It’s only when you start to get serious about following a vegan diet that you realise quite how many everyday items contain animal by-products.
This is not just applicable to the food that we eat but our beauty products too and of course, our clothing. Switching to plant-based hair and skincare, makeup, shoes and outerwear is a gradual process. It requires phasing out the old to prevent wastage before welcoming in mindfully chosen new.
You may be moving away from carnivorous consumption for ethical reasons, for the planet or else for your health, and if it’s the latter, you may be interested more than ever in supplements to ensure that your new practice means you are getting all the nutrients and vitamins that your body requires.
Typically, vegans may find themselves deficient in key minerals such as iodine, calcium, zinc and B12. Yet in dietary add-ons, these elements are commonly sourced from animals. Vitamin D tends to be derived from lanolin in sheep’s wool and omega-3 is extracted from fish, while collagen comes from marine or bovine origins more often than not.
So, what can you do? Well, with the increased interest in all things veganism, the supplement market has exploded with formulas to support. But the easiest place to start is by investing in a multivitamin to cover all the bases.
Are multivitamins vegan?
Lola Biggs, Dietitian at natural health supplement brand Together Health explains, “Vitamins and minerals can come from many different sources. Some are naturally occurring, of which many are from plants, however, some can contain animal products or their by-products, or ingredients that are negatively linked to animal welfare issues. For reassurance, it is good to look for the Vegan Society stamp of approval on products to ensure it is suitable to your lifestyle choice”.
Should vegans take a multivitamin and why?
She reveals that “Some nutrients are harder than others to obtain on a purely plant-based diet. Opting for a nutrient top-up with supplementation to secure vitamins and minerals that are at risk can be a good idea”.
The key, she says, is to find those “formulated with plant-based diets in mind for targeted nutrition”. But always “Check the ingredients list to make sure the nutrients are from natural sources and in their complete form, as this makes a big difference to the body's ability to absorb them. They should include good levels of methylated B12 and bioavailable minerals like zinc, calcium, and iron”.
It’s also important to invest in a supplement without any nasties. “Buy from a brand like Together Health that is routinely checked by third parties who ensure the product is both clean, safe and in line with current guidelines”. She continues that you should “be a supplement detective yourself and check to see if there are any unnecessary ingredients like unnecessary fillers, synthetic binders, flavours or preservatives”.
Is a multivitamin enough for a vegan?
“Everyone's health can benefit from a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole foods, complete protein sources and good fats”, Briggs explains. “If someone on a plant-based diet isn't getting this balance, then a multivitamin will not replace a balanced diet. A multivitamin often only contains vitamins and minerals and doesn't include essential fats or proteins”.
She advises to “Add extra supplements to the mix which offer omega-3 fatty acids and replace fish sources with algae gel caps. Look for those made up of EPA and DHA, with a total omega 3 count of 350mg for a functional dose”.
The dietician continues, “Be aware of plant protein sources in your diet. Keep it varied and mix different sources like beans and lentils for complementary amino acids to create a complete protein profile”.
Are all vegan multivitamins equal?
“The quality of a multivitamin relies on its source, bioavailability and blend”, says Briggs. “Studies show the body responds better to complete and naturally occurring sources of vitamins and minerals as they contain all the necessary co-factors and complimentary bioactive components. These can help the body recognise and absorb and then utilise and process the nutrients and reduce waste”.
What is a good multivitamin for vegans?
According to Briggs, look out for “A blend that contains only highly bioavailable nutrients and the advised levels of vitamins and minerals that are identified as difficult to obtain consistently through a 100 per cent plant-based diet”.
She continues “Choose those that guarantee levels of methylated B12, calcium, zinc, D3, K2 and iron to replace what would have come from animal sources”.
Shop the best vegan multivitamins below
DR.VEGAN Daily Multivitamin 60 Capsules
Best for: an entirely free-from daily multivitamin
There is no second guessing here whether this brand is vegan, it spells it out from the very beginning. The UK-born label specialises in plant-based, naturally sourced supplements that are entirely free from any animal derivatives as well as no added sugar and gluten-free. There’s an eco-conscious twist too: all the packaging is biodegradable.
This Daily Multivitamin is a great all-rounder that offers 24 essential nutrients in one handy daily dose for all-things energy, beauty and brain-related. Some highlights are iron for energy and the healthy functioning of the immune system and cognitive abilities as well as zinc for skin and hair.
Buy now £17.50, Dr Vegan
Nourished personalised vitamin stack subscription
All-in-one multivitamins are so last century. These personalised vitamin stacks are the latest, hi-tech way to get all the nutrients you need, without needlessly gulping down the ones you don’t. If you’re looking for one tablet to suit all ills, these 3D-printed stacks won’t fit the bill but they are perfect if you want a supplement designed for your unique needs, according to your diet, deficiencies and individual goals.
Before ordering, you fill in an easy quiz to work out exactly what will be in your stack. This covers how well you’re sleeping, how much exercise you do, how often you travel abroad, whether you wear glasses and if you suffer from a range of complaints including depression, IBS and low libido. You’ll also select your top two priorities, whether that’s to lose weight, manage stress better or delay ageing. A box of personalised vitamin stacks arrives in the post soon after and will be delivered every 28 days if you take out a subscription.
Each one is vegan and sugar-free and includes a combination of seven nutrients, selected to best suit your needs. Ours included the unusual Scutell-Up to help relieve stress and regulate sleep, vegan Vitamin D3 to boost natural immunity and support muscle function and Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) to increase energy levels.
