Best Multivitamin for Women

For years I have been meaning to write about how to pick the best multivitamin for women. I probably would have continued to procrastinate had it not been for discovering I have a significant vitamin D deficiency.

The thing is, I was supplementing with 5,000 IU’s of vitamin D at the time I discovered my deficiency. And yes, I was completely baffled as to how my deficiency occurred.

There’s a LOT of science and research involved in the next several paragraphs. However, if you just want the best multivitamin for women suggestions, just skip to the bottom.

How to Choose the Best Multivitamin for Women

Here are a few of the main questions we get about choosing the best multivitamin for women. Then, I’ll tell you the bet way to choose multivitamins and our 3 favorite brands.

If I eat clean, do I still need a multivitamin?

Yes! A recent study in the  Journal of the American Medical Association recommended that all adults take a multivitamin everyday. Think of your multivitamin supplement as a daily insurance policy. It’s one of the simplest, most important, least expensive ways to improve your overall health.

A multi-vitamin is absolutely NOT a replacement for real food. A multivitamin will help you fill nutrient gaps, optimize energy, improve brain function, help prevent disease and slow aging. To learn more about eating clean here at Clean Cuisine, check out our clean eating definition.

How do I choose the multivitamin that is right for me?

At your natural foods store, you will be bombarded with a plethora of multivitamin supplements lining the shelves. So, choose the best multivitamin for women is where your focus needs to be.

You might just be tempted to buy the one that contains the most “stuff”. It is important to realize that if you are choosing the best multivitamin for women, more is not always best.

Taking a multi-vitamin supplement is designed to complement a clean eating diet, but you don’t want to go overboard. Getting an excess of certain nutrients-such as iron, selenium and copper-can be toxic.

Aren’t all multivitamin supplements the same?

No. All multivitamin supplements are not created equal. In most cases, you get what you pay for.

Cheap and mass-marketed multivitamins are often made with cheap ingredients, some of which can cause more harm than good. It would be impossible to list every single thing you should look for on a multi-vitamin label. However, I have identified 5 key things to focus your search on.

5 Tips to Choosing the Best Multivitamin for Women

best multivitamin for women

These are the 5 things below you want to look for when trying to buy the best multivitamin for women. Again, just because your multivitamin has these 5 things does NOT ensure it is superior quality. We’ll explain more when you get to the importance of 3rd party testing. But, it’s good to know that you can rule out any that don’t have these 5 things.

#1. Natural Vitamin E and a full-spectrum of tocopherols and tocotrienols 

You definitely do NOT want a multivitamin that contains synthetic forms of vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol). Ideally, you don’t even want one that contains just one of the natural forms of vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol).

Ideally, you want the vitamin E in your multivitamin to reflect the way vitamin E is found in real food. This in the form of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols. At the very least you want one that contains vitamin E in the form of natural d-alpha tocopherol.

#2 Either Mixed Carotenoids OR no Beta-Carotene 

Research has linked taking isolated beta-carotene to increased risk of lung cancer (in smokers anyway). However, isolated beta-carotene is not something you would ever find in nature in your food. In food, you would obtain mixed carotenes.

Mixed Carotenes is exactly what you want to look for in a supplement. If your supplement contains any carotenes then you want it to be in the form of mixed carotenes. Otherwise, it’s best to not have any carotene in your supplement. 

#3 Choose L-Methylfolate & Methylcobalamin

You also want to avoid supplements containing synthetic folic acid. Instead look for one containing a methylated folate (in the form of methylfolate) which is the form your body can best absorb and utilize.

The same goes for vitamin B12. Avoid supplements containing vitamin B12 in the form of cyanocobalamin. Instead look for ones containing vitamin B12 in the form of methycobalamin.

Recommendations on L-Methylfolate and Methylcobalamin are especially important for individuals with the MTHFR gene mutation. More on this in a minute.

