Multivitamins are a great way to boost some deficiencies you may experience if your diet is not balanced. Without them, you may find yourself tired, lacking energy, weak, or your hair and nails may be brittle. Whatever symptoms you have, taking vegan multivitamins is a good option to boost those levels and reach the daily recommended allowance.
Best vegan multivitamin picks
Multivitamins are important if there are gaps in your diet. If you think you’re not getting enough vitamins in your diet, then a supplement might be the best way forward. We’ve taken a look at a variety of different multivitamins from gummies to capsules.
Additionally, we look at whether the multivitamins really are suitable for vegans. And, we look at the nutrients and doses provided in each of the different multivitamins. Read on to find out which are the best vegan multivitamins for you.
Taking a more detailed look into these Vegan Multivitamins
This brand focuses on vegans when it makes its supplements. It does this to ensure that the right balance of nutrients is provided when you take its multivitamins. Many vegans are lacking in vitamins B12, D and Omega 3. And this is what this multivitamin contains. The supplement comes with a citrus scent, though this does depend on each individual as to whether this is a pro or a con. In comparison to others, this is a more expensive supplement.
This vegan multivitamin contains 14 different vitamins and 11 essential minerals. On top of that, there are six bioactives that give extra antioxidant support. This is a highly potent formula that has 2000 IU of Vitamin D3 from algae. It also contains all eight B vitamins each with 200% DV or even more. You do need to take two tablets per day though. And, it is only suitable for adults over 18 years old.
As this is a complete formula, it does have a higher price point compared to other brands. That being said, it’s worth it as this is also sustainably packaged. So you’ll be doing your bit for the environment when you purchase it.
This vegan multivitamin contains essential nutrients that are hard to get from food sources. It’s not aimed at vegans, but it is a really good option for plant-based diets. It has a high-quality source of Omega 3, 150 mg of EPA, and 300 mg of DHA. There is also a good dose of Vitamin B12 available too.
The supplement comes in soft gel form, which means it’s very easy to take — it’s great for those who have issues swallowing larger tablets or capsules. However, you do need to take three of these per day to get the correct dose. It’s also not as complete as some of the other multivitamins out there. That being said, you will be eco-friendly with this option as it comes in a biodegradable pouch and a refillable glass bottle for your first order.
This is a great budget option if you’re shopping around for a vegan multivitamin supplement. Amazingly, this supplement gives you 100% of your recommended daily amount of vitamins C, E, D, and B-complex. It’s also got green whole food ingredients to ensure that it’s fully enriched. While this is a standard tablet supplement, there is an option from Deva with tiny tablets too. This is a good option if you struggle to swallow larger tablets. You only need one per day, and there are 90 tablets per bottle.
This is a complete multivitamin that’s aimed specifically at vegans. The supplement bridges the gap between your diet and what nutrients your body is missing out on. This tablet is all about supporting bone and brain functions as well as helping your immune system and keeping you energized throughout the day. It’s formulated with the help of doctors and environmentalists and uses only sustainable, potent ingredients.
As this is a tablet, some may have trouble swallowing it. But, it is enteric-coated to aid absorption and bioavailability. Finally, the brand makes sure that all packaging is 100% biodegradable and is never plastic. You get free shipping in the US too.
This is a gummy supplement, which is a great option if you have problems swallowing capsules or tablets. However, it is important to remember that gummies are never complete multivitamin supplements as most minerals can’t be provided in a gummy form. That being said, there are 13 essential vitamins available. Better still, this is a great option for kids as it comes in either strawberry or cherry flavors, which makes them a good tasty choice. There is no sugar added to this gummy. But, as well as not offering a complete supplement, it also comes in a plastic bottle which isn’t great for the environment.
This is a great vegan multivitamin for both children and adults. As it comes in liquid form, it’s really easy to take for all. It can be added to any liquid of your choice for quicker uptake. It’s highly potent and contains 12 essential vitamins, zinc, chromium, and betaine. There is also a 1 fl oz serving of amino acid too.
