Best Multivitamin UK – Men & Women [Complete Expert Guide]

When you are looking to supplement everyday nutrition and activity with vitamins and minerals, you want to make sure to choose a vitamin supplement that is beneficial to your health and lifestyle. Making that selection means understanding what multivitamins are and what they are composed of then applying that information to what your body requires through a daily supplement.

While vitamin and mineral variants are often talked about together, they are not the same thing. Vitamins give us essential nutrition through chemical compounds. They include fat-soluble ones A, D, E, and K and water-soluble B and C. To add to their complexity, vitamin B can be broken down even further into 8 other vitamins. These include thiamine, niacin, B6, B12, riboflavin, pantothenic acid as well as folate.

In contrast, minerals while supporting overall body health target vital bodily functions. They are not based on organics and can be either an element or compound. The most important minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, chromium, potassium, iodine, chloride, sodium, selenium, chloride, zinc, fluoride, copper, molybdenum and manganese.

These various vitamin and mineral ingredients are all needed to stay healthy and make sure that essential body functions are doing what they should. If you have a nutrient deficiency, then the body is going to have trouble performing the things it needs to. A lack of a particular key vitamin or mineral will show through various symptoms.

Iron – If the body is lacking in iron, then there could be issues with the production of good red blood cells. These are needed to move oxygen throughout your body. If the body is lacking in iron then you tend to be weary, sickly, dizzy and pale because you are lacking in oxygen. If the iron deficiency is severe then this can cause anemia. Iron supplements are often sold separately as well as they’re an essential nutrient for your body.

Iodine – This is needed to keep your thyroid healthy. If you don’t have enough iodine, then you can end up with a thyroid that is enlarged and can be the reason for weight gain. It can also lead to breathing issues and a faster heartbeat.

Vitamin D – This vitamin is one of the key players when it comes to keeping the body’s overall function healthy. It is the vitamin that tells your body whether or not to turn a gene on or off. Deficiency can sneak up on you and lead to weak muscles and overall bone health.

Vitamin B12 – This is critical to blood formation along with nerve and cerebral health. If you are deficient in it, the symptoms can mirror iron deficiency including megaloblastic anaemia.

Calcium – This is needed for strong, healthy bones and dental well-being, especially in growing children and adults who are older.
Vitamin A – This vitamin is essential to good eye health. Poor vision and low immunity can also be caused by a lack of vitamin A.

Magnesium – Along with calcium, magnesium is going to help maintain strong bones and good dental health. It will help with enzyme reactions too. Deficiency of magnesium shows as brittle bones, diabetes and possibly heart issues.

These are the main vitamins and minerals a person may need. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need supplements for optimal health but in reality, we often do. It is hard to manage, and even a balanced diet or exercise may not be enough, which is how a multivitamin supplement can help.

An example of this can be found in fish. You may love fish and think it’s a great way to get iodine but not all fish have the same amount. Saltwater fish have more than freshwater so you can’t assume that you are getting equal amounts from all types of fish. Iodine is an essential nutrient that can also be found in vegetables and fruit if they come from the ground, but that amount will also vary depending on how much is in the soil itself.

Similarly, iron is problematic in foods that are not from animals since the iron absorbs easier in animal food rather than plant-based. So, the absorption rate can play into how much of the mineral you get.

If you are vegetarian or vegan, you may also need supplements of vitamins such as B12 since they are only in food that comes from animals. While this includes dairy items and eggs, it is problematic for vegans. B-12 is difficult to absorb so a supplement may be helpful.

While you could take all these supplements on their own, that can be confusing and expensive. Finding a multivitamin supplement could be the answer to a healthier you. That doesn’t mean you can ignore a healthy lifestyle and eating regimen as supplements are meant to top up your nutrition, not replace it. You also need to be aware that if you have any of these symptoms and they are prolonged then consulting your doctor is important. You should also talk to your doctors about supplements if you are taking medications like blood thinners as you want to make sure there are no negative interactions.

Things that are important to note are that the multivitamin offerings are extensive as well as being poorly regulated. As a consumer, you want to be sure you are picking good ones versus those that are of lower quality. Make sure to go with a well-known brand that has stood the test of time. If you want something you haven’t heard of before then do some research and make sure the company is reputable and read reviews. You want to make sure you are choosing something that is both healthy and reliable.

Also, make sure to look at how the product is presented. Capsules, tablets or liquids. Some are gelatin, others can be effervescent tablets which may be higher in salt than other formats. Once you have picked a format then follow the packet directions exactly. Often companies will direct you to take the supplement with food to avoid stomach upset and also say that certain vitamins should not be taken with other supplements without checking with a doctor as one can affect the effectiveness of the other.