#4. A Little Bit of Iodine

Unless seaweed is a staple in your daily diet, food sources of iodine are scarce. In fact, it’s thought up to 40 percent of the population is at risk of iodine deficiency. Dr. Brownstein, a family practitioner board certified in holistic medicine who has been researching iodine for over two decades. He found that over 95 percent of the patients in his clinic are iodine deficient. Approximately 74% of normal, “healthy” adults may no longer consume enough iodine. 

Most people associate iodine with optimizing the health of the thyroid. Iodine is a critical nutrient for the production of many other hormones in your body. An iodine deficiency can wreck serious havoc on your health. Iodine is also one of those key raw materials that help the body safely and naturally detox.

It is always best to get your nutrients from real food. But, the whole idea behind this blog post is how to choose the best multivitamin for women filling a nutritional gaps.

You want to make sure your multi-vitamin contains a small amount of iodine. This takes into considering that a large number of people could use more iodine. Considering that a good number of popular but lower-quality multi-vitamins do not contain it.

#5. Balance of Fat Soluble Vitamins A, D & K

Balancing the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K is also critical. This is because when you take one fat-soluble vitamin, you increase your body’s need for the other fat-soluble vitamins.

For example, one of the roles of vitamin D is to activate osteoblasts (bone-building cells) to increase bone density. While one of the roles of vitamin A is to promote bone breakdown so that new bone can be laid down. Although these processes seem to oppose each other, they are both necessary to maintain bone health. Vitamins A and D work closely together, and if you take one you need to take the other.

There is an intimate relationship between fat-soluble vitamins and they all play a vital role in optimizing health. Mainstream foods do not supply adequate amounts of vitamins A, D or K2, so supplementation is especially important. 

Klaire Labs Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is four times more potent than the synthetic vitamin D2 typically found in low-quality multivitamins. However, most multivitamin supplements do not contain the optimal dosage of the important fat soluble nutrients K2 or D3. It is important to note that most multivitamins do however usually contain enough vitamin A.

Note: Every other day I currently supplement my multi-vitamin with 5,000 IU of Klaire Labs brand vitamin D3.

More About Vitamin D3 and K2

Additionally, the vast majority of multivitamin and multi-mineral supplements only contain vitamin K1. Which is rather easy to get from a healthy diet, rather than vitamin K2. K2 is extremely important for heart health and bone health, but not at all easy to get from a healthy diet.

Vitamin K1 is primarily responsible for blood clotting. Whereas, vitamin K2 is responsible for driving calcium into bones and keeping calcium out of arteries, veins and soft tissue. Atherosclerosis is a build-up of calcium-laden plaque that clogs the coronary heart arteries, or any artery in the body.

The Importance of K2

Vitamin K2 is so important for heart health. The Rotterdam Study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that this single vitamin reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by an incredible 50 percent. Which was also associated with a reduced risk of dying from all causes.  In this study, vitamin K1 had no effect. Another study conducted in 2009 showed similar results. Vitamin K2 also plays a key role in keeping teeth strong, veins healthy and skin smooth and wrinkle-free.

The Importance of D3

Although most multivitamins for women vitamin D, they often contain way too little. Also, as mentioned above, it is super important to make sure the vitamin D you are getting is in the form of vitamin D3. This is the most absorb-able form, rather than the synthetic form of D2.

Like vitamin K2, vitamin D3 is also limited in the food supply. These vitamins are found in relatively few sources-fatty fish, egg yolks and certain mushrooms. Note: Dairy foods do not naturally contain Vitamin D, they are artificially fortified.

Understanding Vitamin D-deficiency

It is certainly true your skin cells can manufacture vitamin D when they are exposed directly to the sun. However, vitamin D-deficiency is estimated to affect more than 70 percent of us. 

Calcium often gets all the credit for building strong bones, but your body must have vitamin D in order to absorb calcium from foods. Vitamin K2 is also a critical bone-building nutrient. It guides the calcium into your bones where it is needed… and away from your arteries where you don’t want it!

Balancing D3 with K2

Many health-conscious consumers are aware of the important role vitamin D plays in disease-prevention. Therefore, they often supplement their multi-vitamins with additional vitamin D. However, it is super important to note that taking vitamin D will increase your need for vitamin K2. So, it is important to make sure you take BOTH fat-soluble vitamins and not just cherry pick one or the other.

