Garden of Life Vitamins: A Complete Look at This Clean Company’s Vitamin Line

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The latest Consumer Survey by the Council for Responsible Nutrition found that three in four Americans take a nutritional supplement, so it’s no wonder many are looking for the best vitamin brand.

Garden of Life is a popular brand name in the wellness space, and there’s a good chance that you’ve seen GOL products at stores like Walgreens, Target and Whole Foods. The company was founded on the belief that real whole foods can heal the body, and has earned a reputation for quality and integrity. It started as a line of probiotic supplements, and now includes more than 360 products ranging from multivitamins and protein powder to cannabidiol (CBD) and even essential oils.

This article will look at Garden of Life’s top products, it's pros and cons and what customers have to say about them. We’ll also tell you how the Garden of Life brand compares to others you’ve likely seen on pharmacy shelves.

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.

What is Garden of Life?

Key features:

• Products: Probiotics, Vitamins, Minerals, Protein Powders, Collagen, Enzymes, Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Greens Powders, Herbal Supplements, CBD, Sports Nutrition, Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oils), Superfood Blends, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Gummies, Essential Oils
• Price Range: $7.99–$98.99
• Where to Buy: Gardenoflife.com, Amazon, local retailers (Walgreens, Target, Whole Foods, etc.)

Garden of Life is a major player in the nutritional supplement market. Based in Florida, the company began as a product line to improve digestive health. It has since expanded to hundreds of products, including vitamins and supplements for every age and stage, from infants to seniors. Their product line contains everything from collagen for healthy joints to CBD for inflammation and herbal support for the prostate.

Garden of Life has successfully established themselves as a maker of high-quality, squeaky-clean products, and the name is synonymous with integrity. Their supplements are made with whole foods, traceable ingredients and scientifically backed formulas. The company holds 18 third-party certifications, including USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and Informed Choice.

Garden of Life Products

Vitamin Code Raw One for Men Multivitamin

Key features:

• Made from 24 organic fruit and vegetable powders
• Contains good bacteria and yeast (probiotics) for gut health
• Serving is one capsule daily

The Vitamin Code Raw One for Men Multivitamin by Garden of Life provides exceptional nutritional support for men. It contains organic superfoods like spinach, beets and blueberry, and one daily capsule contains 100 percent or more of the recommended dose of 18 micronutrients, including Vitamin C, zinc, chromium and selenium.

The Vitamin Code line is made from raw, whole food ingredients, and includes other age- and gender-specific nutrients, like raw B-complex, calcium and D3 supplements. “Raw” means the supplement is made without artificial binders, fillers, flavors, sweeteners and additives often used in vitamins. Additionally, Vitamin Code supplements are made without heat or pressure to preserve natural enzymes in the ingredients.

The Vitamin Code Raw One for Men Multivitamin is certified non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher, vegetarian, soy-free and dairy free. A 30-day supply costs around $30. This product is ideal for men who want an easy way to ensure they meet their nutritional needs. Online product reviews also say it’s good for men who get an upset stomach from other vitamins. You can take the vitamin capsule whole or open it and add the powder to water or juice for easier swallowing.

Related Post: The Best Multivitamins for Men of All Ages

Pros:

• Multivitamin and probiotic supplement in one
• Around $1 per day for 24 organic fruits and veggies
• Can be consumed in pill or powder form (when capsule is opened and emptied into liquid)

Cons:

• Not a good source of magnesium

Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal Capsules

Key features:

• 800 micrograms of folate to support baby’s brain growth
• 27 milligrams of iron to prevent brain disorders in children
• Contains a prenatal digestive blend with probiotics

Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal is a whole food vitamin designed for new moms and those who are trying to get pregnant. Studies show that nutrition plays a key role in fertility, and after delivery, this vitamin provides extra nutrients to support postpartum health and lactation.

The Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal contains 20 key nutrients to support the digestive, circulatory and immune systems in pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says expectant moms need 600 micrograms of folate daily. Taking a folic acid supplement helps prevent up to 70 percent of neural tube defects like spina bifida. Raw Prenatal goes above and beyond with 800 micrograms per dose. Iron is another prenatal must-have. Iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. Also, low iron levels during pregnancy are linked to autism, schizophrenia and other brain disorders in children.

This specific Garden of Life prenatal vitamin is highly-rated, with over 100 five-star reviews on the Garden of Life website and more than 8,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. The main complaint is the capsule’s large size, but you can open the capsule and add the powder to liquid for easier consumption. The recommended dose is one capsule three times daily. Raw Prenatal costs around $30 per month and comes in 30-, 90- and 180-count bottles. This prenatal vitamin is Non-GMO Project Verified, certified kosher and gluten-free.