The chewy strawberry-flavoured gummy was a delight to eat too so we actually looked forward to taking it every day and really did feel noticeably calmer and less tired almost immediately. We’d take them year-round if we could afford it.
Buy now £39.99, Nourished
Purolabs Multivitamin
Purolabs has infused its Multivitamin supplement with a whopping 34 vitamins, minerals, herbs and antioxidants to take the possibility of deficiencies out of the equation. The mighty capsules are the ultimate all-rounders where the brand has ensured that each of the components is included in a meaningful dose to actually deliver.
Just one a day is needed, and the signature flat packaging makes stashing into hand luggage while you’re travelling a breeze so you never need to be without your hard-working supps.
Buy now £28.79, Amazon
Together Health Vegan Multi VIT & Mineral
Yorkshire-based label Together Health is a family business that prioritises quality, nutritionally balanced formulations that have been independently tested by accredited third-party laboratories to ensure the perfect balance of nutrients and minerals. The brand is vegan as well as carbon neutral.
Take two capsules of the Multi to treat your body to an optimal blend of highly absorbable ingredients that are kind on the stomach. The latter is achieved by forgoing fillers that could wreak havoc for IBS sufferers. The combination of six essential components has you covered with D3, zinc, B12, iron, calcium and iodine contained within.
Buy now £12.34, Amazon
WelleCo The Super Elixir
Vitamins don’t have to come in tablet form. If you’d rather swig down some daily goodness in a smoothie, this much-raved-about formula from supermodel Elle Macpherson’s WelleCo is the power powder you’ve been looking for.
The all-in-one vegan greens powder promises more than vitamins too – albeit for a seriously hefty price tag. It contains over 40 naturally-derived ingredients that deliver a daily dose of wholefoods, herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals and probiotics for enhanced energy, improved digestion, stronger hair and nails and a healthier immune system. These include the bizarre-sounding horsetail to benefit skin, hair and nails, Peruvian Maca to enhance libido and energy and dandelion as a source of vitamins A, C, D and B complex. The powder comes in four flavours – pineapple and lime, lemon and ginger, blood orange and unflavoured – and is mixed with water, milk or a smoothie to sip each day.
We tried unflavoured which is ideal for mixing into protein shakes, but we preferred stirring it through our morning porridge for a seriously smug start to the day. Within a week, our skin and hair looked better, our digestion had vastly improved and we felt significantly less tired. Though sadly, we still don’t look like Elle Macpherson.
Buy now £96.00, Naturisimo
VITL Rise & Energise
VITL’s Rise & Energise vegan pills are a popular choice for tackling fatigue during day-to-day life. Formulated with a range of the purest and most bioavailable vitamins, they’re easy to absorb, allowing you to enjoy all of the goodness contained in each digestible capsule.
These hard-hitting supplements don’t hold back the benefits. There’s a blend of a full B vitamin complex with vitamin C as well as Siberian ginseng to help reduce fatigue and support energy levels and CoQ10 to help reduce symptoms of fatigue.
Buy now £8.99, VITL
Feel Multivitamins
It would be quicker to list the things Feel’s multivitamins can’t do… From helping with hair to the nervous system to skin and psychological function, each capsule contains a blend of 13 vitamins, 10 minerals, seven phytonutrients, alpha lipoic acid and L-Glutamine, all enhanced with BioPerine which helps with better absorption.
Vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, non-GMO, and free from all 14 major allergens, at £16.95 for a monthly subscription, it’s an inclusive blend that won’t break the bank.
Buy now £23.95, We Are Feel
Vitabiotics Wellwoman Vegan 60 tablets
Best for: an all-rounder, daily supplement
Vitabiotics has long been a go-to label for those looking to get their fix of helpful vitamins and minerals that may be missing from their diet. These tablets have been created especially for vegans and vegetarians to be rich in iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. The product has been created with a mix of 23 nutrients that include pantothenic acid, folate and iron to counteract fatigue, boost energy levels and help the natural formation of red blood cells, Evening Primrose Oil & Starflower Oil, Vitamin B6 to regulate hormone activity and vitamin C, selenium and zinc to encourage collagen production for healthy hair, skin and nails. Take two capsules per day with your main meal.
Buy now £11.00, Amazon
Nature's Bounty Adult Multivitamin Gummies
The thing about supplements is – if they don’t taste good, you won’t take them. With that in mind, Nature’s Bounty will have you relishing your daily fix with the orange and raspberry flavouring.
The brand is one of the most popular vitamin labels in the US and boasts over 50 years of experience in the supplement game. Delicious? Tick. Convenient? Tick. Packed with benefits? Tick, tick, tick.
The Multivitamin Gummies are made up of a balanced formulation of nine essential vitamins; A, C, E, B1, B6 and folic acid to boost immunity and energy levels and leave you with healthier skin.
Buy now £7.49, Amazon
Bulk Vegan Multivitamin Complex
You may associate Bulk with sports nutrition, but the brand has expanded its offering to support general health too, whether you are exercising or simply leading a fast-paced lifestyle. The multivitamin formula is brimming with 20 vitamins, minerals, extracts and live cultures to make up where your plant-based diet may be lacking.
As such, you will find key ingredients to assist with immune and bone function as well as boost energy levels. These include calcium, vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin B6 and B12 as well as copper, iodine and biotin. The versatile supps are easy to swallow and the taste is relatively pleasant. You will need to take three daily, which is quite the handful where it is suggested that one is consumed at breakfast, one at lunch and the third at dinner.
£14.99
