The 6 Best Multivitamins for Seniors and Older Adults in 2024

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Older adults are more likely to be low or deficient in a number of vitamins and minerals compared to younger adults. As we age, our bodies undergo changes that impact levels of certain nutrients. Our appetite and diets tend to change as well, which further influences our nutritional intake and vitamin and mineral status.

In addition to following a well-rounded diet high in nutritious foods, older adults may benefit from taking a multivitamin that’s specifically designed to meet the needs of older adults. Taking a multivitamin that provides nutrients such as B12, vitamin C and vitamin D could help older adults maintain optimal nutrient levels and feel their best physically and mentally.

This article lists 6 of the best multivitamins for older adults on the market in 2024 and explains how multivitamins could benefit seniors' health.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for Best Multivitamin for Seniors:

• Best Multivitamin for Senior Women: Ritual Essential for Women 50+
• Best Multivitamin for Senior Men: Ritual Essential for Men 50+
• Best Multivitamin with Iron: Kaged Multivitamin
• Best Multivitamin for Seniors for Overall Wellness:Transparent Labs Multivitamin
• Best Powdered Multivitamin for Seniors: Athletic Greens AG1
• Best Chewable Multivitamin for Seniors: Olly Adult Multi + Probiotic Vitamins

Best Multivitamin for Senior Women: Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+

Key Features and Details

• Key nutrients: Folate, B12, magnesium, boron, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins, D3, E and K
• Certifications: cGMP, Non-GMO
• Subscription: Monthly subscription service
• Best for: Older women who need extra nutritional support, women who don’t want to take multiple pills per day, women who want the convenience of a subscription service
• Price per serving: $1.30

For women over 50 who want to make sure they’re hitting daily nutrient intake recommendations, Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ can help cover your bases.

Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ is designed for postmenopausal women who have lower iron needs due to the cessation of menstruation. This iron-free multivitamin provides nutrients that tend to be low in older women’s diets as well as vitamins and minerals that are in high demand in older age, including B12, vitamin D, folate, magnesium and the omega-3 fat docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

DHA is an essential fatty acid with powerful anti-inflammatory properties that could help lower the risk of age-associated conditions such as heart disease, which is currently the number one cause of death in older adults. Studies show that DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) help improve blood flow and reduce oxidative stress, a condition that occurs from an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses in the body. This imbalance leads to cellular damage, increased blood pressure and poor blood flow, which can increase the risk of heart disease.

DHA is also critical for brain health, and may help protect against age-related cognitive decline. Unfortunately, brain DHA levels tend to decline with age, which may lead to accelerated cognitive dysfunction. Maintaining optimal DHA levels by supplementing with DHA is a smart choice for older women, especially those whose diets are low in omega-3-rich foods, like fatty fish and shellfish.

Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ provides 330 mg of DHA, as well as other nutrients important for older women, such as B12 and D3. Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ is vegan-friendly and is third-party tested for contaminants like heavy metals and microbes. Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ is also free of major allergens, GMOs, synthetic fillers and artificial colors.

The product has mostly positive reviews on the company’s website, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5five stars. Customers seem to like the mint-flavored capsules and report that the monthly subscription is a convenient and easy way to keep up with their nutrition needs.

Keep in mind that Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ only provides eight nutrients and is missing important vitamins and minerals like B6, iodine, zinc and vitamin C, so it’s not appropriate for older women who need significant nutrition support, such as older women with certain medical conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and celiac disease, and women who follow restrictive diets, such as vegan or keto diets.

What we like:

• Subscription service may be convenient for some women
• Vegan-friendly
• Mint-flavored capsules are easy to tolerate
• Third-party tested for contaminants

What to consider :

• Missing important nutrients like B6, iodine, zinc and vitamin C
• Subscription only

Best Multivitamin for Senior Men: Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+

Key Features and Details

• Key nutrients: B12, folate, magnesium, boron, zinc, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins, A, D3, E and K2
• Certifications: cGMP, Non-GMO
• Subscription: Monthly subscription service
• Best for: Men who want to fill basic nutritional gaps in their diets, men who prefer subscription vitamin services
• Price per serving: $1.30

Older men and women have different nutrient needs, which is why Ritual offers a men’s multivitamin designed for men over 50. It provides B12, folate, magnesium, boron, zinc, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins, A, D3, E and K2, all of which are essential for supporting healthy aging.

