Navigating through the myriad of vegan multivitamin options can be as bewildering as deciphering a London Underground map for the first time. However, once you establish which vitamins are most important, and which of those can be more challenging to obtain as a vegan, things become a lot more straightforward.
TL;DR Vegans don’t necessarily need to take a daily multivitamin, however there are some key nutrients to consider which can be difficult to obtain when following a vegan diet. One of the easiest ways to ensure you have these covered is to take a suitable daily vegan multivitamin.
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When I first decided to go vegan I spent a lot of time trying to get a handle on what (if any) vitamins I might need to supplement with. It quickly became clear there is a lot of conflicting opinions and confusing information out there. So I’ve put together this guide, mainly for new vegans but also for anyone struggling to pick out an ideal multivitamin that works best for them.
What’s the purpose of a vegan multivitamin?
Vegan multivitamins are specifically designed not just to supplement but to complement the nutritional profile of a vegan diet, filling those potential gaps that can sometimes occur when you completely cut out animals or animal derived products from your diet.
Whether you’re a long-term vegan or newly embracing veganism, ensuring you’re not missing out on crucial nutrients such as vitamin B12, D3 and iron is very important. These vitamins and minerals play key roles in everything from energy production to maintaining a robust immune system and are essential for your health.
Do vegans need to take a multivitamin?
While a well planned vegan diet can be one of the healthiest ways to eat, and come with a range of health benefits, it can sometimes lead to gaps in certain key nutrients. Understanding these potential gaps is crucial for maintaining optimal health while enjoying the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.
Vitamin B12 is often the headline act in discussions about vegan diets. Primarily found in animal products (a lot of the time the animals themselves are given B12 supplements), B12 is vital for nerve function and blood formation. A deficiency can lead to fatigue and, over time, more serious health issues. Vegan multivitamins typically include a substantial dose of B12, ensuring you’re not missing out on this crucial nutrient.
Vitamin D can also be less abundant in a vegan diet, especially considering the UK’s not-so-sunny weather, which limits natural Vitamin D synthesis from sunlight. The NHS suggests that in the winter months those in the UK should consider supplementing with Vitamin D, regardless of dietary choice.
Iron is another important nutrient that requires attention. Plant-based iron sources are less easily absorbed by the body compared to animal-based sources. While supplementing with a multivitamin isn’t essential for iron, it can help maintain healthy levels, essential for energy production and a robust immune system.
The likes of vitamin k2, calcium, zinc and iodine can also be more difficult to obtain adequate levels of while following a vegan diet and some vegan multivitamins also contain these.
What about Omega-3s?
Omega-3s, particularly EPA and DHA, are traditionally associated with fish oils. They are essential for heart health and cognitive function. While some vegan multivitamins contain low levels of Omega-3, most don’t, and an additional supplement may be required to ensure adequate levels.
If you want to read more about Omega-3s from a vegan perspective you can check out our guide. However as the majority of vegan multivitamins in the UK either don’t contain any Omega-3 or contain very small amounts, I haven’t considered that as a factor for the list of multivitamins below. Personally I take a daily multivitamin and this vegan Omega-3 supplement.
By supplementing with a well-rounded vegan multivitamin, you can confidently stride forward in your vegan journey, assured that you’re supporting your body with the full spectrum of nutrients it needs to thrive.
The Best Vegan Multivitamins Available in the UK
In our quest to compile the best vegan multivitamins available, we’ve considered several key factors such as ensuring adequate amounts of key vitamins and minerals as well as practical aspects like affordability and accessibility.
Please note that the cost per day listed for each product is based on the cheapest available price and was correct at the time of writing. However this is of course subject to change.
YrHealth Vegan Multivitamin
- Contains: 180 tablets
- Cost: 7p per day
- Form: Tablet
YrHealth (a vegan company) Vegan Multivitamins & Minerals contain high-strength vitamin B12, D3, and K2. They contain 22 essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron, zinc and iodine, and are free from allergens, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. They are also registered with The Vegan Society.
These are my top pick. I’ve personally been taking them for the last year or so and don’t have a negative word to say. Great value, all essential vitamins covered, with higher doses for key vitamins B12 and D3. They come in medium sized tablet form.
