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Women over 40 tend to absorb less vitamins and nutrients as they age, and finding the right multivitamin supplement to fill nutritional gaps can be tricky. To help you look for the best multivitamin for women over 40, we’re listing five of the best supplement brands available online to help you choose which one suits you best.
Top 5 Multivitamins For Women Over 40+
Why Women Over 40 Should Take Multivitamins
Studies show that women over the ages of 40-65 years miss out on some important types of vitamins and minerals. While increasing your consumption of certain foods may help with this, multivitamins are another way to help ensure you’re getting the proper nutrients, especially during moments like menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause when there is an increase in nutritional demand.
The following essential nutrients are particularly important for women over 40 and above::
- Iron – Iron is an important nutrient required for blood circulation and the creation of red blood cells. While their need for iron lowers as they age, women, particularly those in their perimenopausal stages, are still prone to iron deficiency anemia, so it’s important to catch up on their iron intake.
- Protein – Protein is an important macronutrient that every cell in the body needs to perform various functions, which helps build and repair muscles and strengthen bones. A study from Purdue University suggests that older women may benefit from eating a diet featuring 29 percent more protein.
- Calcium – Calcium is a key nutrient for older adults, especially women in their 40s, to maintain healthy bones. As women age, studies show they are at a higher risk of osteoporosis because menopause affects their bone density, so they need to increase their calcium intake.Â
- Vitamin D – Vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and facilitates normal immune system function. Like calcium, it’s also important for the growth and development of bones and teeth, which can help protect them from age-related damage.
- B-complex vitamins – Having enough B vitamins helps keep your body’s cellular and organ system processes running smoothly. A study from the University of Oxford found that daily intake of vitamin B can reduce the rate of brain atrophy in older people with mild cognitive impairment. Another study published in the medical journal Nature Communications showed that nicotinamide riboside (NR) chloride, a commercially available form of vitamin B-3, boosted a key enzyme in the cells that could slow the aging process.
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Omega 3 fatty acids come with many health benefits and even reduces the negative effect of aging like heart disease and cognitive decline. Several studies attest to its other benefits, like raising the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol in the body and reducing the risk of stroke.
- Magnesium – A key mineral that dilates blood vessels, prevents spasms in the heart muscle and blood vessel walls, and dissolves blood clots. Studies show that magnesium helps stabilize blood pressure, which is especially important for women over 40 who are at risk of high blood pressure due to aging.
Best Multivitamin For Women Over 40 – The List
1. Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+ – Ritual
We chose Ritual as our personal top pick for the best multivitamin for women over 40 because it offers a comprehensive ingredient profile meticulously formulated to guarantee optimal results. In terms of pricing, it offers the best value and
Ritual’s Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+ is a clinically-proven multivitamin supplement for women 18-49 formulated to help fill in nutrient gaps in their diet and build a stronger foundation for health while aging.
The supplement contains 9 traceable ingredients which prevent and strengthen health aspects from the effects of aging â Omega-3 DHA and {methylated} vitamin B12 help strengthen cognitive functions; vitamin D, magnesium, and boron strengthen the bones; iron and folate help the body produce red blood cells, and vitamin E, sourced mixed tocopherols, provides antioxidant support to prevent damage from free radicals.
Essential For Women also boasts its patented beadlet in oil technology, which combines oily and dry ingredients in one capsule. The capsules are also delayed-release, meaning they are designed to dissolve once they reach the small intestine to prevent them from being broken down too early or mitigate potential side effects.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Uses certified traceable ingredients
- No artificial flavorings and preservatives
- 100% gluten-free
- 100% vegan and plant-based
- Non-GMO
- Zero allergens
- USP-certified
- Free shipping
- Money-back guaranteed
- Easy cancellation, anytime
Cons
- Only available as subscription
- The taste and smell of the capsules can be unappealing for some.
- May cause minor side effects
2. Complement Plus Smart Capsules – Love Complement
Complement Plus Smart Vegan Capsules contain 8 critical vitamins and minerals that are difficult to obtain by relying solely on plant-based diets, all in one capsule. They work to keep bodily functions working in place, extend one’s health span, and provide long-term immunity amid aging.
Complement Essential is centered around the four essential nutrients that most plant-based diets often lack â vitamins B12, D3, K2, and DHA/EPA omega-3s; they support energy levels and promote sharper cognitive functions. Other nutrients like magnesium, iodine, zinc, and selenium are likewise essential for long-term health and well-being by strengthening heart health, regulating metabolism, and enhancing the immune system.