Here are our picks for the best multivitamin UK.

Centrum is a trusted name in vitamins. These particular multivitamins are tablets that are in a capsule shape for easier swallowing. They are on the bigger side but are smooth and easy to take with a drink. There is little taste and while these multivitamins have calcium, zinc and iron together, they have all essential vitamins as well. On top of the 13, they also have a significant amount of minerals. There are 60 tablets in this bottle so will offer you approximately 2 months’ worth. The 24 key nutrients are high in Vitamin D which is an added benefit. You are getting:

• Vitamin A, E, C, K, B1, B2, B12, D
• Biotin
• Folic Acid
• Niacin
• Pantothenic Acid
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Iodine
• Copper
• Manganese
• Chromium
• Molybdenum
• Selenium
• Zinc

This wide range of vitamins and minerals along with top-quality micronutrients is a great supplement for a healthy lifestyle. It supports your general health and will complement your nutritional requirements.

A good product especially for women who are post-menopausal. It is a bit different when it comes to dosage offering a tablet as well as a capsule, but it could be due to the wide range of ingredients which include gelatin and fish oil for Omega-3 fatty acids. Both parts are a bit big but not difficult to swallow with a drink. They are also designed to make swallowing them easy. While they have zinc, calcium and iron which is not always the best, they have a wide range of other ingredients that overrides that issue. One of those ingredients is collagen and that is beneficial for those who are aging. It helps keep the skin healthy. The blend of vitamins and minerals that are designed to offer good nutrient absorption that will help your body’s cells as you age.

This is another multivitamin that offers a wide range of healthy ingredients. It is used in a similar way that the Seven Seas multivitamin offers. This product has fish oil and which is good for all ages of women rather than just post-menopausal women. It comes with a tablet and capsule that are simple to swallow. They don’t have calcium like the previous ones but do have zinc and iron. They offer great all-around content overall including Omega-3, 6 as well as 9. The container has 28 tablets and capsules for almost a month worth of doses, and they offer 22 micronutrients with B-complex vitamins including B1 and B12 to not only keep energy release consistent but help with vitality along with wellness too.

This company has a good reputation for its quality supplements designed for athletes as well as ones specifically targeted for bodybuilders. This version is a variation on those particular ones. They have great ingredients specific to men but note that they do not include iron, so it is important to get that nutrient elsewhere. It’s a great multivitamin for men of all ages but even better for those who lead a busy and active lifestyle. It is a good choice when life and activity are keeping you on the run. It offers a good blend of vitamins, minerals, botanicals along with amino acids so you get a good nutritional boost. There are 38 ingredients that support your health that include Vitamin C and magnesium. These two are ingredients that target your metabolism.

A good product that contains fish oil and is targeting men over the age of 50 years old. You are getting a tablet and capsule that will cover the various vitamins and minerals needed. There is no calcium so it will be important to find that nutrient in another way especially for over 50. It offers an Omega-3 fatty acid along with collagen to enhance the multivitamin and mineral source. The formula they offer makes sure that nutrient absorption happens properly so the body’s cells can be kept healthy and functioning as you age.

This is a good multivitamin that is captured in one capsule. It is on the larger side but is easy to swallow with a drink. It is another tablet that doesn’t have calcium. This should be noted as it is critical to good bone and teeth care. Make sure to get it from another source. It has a good selection of vitamins and minerals that are designed specifically for men. They included vitamins A, C, D, B6 and B12 along with copper and folic acid to make sure the immune system is kept in good shape. This tablet also offers pantothenic acid along with magnesium to help with those days when energy levels are lower than normal. This multivitamin will support good physical and mental health.

Finding the best multivitamin for yourself means doing some research and making sure the one you choose targets your health and well-being as well as fitting into your lifestyle. It is important to find the one that works as you age as well.  Nutritional needs change as a person gets older and both physical and mental health issues may change or become more prevalent. It is also important to note what your multivitamin of choice may be missing so you can find alternative ways to add those missing nutrients into your diet. Missing calcium or iron may lead to significant deficiencies if not monitored. Along with missing nutrients, there are also things to be considered if you are vegetarian or vegan. Knowing what a capsule is made out of can be important if you don’t want any animal products in your pill

Once you have checked out all these things, then you can choose the best multivitamin UK that works for you. Each one has its own pros and cons so look into your personal needs and go from there. Your body will feel better and healthier.