facebook.com/NIHAging (2020). Dietary Supplements for Older Adults. [online] National Institute on Aging. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/dietary-supplements-older-adults#recommendations
- Wong, C. (2015). Vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly: is it worth screening? Hong Kong Medical Journal. [online] Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25756278/