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We recommend getting as many of your nutritional needs as possible by consuming abalanced and varied dietinstead of dietary supplements.However, if you have a diagnosed deficiency, suffer from malabsorption issues, or eat a limited or restrictive diet, you may need a vitamin or mineral supplement. There are certain life stages that have increased nutritional needs, so supplementation may be recommended. Babies and young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and older adults all have different nutritional needs. When a healthcare provider has recommended a particular supplement or supplements, “it's important to choose vitamin brands that do extensive testing, ideally by a third-party. You should also look for supplements with quality ingredients that are lacking in fillers or unnecessary additives,” she saysJamie Gershel, MS RD. Always speak to a doctor before adding any supplement to your routine to make sure it is right for your individual needs and what dosage you should be taking. Groups that may benefit from vitamin, mineral, or other dietary supplements include: Those who consume limited or restricted dietswho may be deficient in certain vitamins, minerals and nutrients, such as from certain vitamin, mineral or nutrient supplements. People with absorption problems:If you have a medical condition that limits your absorption of certain nutrients, you will likely benefit from supplementation. Individuals with a diagnosed deficiency:Vitamin deficiencies can occur for various reasons, e.g. B. if you are on a restrictive diet or have a poor intake due to certain medical conditions or medications.If you are diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency through a blood test, a health care provider may recommend the use of a vitamin supplement. They will be able to suggest a recommended dose and form to suit your needs. Pregnant or breastfeeding:Therecommended diet amounts(RDA) for pregnant women is slightly higher for certain nutrients. Nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy include calcium, iron, choline, omega-3 fats, vitamin C, and the B vitamins including folic acid. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you are at a higher risk of nutrient deficiencies and prenatal vitamins are essential. Older Adults:Adults over 50 may benefit from vitamin supplements when they are unable to meet their dietary needs due to decreased appetite or other reasons.As we age, our intake of certain vitamins decreases.It's important to speak to a healthcare provider to make sure supplements aren't interacting with any medications you're taking. There are many different types of vitamin supplements on the market and whether or not you benefit from them is very individual and depends on your diet, lifestyle and health conditions and whether you take certain medications. It is important to consult a doctor before taking any dietary supplements to ensure they are safe and will meet your individual needs. People who eat a balanced diet.Eating a varied diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, or dairy and a mix of high-protein foods like beans, fish, tofu, poultry, and meat is likely to cover your nutritional needs in your diet. people with certain diseases. Some supplements can make health conditions worse, so it's best to check with your doctor before starting any supplements. People who take certain medications.Dietary supplements can interact with medications. So if you are taking any medication, consult your doctor before beginning any supplement. In this article Are vitamin supplements useful? Who couldn't benefit from vitamin supplements Our selection How we select dietary supplements where to look FAQ Why trust Verywell Fit Advantages Over 30 NSF certified sports products No artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners Tests many products in clinical trials Disadvantages Expensive Thorne Research tops our list as a trusted and reputable vitamin supplement brand. Thorne works with various research organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic and tests many of their products in clinical trials to ensure safety and effectiveness. They produce a variety of vitamin supplements that will likely meet your needs, including multivitamins for different age groups, a B-complex vitamin, vitamin D, vitamin C, and others. Thorne supplements are made from high quality ingredients that have been tested for harmful substances. They are transparent when it comes to the ingredients on their label and provide explanations for each ingredient so you can rest assured that there are no unnecessary fillers or additives. Thorne also produces certain vitamins that carry the NSF Certified for Sport seal of approval, which certifies that dietary supplements do what they do and are free of substances banned for use in athletes. These include a daily multivitamin, a B complex vitamin and vitamin D. Some athletes need to supplement these nutrients as B complex vitamins are important for energy metabolism and vitamin D is necessary for bone health and immune function.If you're a competitive athlete and are considering a supplement, it's especially important to look for one with third-party testing to reduce the risk of contamination. Key Specifications: The best places to buy vitamins online, according to a nutritionist Advantages Many products are USP approved Affordable No artificial colors or flavors Disadvantages Not all products are USP approved If you need to start taking vitamins on a daily basis, you should probably consider your budget. Nature Made is a trusted company that manufactures vitamins at an affordable price. Many of their products are USP verified, meaning they've been tested for purity and potency. Nature Made also shares clinical studies that have been completed with their products. Nature Made produces a variety of vitamin supplements including a multivitamin, multivitamins specifically for men, women and children, and vitamins C, D, E and K. Their vitamin supplements come in a variety of dosages and forms, including pills