The Best Multivitamin for Women with MTHFR

MTHFR-what?!? If you have not yet heard of this one, please stay with me while I try to explain.

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, (MTHFR), is an enzyme that works as a catalyst for biochemical reactions in your body. The main action of the MTHFR enzyme is to convert synthetic folic acid and dietary folate into its active form.

60% of the Population Carries the MTHFR Mutation

It is estimated that approximately 60% of the population carry a mutation of their MTHFR gene. This includes the vast majority of people with an autoimmune disease. Individuals with the MTHFR gene mutation have a reduced capacity to create L-methylfolate and thus a reduced ability to methylate.

When optimal methylation occurs, it has a significant positive impact on many biochemical reactions in the body. It helps with the following areas. DNA production, Neurotransmitter production, Detoxification, Histamine metabolism, Estrogen metabolism, Eye health, Fat metabolism, Cellular energy, Liver health.

Optimal Methylation

When optimal methylation does NOT occur that the body is compromised in all of the areas listed above.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of nutrition supplements contain the synthetic (or “man-made”) folic acid. It is not common to find the L-methylfolate form that your body uses best. Even more concerning, if you happen to have the MTHFR gene mutation then your body cannot properly utilize the synthetic form of folic acid.

Centrum is a good example of a popular, but low-quality multi-vitamin that contains synthetic folic acid. If your body cannot utilize the synthetic form of folic acid then it can actually build up in your body and potentially become hazardous.

Choose Methylated Forms of Folate

But here’s the important part: Whether you have the MTHFR gene mutation or not, the safest thing to do is to avoid supplements containing folic acid. Look for the best multivitamin for women by choosing the L-Methylfolate form of folate, which is the form everyone’s body can use best.

Choose Methylated forms of b12

If you are trying to select the best multivitamin for women, it is also important to make sure that the ingredients label lists B12 in the form of methylcobalamin rather than the cheap, synthetic and slightly-toxic inactive form of B12 (cyanocobalamin) used most frequently in low-quality multi-vitamins. Both folate and B-12 work synergistically, so you need to take both together for best results.

The Importance of Third Party Testing

I think most people these days are aware that the 30 billion dollar a year supplement industry is not regulated. In other words, your vitamin supplement bottle may CLAIM it contains 5,000 IU’s of vitamin D3 but who knows if it even has any? Even worse, what if it contains a potentially toxic 10,000 IU’s of vitamin D? The point is, a vitamin deficiency can be equally as harmful as a vitamin overload and if you have no idea what is REALLY in your vitamin bottle then you could potentially be at risk for either a deficiency or an overload.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of either buying your supplements directly from your physician (because physician’s have access to high quality supplement brands) or buying one of the third party tested supplements I have included below.

The 3 Best Multivitamin for Women Brands

So, after taking ALL of the above into consideration, here are the three best multi-vitamin brands below I have found that I recommend Also, please be sure to see the additional supplements I take listed at the end of this blog post.

#1: Hardy Nutritionals brand Optimal Balance

Buy Hardy Nutritionals HERE

This is a clinical-strength broad-spectrum multi-vitamin (and micronutrient) formula that is backed by independent, peer-reviewed research studies and is recommended by physicians worldwide to enhance mood, mental clarity, and behavior in patients. If you suffer with any mental health issues, Hardy Nutritionals is backed by solid research and most definitely the one I would choose.

Hardy Nutritionals was developed by a physician, Dr. David Hardy, out of a quest to find answers to serious mental health concerns that plagued his close friends and family members, including two of his own children. Dr. Hardy’s supplements have been studied extensively by independent researchers at many universities, including Harvard, Ohio State, Calgary (Canada), and Canterbury (New Zealand), for various aspects of health—particularly mood and anxiety-related disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and OCD.

This research has resulted in nearly 30 publications in medical journals. A recent article in BMC Psychiatry noted that there is “more published and ongoing research on this formula† [the micronutrient formula David co-developed] for mental health than on any other complex formula anywhere in the world.

