The best multivitamins in the UK

Product	Best for	Price	Servings	Cost per serving
Vegan Multi capsules	Best vitamins supplement	£27	45 - 90	from 30p
Mineral Multi capsules	Best mineral supplement	£22	60	37p
Hair, Skin & Nails capsules	Best vitamins for beauty	£16	40 - 120	from 13p
Protecta multivitamin capsules	Best vitamins for immunity	£18	90	20p
Kids Rainbow Food powder or capsules	Best for young children	£14 or £22	50 - 120	from 22p

 

How to choose a good quality multivitamin
Benefits of multivitamins
Best multivitamins (in detail)

 

What is a multivitamin?

Despite its name, a multivitamin is a food supplement that contains both vitamins and minerals. Generally, they contain all of the vitamins and minerals required from our diet for overall health and well-being. They may also contain other nutrients such as antioxidants and polyphenols. They’re available as tablets, capsules, powdered drinks, liquids, chews and gummies.

How to choose a multivitamin

For a multivitamin to be effective, it must be prepared and formulated correctly. Many standard options include artificially produced ingredients in a form that’s almost impossible for your body to use. There’s also a higher chance that they’ll contain artificial fillers and binders.

However, if you take the time to look around, it’s possible to find easily digestible, naturally sourced vitamins.

To help you ensure that the multivitamins you take will be adding quality nutrition to your diet, there are several things to consider:

1. Quality food sources

Look for vitamins made from quality whole foods where possible. The best supplements are made from a mix of naturally sourced vitamins, minerals and powdered fruits and vegetables. Because the essential nutrients come directly from real food, they provide more active ingredients. The presence of other natural substances in this form means that your gut can digest them more effectively.

2. Genuine organic certification

Organic vitamins are an excellent choice because they have been produced without the use of any chemical fertilisers or pesticides. When manufacturers use artificial substances during the farming and production process, traces of them may remain in the leaves or fruit. As multivitamins are designed to be taken regularly if you ingest these chemicals they could build up over time to unsafe levels. Organic products must be officially certified by a relevant authority. You can verify this by looking out for the certificate itself or an official logo like the EU leaf.

3. GMP certification

Brands that display Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification have met high industry standards. This is an internationally recognised award given to companies that are committed to relevant standards and regulations. Under the EU GMP framework, inspectors regularly visit premises to ensure the use of hazard analysis and exceptional food hygiene standards. 

4. Free of artificial fillers

Fillers are substances added to bulk up the active ingredients in a supplement. If the blend of vitamins and minerals only half fills a capsule, some producers add artificial powders to fill any gaps.

Other additions to supplements are chemicals used to bind tablets together or, preservatives to make them last longer. Where possible, avoid products that contain these, instead, look out for natural alternatives. For example, some brands use rice flour as a safe, natural filler.

5. Matching your needs

The most crucial aspect of finding any supplement, especially a multivitamin, is making sure that it matches your needs.

Taking vitamins that your body doesn't need is a waste and, in some cases, could be dangerous. When making your choice, be clear about why you want to take one. We've indicated some of the reasons you might want to choose certain supplements below.

The benefits of multivitamins

Despite your best efforts, it's not always possible to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals through your diet. Farming practices and food production methods have changed significantly in the last few decades, and this has reduced levels of essential nutrients in the food chain.

Boosting your diet with a good quality whole food multivitamin will help you address any deficiencies and provide a range of additional benefits:

Increased energy and reduced fatigue

When your body gets all the vitamins and nutrients it needs, it can run at its optimum. Because this makes everything more efficient, you may conserve energy, resulting in improved focus and less fatigue. 

This effect can be further improved by combining a regular multivitamin with enough sleep and the correct hydration.

General health and feelings of well-being

Not eating enough of what your body needs is a common cause of low mood and poor health. The right multivitamin can have a transformational effect on how you feel. When everything is working as it should, many people report incredible feelings of vitality and well-being.

Reduced levels of stress and anxiety

Good-quality multivitamins, like those listed here, are packed full of B vitamins and antioxidants. B vitamins ensure that essential body processes happen efficiently. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from causing oxidative damage. Some studies link lower levels of free radicals to decreased feelings of stress.

Best multivitamin supplements in the UK

Based on the criteria outlined above, here is our selection of the highest-quality multivitamins available to buy in the UK.

Best Minerals: Mineral Multi (G&G)

 

Sometimes, we may consider our vitamin intake sufficient, but we might need some extra help with our mineral intake. That’s where Mineral Multi from G&G Vitamins comes in.

