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Multivitamins for women over 50 may fill nutrient gaps in people’s diets. Women over 50 have different vitamin and mineral needs than younger women.
- Best for organic ingredients: New Chapter Every Woman’s One Daily 55+ Multivitamin | Skip to review
- Best multivitamin with a probiotic: Garden of Life Vitamin Code 50 and Wiser Women Capsules | Skip to review
- Best for calcium and magnesium: Thorne Women’s Multi 50+ | Skip to review
- Best for gummies: SmartyPants Women’s Masters 50+ Multivitamin | Skip to review
- Best for a subscription service: Care/of Multivitamin | Skip to review
- Best for traceable ingredients: Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ | Skip to review
- Best for affordable multivitamins: 21st Century Sentry Senior Women’s 50+ | Skip to review
- Best for vitamin B12: One A Day Women’s 50+ Complete Multivitamin | Skip to review
- Best for iron-free: Nature Made Multivitamin for Her 50+ with No Iron | Skip to review
Supplement use is common in the United States, with
This article discusses what multivitamins are, whether they are necessary for women over 50 years of age, and some of the best multivitamins for people in this age group.
Males and females often benefit from differing vitamin and mineral types, quantities, and combinations. With this in mind, some companies develop specific formulas of supplements, vitamins, shakes, and health bars. A person should discuss their options with a doctor or healthcare professional who can help them decide, and choose the product they feel works best for them and their needs.
Multivitamins are nutritional supplements that contain a blend of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. There is
Manufacturers may specially formulate some multivitamins to address specific nutritional needs, such as those of athletes or vegans, and specific health concerns, such as fertility. Other multivitamins are general-purpose.
However, people should not rely solely on multivitamins for the nutrients they need. People should always try to consume enough vitamins and minerals through a balanced diet.
Multivitamins can be helpful for people who have difficulty meeting all their nutritional needs through diet alone. These products
However, people should always consult a healthcare professional before taking a multivitamin supplement. In most cases, a person can reach the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals through a balanced diet.
While
A person’s nutritional needs change as they age. Females over the age of 50 years may need supplementation for the following nutrients:
- Calcium: Females over age 50 need
1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day — more than the 1,000 mg necessary for females ages 19–50. - Vitamin B6: Females over age 50 also need more vitamin B6 and should aim to consume
1.5 mg per day. Additionally, older people are athigher risk of developing a vitamin B6 deficiency. - Vitamin B12: Many older adults’ bodies have more difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food due to a decrease in stomach acid secretion. This increases the risk of a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, and healthcare professionals may recommend supplementation.
- Vitamin D: Older adults have a greater risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency.
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The following are some of the best multivitamins for women over 50 years of age.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for organic ingredients: New Chapter Every Woman’s One Daily 55+ Multivitamin
- Price: around $62
- Count: 48 tablets
- Dose: 1 tablet daily
This vitamin contains vitamins B, C, D3, and K2 plus organic turmeric, peppermint, and red clover.
This product has the following certifications:
- ICS certified organic
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- NSF certified gluten-free
It is also suitable for vegetarians.
New Chapter states that this supplement is suitable to take on an empty stomach.
Pros
- has multiple certifications
- suitable for vegetarians
- contains several vitamins, herbs, and vegetables
Cons
- more expensive than some other multivitamins
- some reviews stating that users did not feel any additional benefits when comparing this product to drugstore products
- contains some nutrients, such as zinc oxide and magnesium oxide, that are not in bioavailable forms, meaning the body cannot absorb them well
Best multivitamin with a probiotic: Garden of Life Vitamin Code 50 and Wiser Women Capsules
- Price: around $55
- Count: 120 capsules
- Dose: 4 capsules daily
This supplement contains more than 20 fruits and vegetables. Along with vitamins and minerals, it contains a probiotic and enzyme blend, which the manufacturer states makes it easier to digest.
This multivitamin is free from:
- synthetic binders
- fillers
- artificial flavors
- sweeteners
- colors
- additives
This product is also Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF Certified gluten-free, and kosher.
Pros
- free from additives, artificial flavors, and synthetic binders
- non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher
- less expensive per capsule than some other products
Cons
- does not contain magnesium
- requires people to take 4 capsules per day
Best for calcium and magnesium: Thorne Women’s Multi 50+
- Price: around $50
- Count: 180 capsules
- Dose: 6 capsules daily
Thorne claims that this supplement features optimal amounts of calcium and magnesium. In addition, this multivitamin contains vitamin D, B vitamins, zinc, and antioxidants, which may help support general health.