#2: Klaire Labs brand “Multithera 1 Capsule Formula Plus K”

Buy Klaire Labs HERE

This is a physician-quality formula and we know for sure you are getting what you pay for with this brand. I know for certain that this brand is third-party tested, GMP certified and all products are manufactured in one facility in Reno, Nevada. I also know that I was tested for vitamin deficiencies every year for the entire five years we had our own Clean Cuisine supplement line and I never once tested deficient in anything. Again, maybe it is all coincidence, but one thing is for sure, you can’t go wrong buying your supplements from a company that is third party tested.

As far as multi-vitamins go, this one gets a solid A and can be picked up via Klaire Labs right on Amazon.

#3: Smarty Pants brand Organic Women’s Complete

Buy Smarty Pants HERE

Each batch of Smarty Pants is third-party lab tested for purity and potency, so you know you are getting what you pay for. Smarty Pants products are made in North America from in a GMP-Compliant (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility and they test at every stage of the manufacturing process.

I also love that this brand includes 341 mg of omega-3 (in the form of ALA) and probiotics. SmartyPants are non-GMO, allergen-free, and made with eco-friendly ingredients. And finally, the biggest advantage Smarty Pants has over the other 2 brands is that it is chewable (and actually tastes good!) Buy Smarty Pants HERE. 

If YOU have a multi-vitamin you love please tell us about it in the comments below!

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27 Comments

  1. Stacie Kohls says:

    I currently take “Alive! multivitamin for women 50 plus” my daughter who is 25yrs takes the regular We both take “Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily Women’s contains 16 probiotic strains” What do you think about these? I usually purchase them through Puritan’s Pride website.

    1. Aimee Harris Niedosik says:

      Erin, This brand uses methylated b12, mixed vitamin E, iodine from kelp – but is missing the fat soluble A, D and K — I would suggest using one that we linked in this post over this brand. Just our personal opinion!

  2. Hello, Dr. Larson and Ivy,
    I am reading Clean Cuisine and am interested in getting started with some supplementation. I am 70 and on a fixed income. I do not know where to start with this subject. I take a 21st century brand 600+d3 Plus Minerals. I I am also looking for a fish oil and a green supplement and Maybe evening primrose. I take buspirone and bupropion for psych reasons and Taltz for psoriasis and Prolia for osteoporosis. (I alternate between osteopenia and slight osteoporosis). I am small frame, caucasian, 5 foot 4, and weigh 112. What would be good for me? Thank you.

    1. Ivy Larson says:

      I am so sorry for the lengthy delay getting back to you. We have just been swamped ever since the launch of the book and I am behind on everything. Anyway, I completely understand your situation and the need to keep the price down. Here is my suggestion:

      1. Multi-vitamin/ Multi-mineral: Hardy Nutritionals
      2. Fish Oil: 2,000 mg Nordic Naturals
      3. Evening primrose oil: 1,500 mg Barlean’s
      4. Hormone Smoothie recipe: https://cleancuisine.com/hormone-balancing-smoothie-recipe-for-women-over-40/ (this will fill in any nutrition gaps and also be great for any psych concerns–you should notice a difference in your mood, energy, etc by day 3 if not day 1)
      5. Green Vibrance (1 scoop) –this is an EXCELLENT green drink
      6. Dr. Ohira brand probiotics OR Amare (Amare needs to be purchased through a distributor though–you can email Cherie.Fromson@gmail.com )

      I hope this helps? Please do let me know if you have any questions. Wishing you the best of luck!

  3. Thank you for this blog post!! So much great information and recommendations. I purchased the smarty pants today for myself and my daughter. I did notice that the vitamin e was in the D alpha tocopherol form which you had advised against. Also in a previous blog you had recommend a vitamin supplement Vitalizer. Is this still a product you stand by?