The capsules are formulated, produced, and subjected to third-party testing. Love Complement is also committed to using only the highest quality and all-natural ingredients available so that you can be assured of the product’s quality, efficacy, and safety.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Contains certified traceable nutrients
- No artificial flavorings and preservatives
- 100% gluten-free
- 100% vegan
- Non-GMO
- Zero allergens
- Carbon offsets
- Third-party tested
- Uses sustainable packaging
- Free shipping for US orders
- 100-day, 100% money-back guaranteed
Cons
- May cause minor side effects like nausea, flatulence, and drowsiness
- Capsule smell may displease some customers
- A bit pricier compared to other brands
3. Daily Love Multivitamin + XOmegas – Love Daily
The Daily Love Multivitamin is the only supplement for women with a complete full-spectrum 25+ essential vitamins and minerals to fill in nutritional gaps in most diets to support immunity and increase energy levels, especially for women in their 40s.
The capsules are made with biologically active forms of nutrients like vitamins D, B12, B6, C, zinc, calcium, iron, biotin, and magnesium to ensure better absorption. They also contain organic ashwagandha, an ayurvedic herb known for its destressing and detoxifying properties.
Magnesium and vitamin B-6, on the other hand, work to relieve premenstrual symptoms.
Each purchase of Daily Love comes with a FREE, full-size bottle of XOmegas, which will provide you with 300 mg of EPA and 200 mg of DHA Omega3s fatty acids to further support the immune system, maintain heart health, and cognitive health.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Formulated with scientifically-proven ingredients
- Contains full-spectrum 25+ vitamins and minerals
- 100% gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Easy on the stomach
- Capsules can be opened and mixed with food or drinks
- Offers free shipping
- Free bottle of XOmegas with every purchase
Cons
- Odor and taste may be appalling for some customers
4. Rootine Multivitamins
Rootine is definitely not your ordinary multivitamin supplement. It specializes in customized vitamin formulas based on your lifestyle, health history and a DNA test; the supplement’s unique microbead design also allows optimal nutrient delivery and absorption.
To get your own customized vitamin pack, you need to answer a lifestyle quiz first; this is done so that Rootine can analyze 100+ of your health data points to create a specific multivitamin formula and fine-tune your formula over time.
This quiz includes questions about your physical appearance, daily diet, and lifestyle habits. Next, you enter your contact information so that Rootine can send you a DNA test kit for them to fully analyze your data. You can also take a blood mineral/blood vitamin test for more accurate results.
Once you’ve submitted everything, you’ll receive 30 packs of vitamins filled with microbeads of nutrients that you’re supposed to take with a meal each morning. You also get your own Rootine account where you can see why your pack contains such vitamins, what they’re intended for, and how much of them you need to meet your nutrient need.
Rootine adheres to EFSA-described nutrients to ensure the product’s efficacy and safety for its customers. The company also assures maximum data privacy and security.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Provides custom-fit multivitamins that are suited to your health needs
- Provides you with a detailed personal nutritional background
- Microbead technology allows for easier intakes
- Caters to all diet types. Safe for vegetarian/vegan diets
- No megadosing
- Personal data is protected
- Undergoes in-house and third-party testing
- No artificial/harmful ingredients
Cons
- DNA testing can be lengthy
- Relatively expensive compared to standard supplements
- No monthly options are available
5. Multivitamin Biteamin (Adult) – Yumi
The Yumi Multivitamin Biteamin is an effective way for women over 40 to fill any nutritional gaps in their diet. It supports cognitive functions and maintains overall health, providing 21 key vitamins and minerals sourced from 15 organic fruits and vegetables, all in one chewable piece.
Each chewable is loaded with vitamin C and vitamin D, which help promote bone growth and development, calcium absorption, and help form and repair red blood cells, bones, and tissues. Iron promotes brain development, brings oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and helps the muscles store and use it, and vitamin B12 keeps the nervous and immune systems in check.
The Yumi Multivitamin Biteamin chewables are plant-based and suitable for all diet types. They are also certified to be allergen-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and worry-free to ensure maximum safety and effectiveness. These are also available in other variants â baby and toddler.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Certified organic
- No artificial flavorings and preservatives
- 100% gluten-free
- 100% vegan and plant-based
- Non-GMO
- Dairy-free
- Money-back guaranteed
Cons
- The flavor may not be pleasing for some.
- A bit expensive for the amount of chewables present.
Consider A Personalized Vitamin Pack
A convenient and personalized vitamin pack like Autumn may just give you the right amount of multivitamins you need to work through the day â no more, no less, all tailor-fit to your health needs.
To get your own personalized vitamin pack, simply take Autumn’s lifestyle quiz, upload (any existing) DNA records, or use their confidential DNA saliva kit. Its team of experts will then formulate a premium formulation from 415+ billion possible combinations and generate your confidential results as quickly as 4 days while never leaving the comfort of your own home.
Each kit comes with a handy instruction manual and is complete with tools and tubes to facilitate DNA collection safely and easily. Once you get your results, the information will be organized on a priority basis focusing on where you need to watch over, where you are doing great, and the combination of vitamins, herbs, and minerals necessary for your health needs.