Even when following a well-rounded diet, a man’s ability to maintain optimal levels of certain nutrients becomes more difficult in his older years.

For example, older adults are more at risk for developing B12 deficiency for several reasons, including insufficient absorption from foods. Older adults tend to lose their ability to properly absorb B12 from food due to a decline in stomach acid, which interferes with B12 absorption. Many older men also take medications, such as proton pump inhibitors and blood sugar-lowering medications, which negatively impact B12 absorption and increase the risk for developing low or deficient B12 levels.

What’s more, men who follow restricted diets and those with poor appetites are often unable to meet their nutritional needs through diet alone. Supplementing with a well-rounded multivitamin like Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+ can help older men meet their nutrient needs in a convenient way. Just two capsules of Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+ completely covers older men’s daily B12 needs while providing other important vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.

Like the women’s multivitamin, Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+ is third-party tested, vegan-friendly, and is free of major allergens, GMOs, synthetic fillers and artificial colors.

This product received a lower customer rating compared to the women’s multivitamins, with an average rating of just 3.4 stars out of five. Some customers reported that the supplement has a fishy taste from the vegan DHA. However, most customers seemed to like the supplement and reviews mention the capsules are easy to tolerate and gentle on the stomach.

What we like:

• Convenient subscription service
• Vegan-friendly
• Easy to tolerate
• Third-party tested for contaminants

What to consider :

• Lacking essential nutrients like B6 and iodine
• Subscription only
• Some customer reviews mention a fishy taste

Best Multivitamin for Seniors With Iron: Kaged Multivitamin

Key Features and Details

• Key nutrients: B vitamins, iodine, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, calcium, chromium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, aloe vera gel powder and vitamins A, C, D3, E and K.
• Certifications: Non-GMO, Informed-Sport certified
• Subscription: Monthly, 10 percent savings
• Best for: Seniors who need extra iron in their diet, those who prefer organically-derived supplements
• Price per serving: $1.16

Kaged Multivitamin is a whole food-based multivitamin that provides 21 vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, B12, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc.

The nutrients in Kaged Multivitamin are sourced from organic fruits and vegetables, which makes it a smart choice for seniors who prefer to follow an organic diet.

Kaged Multivitamin contains iron, a mineral that men and postmenopausal women need in small amounts. Even though most older men and women have lower iron needs, some seniors, including those who follow primarily plant-based diets and those with iron deficiency anemia, need extra iron in their diets in order to maintain healthy iron levels.

Unfortunately, iron deficiency is more common in older adults. According to study findings, iron deficiency anemia impacts around 11 percent of men and 10.2 percent of women over the age of 65. The prevalence rises to 20 percent in people 85 years and older. Older adults are more likely to develop iron deficiency due to malabsorption and poor dietary intake. For older adults with iron deficiency, supplemental iron is usually necessary.

Kaged Multivitamin provides 100 percent of the daily value (DV) for iron, which could help older adults with low iron reach and maintain healthy levels of this important mineral. It also contains 100 percent of the DV for vitamin C, a nutrient that helps enhance the absorption of iron. Additionally, Kaged Multivitamin provides aloe vera-derived prebiotic fibers. Prebiotics help fuel beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, which helps promote gut health.

This product is third-party tested and Informed-Sport certified, which verifies that the product is independently tested for substances banned in sport by LGC, a globally recognized sports doping control and supplement testing lab. It’s also vegan-friendly and gluten-free.

Kaged Multivitamin has a customer rating of 4.9 out of five stars on the company’s website. Customers report that the supplement is of high quality and that the capsules are easy to tolerate.

