Multivitamins are single pills that contain a variety of essential nutrients and minerals. Multivitamins are available in different forms, including tablet, capsule, liquid and gummy varieties. Other than the difference in form, gummy vitamins contain the same active ingredients as other multivitamins. Gummy vitamins contain some inactive ingredients that help give it a gummy texture and sweet flavor. Some gummy multivitamins are also specifically designed for women to meet specific nutrient requirements.
Options
Many different manufacturers offer gummy multivitamins targeted toward women. The quality of gummy multivitamins can vary widely and is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. To find an effective gummy multivitamin for women, choose a reputable brand that you trust. Read the label carefully and make sure the multivitamin does not contain any unnecessary ingredients. The supplement should be laboratory tested to ensure it contains the ingredients it claims to have.
Vitamin Ingredients
Before choosing your gummy multivitamin, make sure it is a complete multivitamin and contains all of the essential nutrients you need. It should contain 100 percent of your daily recommended value of vitamin B-1, also known as thiamin, vitamin B-2, or riboflavin, vitamin B-3, or niacin, vitamin B-12, and vitamin C, folic acid and vitamin D. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all women of childbearing age take folic acid to prevent birth defects.
Minerals
Many types of gummy multivitamins also contain essential minerals. Women should check their multivitamin labels to ensure that it contains both iron and calcium. Women are less likely than men to receive enough calcium from their diet, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Menstruating women require are at the highest risk of iron deficiency. Not all gummy multivitamins contain these minerals, but they can help you achieve optimal health. Although no multivitamin has the 100 percent recommended dose of calcium, the extra calcium contained in the vitamin can help you, along with diet, meet your daily requirement.
Precautions
Consult your physician before you take a gummy multivitamin supplement. Some medications and certain conditions can interact with supplements. Your doctor might recommend a specific type of supplement or encourage you to take one with a nutrient that you need. Although iron deficiency is common in women, too much iron can be toxic. Iron can build up in the blood and reach high levels, which can be fatal. The Institute of Medicine established an upper limit and recommends that women do not exceed 45 milligrams per day of iron.
References
- Harvard School of Public Health: Nutrition Insurance Policy: A Daily Multivitamin
- Women to Women: Choosing the Best Multivitamin
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
- Linus Pauling Institute: What to Look for in a Multivitamin Supplement
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Iron
- Good Housekeeping: How to Choose the Best Multivitamin
- One a Day VitaCraves Gummies: Ingredients
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