Persona Nutrition Vitamins Review 2024
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Vitamin subscriptions are nothing new, but personalized vitamin subscriptions aim to customize your nutritional intake with supplements tailor-made for your unique needs. Enter Persona Nutrition, a Nestle Health Science company that offers two subscription services: building your own custom vitamin pack, or selecting one of 11 ready-made daily packs designed by dietitians that address various goals.
If a custom vitamin pack is the route you want to take, a short quiz will gauge your diet, lifestyle and current medications to develop a pack that fits your nutritional needs. Otherwise, prepared packs span everything from energy blends to sleep formulas to multivitamins for men and women. Whatever your reason for trying Persona Nutrition may be, the brand promises to “build a new you, one day at a time”–but are these custom vitamins worth investing in?
With the help of registered dietitians, we’ll dive into Persona daily vitamins’ top sellers, evaluating whether they’re effective for the health concerns they target, and if the custom vitamin quiz hits the mark with its results. We’ll also dive into price, how Persona Nutrition stacks up against competitors and who these vitamin packs may be best for. Keep reading for our in-depth Persona vitamins review.
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.
Persona Vitamins At a Glance
Launched in 2016, Persona Nutrition is a Nestle Health Science company headquartered in Washington state. The brand offers both customizable and ready-made vitamin packs with the ability to add on individual dietary supplements (such as a dose of ashwagandha). All vitamins are sold as a vitamin subscription service that provides a 28-day supply and delivers monthly.
Persona Vitamins Products
How Persona Vitamins Works
Persona Nutrition is a supplement subscription service that offers custom vitamin packs or ready-made vitamin packs designed by a team of nutritionists, with the option to add individual supplements. If you go custom, you’ll take a brief, five-minute questionnaire that asks questions about your diet, lifestyle and wellness goals. “I appreciate some questions asked,” says Meghan Pendleton, RD. “For example, they asked about current medications. This is really important and often overlooked, as supplements can have interactions with drugs.”
Persona will also ask if you prefer a vegan supplement and will offer personalized nutrition options that fall under the vegan category. “This can be helpful because sometimes people don’t realize that certain nutrients may be animal-derived, like vitamin D from lanolin, which is wax from sheep’s wool,” Pendleton explains. In addition, Persona will ask you to pick three areas you want to focus on. When Pendleton chose “sleep,” “stress” and “immune health,” she was recommended to take ashwagandha, spirulina, vitamin B12 and several other supplements.
“Right away, I was disappointed,” she admits, “but not surprised.” Taking so many supplements, she says, isn’t truly necessary unless there is a health condition or severe dietary restriction prompting the need. Nonetheless, Persona is backed by a medical advisory board and provides a Certificate of Analysis (completed in-house) with each vitamin pack stating its dosages and ingredients. Persona vitamins are delivered monthly and come with a 28-day supply. Subscriptions can be canceled anytime and orders over $50 include free shipping. Depending on the vitamin pack, you can expect to pay anywhere from around $45 to $85 monthly.
Persona Nutrition Products In-Depth Review
Here’s everything you need to know about five of Persona Nutrition’s top ready-made packs.
Persona Vitamins
Sleep Formula Key Features and Specs
- Servings per container: 28
- Subscription: Monthly
- Key ingredients: Ashwagandha, Herbal Rest and DHA with vitamin D
- Best for: People who struggle to fall or stay asleep
- Price per serving: $1.89
One of Persona’s most popular nutrition supplements is its Sleep Formula, which consists of ashwagandha, Herbal Rest (a combination of magnesium, hops flower extract and L-theanine) and DHA with vitamin D. This five-capsule pack includes 125 percent of the daily value of vitamin D, which studies show having a deficiency in can cause sleep issues. Ashwagandha in particular can help manage insomnia, and as for Herbal Rest, Pendelton says “its primary ingredient is magnesium, which may be helpful for sleep support and has an appropriate dose [of 150 milligrams].” As a nighttime vitamin pack, the Sleep Formula is meant to be taken before bed. Overall, customers have mixed reviews. A few report vivid dreams and “hit or miss” sleep, while others say they wake up feeling refreshed and fall asleep within one hour of taking them.
What we like:
- Packs in full daily value of vitamin D
- Evidence-backed ingredients for sleep support
- Includes effective dose of magnesium
What to consider:
- Some people may experience insomnia from DHA
Stress Formula Key Features and Specs
- Servings per container: 28
- Subscription: Monthly
- Key ingredients: Ashwagandha, Korean ginseng, DHA with vitamin D and foundational multivitamin
- Best for: Managing stress and keeping energy levels balanced
- Price per serving: $2.49
If you’re feeling particularly stressed or want to increase your resilience to stress, Persona’s Stress Formula is a five-capsule pack with evidence-backed ingredients to combat stress. Similar to the Sleep Formula, you’ll find ashwagandha and DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) with vitamin D. Omega-3s are associated with improved mood and cognition. The Stress Formula also includes Korean ginseng (which can stabilize the nervous system) and a foundational multivitamin, which is essentially your standard daily multivitamin added in. “I appreciate the focus on B vitamins in the multivitamin formula,” says Amy Shapiro, RD, in her Persona Nutrition review, “as these are important for stress. However, I wish there was some L-theanine or magnesium in this blend as well.” Both ingredients are effective for stress relief.