Related Post: The 8 Best Iron Supplements

What we like:

• Third-party tested
• Informed Sport Certified
• A good choice for those who need extra iron
• Vegan-friendly

What to consider:

• Not appropriate for most seniors with healthy iron levels

Best Multivitamins for Seniors for Overall Wellness: Transparent Labs Multivitamin

Key Features and Details

• Key nutrients: B vitamins, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, chloride, potassium, N-acetyl cysteine, CoQ10, and vitamins A, C, D3 and K
• Certifications: cGMP
• Subscription: Every 30, 45, or 60 days, 10 percent savings
• Best for: Seniors Looking for a comprehensive multivitamin, seniors who need extra nutrition
• Price per serving: $.99

Transparent Labs Multivitamin provides vitamins, minerals and other helpful compounds that seniors need for optimal health. This product is free from iron, so it’s safe for postmenopausal women and older men. This makes it a good choice for couples who’d like to take the same supplement.

Transparent Labs Multivitamin provides over 100 percent of DV for 11 nutrients, including vitamins A, B12, C and D. Vitamin D is a nutrient that plays critical roles in health and is necessary for the functioning of the immune, reproductive, cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as the maintenance of bone and brain health.

Unfortunately, vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is common and is more likely to occur in older adults. Older adults have a decreased ability to produce and metabolize vitamin D due to factors such as reduced sun exposure and reduced capacity to produce vitamin D in their skin. Being low or deficient in vitamin D can affect health in a number of ways and may increase the risk for falls, reduced muscle strength, and medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, dementia and heart disease.

Supplementing with vitamin D can help older adults maintain healthy vitamin D levels and may improve their physical and mental health.

Transparent Labs Multivitamin contains 2,500 IU of vitamin D, which is much more than most multivitamin supplements. It also provides B12, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). NAC is a precursor to a master antioxidant naturally produced by the body called glutathione. Glutathione helps protects against cellular damage by neutralizing harmful compounds called free radicals, which can help protect against age-related inflammatory conditions. Glutathione production slows as we age, so taking NAC could help increase glutathione levels in the body, which may boost the body’s antioxidant defenses.

Additionally, this product contains the fat-soluble compound CoQ10, an antioxidant needed for optimal cellular functioning. Supplementing with CoQ10 may help decrease oxidative stress, benefit heart health and protect against bone loss.

Transparent Labs provides certificates of analysis (COAs) for all of its products, which are conducted by third-party laboratories. A certificate of analysis is a document that verifies that a supplement has undergone testing and meets specific quality standards.

Transparent Labs Multivitamin has mostly positive reviews on the company website, with an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Customers, including older adults, comment that the supplement has helped improve their energy levels, sleep and more.

What we like :

• High doses of nutrients important for older adults, including vitamin D
• Contains CoQ10 and NAC
• COA available
• Iron-free

What to consider:

• Taking four capsules at once may be difficult for some older adults to tolerate
• Expensive compared to other brands

Best Powdered Multivitamin for Seniors: Athletic Greens AG1

Key Features and Details

• Key nutrients: Added vitamins and minerals, spirulina, green tea extract, pea protein isolate, astragalus, probiotics and more.
• Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport®
• Subscription: Monthly, 20 percent savings
• Best for: Seniors who can't tolerate pills, older adults who want a comprehensive multivitamin and greens powder in one
• Price per serving: $3.30

Athletic Greens AG1 is a powdered nutritional supplement that contains 75 ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes and fruit and vegetable powders. AG1 is designed to fill nutritional gaps while providing the body with substances known to positively influence overall health, such as probiotics and greens powders. This powdered supplement is a good choice for older adults who can’t tolerate swallowing pills, as it can be easily mixed into beverages like smoothies and juice, or added to recipes like energy balls and yogurt.

