The Fast Facts
- Women over 50 may benefit from multivitamins containing calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 to support bone health, energy metabolism, and overall wellness as nutritional needs change with age.
- Most postmenopausal women need less iron than younger women, so multivitamins for the postmenopausal period often exclude or reduce iron to prevent potential health issues.
- Our best multivitamins for women over 50 include Thorne Women’s Multi 50+ and Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ for their dosage and ingredient quality.
This article discusses what multivitamins are, whether they are necessary, and some of the best multivitamins for females over 50 years of age.
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.
The following table compares the multivitamins in this article:
| Type of vitamin | Count | Dose | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thorne | capsules | 180 capsules | 3 to 6 daily | $56 |
| Ritual | capsules | 60 capsules | 2 daily | $39 |
| 21st Century | tablets | 100 tablets | 1 daily | around $8 |
| Nature Made | softgels | 60 softgels | 1 daily | around $13 |
| Seed | capsules | 30 capsules | 1 daily | $39.99 |
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria where possible:
- Price: Products suit a wide range of budgets.
- Ingredients: Products list all ingredients clearly and outline their manufacturing processes.
- Safety: Products contain ingredients deemed safe for ingestion.
- Reputation: Products come from businesses that adhere to industry best practices.
- Available certificate of analysis (COA): MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s COA following receipt of its third-party lab results.
Read more about our vetting and review process for supplements.
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. Usually, 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 to 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.
Medical Perspective“Women over 50 have different needs as estrogen levels decrease during menopause. Specifically, they should look for a multivitamin with little to no iron while prioritizing calcium and vitamins D and K2 for bone health, vitamin B12 for energy and nerve health, magnesium for bone health and muscle relaxation, omega-3 fatty acids for heart, joint, and brain health, vitamin B6 for cognitive health, mood, and immunity, and vitamins A, C, and E for their antioxidants.”
— Katherine Marengo, LDN, RD
Learn more about vitamins that help with menopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness.
Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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
Taking too much of some nutrients can cause adverse side effects. People should make sure to discuss a supplement plan with a doctor to find the right multivitamins for their health needs.
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 nutrient levels close to the recommended amounts are safe for most people to take.
People with specific health issues should discuss any concerns with a healthcare professional and how their conditions may affect supplement use.
In general, a person should follow the recommended dosage on the multivitamin’s packaging.
Most people who take multivitamins do so without side effects, though some report stomach pain, especially if they take them 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 multivitamins for women include a range of vitamins and minerals to support health during years of menstruation and fertility, so they may contain high levels of certain nutrients, such as iron.
Multivitamins for women over 50 will contain vitamins and minerals that older women may need more of, such as calcium and vitamin D, and may not include others, such as iron.
The best multivitamin for women over 50 will include calcium, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.
Some options include Thorne Women’s Multi 50+ or Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+.
We rate Ritual supplements highly for the brand’s commitment to rigorous third-party testing and for making their ingredients fully traceable.
Multivitamins for people over 50 may be worth it if they help fill nutrient gaps in a person’s diet and help maintain levels of certain nutrients the body cannot absorb as effectively as a person ages.
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 take supplements to reduce the risk of vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
Many multivitamins for females over age 50 are available to purchase online. Before taking dietary supplements, people should always seek the advice of a healthcare professional to ensure the supplements do not interact with any medications they are taking.