What we like:
- Research shows Korean ginseng stabilizes the nervous system
- Multivitamin includes stress-relieving B vitamins
- DHA can help improve mood, which may lower stress
What to consider:
- Lacks some important stress-relief ingredients
Immune Health Key Features and Specs
- Servings per container: 28
- Subscription: Monthly
- Key ingredients: Immune Support, daily probiotic, Quercetin Plus, lutein with zeaxanthin and foundational multivitamin
- Best for: Preventing viruses and boosting your immune system
- Price per serving: $2.30
Maintaining a strong immune system is important for fighting off viruses and toxins. Persona’s Immune Health pack aims to help customers do just that, with a six-pill formula that strengthens immunity and supports overall health. Inside you’ll find the Immune Support blend, an herbal combo made out of various mushroom and root extracts that research shows stimulate the immune system. It includes a daily probiotic with three billion colony-forming units (CFUs), Quercetin Plus (a flavonoid with an anti-inflammatory effect), lutein with zeaxanthin (lutein boosts immunity) and the brand’s standard foundational multivitamin. While Shapiro says zeaxanthin is helpful for eye health, she isn’t sure why it’s included in an immunity pack.“I love quercetin for immunity,” she says, “but would love to see the addition of [more] zinc here if we are boosting the immune system.” Zinc, a standard immunity nutrient, is only included in the multivitamin as a small dose of 2.5 milligrams, or 23 percent of the daily recommended value.
What we like:
- Mushroom and root extract combo stimulates immune system
- Includes quercetin, which has an anti-inflammatory effect
- Daily probiotic can help support both gut and immune health
What to consider:
- Lacks higher dose of zinc
Men’s Daily Essentials Formula Key Features and Specs
- Servings per container: 28
- Subscription: Monthly
- Key ingredients: Foundational multivitamin, omega-3 fatty acids, spirulina, daily probiotic and cordyceps
- Best for: Filling nutritional gaps and healthy digestion
- Price per serving: $2.07
A multivitamin can be a great way to boost your nutritional intake if you struggle to get nutrients through food alone. Men’s Daily Essentials is a six-pill pack that not only includes a foundational multivitamin, but a daily probiotic and omega-3 fatty acids to cover all your health bases. You’ll also find spirulina, which boosts gut health and energy, and cordyceps, a lesser-known compound that can prevent risk of cancer by reducing potential growth of tumors. Still, as a six-pill pack, which is stronger than your average multivitamin alone, it’s important to factor in how many nutrients you get through food before committing to this supplement regimen. Excessive vitamin intake can lead to unpleasant side effects like nausea and vomiting. Some customers complain that six pills are hard to take, but most say they feel great from taking them.
What we like:
- Cordyceps has antitumor properties
- Spirulina may offer energy boost
- Several ingredients target gut health
What to consider:
- Vitamin intake may be too high for some people
Women’s Daily Essentials Formula Key Features and Specs
- Servings per container: 28
- Subscription: Monthly
- Key ingredients: Foundational multivitamin, omega-3 fatty acids, spirulina, daily probiotic and cordyceps
- Best for: Antioxidant support and joint health
- Price per serving: $2.07
Persona Nutrition also offers a Women’s Daily Essentials formula that contains the same ingredients as the Men’s Daily Essentials pack. In addition to the potential health benefits we noted above, this vitamin pack is full of joint-boosting ingredients like vitamin D and omega-3s, which alongside their sleep and stress benefits, are excellent for relieving joint pain. Vitamin C and vitamin E are also rich in antioxidants, which help prevent cancer, heart disease and vision loss, and are equally important in supporting healthy aging. (You’ll find both in the foundational multivitamin.) However, as we mentioned above, it’s important to do your research or check with a healthcare provider before starting such a large supplement regimen. A few customers report shipping issues like broken pills, but many note increased energy and convenient packaging.
What we like:
- Includes joint-boosting properties
- Foundation multivitamin has antioxidants
- Supports healthy aging process
What to consider:
- Expensive per serving
Quality of Ingredients
Persona Vitamins
Overall, both Penderton and Shapiro agree that the majority of nutrient dosages included in Persona vitamin packs are effective doses, but often fall on the lower end of the spectrum. The daily probiotic in the immunity pack, for example, comes in at three billion CFUs per pill, but if you’re looking to boost your immunity, Shapiro says she “usually goes higher, around 30 to 50 billion colony-forming units daily.” Pendelton and Shapiro also agree that ready-made packs tend to contain repeats of nutrients, which may result in excessive intake.
