Multivitamins are one of the most popular and most controversial supplements you can find. Whole shelves are devoted to them in supermarkets, pharmacies and health food stores. The variety is incredible, but where do you start? And do they even work at all?
The most abundant and most talked-about type of vitamin is also the most misunderstood. This list of the best multivitamins in the UK will help you unravel some of the myth and mystery. When you’ve finished, you will know enough about multivitamins to see if they will benefit you and which of those available in the UK are of the highest quality and will meet your needs.
Table of Contents
Are multivitamins a waste of money?
A multivitamin that has been carefully selected to match your needs can be beneficial. They can improve your health and wellbeing and provide vitamins and minerals that may be missing from your diet.
The best way to get the essential nutrients for your body is through a balanced diet. But, the truth is, getting a balanced diet three meals a day 365 days a year is close to impossible. Even achieving it, 60% of the time is hard enough. It’s not that we aren’t committed to our health, it’s not that we eat junk food every day, it’s just that we are busy humans and life is busy, exciting and often unexpected.
When you live the life that most of us do, it is unrealistic to say that we will avoid vitamin and mineral deficiency by eating the right foods. A more realistic approach is to eat as best you can and use high-quality vitamin supplements to ensure that you are getting everything your body needs.
Most of the studies that have been used to discredit multivitamins say that they are ineffective against severe issues like heart conditions or stroke. They may not be effective at preventing or reducing these conditions, but they are very likely to improve your general health and make you more feel energised and focused.
The Benefits of Multivitamins
Because multivitamins contain so many vitamins and minerals, they can have a huge number of benefits. The results that you will feel will depend entirely on the needs of your body. If you already have sufficient levels of a specific vitamin, then taking more of it is likely to have no effect.
However, research throughout the last few decades has shown that large portions of the UK population are deficient in several essential vitamins and minerals:
Which Vitamins and Minerals are Worth Taking?
The vitamins that are worth taking are the ones that you are more likely to be deficient in or not be getting enough of with your current diet and lifestyle. These may not be the same for everyone by there are some common themes that will help you choose a multivitamin that works for you.
Zinc – Deficiency in this meatal is common and can result in a weakened immune system. Increasing the amount in your diet or taking a supplement may reduce your susceptibility to illness and disease and support the building of new connections in your brain.
B Vitamins- This collection of vitamins have many vital roles in your metabolism. Deficiency has been linked to low energy levels.
Vitamin D- This is produced in our bodies as a response to sunlight. During the winter months, a deficiency is more prevalent and increasingly common as we spend more time than ever inside. It is known to regulate the amounts of calcium and phosphorus in your body and consequently contributes to thousands of processes, particularly involving bones and growth.
Magnesium- This metal is involved in thousands of reactions throughout the body. Its role is mainly linked to your metabolism and producing energy.
Iron – A metal that is crucial for growth, development, metabolism, cell function, hormone creation and carrying oxygen in the blood.
There are many other useful vitamins and minerals besides these. The more you know about the deficiencies in your body and diet, the better you will be able to tailor your diet or supplement routine to solve any problems.
Synthetic vs Whole Food
Some multivitamins contain synthetic nutrients that have been created in a lab specifically to be used in supplements. In most cases, they’re almost identical to naturally sourced nutrients but are completely pure so don’t come with traces of other substances mixed with them. Some people prefer this because they know exactly how much of each nutrient they’re using.
Multivitamins made with whole-food ingredients contain the natural blend of nutrients found in real food. Some studies indicate that taking supplements made from naturally sourced whole foods is better for digestion and provides a broader range of benefits.
The most compelling reason to choose whole food vitamins over synthetic ones is because the additional substances in their ingredients allow them to be absorbed and used in your body more easily. This is why you’ll find so many whole-food multivitamins on our list.
What Are the Side Effects?
Severe reactions to multivitamins are rare; however, sticking to the recommended amounts will reduce the chance even further. The main concern with a multivitamin is that it may contain something that you already get large amounts of in your diet.
In this case, the supplement could result in toxicity from too much in your system. Symptoms could include stomach pain, headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea or an allergic reaction. If you have any concerns, stop taking them and speak to your doctor.
Should I Take a Multivitamin Every Day?
Multivitamins are designed to be taken daily to keep your nutrient levels stable. As you take them more often, you can note how they affect you. If they have a positive effect, keep going, but if they have no effect, or you suffer side effects, you may need to adjust.