The supplement is sugar-free and, as mentioned, suitable for children. However, while it’s GMO-free, gluten-free, nut, dairy, and soy-free, it does have fewer minerals than some of the other supplements out there. But, it’s available in raspberry, elderberry, and fruit punch flavors.
This is a consciously crafted product that was specifically created for those on a plant-based diet. There are a range of different nutrients available including Vitamin D3, Omega 3, vitamin B12, and K2. Other ingredients include MCT, bergamot oil, and spirulina. All of this combines to give a nice citrus flavor to the supplement.
What’s really great about this is that if you tend to get nauseous after taking supplements like this, then you won’t have that issue here. The supplement is in the form of a capsule and this is a delayed-release one. This means that you won’t get queasy even if you take this on an empty stomach, which is a big plus point. It’s also worth pointing out that this is an eco-friendly company. It uses recycled glass bottles as well as compostable refills so that you’re reducing your carbon footprint while also boosting your health.
This supplement has eight different nutrients in capsule form. To get the full dose, you do need to take two tablets per day. The supplement is specifically formulated to complement your diet and provide you with any nutrients you might be lacking. It’s best to take this with food, preferably after the first meal of the day to give you increased energy throughout the day. It contains good concentrations of vitamins D and B12 as well as selenium, zinc, magnesium, algal oil for DHA and EPA, sunflower oil, and lemon oil.
This vegan multivitamin is formulated from more than 30 organic whole foods. It’s aimed at women and is designed to give you an energy boost as well as care for your skin, immune support, and other functions too. There is 500% of your Vitamin B12 intake in one tablet and 9 mg of iron. Other botanicals with health benefits, such as holy basil, moringa, sea kelp, and amla berries, are also included. However, you will find that there is a long list of other ingredients too, which you should look through, to make sure you’re not sensitive to any of them. You do have to take two tablets a day, so one bottle doesn’t last that long.
This supplement is specifically designed for vegans. It’s perfect for any vegan looking to enhance their diet. This complete multivitamin has seven essential minerals and vitamins such as iodine, zinc, calcium, and Vitamins D and B12. There is also Omega 3 (both DHA and EPA) from algae in the supplement as well. It’s an affordable option that’s great for boosting your diet if you think you’re lacking some nutrients. Better still, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with the supplement.
This brand was created when Kat Schneider, the founder, was pregnant and couldn’t find a supplement that met her needs. This is a science-backed multivitamin specifically for women. It has many of the different nutrients necessary to keep you healthy. The capsules are very easy to swallow, and they don’t cause nausea. Both the taste and smell are minty, which also adds to the positives. Not only is this a multivitamin option for women, but there are also versions formulated for children, teens, prenatal, 50+, and men.
Do vegans need to take vitamins and supplements?
Yes and no. If you are careful and have a proper meal plan, then there is no need to take supplements. You can get all the necessary nutrients from the food that you eat. That being said, even with a good diet, many of the essential nutrients are not readily available to vegans.
There are times when you may find that you are lacking in some vitamins — you have gaps in your nutrition. In these instances, you can then boost these levels with supplements.
Multivitamins, in particular, can be useful if you’re not sure exactly what nutrients you’re missing. This is because they contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, so they cover many nutrients. Also, they don’t contain super high doses, which means you get a little boost. You won’t be getting too much of any nutrients, so you won’t be over the daily recommended allowance.
How effective are multivitamins?
While they can be a help, multivitamins should not be relied upon as a shortcut to boost your vitamin and mineral intake. In addition to this, evidence that they are effective in improving health for the majority of people is actually inconclusive.
Of course, they can help if you are really severely lacking in some nutrients. However, on the flip side, if you take them when you don’t need them, there can be some side effects.
While taking multivitamins can boost the levels of some nutrients, they are not proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer or memory loss.
What essential ingredients should be included in a multivitamin?
Different nutrients should be included in vegan multivitamins compared to general multivitamins. For vegans, there should be essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. In addition to this, nutrients such as Vitamins B12, K2, and D3, as well as zinc, and iodine should also be included. This is because these are harder to come by in a vegan diet.
What vitamins are harder to obtain from plant-based diets?
