The Best Daily Vitamins For Women At Every Age

We all need vitamins and minerals to support the body’s systems and functions and to promote overall good health. While you can take in the bulk of these essential nutrients from what you eat, you may not be able to fit them all into your diet every single day. Plus, some are virtually impossible to get through food. And, that’s where vitamins for women come in.

Multivitamins, in particular, can be useful for helping women avoid certain nutritional deficiencies, such as iron if they’re vegetarian or calcium if they don’t consume dairy. They commonly also pack a number of vitamins, including A, B (B6 and B12), C, E, and minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and biotin. However, if your bloodwork shows a deficiency, your doctor may advise you to take a supplement on its own. This is usually done for low levels of iron and vitamin D, which is not found in foods unless they’re fortified with it, you don’t get enough sun, or you have trouble absorbing it naturally.

There’s no denying multivitamins play an important role in your health, but there’s a dizzying array of multivitamins available on the market, from large pills to chewables and various formulas for different stages of life. Here’s what exactly you should look for in a daily vitamin and the best options for each age group.

What are the benefits of taking multivitamins for women?

Healthcare providers and dietitians usually recommend a wholesome diet that includes fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats to meet your vitamin and mineral needs.

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A multivitamin won’t make up for a poor diet and lifestyle. So, think of it as an insurance policy—it can be hard to meet all of your nutrition needs by food alone every day, and a daily vitamin fills in the gaps, says Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, certified diabetes expert, and the author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies.

And the benefits extend to your whole body and overall health. “By making sure to meet your overall nutrition needs, you can support energy levels and be sure to take in adequate antioxidants, which may help to reduce the risk of future disease,” Palinski-Wade adds.

Do you really need a different multivitamin as you age?

If you’ve browsed the vitamin aisle at your local drugstore or supermarket, you’ve likely noticed that some multivitamins are specifically for women in certain age groups.

That’s because nutrient needs change as you get older, says Palinski-Wade. A woman who is still menstruating, for example, needs more iron than a woman who is post-menopausal, and a woman in her 40s and older may need additional calcium to support bone health. If you’re a woman of child-bearing age who is planning to eventually become pregnant, taking a prenatal vitamin even before pregnancy can help ensure you’re getting enough folic acid, which can help prevent birth defects.

“Prenatal vitamins are also important to take during pregnancy to ensure the mother is taking in enough key nutrients such as folate and choline to support healthy growth and development of the baby,” Palinski-Wade notes.

Here are the best multivitamins by age group and need.

Best Vitamin For Women In Their 20s And 30s

“I love that this multivitamin includes key nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids to support brain health while being USP-verified and containing only traceable ingredients while having clinical studies to support its effectiveness,” says Palinski-Wade.

Best Prenatal Vitamin For Pregnant Women

These are unique prenatals designed by ob-gyns that provide different multivitamins for each trimester of pregnancy along with preconception and fertility, making it a comprehensive multivitamin that grows with you during pregnancy, says Palinski-Wade.

Best Vitamin For Women In Their 40s And 50s

“This multivitamin provides comprehensive nutrition along with added ingredients such as evening primrose, which may help to relieve hot flashes during menopause,” says Palinski-Wade.

Best Vitamin For Women Over 50

This multivitamin is formulated to meet the needs of women as they transition to life after menopause, says Palinski-Wade. “It also supports nutrient needs to promote heart and brain health while supporting the immune system,” she adds.

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