You won’t have to worry about your info getting leaked, as Autumn is HIPAA-compliant (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) and is 100% committed to keeping your data confidential and secure.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Uses safe and quality ingredients
- Vegan
- Non-GMO
- HIPAA-compliant
- CLIA-certified
- Third-party tested
- cGMP certified
- Easy cancellation
- Free shipping
Cons
- A bit expensive compared to other personalized health kit services
Customer Reviews:
“There are vitamins and supplements in this report and I had no idea of their benefits. It surprised me how spot on the recommendations were to my goals and genetic differences. Highly recommended!” – Coby C.
Disadvantages of Multivitamins
Too much of a good thing is always bad, and this no doubt applies to taking multivitamin supplements. While multivitamins are beneficial in supplying important nutrients, taking vitamins more than their recommended amount (vitamin overdose) can lead to more health problems.
Some of the symptoms of vitamin overdose include:
- Headaches (iron and vitamin A)
- Appetite loss (vitamin D and calcium)
- Constipation (vitamin D)
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody diarrhea)
- Nausea and vomiting (iron and vitamin B3)
- Rashes (vitamin B12)
- Stomach pain.
- Bone problems (vitamin A and vitamin D)
- Unexpected weight loss (iodine)
- Liver damage (vitamin A)
- Weakened bones (calcium)
- Nerve damage (vitamin B6)
- Intestinal bleeding (vitamin D)
- Prevents blood clotting (vitamin E)
If you’ve decided to go for a multivitamin supplement, make sure to always follow the daily recommended dose to avoid excessive intake. Most supplements require being taken during or after a meal to ensure maximum absorption, while other brands recommend being taken hours after taking other supplements/medications to prevent possible interactions.
Choosing The Right Multivitamin
When selecting a multivitamin, several factors should be considered before settling for one, such as:
- Quality and brand reputation – Choosing a well-established brand with a good reputation for quality and safety is important. Before purchasing, it is also important to check if the brand has verified and trustworthy customer reviews and testimonials.
- Formulation – Whether they come in capsules, tablets, gummies, or liquids, the medication’s efficacy varies. Liquids and capsules are generally considered to have faster absorption, higher optimization rates, and are more easily digestible.
- Dosages – Most medications and supplements must be taken at a certain amount and times to be effective. However, their dosages may be too strong for some people and may cause certain side effects, so it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist regarding the effects of dosages.
- Additional ingredients – One should always check the multivitamin label to ensure you’re compatible with all its ingredients. Try opting for multivitamins with probiotics and avoid all harmful chemicals and possible allergens.
- Price and affordability – Consumers should always opt for the best choice that goes well with their budget. Purchasing beyond one’s capacity could cause financial troubles along the way.
The Role of Diet and Lifestyle
Explain how multivitamins should complement a healthy diet and lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of consuming various nutrient-dense foods and maintaining regular physical activity.
Multivitamins, as we know, help supply different vitamins normally found in food sources and help fill in some nutrient gaps to meet the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals when they aren’t met by eating alone.
However, that doesn’t mean that we should depend on multivitamins entirely. Taking multivitamins should always be supplementary to a healthy, nutrient-dense diet and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits like regular physical activity. Multivitamins and a healthy diet increase the stomach acids required for proper digestion, which then break down some of the compounds containing vitamins and minerals, thus isolating the nutrients and making them easier for your body to use.
Using multivitamins before exercising or hitting the gym may even ensure you get the most out of your workout. Studies show that vitamins are necessary to properly fuel physical activities and help promote muscle building and weight loss.
FAQs
Can multivitamins help with menopause symptoms?
Various supplements and multivitamins can help ease menopause symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, changes in sex drive, night sweats, and mood changes.
Are there any specific nutrients to prioritize during perimenopause?
Since perimenopause can make a perimenopausal woman particularly susceptible to certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as calcium, vitamins D, E, and B-complex, magnesium, and zinc
Is it safe to take multivitamins with other supplements or medications?
Not all multivitamins can be taken simultaneously with other supplements or medications since they could interact with each other, diminishing each other’s effects, or increasing the risk for side effects and health risks.Â
Not all multivitamins can be taken simultaneously with other supplements or medications, since they could interact with each other, diminishing each other’s effects, or pose the risk for side effects and health risks.
Takeaway
Multivitamins can help fill nutritional gaps for people who have difficulty meeting their nutrient needs through diet alone and those who have certain dietary restrictions. Women in their 40s or older may need extra nutritional support to help combat the effects of aging on the body.
However, multivitamin supplements are in no way replacements for a healthy, balanced diet. Eating a healthy diet makes all the difference, and supplements should always be secondary. That way, it helps the supplementation process be more effective at yielding results.
Remember to take the supplements as prescribed, no more, no less. Regularly consuming some nutrients in excess can be detrimental to overall health.
Even before purchasing a supplement, it’s important to consult with a physician or nutritionist to receive an assessment and discuss the possible pros and cons of taking multivitamins on your health.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
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