    1. Ivy Larson says:

      Hi Sarah! I am so sorry for the lengthy delay getting back to you. As for the vitamin E, let me try to explain it this way:

      -WORST: dl-alpha tocopherol (this is the cheap synthetic form)
      -OK: D-alpha tocopherol (this is the natural form of vitamin E and it is perfectly acceptable form to take, but it is not as good as the “best” version below)
      -BEST: d-alpha tocopherol with mixed tocotrienols (this is the broad spectrum form of vitamin E that most closely reflects the way you would get vitamin E from food, which is always your best bet!)

      So, the d-alpha tocopherol is not bad, it’s just not the best option if that makes sense?

      As for the multi-vitamin, I would recommend Hardy Nutritonals over Vitalizer (I did not know about Hardy when I made the recommendation for Vitalizer)

      I hope this helps? Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any additional questions.

  4. Gayle Baker says:

    Hi Ivy! I usually love all the advice you give, but I am not sure about the smarty pants vitamins given their heavy sugar content: 7g sugar for your serving! Doesn’t that seem really high to you? I bought them anyway, but wow, so incredibly sweet! I will be looking for something with a lower sugar content. I need chewables for my kids, but not sure where to go next.

    1. Ivy Larson says:

      Hi Gayle! I am so sorry for the lengthy delay getting back to you. I have been so behind on everything ever since the book launch but somehow your comment got completely lost in the shuffle (I am so sorry about that!) But anyway, yes! You are absolutely right about the sugar content being a bit high and I did take that into consideration when making the recommendation. However, I know swallowing “pills” can be a real challenge for some people and when it comes to a multi-vitamin I feel that consistency is so important. I guess what I am trying to say is that some people simply won’t swallow a pill on a consistent basis but they will chew a few gummies 😉 And in that case, the 7 extra grams of sugar (less than 30 calories worth) is not the end of the world. Having said that, if you are someone who can consistently swallow pills then your best bet would definitely be to go with Hardy Nutritionals (this is the best one as far as nutrition is concerned–the downside is that you have to take multiple pills 3 times a day)

      Anyway, when all is said and done, I believe you have to just be honest with yourself about compliance 😉 I hope this explanation helps you understand the reasoning behind my recommendations. And thank you for bringing up the sugar issue. I probably should have addressed that in the blog post to begin with!

  5. Joi Whittington says:

    Ivy,

    This article is so timely and easy to comprehend, so thank you! I have a 15 yo son who feels gummy vitamins are babyish (recently found he can successfully swallow pills!). Do you have a recommendation for teenage boys? If the best is smartypants, I’ll try to convince him that he’ll just have to suck it up!

    Thank you so much for this thoroughly explained topic that is so necessary!

    Joi

    1. Ivy Larson says:

      Hi Joi,

      I can’t help but laugh out loud a little bit because I went through the exact same thing with my 17-year old son. But he’s finally come around and decided to take them anyway. However, since I posted the blog I just discovered 2 new VERY GOOD multi-vitamins —I plan to update the article soon but in the meantime, this drinkable one is great! It’s called Oxylent and you can get it on Amazon here:

      https://www.amazon.com/Multivitamin-Supplement-Variety-Pack-Packet/dp/B003BHUZOK/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1542315153&sr=8-3&keywords=oxylent+multivitamin

      I hope this helps? 😉

  6. Thank you so much for this incredible information and thank you for the acknowledgement of the MTHFR gene mutation of which I have both mutations (a simple $20 blood test). I avoid synthetic folid acid as much as possible and confirmed with the manufacturer a while ago, that my multi vitamin (garden of life) Vitamin code (sorry my caps button is not working on this keyboard for some reason) contained natural folate and not folic acid. The b12 is also methylcobalamin, which is good. Upon closer inspection, however, this multi lists vitamin a as beta-carotene. Does this mean it is not “mixed carotene?” As you suggested? There appears to be sufficient iodine in the supplement at 50 percent and the D vitamin is d3, which is also good per your recommendations. You suggested a balance of A, d, and k but What does a good balance look like? Lastly, my multi does not contain k2, which I take on its own. I think it’s hard to find a multi that contains k2. And a final comment on the MTHFR issue, my doctor (yes, a rare one indeed) said that I am most likely enjoying such good health because I have always instinctively eaten a fairly good diet, e.g., avoiding for the most part things with folic acid, which is in mostly everything processed (be wary it is even in the ezekiel’s Sprouted products and cereals, one must read the labels closely). I buy special imported flour from Italy that is not enriched with synthetic folic acid when I want to make “white” things like pasta or pie crusts (rare, but i’m Not interested in total deprivation because being Italian, i cannot let go of my heritage of traditional foods). Instead I try to “clean” them up and greatly appreciate how you do this consistently for us. In fact, when I recommend clean cuisine to others I always emphasize that it is a balanced/clean and not deprivation approach, e.g., you have said “we eat a little Parmesan cheese because it tastes good” so I cleaned this up with “pasture-raised.” Anyway, sorry this is so long and I do appreciate feedback.