How to Find a Multivitamin That Works
To create our list, we’ve looked at hundreds of multivitamins and listed the ones that best met our criteria. As a result, we have a list of multivitamins in different varieties, shapes and sizes.
Remember the one for you may not be the one at the top of our list but one that suits your needs best. To help you with this, we have found top-quality supplements and made all of the information easily accessible for you.
To narrow down our list, we looked for:
What is the source of the vitamins? – Most of the items on our list are either whole-foods, organic or blends of high-quality pure vitamins and minerals.
Customer Reviews – We’ve looked carefully at the opinions of others to see what their experiences were and if they had any problems.
Certifications – We also dug deeper into the product and the brand. We looked out for official certifications of quality to back up any claims they make on their sales page.
General Vs. Gender Specific Multivitamins
The most important thing to consider when choosing your multivitamin is that the ingredients match your needs. The labels’ general’, ‘for men’ or ‘for women’ are just broad indications of the items they contain and their amounts.
Vitamins for men will include the vitamins and minerals that men most commonly need to supplement. The amounts will then be based on the specific daily recommendations for your gender. The same is the case for those for women. While they will often have many ingredients in common, they will also have added items to combat gender-specific concerns.
Visit our dedicated lists for Best Multivitamins for Men and Best Multivitamins for Women.
The Best Multivitamins Available in the UK
1. Performance Lab’s NutriGenesis Multivitamin
Performance Lab’s men’s and women’s multivitamin deserve their place at the top of this list. These precisely formulated supplements both contain an incredible blend of close to thirty vitamins and minerals. Each formula is designed to support the unique needs of men or women. Performance Lab uses cutting edge techniques to produce beneficial substances that can be absorbed quickly and effectively into your bloodstream.
Performance Lab recommends that you take four capsules a day, and in one bottle you get a months supply of 120 capsules. The contents of the capsules have been sourced using a technique called Nutrienesis, which involves producing beneficial substances in microorganisms like yeast. The result is a super potent supplement that your body can recognise for quick absorption and use.
Pros
- Made with highly bioavailable ingredients
- Specially designed to provide men or women with essential nutrition
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Certified organic
- Non-GMO
- Free from allergens, banned substances, soy, synthetic additives, caffeine and gluten.
- Manufactured to GMP standards
Cons
- The price might be beyond some budgets.
- These are not whole-food vitamins but use lab processes to mimic the benefits of food-based nutrients.
Buy Performance Lab’s Multivitamin Here
Read the full review: Performance Lab’s Multivitamin for Men Review
2. Earth’s Blend Superfood Multivitamin
A daily superfood multivitamin with over 48 whole food ingredients. These contain thousands of beneficial plant compounds that can interact to provide extra benefits. In this form vitamins and minerals absorb more effectively into your body for a more significant effect.
Some foods included are Spirulina, Kale, Reishi mushroom, Shiitake mushroom, Maca root, Green tea extract and Egyptian wheatgrass. These capsules contain many high-quality ingredients, several of which are organic. They are suitable for vegetarians, free from gluten and are non-GMO. For £29.19 you get 60 capsules which will last you for two months.
Pros
- 48 Whole food ingredients
- Suitable for vegetarians
- 2 month’s supply
- Free from gluten and GMO
- Great value
Cons
- It isn’t clear if they are suitable for vegans
- Slightly more expensive than some of the options lower on this list.
Buy EarthBlend’s Multivitamin Here
3. Feel Multivitamin
With over 30 high-quality ingredients in their most active form, Feel’s multivitamins are a great all-round supplement. They’re manufactured to GMP standards, lab tested by Eurofins and approved as vegan by PETA. The naturally sourced ingredients that were selected based on the latest scientific research.
Feel are a UK-based supplement company who aim to create products with raw materials that are natural and effective. Helpfully, they provide a long list of over 500 scientific studies to show why they’ve chosen to include each ingredient. By basing the ingredients on scientific research, they’ve decided not to use food-based or whole food ingredients but instead gone with those that have worked best in the studies.
In one box you get 60 capsules; a months supply of the recommended two per day. These capsules are suitable for vegetarians and vegans and contain no artificial fillers, binders or flavourings. They’re also labelled as halal and kosher.