Vitamins such as B12 and D3 are much harder to obtain from a plant-based diet. Because of this, vegan multivitamins should focus on these vitamins to ensure they’re available in the supplement.
There are other minerals and nutrients that are hard for vegans to obtain from plants as well. These include iron, calcium, and iodine. Issues can arise due to the fact that the diet may be giving enough of each nutrient, but uptake and absorption are not as efficient. This is because many vegan diets contain a lot of other ingredients that actually prevent the uptake of certain nutrients.
Again, this is why a balanced diet is so important for vegans.
What are the symptoms of vitamin deficiency in vegans?
Typically, the symptoms of vitamin deficiency in vegans are lethargy, anemia, and weakness. This is because the most common deficiencies for vegans tend to be Vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and iodine.
A lack of B12 and iron can result in anemia, muscle weakness, and even numbness. In some cases, blindness can also occur. For vegans with a low iodine intake, this can result in hypothyroidism.
Other symptoms of vitamin deficiency in vegans include weak bones, higher levels of depression and anxiety, hair loss, and skin rashes. It’s therefore imperative to have a healthy, balanced diet in order to avoid any of these symptoms.
Help deciding on which multivitamins are likely to work best for you?
When determining which multivitamins are likely to work best for you, there are a number of factors to consider.
First, you can check out the different formats that the multivitamin comes in. Typically, you can get multivitamins in tablet, capsule, gummy, liquid, spray, or powder form. Generally, capsules are the best form as they’re able to break down quickly and are thus absorbed more easily into the body. There is no need for fillers or bulking agents either. However, they can be larger and harder to swallow for some. If this is the case, then liquids, sprays, or gummies are better options.
You should then take a look at the packaging. If you want to be as environmentally friendly as possible, you should look for recyclable packaging. Many multivitamins come in plastic bottles, but these can be recycled. The best options should be in paper or cardboard so that they can be recycled.
Additionally, you can also look to see where the multivitamins were manufactured. To reduce your carbon footprint, look for brands that are manufactured in the US or at least in North America.
Finally, you can check the different vitamins and minerals in each multivitamin. Each contains different levels and doses of a variety of nutrients. Choose one that actually meets your dietary requirements.
What are the side effects of multivitamin supplements?
While you may be aware of the positives that come with taking multivitamin supplements, there are some downsides too. Depending on the multivitamin and the nutrient makeup, you may experience side effects such as an upset stomach, constipation, or diarrhea. Generally, these are temporary side effects and will disappear once your body adjusts to the multivitamins. However, if these symptoms get worse, it is definitely a sign to talk to your doctor.
In some cases, you may not need a multivitamin at all. Any side effects you might be experiencing could be a direct result of taking too much of one vitamin or mineral. If this is the case, you should stop taking the multivitamin. Before taking any multivitamins, it is important to consult your doctor in order to avoid situations like this from happening.
How did we choose these products?
We want to make sure that you have the very best products at your disposal. To that end, we made sure that all the vegan multivitamins listed here are made from high-quality ingredients. Not only that, but we also made sure that the ingredients are vegan and come from sustainable sources.
Finally, we took a look at the packaging, where the multivitamins were manufactured, and what nutrients are in each multivitamin. We checked the doses of each vitamin or mineral too. And, we selected a variety of tablets, capsules, and gummies to meet the widest range of requirements.
Summary
There are two types of vegan multivitamins out there. These include general multivitamins that are suitable for vegans in that they have no animal products. But there are also specific vegan-tailored multivitamins. These have been formulated to contain nutrients such as Vitamin B12 and iron, which vegans are typically lacking.
However, vegan multivitamins are no substitute for a balanced diet. Additionally, vegan multivitamins should not be taken without consulting a doctor. Once you know what nutrients you’re lacking, take a look at the different vegan multivitamins we’ve listed here and take your pick.
Disclaimer
If you think that you are missing vital nutrients from your diet, the first step is to contact your doctor. You can get your levels checked before you start taking any supplement and potentially ingesting more than the daily recommended amount for specific vitamins and minerals. This is important as there can be side effects from taking too much of specific nutrients.