    1. Ivy Larson says:

      Hi Bobbi! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment (and also for sharing Clean Cuisine with others—it means the world to me!) And I hear you on not wanting to give up everything on earth. There is just no way I could eat clean for this long without a little “cheat” here and there.

      I’m also so glad you know about the MTHFR gene, because a lot of people still have no idea what it is. And gosh!! I had NO idea Ezekiel bread had synthetic folic acid!! How awful =( I will definitely have to look into that. I’m so glad you brought it to my attention.

      But as for your questions…

      1. I am familiar with Garden of Life and that’s a great brand overall. And I love that it is whole food based. I wasn’t sure exactly which one you are taking but I just looked up their basic Women’s multi ( https://www.gardenoflife.com/content/product/mykind-organics-womens-multi/ ) and used that as a general guideline when looking at the ingredients. But yes, if the label only says beta-carotene then that means it does not have mixed carotenes. HOWEVER, they do include a lot of extra “whole food” fruit / vegetable ingredients on the label and so surely those fruits and vegetables have mixed carotenes. I’m just not sure why they are not accounted for as far as the amount though on the label (maybe it’s because they only have a trace amount though, you know?)
      2. As for a good balance of D, K and A, I don’t have a hard and fast rule for this, but you basically just don’t want to take a mega dose of any single fat-soluble vitamin. It’s a little tricky with vitamin D though because so many people seem to need more D than ever these days, but it’s then just super important too make sure if you are taking a high dose of D that you also balance it with 100% of the Daily Value of K2 and vitamin A (ideally in the form of mixed carotenes.)

      I sure hope this helps answer any questions!? Please let me know if not and I will try to further explain 😉

      And thank you again for your ongoing support of Clean Cuisine.

      1. Bobbi Fosburg says:

        Yes, thank you so much ivy! You definitely answered my questions. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all your research and effort into helping so many of us. I was worried I opened a can of worms and so thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. ON the Ezekiel products folic acid is only in some of the products and not all. It surprised me too because I have used these breads on and off for years. I think the folic acid is mainly in the cereals.

        Yes, having the information on the MTHFR gene mutation has helped me tremendously to exclude anything with folic acid in it and to take special b12 supplements.

        I am so grateful for Clean cuisine and your loving kindness to share your heart and soul with us. Always, with gratitude,
        Bobbi

        1. Ivy Larson says:

          Awww, thank you so much for your kind words Bobbi. They truly mean so much to me. Keeping the blog up and writing the books, etc. is definitely A LOT of work, but it makes it all worthwhile when I hear it is really helping people.

          But oh my gosh! I honestly am still shocked that Ezekiel bread would have synthetic folic acid in any of their products, but it just goes to show you really do have to read the labels on EVERYTHING these days….

          I’m so glad my answer helped clear things up. But please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.

          Wishing you and your family a happy Thanksgiving next week!

          warm hugs,
          ivy

  7. How about this brand?: Pure Encapsulations – O.N.E. Multivitamin – Hypoallergenic Once-Daily Multivitamin w/Sustained Release CoQ10-120 Capsules (it doesn’t have K2 but I already take a daily D3-K2 capsule). I like the fact that it’s just 1 capsule multi instead of 4 or 6 per day. Thx, this article was very informative!