Pros
- 33 beneficial ingredients including turmeric, reishi and spirulina
- They’re suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- They contain no artificial binders, fillers or additives
- All the ingredients are made to GMP standards
- They’re third-party lab tested
- Non-GMO, allergen-free, gluten-free, kosher and halal
- Excellent value at a bargain price
Cons
- The paper pouch can be tricky to seal so you may want to tip the capsules into a jar or other container.
- The capsules have a mild but strange taste which is a combination of metal and spearmint
Buy Feel Multivitamin Here
Read my full review: Feel Multivitamin Review
4. NATURELO Whole Food Multivitamin
Packed with 29 natural whole-food ingredients these capsules are ideal for both men and women. With no synthetic ingredients, they are an excellent way to get your daily vitamins. They contain a huge range of ingredients chosen for their specific benefits such as brain health and heart health.
Some foods included are organic acerola cherries, lichen, organic kelp, algae. These are mixed with a blend of natural vitamin extracts. These vegan supplements can be taken four times a day; you get 120 in a bottle for £44.75. There is a detailed breakdown of nutritional values to help you make a fully informed choice. Each serving works out at approximately 37p.
Pros
- Whole food ingredients and vitamin extracts
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- 1 month’s supply
- Free from GMOs, gluten artificial flavours and preservatives
Cons
- Four capsules a day is quite a lot to take.
- If you don’t like having to take several large capsules per day they’re not ideal.
Buy NatureLo’s Multivitamin Here
5. Natures Aid Organic Ultimate Superfoods
A multivitamin with 31 organic superfoods, enzymes and extracts. As a result, each capsule is packed full of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids.
Certified 100% organic these capsules are suitable for vegetarians and contain no fillers or non-active ingredients. Some foods included are spirulina, blueberry, apple, wheatgrass, collard greens and cordyceps mushrooms.
At £10.59 for 60 capsules, these are incredible value, and if it weren’t for the lack of specific nutritional information, they would be our favourite. You do get 1200mg of pure organic superfoods, but without the amounts of each vitamin and mineral, it is hard to keep track of precisely what you are taking. A single capsule works out at 18p each.
Pros
- 31 Whole food ingredients
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- 2 month’s supply
- Free from gluten, artificial flavours and preservatives
- Certified organic by the Soil Association
- Great value
Cons
- No specific nutritional details (a list of ingredients but the nutritional breakdown only says ‘ 1200mg Pure Organic Superfoods’)
Buy Nature’s Aid Multivitamin Here
6. G&G Vitamins Vegan Multi
This is a high-quality multivitamin designed specifically to support vegan nutrition. It provides a blend of more than thirty plant nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are often lacking in a vegan diet. This includes vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, iodine, selenium, iron, zinc and vitamin K.
G & G vitamins produce an impressive range of over 140 products and are a longstanding and trusted name in the UK. Each of their supplements is made in accordance with their guiding principle of ‘make it right or don’t make it at all’.
The shell is a vegetable cellulose capsule and there are no unnecessary chemicals, excipients, binders or unnatural fillers. It’s also approved kosher and does not contain any allergens, GMO, gluten, wheat, lactose, added sugar, artificial preservatives or colourings.
One bottle holds 90 capsules, which is a 45 day or 3 month supply according to the recommended serving of 1 to 2 per day. They cost £19.99 and a single capsule works out at 22p.
Pros
- Over 30 beneficial ingredients including whole plant extracts
- Designed for vegans
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- 3 month’s supply
- Free from allergens, GMO, gluten, wheat, lactose, added sugar, artificial preservatives or colourings.
Cons
- The capsules have a mild earthy flavour
- There’s no organic certification
Buy Vegan Multi Here
7. Organic Supreme Superfoods Supplement
An incredible, nutrient-rich blend of 14 superfoods and herbs, this Supreme Superfoods Supplements delivers a complex mix of vitamins and minerals in their most natural, easy to absorb state. While many multivitamins just offer synthetic blends of a small handful of vitamins and minerals, these contain a broad spectrum of essential nutrients, plant-chemicals, dietary fibre, beneficial oils, vitamins and minerals.
Some foods included are pre-sprouted activated barley, kelp, spirulina, wheatgrass, beetroot, dandelion root, turmeric and green tea leaf. To be taken 2 or 3 times a day, you get 100 capsules for £16.97. You get 620mg of organic nutrients in each capsule which costs approximately 17p.