While the Persona Nutrition website states that products undergo extensive testing, and vitamin packs are delivered with a Certificate of Analysis confirming dosage and ingredients, tests are done in-house and not by third-party testing labs, so it’s tough to confirm their accuracy. In general, Pendleton says that “supplements aren’t well-regulated, and there are often issues with purity and potency” (dietary supplements don’t have the same FDA regulations as prescription medications). People with severe allergies should also be wary of Persona vitamins potentially being cross-contaminated in a facility that processes common allergens like wheat and egg.
Who Persona Is Best For
Shapiro says Persona vitamins are a great choice for people just getting started on a supplement routine. “If you want something that covers your bases and takes the guesswork out, Persona is for you,” she explains. “Additionally, if you’re committed to the process, [taking Persona] will be easy.” These vitamin packs offer convenience, Shapiro adds, which can be helpful for people who forget to take their vitamins or are busy individuals on the go.
Plus, if you have very specific goals (such as improving sleep), the ready-made packs combine several ingredients that tackle various health conditions. In addition, Persona supplements are best for people with a flexible budget for their nutrition, as these supplements can get pricey.
Who Persona Is NOT Best For
While Persona is a good fit for numerous groups, several types of people may not benefit from taking these vitamins. “I would not recommend Persona to someone who already has a supplement strategy in place,” Shapiro says, noting that Persona is all about helping customers find the “perfect fit” when it comes to supplements. The same goes for pregnant women (who should check with an OBGYN before starting Persona), people who struggle to swallow pills, children and anyone with a tighter budget for their supplements, she adds.
What Customers Have to Say
Overall, customers have mixed reviews of Persona Nutrition. Some love that Persona offers hard-to-find supplements (like borage with saffron, one reviewer notes on Trustpilot), while others were pleased with the results offered by the custom quiz, saying that they appreciate that medication use was factored into the final results. Still, several customers report problems with deliveries and subscriptions, particularly late deliveries and charges for vitamins that didn’t yet ship. On the flipside, many buyers back up the purported health benefits that Persona packs can offer, mentioning weight loss, improved energy and better sleep from supplement use.
Persona Nutrition vs Care/Of
Similar to Persona Nutrition, Care/of offers personalized vitamin packs that are assembled following a short online assessment. In addition to vitamin packs, Care/of takes its product line one step further with probiotics, collagen, protein powder, vitamin bottles and other items. Overall, Care/of is significantly more budget-friendly (their probiotic blend, for example, costs $12 for a 30-day supply), but the final price will depend on how many ingredients are ultimately included in your pack. If price is a factor, you may want to lean toward Care/of, however, Persona Nutrition offers much more robust vitamin packs.
Check out our Care/of review for more information about this personalized vitamin brand.
Persona Vitamins FAQs
Here’s everything else there is to know about Persona Vitamins.
Is Persona a reputable company?
With an average customer review rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, and more than one million orders placed, Persona is a popular and well-regarded company in the global nutrition community. Plus, Persona is a Nestle Health Science company, which is one of the largest and most recognized names in the nutrition and health space.
How long do Persona vitamins last?
As with any supplement, Persona vitamins have an expiration date. The brand recommends that vitamins be consumed within six months for maximum freshness and effectiveness.
Does Persona have probiotics?
Some daily vitamin packs, like the Digestive Balance Blend and Men’s and Women’s Essentials, come with a probiotic capsule. However, not all Persona vitamin packs include daily probiotics.
How much is Persona per month?
Persona monthly pricing varies depending on the vitamin pack. You can expect to pay anywhere from around $45 to $85 per month for a 28-day supply, depending on your health goals.
When should I take Persona Vitamins?
Persona recommends taking morning packs within 30 minutes of your first meal of the day, and evening packs within 30 minutes of your last meal. Night packs, on the other hand, can be taken 45 minutes before bedtime–and all vitamins should be taken with plenty of fluids or water.
Takeaway: Are Persona Vitamins Worth It?
Our bottom line for our Persona vitamin review is that if you’re just getting started on your supplement journey, Persona Nutrition can help create a custom vitamin pack that suits your unique needs. Alternatively, it can be a great choice for people with specific health goals in mind seeking out targeted vitamin packs. Nonetheless, Persona is pricey compared to other brands, and Pendleton cautions customers to “consult with a provider on the recommendations.” “It’s a lot of pills,” she says, “and costs a few dollars per day for supplements that may [or may] not help that much.”
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