AG1 covers 100 percent percent of the DV for ten vitamins and minerals that are essential for overall health, including B12, B6, vitamin C and zinc, and provides smaller amounts of other nutrients, such as vitamin A and selenium. Additionally, it contains gut health-supporting pre and probiotics, fruit and vegetable powders, digestive enzymes, CoQ10, citrus bioflavonoids, green tea extract and other ingredients that may help promote healthy aging.

However, even though AG1 provides an array of important nutrients and other health-supportive ingredients, it doesn’t contain vitamin D, a nutrient that’s low in many seniors’ diets. Because of this, older adults who take AG1 may want to take a separate vitamin D supplement.

AG1 is vegan-friendly and free from gluten, artificial flavors, and sweeteners. It’s also NSF Certified for Sport, which verifies that the product is free from contaminants like heavy metals as well as 290 substances banned by major athletic organizations, so seniors can trust the safety of AG1.

AG1’s taste, ease-of-use, and quality have earned it an average customer rating of 4.5 stars out of five on the company’s website. Reviewers report that incorporating AG1 into their diet has helped support their energy and overall health.

What we like

• NSF Certified for Sport
• Contains an array of vitamins, minerals, probiotics and other beneficial compounds
• Comes in an easy-to-take powder that can be mixed into water, smoothies and other beverages

What to consider

• Expensive
• Only available online

Best Chewable Multivitamin for Seniors: Olly Adult Multi + Probiotic Vitamins

Key Features and Details

• Key nutrients: B vitamins, vitamins A,C,D and E, iodine, zinc, selenium, chromium and probiotics
• Certifications: NSF Certified
• Subscription: Monthly, 15% savings
• Best for: Seniors who can't tolerate pills, older adults who prefer gummy supplements
• Price per serving: $3.30

For older adults looking for an affordable multivitamin supplement that’s easy to take, Olly Adult Multi + Probiotic Vitamins is a good option.

A two-gummy serving covers 100 percent of the DV for seven vitamins, including vitamin D, B12 and B6, which are nutrients that tend to be low in many older adult’s diets.

Olly Adult Multi + Probiotic Vitamins also provide smaller amounts of essential minerals, such as zinc and selenium, which are critical for immune health and help protect cells from oxidative damage.

In addition to vitamins and minerals, Olly Adult Multi + Probiotic Vitamins contain one billion CFU of a probiotic called Bacillus subtilis, which may have beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal and immune systems, though more research is needed.

All Olly supplements are certified by NSF, which is an independent organization that tests supplements for banned substances and contaminants. Keep in mind that this product does contain added sugars, which could harm dental health over time. To minimize the impact of added sugar on your teeth, it’s best to rinse your mouth out with water or brush your teeth after taking gummy vitamins.

Olly Adult Multi + Probiotic Vitamins has an average customer rating of 4.5 stars out of five on the company’s website. Customers love the taste of the gummies and report that they’re easy to chew and swallow. Some customers mention that the supplement has improved their gastrointestinal health, including their bowel regularity.

What we like

• NSF Certified
• Contains an array of vitamins and minerals as well as added probiotics
• Gummies are easy to chew and swallow
• Affordable

What to consider

• Contains added sugar
• Sugary gummies may harm dental health
• Contains less bioavailable forms of certain nutrients

What are the differences Between Senior Vitamins and Regular Vitamins?

Seniors have different health needs compared to younger adults. For example, postmenopausal women have lower iron needs compared to menstruating women, which is why supplements specifically designed for older adults, including postmenopausal women, are often free from iron.

Supplements made for older adults may also contain ingredients that have been shown to promote longevity and cellular health, such as CoQ10 and NAC. Some senior-specific products are made with ingredients known to benefit cognitive health, such as omega-3s.

Older adults also need more calcium than younger people. In order to maintain skeletal health, women over the age of 51 and men over the age of 70 require 200 more milligrams of calcium per day compared to adults between the ages of 19 and 50. This is why senior-specific vitamins often contain calcium.

Other than the differences listed above, multivitamins made for seniors are similar to those made for younger adults.