Related Post: The Best Postnatal Vitamins to Support New Moms

Pros:

• Covers key nutrient needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Consume whole or open capsule and sprinkle powder in juice or water
• Ingredients are organic, natural and sourced from whole foods

Cons:

• More expensive than many drug-store vitamins

mykind Organics Women’s Multi

Key features:

• Contains Pacran cranberry for urinary tract health
• Includes 800 international units (IUs) of vegan Vitamin D3
• Triple daily dose of biotin for healthy hair and nails

Garden of Life mykind Organics is another line from Garden of Life made from whole fruits, vegetables and herbs. The mykind line was co-created with actress Alicia Silverstone after she became pregnant and sought to find the “cleanest” supplements. All mykind vitamins and minerals are certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and vegan.

Women have different nutritional requirements than men, which is why the mykind Organics Women’s Multi is designed for women’s unique nutritional needs, including:

• The alphabet vitamins (Vitamins A, C, E, K and B vitamins)
• 105 micrograms of Biotin (350 percent recommended daily value)
• 20 micrograms of Vitamin D3 (100 percent recommended daily value)
• Whole cranberry fruit, which may support urinary tract health

There’s also a multivitamin formula for women aged 40+. It contains slight differences, like more B12 and less folate.

This vitamin comes in gummy or tablet form. The berry flavored gummy is made from nine organic whole foods grown on family farms without dangerous pesticides. The texture is made with pectin from apples and orange peels rather than pig gelatin and cornstarch. Many users who left reviews were impressed with the taste.

Related Post: The Best Multivitamins for Women, According to an Expert Nutritionist

Pros:

• Available in tablet or gummy form
• Vegan-friendly
• Special formulas for women under/over age 40

Cons:

• Gummies don’t have calcium or potassium

Raw Probiotics

Key features:

• Made from Bulgarian yogurt and wild European kefir
• Both shelf-stable and refrigerated capsules available
• Never heated to more than 115 degrees to protect enzymes

Probiotics are good bacteria and yeast that live in the body and help it function. Garden of Life Raw Probiotics are a line of powerful whole food probiotics made at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 30 percent humidity. Like the rest of the Raw line, the probiotics are harvested, blended and packed at cool temperatures. This process keeps the nutrients, enzymes and microbes alive and active.

Raw Probiotics are made from Bulgarian yogurt, wild European kefir grains and scobies and fruits and vegetables like red bell peppers, green peas, plums and cherries. They have more probiotic strains and a higher colony forming unit (CFU) count than most competitors. Taking a Raw Probiotic capsule is like eating fermented foods with 30+ probiotic strains (most other brands only contain a few).

The blend of probiotic strains in the Raw line (including the heavily researched lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains) support colon and immune health and reduce gas and bloating. Each serving delivers up to 50-100 billion CFUs, depending on the version you choose, and the 5-Day Max Care probiotic pack promises 400 billion CFUs. For reference, many competitors' max CFU count is closer to 50 billion.

Check out our Garden of Life probiotics review for in-depth information on the brand's probiotic options!

Pros:

• Raw process keeps live microbes active
• Higher CFU count and more strains than other brands
• Organic, non-GMO verified ingredients

Cons:

• Expensive ($25-$50 for a monthly supply)

Raw Organic Protein

Key features:

• High quality alternative to whey and soy proteins
• Contains essential amino acids and 3.8 grams of BCAAs per serving
• Raw protein manufactured without heat

Raw Organic Protein is a vegan protein powder made from whole food ingredients. It combines 13 raw, sprouted proteins to deliver 22 grams of protein and 3.8 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) per serving. Each dose also contains all the essential amino acids the body needs, plus a probiotic and enzyme blend. Raw means that the protein powder is made at low temperatures. That’s important because heat can break down protein and affect its absorption.

Garden of Life’s plant-based protein is all-natural and free from added sugar and artificial flavors or ingredients. It’s also Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Verified and Informed-Choice Clean for Sport. It’s available in four flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Vanilla Spiced Chai and Unflavored. You can purchase 1.5-pound containers or single-serving packets for taste-testing.

The Raw Organic Protein line also includes the Raw Organic Fit Protein, which is a special formula for weight loss. It contains additional ingredients like Svetol Green Coffee Bean Extract to boost energy and chromium and organic cinnamon to balance blood sugar. An added four grams of organic fiber and ashwagandha may also help fight cravings and help you feel fuller longer.

Check out our Garden of Life Protein Powder review for more information on Raw Organic Protein! 