VEG 1 Multivitamin
- Contains: 180 tablets
- Cost: 7p per day
- Form: Chewable Tablet
VEG 1 is a specially formulated supplement developed by The Vegan Society. It offers an affordable and reliable source of 7 essential nutrients including vitamin B12, vitamin D and iodine. Designed to specifically support the nutritional needs of vegans, VEG 1 ensures these key nutrients are readily available in the form of a once a day chewable tablet. Each bottle contains 180 tablets and is available in orange or blackcurrant flavour. 90 tablet bottles are also available on their website.
Nutrivita Vegan Vitamins & Minerals
- Contains: 120 capsules
- Cost: 10p per day
- Form: Capsule
Nutravita’s Vegan Essential Mix Multivitamin & Mineral supplement is tailored to support a vegan diet by focussing on providing only the key nutrients often missing for vegans. It features high strength vitamin B12, iron, iodine, zinc, and even DHA (albeit a fairly small amount), along with calcium and vitamin D3, ensuring a comprehensive nutritional profile. It comes in easy to swallow capsule form and each bottle contains a four-month supply of 120 vegan capsules.
Vegums Multivitamin Gummies
- Contains: 60 gummies (2 per day adults / 1 per day kids)
- Cost: 42p per day / 21p per day
- Form: Gummy
Vegums’ Multivitamin for Vegans is a chewable gummy specifically designed for those on a plant-based diet. It’s formulated with essential vitamins including B12, D3, and iodine. Made with natural strawberry flavours and colours, these gummies are delicious, making them a great choice for kids (or big kids). Or anyone who struggles to swallow tablets or would just rather have a tasty sweet! They’re pharmacist-formulated, gluten-free, and come in 100% plastic-free packaging. Each package contains 60 gummies to be taken 2 gummies per day for adults or 1 per day for children.
DR.VEGAN Daily Multivitamin
- Contains: 60 capsules (2 per day)
- Cost: 45p per day (using 15% off code below)
- Form: Capsule
DR.VEGAN’s Daily Multi-Vitamin is an award-winning supplement designed to support various aspects of health including energy, mental performance, immunity, heart health, bones, muscles, and the condition of hair, skin, and nails. It contains 24 essential nutrients optimised for high absorption and effectiveness, including high strength B12 and D3, K2, iron, calcium, iodine and zinc. The product comes in plastic-free, compostable packaging. Each package contains 60 capsules to be taken 2 per day.
15% Off Code: DR15
Omvits Vegan Multivitamins & Minerals
- Contains: 180 capsules
- Cost: 9p per day
- Form: Tablet
Omvits Vegan Multivitamin & Minerals supplement contains 24 essential vitamins and minerals to support a healthy lifestyle, especially for those following a plant-based diet. It features key nutrients like vitamin B12, D3, K2 and Iodine, chosen for their high bioavailability. This supplement is designed to be easy to swallow, is GMO-free, gluten-free, and comes in 100% plastic-free, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging. It provides 180 easy to swallow tablets to be taken one per day for a six-month supply.
Benefits of Taking a Vegan Multivitamin
Research supports the benefits of supplementing with specific nutrients. For instance, a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that Vitamin B12 supplementation is crucial for vegans to prevent deficiency. Another study in the journal Nutrients highlighted the importance of Vitamin D supplementation, especially in regions with limited sunlight, aka the UK!
Incorporating a multivitamin into your diet
Combine with a balanced diet
While multivitamins are beneficial to help avoid deficiencies, they’re definitely not a substitute for food. You’ll want to make sure you continue to consume a balanced diet.
Consider any existing health conditions
If you have any health conditions, consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement to ensure that the multivitamins won’t interact negatively with any current medication.
Disclaimer: I’m not a healthcare professional and have no relevant qualification in the field of health or nutrition. Nothing here should be considered medical advice. I’m simply sharing information I’ve gathered while doing my own research. If you have any medical concerns I would strongly suggest talking to a qualified healthcare professional.
While full care has been taken to provide accurate information at the time of writing, manufacturers may change the ingredients of their products at any time. Please always check the label yourself before consuming.