and gummies. While the gummies contain no artificial flavors or colors, they do have added sugar. Key Specifications: Advantages Some products are ConsumerLab approved and NSF certified Some products are organic Vegetarian gummy bear options Disadvantages Contains added sugar One easy way to make supplements more enjoyable to take is to get them in gummi form. If you're not a fan of swallowing pills, try SmartyPants, a reputable vitamin brand that makes gummy vitamins. They are completely transparent with their process and share ingredient sourcing, manufacturing guidelines and product testing. Their ingredients go through a screening process to verify purity and potency, as well as third-party testing, including some products that are NSF certified and ConsumerLab approved. You can find Certificates of Conformity on their website, which detail products that have been tested, along with the results for each bottle. SmartyPants is also committed to helping the environment and those less fortunate. The company has a vegetarian organic gummies line whose bottles are 100% recyclable. For every bottle of SmartyPants sold, the company makes a one-for-one nutritional grant to Vitamin Angels, an organization that provides nutritional supplements to vulnerable populations around the world. SmartyPants gummies contain no synthetic colors or artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives, but they do contain sugars, which is something to be aware of if you need to monitor sugar intake. Key Specifications: According to a nutritionist, the best nutritional supplements for men Advantages NSF Certified for Sports Free from artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners Disadvantages Expensive Certain groups of athletes, such as vegetarians, vegans, women and those following restrictive diets, may be at higher risk of vitamin deficiencies.If you're a competitive athlete, it's important to choose a vitamin brand that's third-party tested to ensure you're avoiding banned substances. Every product made by Klean Athlete is NSF certified for sport. Klean Athlete is transparent about ingredient sourcing and lab testing. In addition to these rigorous third-party tests, their products are all made with no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. Klean Athlete produces a range of vitamins that athletes can benefit from when: avitamin or mineral deficiency, such as vitamin D and zinc, as well as a multivitamin. Key Specifications: The 9 best vitamins for women of 2023 Advantages Whole food ingredients and vegan Certified USDA Organic Many products are ConsumerLabs approved and/or NSF certified Disadvantages Some products contain herbal blends that may not be suitable for everyone If you are looking for an organic vitamin brand that uses whole food ingredients, Garden of Life mykind Organics may be the right choice for you. Mykind Organics produces a variety of vitamins and shares where the ingredients come from. The company pays attention to the details of how farming practices and how farm workers are treated. Each product is vegan, USDA certified and non-GMO. Many of their products are NSF certified and/or ConsumerLab approved. Mykind Organics manufactures vitamins in a variety of forms including tablets, chewable tablets, liquids, gummies and a spray so you are sure to find a form that you or your child will enjoy. The products are free from synthetic ingredients, artificial flavors and fillers. Please note that some of these vitamin products contain extensive lists of ingredients, some with different herbal mixtures. If you are taking any other medication or dietary supplement, read the label carefully or show it to a doctor to check for possible interactions. Key Specifications: Advantages Many products are free from common allergens Free from unnecessary additives Third party tested and manufactured in an NSF registered facility Disadvantages Expensive If you have an allergy, you may need to be extra careful when choosing a vitamin brand. Pure Encapsulations is a trusted nutritional supplement brand whose products are wheat, egg, tree nut and peanut free. Many, but not all of their products are soy and dairy free. So be sure to check the label on your product if you have a sensitivity or allergy to soy or dairy. Pure Encapsulations products are also free from artificial colours, flavors and sweeteners. Pure Encapsulations manufactures high quality vitamin supplements that are tested by external independent laboratories. It also works with academic institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Harvard Medical School Women's Hospital to conduct clinical trials that are published in peer-reviewed journals. Key Specifications: Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; You can read more about oursDietary supplement methodology here. We support dietary supplements that are evidence-based and science-based. We value certain product attributes that we believe are associated with the highest quality products. It is important to note that theFDAdoes not test dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are placed on the market. Our team of experts have developed a detailed, science-based methodology to select the supplements we recommend. Third-party tested supplements are sent to a laboratory where they are tested to ensure they contain what they claim to contain and are not contaminated with certain high-risk contaminants. However, it is important to note: Vitamin supplements come in a variety of forms, including capsules, liquids, chewable tablets, gummies, powders, and sprays. Gummy bears and liquid forms may be beneficial for those who have trouble swallowing capsules, such as children or older adults. However, some liquid supplements may need to be refrigerated, and some gummies contain added sugars. Certain brands offer supplements in different forms, so you can make your choice based on your personal preferences. The form of the vitamin itself varies by vitamin and brand, so be sure to check the label of the brand of your choice. It's important to read a supplement's list of ingredients and nutritional