Pros:

• Helps build and repair muscle tissue
• Vegan and vegetarian friendly
• Great protein option for those with dairy intolerance or sensitivity

Cons:

• Some reviewers did not like the flavor
• Can be difficult to mix in a shaker bottle

Garden of Life Quality

Quality is vital when choosing a vitamin or supplement. You want to make sure what you’re putting in your body is going to help, not hurt.

Certifications

Garden of Life products go through in-depth testing. The company boasts an impressive list of 18 certifications. Here are a few of the third-party approvals that Garden of Life supplements hold:

• Non-GMO Project Verified: Ingredients aren't genetically-engineered.
• USDA Organic: Ingredients are grown without pesticides, synthetic sewage sludge and ionizing radiation.
• Carbonfund.org: The company and its products are carbon neutral. Products are sourced and packaged with the lowest effect on the environment.
• Informed-Choice and NSF Certified for Sport: Products are free from banned substances.
• PETA Cruelty-Free: Does not test products on animals and uses only vegan ingredients.

Transparency

Consumers buy supplements for very personal reasons—they want to look, feel and be at their best. For some, it's even about overcoming an illness or ailment. That's why transparency is crucial in this market. You want to know what you’re putting into your body and how it will work. Garden of Life has a reputation (and track record) for using only clean, traceable, organic ingredients. That’s key in an industry where the goal is to improve and maintain health.

Garden of Life Customer Service

Our experience with Garden of Life customer service did not disappoint. Although there’s no online chat feature, it’s easy to reach a customer service representative. The website says you can reach support by email or phone at 866-465-0051. We tried both. The email response takes about one to two business days. When calling the product line, a friendly voice answered after only seconds.

The representatives were knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions. One woman I spoke with even shared her first-hand experience with some of the products. The company is based in Florida, so the support team is in the eastern time zone. According to the Better Business Bureau, the company has had only three complaints in as many years.

Garden of Life Customer Reviews

Garden of Life has tens of thousands reviews on Amazon—most 4/5 stars and above. The most positive feedback is related to ingredient quality, ease of swallowing and value for the money.

Garden of Life vs Persona Nutrition

Garden of Life has been around since 2000, and Persona Nutrition is relatively new on the scene. Both brands are owned by the same parent company, Nestle. What makes Persona different is its business model. Persona starts with an online health assessment; you share your lifestyle, habits and health concerns, and then receive a customized supplement regimen for monthly home delivery.

The pricing is competitive, and it’s a good value, though Persona doesn’t boast the same third-party certifications as Garden of Life. Instead, Persona supplements are inspected and tested in-house for purity, and the brand works with trusted suppliers to source high-quality ingredients.

Check out our in-depth Persona Nutrition review for more information on this personalized vitamin brand. 

Garden of Life vs Renew Life

Renew Life has a lot in common with Garden of Life. Both brands were inspired by founders who battled gut disorders and developed supplements for gut health. Also, both are committed to quality, transparency and efficacy, and each has its products tested by third parties. Like Garden of Life, Renew Life offers vitamins, fish oil, fiber supplements and herbal cleanses, but not multivitamins.

The major difference is that Renew Life focuses on supplements for women, and makes only one product designed for men. Also, Renew Life is not USDA Organic or non-GMO certified, but they use similar ingredients to Garden of Life.

Garden of Life vs Olly

Olly supplements are branded differently than Garden of Life (think brightly colored labels and upbeat ad campaigns that match their slogan #HappyInsideOut), but Olly also offers a collection of multivitamins, probiotics and wellness supplements. The Olly vitamin line contains supplements with quirky names like Blackberry Zen for sleep, Goodbye Stress for calming the nervous system and Undeniable Beauty for hair, skin and nails.

While Olly lacks the certifications that Garden of Life has, and their ingredient quality is more average than exceptional, Olly products cost about half as much as those offered by Garden of Life. The bottom line? You can get good vitamins and wellness supplements at a reasonable price from Olly, but if you want organic, non-GMO, whole food ingredients, you’ll need to pay a little more for Garden of Life.

Garden of Life Vitamins FAQs

Does Garden of Life use synthetic vitamins?

No, Garden of Life does not use synthetic vitamins. They use only organic, natural whole food ingredients.

Is Garden of Life a clean brand?

Yes, Garden of Life uses “clean” ingredients for all its products. The brand avoids synthetic binders, fillers, flavors, sweeteners and additives often used by supplement brands.

What company owns Garden of Life?

In 2017, Nestle bought Garden of Life for $2.3 billion.

Final Thoughts

Garden of Life offers a vast array of vitamins and supplements. It's proven to be an environmentally-conscious company that delivers the highest quality products. Though the brand costs more than others on the market, they deliver trusted quality, and are a worthwhile contender for your next vitamin or probiotic investment.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.