This multi mineral formula contains 13 minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and zinc and is designed to be absorbed quickly and efficiently.

Like all G&G supplements, they’re free from artificial fillers and binders, GMOs, gluten, lactose, and soy and are suitable for anyone following a vegan or kosher diet. One bottle contains 120 capsules and the recommended daily intake is 2 capsules.

Best for vegans: Vegan Multi (G&G)  

 

Vegan Multi from G&G Vitamins is specially designed to provide essential nutrients for those following a vegan diet. They contain a precisely formulated combination of vitamins, minerals, and plant extracts including the B vitamins (along with both types of B12 - adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin), vitamins C, E, and D3, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, green tea leaf, beetroot, and spirulina.

G&G is a UK company dedicated to producing high-quality supplements. Their in-house nutritional therapist ensures that the products provide an optimum blend of ingredients for maximum benefit. They have a UK GMP certification and are accredited by the Soil Association, AIB International, the Vegetarian Society, and the FDA.

A daily serving is 1 or 2 capsules and a bottle holds 90 in total. They’re free from GMOs, gluten, lactose and soya, contain no excipients, binders or fillers, and have a vegetable cellulose shell.   

Best for beauty: Hair, Skin & Nails (G&G)

 

Also from G&G, Hair, Skin & Nails is a blend of vitamins and natural ingredients designed to support your beauty regime from the inside out.

It contains nutrients that enable normal growth of hair, skin and nails, allowing them to reach their full potential. This is a multivitamin that removes any nutritional barriers to looking your best.

The Hair, Skin & Nails multivitamin is free from GMOs, gluten, wheat, lactose, artificial preservatives, or colourings and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Each capsule contains B vitamins (including B12 methylcobalamin), vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, selenium, biotin, zinc, optiMSM, bamboo, kelp, and spirulina. A daily serving is between 1 to 3 capsules, and a bottle contains 120.

Best for your immune system: Protecta multivitamin (G&G)

 

The Protecta multivitamin has been one of G&G Vitamins key products for over 20 years. The newly updated formula contains a carefully selected mix of vitamins and minerals, including zinc, potassium, selenium, vitamins B12, B6 and C.

The inclusion of aloe vera, natural beta-carotene, choline, inositol and PABA make this a one-of-a-kind formula, designed by G&G nutritionists to give your body everything it needs to bolster your immune system, our number one protector. 

Protecta isn't suitable for vegans because it contains dairy-sourced lactobacillus acidophilus. However, it is ideal for vegetarians and contains no GMO’s, soy or gluten. A bottle holds 90 capsules, and the recommended amount is 1 to 3 per day.

 

Best organic for children: Kid's Rainbow Food (G&G)

 

Our favourite multivitamin for children is G&G Vitamins Kids Rainbow Food drink powder. It's a sugar-free, vegan supplement with a blend of fruits, vegetables herbs and probiotics.

The powder has a subtle flavour and can be added to any drink without disrupting its taste. It also contains live bacteria that have been found useful to boost children's health.

Each packet contains 100g. The recommended intakes are 1g for children aged between 4 and 6 and 2g for those aged 7 or older. This product is free from animal products, gluten, lactose, soy, sugar, and GMOs.

Best for teen boys: Food-Grown Daily Multi Nutrient (Wild Nutrition)

 

Wild Nutrition’s daily multi-nutrient is targeted at boys in their teens. For teenagers, growth and development are at their peak, yet diet and nutrient uptake is often notoriously bad. This supplement has a combination of active ingredients selected to support normal cognitive development and reduce fatigue. It also contains brain-boosting nootropics like reishi mushroom and artichoke.

‘Food-Grown’ is a unique technique used by Wild Nutrition to blend additional nutrients into raw foods. It allows for superior absorption of the vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream. Because it's a more efficient way for the body to receive them, the amount of each ingredient can be lower. This makes them extra safe without sacrificing any of the effects.

The capsules are free from artificial fillers, binders and colourings, are suitable for vegetarians, and are free from gluten, GMOs, and soya. The recommended daily amount is 2 a day, and a bottle holds 60.  

Best for teen girls: Food-Grown Daily Multi Nutrient (Wild Nutrition) 

 

Also from Wild Nutrition, this is a multivitamin designed to provide teenage girls with bespoke nutritional support. It uses a blend of vitamins, minerals and botanicals to target psychological and cognitive function, hormonal activity and energy levels. The natural formula includes organic ashwagandha, organic artichoke, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin D and calcium.