Because of this, seniors can usually supplement with multivitamins made for younger people as long as the supplements don’t contain nutrients that could be problematic for older adults, such as iron. If seniors with low iron needs supplement with large doses of iron, it could harm their health.Taking in more iron that your body needs can lead to increased oxidative stress, cellular damage and increase the risk for certain health conditions.

Benefits of Multivitamins for Seniors

Seniors are more likely to become deficient in several nutrients, including B12, zinc, vitamin C, calcium and vitamin D. This is due to age-related changes in the digestive system, decreased appetite, increased needs for certain nutrients, dietary changes and several other factors.

For older adults, taking a well-rounded multivitamin that provides an array of vitamins, minerals and other essential compounds can help promote health, maintain optimal nutrient levels in the body and even decrease the risk of health conditions like cognitive decline and heart disease.

For example, vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk for heart disease risk factors, such as hypertension, and is associated with a higher risk of heart disease-related death and all-cause mortality. B12 deficiency is associated with cognitive impairment and may increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.

In addition to following a healthy diet, managing stress, avoiding smoking and excess alcohol use, staying active and prioritizing sleep, regularly taking a well-rounded multivitamin supplement could help seniors feel their best physically and mentally while protecting against nutrient deficiencies and deficiency-related health issues.

How to Choose the Best Multivitamin for Seniors

When shopping for the best multivitamin to support your health as you grow older, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

Though everyone has different health needs, studies show that older adults are more likely to be low or deficient in certain essential nutrients, such as vitamin D and B12.

Studies show that nearly one-third of people over the age of 51 have a decreased ability to absorb B12 from food due to changes in stomach acid secretion and inflammation of the stomach lining. Also, many older adults take medications that reduce the body’s ability to absorb B12. Because of this, health experts recommend that adults over the age of 51 supplement their diet with B12. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are also more common in older adults.

Choosing a dietary supplement that provides nutrients known to be low in older adult's diets, such as B12, vitamin D, vitamin C, B6, zinc and magnesium, can help you maintain optimal levels of these nutrients, which can help support overall health.

In addition to supplement ingredients, it’s important to focus on safety and quality. Whenever possible, purchase multivitamins from companies that hire independent third-party laboratories to test their supplements for quality and purity. Many supplement companies are certified by third-party organizations like UL, USP and NSF International.

Also, if you have sensitivities or allergies, you’ll want to purchase a multivitamin that’s free from potential allergens like gluten, soy and tree nuts.

Lastly, it’s important to note that some older adults will require a more comprehensive multivitamin product than others. Factors like your diet and underlying health conditions will influence your supplement needs. For example, someone with osteoporosis or ulcerative colitis may need additional nutrition support compared to a healthy older adult.

What to Avoid in a Multivitamin for Seniors

When shopping for a multivitamin that’s suited for seniors, you’ll generally want to avoid supplements that contain iron, as older adults usually have lower iron needs than younger adults. However, this isn’t always the case as older adults with iron deficiency anemia and those that follow plant-based diets low in heme iron may need to take an iron supplement to maintain healthy iron levels.

You’ll also want to avoid gummy, powder and liquid supplements that contain large amounts of added sugar. Some gummy vitamins can contain a teaspoon or more of added sugar per serving. Even though it’s perfectly healthy to consume small amounts of sugar, taking in too much can harm overall health and increase the risk for conditions like cavities and high blood sugar.

Lastly, you’ll want to choose a safe, high-quality multivitamin that contains appropriate amounts of nutrients. If you’re unsure of what to look for in a multivitamin, speak with your healthcare provider. They can help you choose the best multivitamin for you by taking into account your unique health needs and wellness goals.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Multivitamin for Seniors

We used the following criteria to narrow down the best multivitamins for seniors.

Nutritional content

We chose supplements that provide a variety of nutrients needed to support the health of older adults, like vitamin D and B12. Most of the supplements we included are iron-free, making them a safe choice for older adults with lower iron needs.