information carefully to know what ingredients are present and how much of each ingredient is in relation to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please take the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the various ingredients in the supplement and possible interactions between those ingredients and other supplements and medications you or your child are taking. Herbs:Some vitamin brands include herbs in their ingredient lists. If you are taking any medications or other dietary supplements, you should check with a doctor before using vitamins with herbs to avoid unwanted interactions. Certain herbs can decrease the effectiveness of certain medications or cause other unwanted side effects. Zucker:Certain vitamin brands, especially those that make gummy vitamins, contain added sugars. This can be useful for knowing if you have a health condition like diabetes and need to watch out for added sugars. Always speak to a doctor before adding any supplement to your routine to make sure it's right for your individual needs and to understand what dosage to take. The dosage depends on which vitamin supplement you are taking and why. For each vitamin there is a Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) or Adequate Intake (AI) and Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) which you can find on theNational Health Institute. Follow a healthcare provider's dosing recommendations. It's important to make sure you're taking the right dose for a particular vitamin. The upper limits for various vitamins are set by theNational Institutes of Health Office for Dietary Supplements. The water-soluble vitamins, which include vitamin C and the B vitamins, are unlikely to become toxic because our bodies excrete excess amounts. Fat-soluble vitamins, which include vitamins A, D, E, and K, can become toxic in high doses. Be sure to consult a healthcare provider to find the dose that is right for you, and opt for a reputable vitamin brand. What is the best brand of vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 is involved in the functioning of the nervous system, energy metabolism, the formation of blood cells and other bodily functions. If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet you may be at increased risk of B12 deficiency as the main dietary sources of vitamin B12 are meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy and you will likely benefit from supplementation.Older adults can also be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, as it is common for this vitamin to become unable to be absorbed. Some brands we like includeThorne Research,Pure encapsulations, Andnature made. Learn more:How a vitamin B12 deficiency affects the body What brands of vitamins are made in the USA? Many vitamin brands source ingredients from around the world and manufacture their products in the United States. Among the recommended brands we've listed here, Thorne Research makes many of its products in the United States, and Pure Encapsulations, Klean Athlete, mykind Organics, Nature Made, and SmartyPants manufacture their vitamins in the United States using both domestic and imported ingredients. Are commercial vitamin brands of good quality? Store vitamin brands can be of good quality, but it's important to look for third-party testing and transparency about quality practices, and to check ingredient lists. If you are unsure about a particular brand of vitamin, consult a doctor. Is there really a difference between vitamin brands? Because the FDA regulates vitamins minimally, each brand of vitamin stands as a separate entity. There is no single organization that oversees all vitamins, so each brand differs from the next when it comes to third-party testing, quality control, ingredients, and even vitamin forms and dosage. Is it bad to switch brands of prenatal vitamins during my pregnancy? If you find that you dislike your prenatal vitamin for reasons such as dosage requirements or capsule size, or if you are deficient in a particular vitamin and your supplement is not providing an adequate amount, you may want to switch brands. However, you should consult your healthcare provider to determine your vitamin needs during pregnancy. Tamar Kane, MS, RDis a certified nutritionist and marathon runner. She is the founder of Tamar Kane Nutrition, a virtual practice focused on helping runners energize their runs and their lives. Tamar holds a master's degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Columbia University's Teachers College and specializes in working with herbal athletes. Her goal is to help people understand how to properly fuel (and supplement when needed!) their bodies to optimize performance and well-being. The 6 Best Green Powders of 2023, According to a Nutritionist:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-vitamin-brands-4843442-Fit-7fbb1bb223954f2e81f8486eb1403fb4.jpg "The 6 Best Vitamin Brands of 2023, According to a Nutritionist (1)")
Dietary supplement brands approved by Verywell Fit
Are vitamin supplements useful?
Who couldn't benefit from vitamin supplements
vitamin forms:Capsules, Liquid, Powder |Certifications:Certain products are NSF certified for Sport |Bio:No |Non-GMO:Yes, not certified
vitamin forms:Pills, Gummy Bears, Softgels |Certifications:Many products are USP approved |Bio:No |Non-GMO:NO
vitamin forms:Gummies, Capsules |Certifications:Certain products are NSF certified and ConsumerLab approved |Bio:Some products are USDA Organic |Non-GMO:And
vitamin forms:Gummies, Capsules, Chews, Softgels, Tablets, Powders |Certifications:NSF Certified for Sports |Bio:No |Non-GMO:And
vitamin forms:Tablets, Gums, Chews, Liquid, Spray, Powder |Certifications:USDA Organic, Non-GMO |Bio:And |Non-GMO:And
vitamin forms:Tablets, Gums, Chews, Liquid, Spray, Powder|Certifications:Many products are certified gluten-free |Bio:No |Non-GMO:Yes, not certified How we select dietary supplements
where to look
Third-Party Testing
Form
Ingredients and possible interactions
dosage
how much is too much
frequently asked Questions
Why trust Verywell Fit
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