The recommended daily measure is 2 capsules per day, and they can be swallowed with water or opened and added to food or drink. Each bottle holds 60 capsules. There are zero artificial fillers, binders, or colourings, and they’re suitable for vegetarians and free from gluten, GMOs, and soya.

Best for women: Essential Female Multi (Viridian) 

 

Viridian has formulated this vegan multivitamin to support the nutritional needs of women between the age of 18 and 39. High-quality nutrients have been blended with plant extracts to provide the best support for health and wellbeing. The active ingredients have been selected to reduce tiredness and fatigue, support healthy brain function, regulate hormone activity, boost the immune system, and aid in the formation of red blood cells.

Viridian is a well-established company with a commitment to acting with integrity and producing high-quality, ethically sourced supplements. They believe in a balanced whole food diet but acknowledge that government surveys show that large groups of UK society are at risk of low vitamin and mineral intake. To remedy this, they ensure that only the best suppliers and techniques are used to create their range of supplements.

The recommended serving is 2 capsules, and each one contains a varied blend of beneficial nutrients including hibiscus, cranberry, vitamin B6, iron, zinc, selenium, coenzyme Q10, iodine from kelp, alfalfa, spirulina, and blueberry. One bottle contains 60 capsules, and the shell is made from a plant-based, vegan substance. They are also non-GMO, manufactured in the UK and free from additives and binders.

Best for men: mykind Organics Men's Multivitamin

 

This mykind men's multivitamin from Garden of Life is certified organic and made with real wholefood ingredients. They come in a zingy, berry-flavoured chew and harness vitamins and minerals from nine fruits to support optimum nutrition for men. They also contain an incredible blend of organic vegetables including beetroot, broccoli, carrot, and spinach. Vegan and kosher, they’re a great source of vitamin D3, vitamin E, and folate.

Each packet contains 60 gummies, and Garden of Life recommends that you take 2 each day. There are no artificial additives or binders and they’re free from GMO, gluten, and animal products.

Risks and side effects of multivitamins

Multivitamins from well-respected brands with relevant certifications are unlikely to cause you problems if you carefully follow the serving instructions. However, there are some side effects to look out for and some precautions to take:

• Taking too much of some vitamins and minerals can lead to side effects and health problems. Follow the safe daily amounts guidelines from the NHS.
• Don’t take more than you need. Excess amounts of a vitamin won’t enhance the effect. Any extra you ingest will either be wasted or could build up and become toxic. For example, a high intake of iron can cause stomach pain, diarrhoea or constipation. Six or more grams of vitamin C per day can result in diarrhoea and vomiting, and increase your likelihood of experiencing a migraine.
• If you smoke, avoid taking supplements that contain vitamin A or beta carotene (a derivative of vitamin A) as doing so could increase your risk of lung disease.
• Carefully check the ingredient list for any allergens.
• If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, on regular medication, or suffering from long-term health conditions, talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. Be particularly careful to avoid taking any supplement that contains vitamin A if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Vitamin A toxicity can result in birth defects.

Should I take a multivitamin each day?

Yes, in order to gain the maximum benefit from any food supplement, aim to take your chosen multivitamin every day. If you miss a day, don’t double up, just continue taking your supplement as normal the following day.

What’s the best time of day to take multivitamins?

There is no “best” time of day to take a multivitamin supplement, but it is recommended that you take them at the same time each day. Doing so will enable you to get into a routine to make it less likely that you’ll forget a serving. Leave your supplement somewhere that you’ll see it, such as by the kettle or in your desk drawer, to maximise your chances of taking it at the same time each day.

Should I take my multivitamin with food or on an empty stomach?

Most multivitamins contain the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K. The fat soluble vitamins require fat for absorption; therefore, they’re best taken with a meal that contains good fats.

How long before a multivitamin starts working?

We normally recommend taking a food supplement every day for three months before deciding whether or not you have noticed any benefits. Some people may feel more energised and less fatigued within a few weeks.

Conclusion

A multivitamin that harnesses nature's wholefood goodness is a great way to supplement your diet. If you struggle to eat a balanced meal every day, then it can be an effective way to boost key nutrients and a healthy life, full of vitality.

To ensure that they will genuinely work for you, it's worth taking the time to find one that closely matches your needs. Take a look at your diet and current health to give you an idea of what vitamins and minerals you may need more of. Then, carefully inspect the ingredients of each multivitamin to see if it will provide you with adequate support.

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