    1. Ivy Larson says:

      Hi Donna,

      Funny you ask about Pure Encapsulations because another reader just asked the same question! I had never heard of that brand before, but I just looked up their O.N.E. multivitamin and it does look like a good one! You are right that it is missing the K2 but if you already get that in your D3 supplement then you should be ok (assuming of course you are buying a good brand for that too!) Just be sure not to take too much vitamin D because the O.N.E brand already has 2,000 IU’s. A lot of vitamin D brands are 5,000 IU’s and unless you are being overseen by a physician you wouldn’t want to take that much on top of the 2,000 IU’s that are already in the O.N.E. brand.

      I hope this helps!?

  8. What do you think of Pure encapsulations or Thorne lab brands of supplements? Thank you!

    1. Ivy Larson says:

      Hi Kelley,

      I have not heard of Pure encapsulations but I have definitely heard of Thorne, I just honestly have not researched their products in-depth. Do you happen to have the link to a specific product from either company that I could take a look at? I’d be happy to do so!

  9. Thank you Ivy for this valuable and timely post. we were not happy with the last brand of multivitamins that we purchased, a woman’s formula and a men’s formula. both my husband and myself found them to be very irritating to the tummy, even if taken with food. yesterday i emptied both containers into a ziplock bag and brought them over to our local pharmacy for safe disposal. i know some people would toss them in the garbage or the recycle bin but there is a danger that an animal will get into the bag and consume a dangerous amount of the vitamins. anyway … my point is i really appreciate all the investigation you did to come up with the top 3 brands of multivitamins that you recommend. this morning i ordered the Smarty Pants brand “Organic Women’s Complete” and the Smarty Pants brand “Organic men’s Complete” as these seemed to be the most affordable. much appreciated.

    1. Ivy Larson says:

      Hi Arelene, I’m so glad you found it helpful! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. And I know exactly what you mean about the stomach issues. I am certain the Smarty Pants brand will not cause any stomach discomfort. I really do think you and your husband will love them. In fact, they taste so good you have to remind yourself not to eat them like candy 😉 Please keep me posted!

      1. just a quick follow up Ivy. My order finally arrived from Amazon.ca … what would normally take 2 days took 2 weeks because we have had rotating postaL delivery strikes. Anyway, I was shocked to learn that the recommended dose for the Smarty Pants brand “Organic Women’s Complete” and the Smarty Pants brand “Organic men’s Complete” is 6 gummies per day! I must have missed that is the description. What I thought would last my hubby ans I for 6 months would actually only cover 30 days! So much for my bargain. This is well beyond our means on our very limited retirement income. 🙁 Not faulting you at all, just commenting that you always have to read the fine print.

        1. Ivy Larson says:

          Hi Arlene, Oh gosh, I really am so sorry. And you are absolutely right that you really do have to read the fine print on just about everything these days. If money is tight you can absolutely stretch it out just by taking 3 gummies each—it’s better than nothing that’s for sure! I’m really glad you brought up the price point though because I am SURE a lot of people would appreciate more economical supplement options. However, the problem is with cheaper supplements there is a VERY HIGH chance you aren’t even getting what you are paying for, you know? So, in some ways if you are on a tight budget it might actually just be better to take 1/2 dose of a higher quality supplement so you at least get what you pay for. If you and your husband took just 3 smarty pants each instead of 6 it would only cost 25 cents a day each, so this might be something to consider? Just a thought? In the meantime, I will let you know if I find a cheaper brand (that is also high quality!)

  10. Kimberly Frey Hoover-Frey says:

    Hi, ivy.

    Do you have a recommendation for a kids multivitamin?

    Thanks,
    Kim

    1. Ivy Larson says:

      Hi Kimberly, yes, I really love Smarty Pants for Kids (you can buy it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2RMwUDN ) Please let me know what the kids think if you give it a try!

      1. My kids love Smarty pants and beg me to buy them!

        1. Ivy Larson says:

          I know! They really are delicious. If my son were still little (he’s 17!) I am sure I would have to hide them or he would have eaten them like candy lol