Some of the products on this list contain an array of nutrients, while others provide just a handful of specific nutrients known to be low in many seniors’ diets. When shopping for a multivitamin, it’s important to consider your nutrient needs based on your current dietary intake, any underlying health issues and whether or not you have one or more nutrient deficiencies.

Ingredient quality

We picked products that use bioavailable forms of nutrients and are free of unnecessary ingredients such as artificial sweeteners and colors whenever possible.

Many of the multivitamins on this list have been third-party tested to ensure quality and safety.

Customer reviews and brand reputation

We chose multivitamin supplements that had mostly positive reviews from customers. The brands on this list are trusted by healthcare providers like dietitians and physicians.

Cost

We made sure to include multivitamin supplements at different price points so that you can choose a high-quality product that fits into your budget.

Multivitamins for Seniors FAQs

What is the most important vitamin for your body?

Your body depends on a number of vitamins in order to support life-sustaining functions. All vitamins are important to health and perform unique functions to keep you alive and well.

What is the best vitamin for energy for seniors?

B vitamins, such as B12, folate and B6, are involved in nutrient metabolism. Therefore, having low levels of these vitamins could impact energy levels. That said, a deficiency in other nutrients, such as iron, could negatively impact energy levels, too.

If you’re experiencing low energy and fatigue, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider so you can undergo appropriate testing to rule out potential causes, such as a nutrient deficiency.

What is the most common vitamin deficiency in the elderly?

Deficiencies in B12 and vitamin D are among the most common nutrient deficiencies in older adults. A 2018 study found that the prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency—defined as 12.5–24 nmol/L— in elderly men and elderly women was 44 percent and 26 percent, respectively.

The only way to tell if you’re low or deficient in vitamin D is to have your healthcare provider test your levels. Most experts agree that optimal vitamin D levels lie between 40–60 ng/mL. Blood levels less than 20 ng/ml indicate a vitamin D deficiency and levels below 30 ng/ml indicate an insufficiency. Your healthcare provider can also check your B12 levels to determine if supplementation may be necessary.

Is there any downside to taking a multivitamin?

As long as you take a high-quality multivitamin that contains safe amounts of nutrients, multivitamins generally won’t harm your health.

That said, if you take in too much of certain nutrients, such as preformed vitamin A and iron, it could lead to health issues.

Also, taking in too much supplemental calcium may increase the risk of developing heart disease. If you take in more calcium from supplements than your body needs or can use, the extra calcium is deposited in your arteries, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular complications and heart disease.

A 2021 meta-analysis of 13 studies that included over 43,000 people found that calcium supplements significantly increased the risk of heart disease, specifically in postmenopausal women. The review found that a supplementary calcium intake of 1,000 mg per day significantly increased the risk of heart disease by about 15 percent in healthy postmenopausal women.

While some seniors, such as those with osteoporosis, may require supplemental calcium, it’s generally advised to avoid high-dose calcium supplements. Most healthy people can maintain optimal calcium levels by increasing their dietary intake of high-quality, calcium-rich foods like yogurt, beans, kefir and dark leafy greens.

Lastly, multivitamins often contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, some of which could cause side effects, such as nausea or constipation, when taken in high doses.

What vitamins should you not take together?

It’s often recommended to take certain minerals separately from others. For example, magnesium and calcium compete for intestinal absorption and transport, so it’s best to take them separately when possible to ensure optimal absorption.

That said, it’s safe to take multivitamin products that contain a number of minerals, including calcium and magnesium.

Is a Multivitamin for Seniors Worth It?

Certain supplements are specifically designed for older adults and contain nutrients that seniors are more likely to be deficient in or need in larger amounts compared to younger people.

Well-rounded multivitamins can help seniors meet their nutrient needs and maintain optimal levels of vitamins, minerals and other important compounds, which could help support physical and mental health while reducing the risk of medical conditions like heart disease.

If you’re a senior and have questions regarding supplementing with multivitamins, your healthcare provider can assist you with purchasing a multivitamin that suits your specific health needs.