Pros
- 14 Whole food ingredients
- Certified organic by the soil association
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- 2 month’s supply
- Free from GMOs, artificial flavours and preservatives
Cons
- Contains gluten
- Not as wide a range of superfoods
Buy Supreme Superfoods’ Supplement Here
Multivitamins for Women
8. Nature’s Way Alive! Women’s Ultra Multi-Vitamin
These tablets have been designed especially for women and have a focus on energy, vitality and wellbeing. Each one is packed with nutrients, botanicals and a blend of 26 fruit and vegetable powders. One tablet can be taken daily with food.
Some foods included are algae, blueberry, orange, pomegranate, raspberry, acai, flax lignan blend, spirulina kelp and blessed thistle. For 24.99 you get a bottle of 60 tablets which will last you for about two months. There is a detailed breakdown of nutritional values with a percentage to indicate how much of the daily recommended amount you are getting. Each tablet works out at approximately 42p.
Pros
- Whole food ingredients, vitamin extracts and minerals
- Each tablet contains a vast range of beneficial ingredients
- Suitable for vegetarians
- 2 month’s supply
Cons
- Contains 40mg of vitamin B6 which may make it unsuitable to take long term.
- Not suitable for vegans
- Tablets can take longer to break down in your digestive system
Buy Nature’s Way Alive Here
9. Together Health WholeVits Woman’s MultiVit
A powerful blend of vitamins and minerals from whole-food concentrates, pulps and extracts. These capsules have been specially formulated to deliver an ideal combination for women. The focus is on providing a general nutrient top up with a small number of vitamin-rich whole food products.
The foods included are yeast concentrate, seaweed, citrus pulp, carrot concentrate, vegetable oil, cornmeal and alfalfa concentrate.
For 10.99 you get a packet of 30 tablets which will last you for about a month. Each capsule works out at approximately 37p. Easily absorbed and gentle on your stomach, these vegan capsules contain enzymes, phytonutrients, amino acids, trace minerals and other bioactive co-factors. They don’t contain artificial additives and were made without any chemical processing aids.
Pros
- Whole food ingredients
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- 1 month’s supply
- No artificial additives
Cons
- Smaller amounts of some vitamins compared to others
- The packet is not ideal for keeping these long term (you may want to decant them into a jar).
- The range of ingredients isn’t as broad as some other multivitamins.
Buy MultiVits Here
Multivitamins for Men
10. Higher Nature True Food All Man
With a blend of over 40 natural ingredients this All Man multi-nutrient provides support for overall health, your immune system and digestive system. It contains everything you need for optimum body function including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, botanicals and even probiotic good bacteria. Some of the ingredients are ‘true food’ sourced which is Higher Nature’s method of producing them with yeast to make them easier to digest.
Higher Nature has been a pioneering name in vitamins and minerals for over 25 years. During this time they’ve developed their products with integrity and used scientific research to formulate products that work with your body to support and boost its good health.
These capsules are suitable for vegans and vegetarians and can be taken by men of any age. In one bottle you get 90 tablets which is a months supply if you take the recommended serving of three daily.
Pros
- Made with whole food sourced vitamins and minerals
- Contains true food sourced minerals
- Designed for men of all ages
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
Cons
- No organic certification
- Tablets don’t break down and disperse as easily as capsules which can reduce the amount your body can absorb.
Buy Higher Nature TrueFood Here
11. Best Naturals Men’s Ultra Multiple
A blend of fruit and vegetable extracts specially formulated for men. It is has a focus on energy, antioxidants and prostate health. These tablets are ideal if you have an active lifestyle and struggle to achieve a balanced diet. It has been designed with extra selenium, vitamin D and folic acid. These and the other range of vitamins and minerals provide support for your heart, immune system, muscles, bones, teeth and fertility.
The incredible range of foods includes green tea, ginseng, ginkgo boloba, carrot, pineapple, pumpkin seed, grapefruit and raw oyster. They are combined with a blend of amino acids and pure plant nutrients.
For £14.95, you get a bottle of 120 tablets. It is recommended that you take two a day so this supply will last you for about two months. Each tablet works out at approximately 12p. They aren’t suitable for vegans or vegetarians but contain no artificial additives or gluten.