The company also states that it uses highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium.
This product is suitable only for those who are at low risk of iron deficiency, such as females in postmenopause and males.
Pros
- contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium
- comes in capsule form, which may be easier for some to swallow than tablets
Cons
- requires 6 capsules per day
- not suitable for people who need copper and iron
Best for gummies: SmartyPants Women’s Masters 50+ Multivitamin
- Price: around $22
- Count: 120 gummies
- Dose: 4 gummies daily
SmartyPants formulates this supplement with 17 important nutrients, including vitamins B12 and D3 and omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, this multivitamin is iron-free and undergoes testing in a third-party lab.
These gummies have lemon, blueberry, and orange flavors. They are non-GMO and free from most common allergens, including shellfish and tree nuts.
SmartyPants states that these gummies are suitable for consumption with or without food.
Pros
- comes in gummy form, providing an alternative for people who have difficulty swallowing pills and tablets
- less expensive than some other options
Cons
- requires people to consume 4 gummies per day
- contains 6 grams, or 1.5 teaspoons, of sugar per serving
Best for a subscription service: care/of Multivitamin
- Price: $15
- Count: 60 tablets
- Dose: 2 tablets daily
The manufacturer states that it formulated this product to address gaps in a person’s diet without adding too much of what they are already consuming.
Additionally, this multivitamin is non-GMO, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
The company claims that it uses high quality ingredients in easily absorbable forms. This product is also free from most major allergens, including eggs, sesame, wheat, and tree nuts.
Pros
- contains several nutrients a person may need
- allergen-friendly
- non-GMO and vegetarian
Cons
- not specifically for people over 50
- requires a subscription, while some people may prefer to buy multivitamins as a one-off purchase
Best for traceable ingredients: Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+
- Price: $39
- Count: 60 capsules
- Dose: 2 capsules daily
All the ingredients in this multivitamin are traceable, so a person knows where each ingredient comes from. They are also non-GMO.
Ritual states that this multivitamin can help support healthy aging, including immune function, bone health, and muscle function.
The company uses recovered newspaper and plant fibers and recycled bottles to package its products. This helps make the multivitamins more sustainable.
Pros
- uses sustainable packaging
- uses traceable ingredients
- has a slow-release design, which may help promote absorption
- suitable for vegans and free from major allergens
Cons
- does not contain calcium, vitamin C, or vitamin B6
- requires a subscription
Best for affordable multivitamins: 21st Century Sentry Senior Women’s 50+
- Price: around $7
- Count: 100 tablets
- Dose: 1 tablet daily
This multivitamin contains more than 20 vitamins and minerals, ranging from vitamin A to zinc. It includes key nutrients such as vitamins D3 and B12, calcium, and lutein for bone and eye health.
These vitamins are unflavored, and the company states that they are banana-free. The company does not use GMO ingredients, yeast, gluten, or artificial flavors.
Pros
- affordable option
- low daily dose of 1 tablet
- non-GMO and gluten-free
Cons
- has large tablets that can be difficult to swallow, according to some reviewers
- contains iron, which females in postmenopause may not need
Best for vitamin B12: One A Day Women’s 50+ Complete Multivitamin
- Price: around $20
- Count: 200 tablets
- Dose: 1 tablet daily
One A Day states that this multivitamin offers a complete supplement, as it contains several vitamins and minerals, including more than 1,000% of a person’s recommended vitamin B12 intake.
The company also states that this supplement may help support immune health and metabolism.
Pros
- contains a large amount of vitamin B12, which some older adults are deficient in
- less expensive than many other multivitamins
Cons
- has large tablets that can be difficult to swallow, according to some reviewers
- contains artificial colors and fillers
- contains nutrients with low bioavailability, such as zinc oxide and sodium selenite
Best for iron-free: Nature Made Multivitamin for Her 50+ with No Iron
- Price: around $16
- Count: 60
- Dose: 1 softgel
According to the manufacturer, these multivitamins are formulated to support energy metabolism, the immune system, and muscle and bone health. Additionally, they contain 22 important nutrients for women over 50, including vitamins B6, B12, D, C, and E.