Pros
- Whole food ingredients
- Free from gluten, lactose and additives
- 2 month’s supply
- Higher levels of selenium, vitamin D and folic acid
Cons
- Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians
- Tablets don’t break down and disperse as easily as capsules which can reduce the amount your body can absorb.
Buy Best Naturals Multi Here
Multivitamins for Children
12. Kid’s Rainbow Food G&G
G&G vitamins’ Kid’s Rainbow Food is an organic wholefood multivitamin for children four years old and older. It contains a specially formulated range of essential vitamins and minerals sourced from a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms and macrobiotics.
Rainbow food provides 100g of a fine, wholefood drink powder that can be added to drinks, smoothies or even yoghurts. For children aged between 4 and 6, the serving size is 1g so you get a supply that will likely last 100 days. For children aged 7, the serving size is 2g so one bottle will last you for about 50 days.
Pros
- Made with an impressive range of wholefood ingredients.
- Certified organic
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- Non-GMOFree from sugar, lactose, soy and gluten
- Manufactured to GMP standards
Cons
- Mild vegetable flavour
- The texture can be a little grainy
- If your child struggles with unknown flavours this one won’t be suitable for them.
Buy Kid’s Rainbow Food Here
To find out what I thought in detail, read: G & G’s Kids Rainbow Food Multivitamin Review.
Conclusion
Multivitamins deliver vitamins and minerals that provide a wide range of essential functions in your body. Achieving a balanced diet when you lead a hectic lifestyle can be difficult. Topping up the nutrients you already get in your diet with a great whole food supplement is a great way to ensure that you reach the recommended daily amount.
When choosing your multivitamin, take the time to make sure it matches your needs and is the right one for you.
My Supplement Recommendations
These are products that I currently use and enthusiastically recommend:
Multivitamin – Nutrigenesis Multi for Men or Nutrigenesis for Women. Performance Lab use their patented Nutrigenesis technique to provide a range of vitamins and minerals in their most effective form. Read my review.
Nootropic – Mind Lab Pro contains eleven natural nootropics that have been proven to support cognitive function and brain health. Read my review.
Collagen – Edible Health Bovine Collagen. This excellent bovine collagen powder is completely tasteless and absorbs quickly into any liquid. It’s third-party lab tested and provides 13g of collagen per serving. Read my review.
Turmeric – VitaBright Organic Turmeric with Ginger and Black Pepper. These turmeric capsules are organic, effective and affordable. They include black pepper to enhance curcumin absorption and ginger to provide additional useful benefits. Read my review.
Incredible value – G&G Vitamin 28 day packs This is the most affordable way to buy supplements in the UK. One tub holds 28 daily packs of up to 11 different vitamins, minerals or food supplements.
Further Reading
If you’re not sure which vitamins or supplements you should take, you may like to read my article Which Supplements Should I take?
If you’re looking for supplements, vitamins, minerals or just some helpful information, we have some other lists that you may find useful.
- Best Probiotics Supplements (Matches well with a good multivitamin)
- Greens Blend Supplements UK (Natural vitamin powders)
- Best Vitamin D Supplements (Particularly useful during the winter months)
This site is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services. We participate in programs from Amazon, eBay, CJ, Awin, Viglink and other sites. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to companies linked to on this site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best multivitamin?
The best multivitamins are Earth’s Blend Superfood Multivitamin and NATURELO’s Whole Food Multivitamin Gummies for Adults.
Do multivitamins work?
Getting enough of the essential vitamins and minerals can have a profound effect on your health and wellbeing. The best way to achieve this is through a balanced diet; however, if you aren’t able to for any reason, a multivitamin can provide a cost-effective way to get a wide range of vitamins into your system.
If you take the time to make sure you are using a high-quality product that matches your needs, they are beneficial.
What vitamins should I be taking UK?
The best way to get enough essential vitamins and minerals is through a healthy balanced diet. However, if you are struggling to get everything you need through your meals, a good-quality whole-food multivitamin is an excellent option.
How do I choose a good multivitamin?
Choosing an effective multivitamin depends on how well you can assess what vitamins and minerals you need. To do this, you have a few options:
-Evaluate your diet against the recommended guidelines.
-Speak to your doctor.
-Sign up to an online evaluation via self-administered prick test.
When you know what vitamins you need to top up, look for a multivitamin that matches them. Look out for those that source their ingredients from whole food ingredients. They are easier on the gut and absorb quicker than the synthetic options.