These multivitamins do not contain iron. According to the Office on Women’s Health, women ages 51 and older need only
This is because most women no longer menstruate by age 51, and this reduces the amount of iron their systems need. Taking more iron than a person needs can cause health problems such as abdominal pain, constipation, and inflammation.
This multivitamin is gluten-free and does not contain any artificial flavors. It is United States Pharmacopeia (USP) certified, which means it contains all the ingredients and dosages listed on the label.
Our tester’s experience“I would recommend this as a comprehensive 50+ vitamin at a great price.
“Nature Made is one of the most recognizable supplement brands so the familiarity brought some level of comfort that it was reliable before I even tried it. The brand has been around for over 50 years and their site is filled with really solid information about their products, commitment to quality, and important things like USP Verified products.
“The multivitamin I tried was one of Nature Made’s USP-verified products and it was very easy to find that information on their website.
“I liked the ease and affordability of Nature Made Multi For Her 50+. The fact that it was only one pill a day was a big plus since I’m not a fan of taking pills in general. The pills were a little large, but easy to swallow. In terms of what vitamins and minerals were in each daily dose, it covered all the basics and essentials for women my age. That said, for my personal preferences, the magnesium was low (100 mg or 24% DV) as was the calcium (200 mg or 15%DV).”
– Rita Mauceri
Pros
- USP certified
- comes in softgel form, which may be easier for some to swallow than tablets or capsules
- includes a wide range of nutrients to support general health
Cons
- contains only 15% of the recommended Daily Value for calcium
- not safe for vegetarians or vegans
- has large softgels that can be difficult to swallow, according to some reviewers
The following table compares the multivitamins in this article.
| Type of vitamin | Count | Dose | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Chapter | tablets | 48 tablets | 1 daily | around $62 |
| Garden of Life | capsules | 120 capsules | 4 daily | around $55 |
| Thorne | capsules | 180 capsules | 6 daily | around $50 |
| SmartyPants | gummies | 120 gummies | 4 daily | around $22 |
| care/of | tablets | 60 tablets | 2 daily | $15 |
| Ritual | capsules | 60 capsules | 2 daily | $39 |
| 21st Century | tablets | 100 tablets | 1 daily | around $7 |
| One A Day | tablets | 200 tablets | 1 daily | around $20 |
| Nature Made | softgels | 60 softgels | 1 daily | around $16 |
Females over the age of 50 years who need to take a multivitamin may consider looking for one that contains the following nutrients:
- calcium
- vitamin D
- vitamin B6
- vitamin B12
People should always seek the advice of a healthcare professional before purchasing multivitamins.
People should consult a healthcare professional before starting to take a nutritional supplement. Most people can get all the nutrients they need by eating a balanced diet.
However, older people may find it difficult to consume enough nutrients through their diet alone. For example, older adults may be low in vitamin B12 due to insufficient absorption resulting from changes in stomach acid. Healthcare professionals may recommend supplementation in these cases.
Taking too much of some nutrients can cause negative side effects. People should make sure to discuss a supplement plan with a doctor to find the right multivitamins for their health needs.
Below are some frequently asked questions about multivitamins for women over 50 years of age.
Some companies may recommend taking the supplement with a meal. Other supplements may be suitable to take on an empty stomach.
People should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when taking a multivitamin.
According to the National Institutes of Health, basic multivitamins that provide levels of nutrients close to the recommended amounts are safe for most people to take.
People with specific health issues should discuss with a healthcare professional any concerns they have and how their health conditions may affect supplement use.
In general, a person should follow the recommended dosage for a multivitamin on the product’s packaging.
Most people who take multivitamins do so without side effects, although some people report stomach pain, particularly if they take multivitamins on an empty stomach.
People taking blood thinners such as warfarin should talk with a doctor before taking multivitamins, as some nutrients, such as vitamin K, interfere with the effectiveness of these medications.
Most people do not need multivitamins, as they can consume enough nutrients through their diet. However, healthcare professionals may recommend that some females over 50 years old take supplements to reduce the risk of developing deficiencies in vitamins such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
Many multivitamins for women over age 50 are available to purchase online. Before taking dietary supplements, people should always seek the advice of a healthcare professional to make sure the supplements will not interact with any medications they are taking.