Have you ever thought about multivitamins vs. individual vitamins and minerals? What are the benefits of a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement (from here on referred to as a multivitamin), and is taking one better than taking several individual vitamin and/or mineral supplements? 

These are some of the many questions you might have when considering adding multivitamins vs. individual vitamins and minerals to your daily routine. While there are benefits to both, an individual should decide based on their unique health needs. 

Keep reading to find answers to questions like, “Is it better to take a multivitamin or individual vitamins?” and more facts about multivitamins vs. individual vitamins.

Benefits of a multivitamin supplement

Multivitamins can add to your nutrient baseline. You might lack key nutrients based on your daily diet and lifestyle, so taking a multivitamin can help fill the gaps, allowing you to function at your best. It’s also worth noting that taking a multivitamin best represents how we acquire nutrients through the foods we eat. A multivitamin can be important for individuals with dietary restrictions or intolerances that prevent them from eating certain foods, thereby missing out on sources of vital daily nutrients. 

Multivitamins offer simplicity. Just take two a day and that’s it! For some individuals, keeping track of multiple capsules of individual vitamins and minerals is too complicated, and carrying around a 7-day capsule organizer isn’t practical. Multivitamins turn complexity into convenience with standard daily nutrients in one bottle. For some, a multivitamin like Thorne’s Basic Nutrients 2/Day or Advanced Nutrients might be better options because they contain an all-in-one balanced formula of vitamins and minerals for daily use.

Multivitamins can be formulated for individuals with different needs. No multivitamin can be one-size-fits-all. Young children have different needs than adults. Men have different nutritional support needs than women, and women who are pregnant and nursing have different nutritional support needs than women in other stages of life. Multivitamins can be formulated for a certain time of day – a morning multi versus a nighttime multi.

Because different multivitamin formulas are indicated for different needs, always read the product label (“Supplement Facts”) to ensure you get the one best for your needs. This also ensures you are choosing a formula that contains safe and effective ingredients – without unnecessary fillers. Some ingredients commonly used in the supplement industry can interfere with absorption. That’s why Thorne is committed to our “No List”, which identifies substances we never use in our products. 

So, are multivitamins better than individual vitamins? Not necessarily. Read on to find out why.

Benefits of individual vitamins and minerals

Because a multivitamin formula provides baseline nutritional support, it’s a good place to start when seeking personalized solutions for health and wellness. 

You might discover, for example, that you are deficient in a specific vitamin or mineral because of various lifestyle and life stage factors. Individuals who don’t spend enough time outdoors or who live in the northern latitudes are more susceptible to a vitamin D deficiency. Are you one of those people? Take the easy, at-home Vitamin D Test and find out. 

If you are deficient in a specific vitamin or mineral or have an increased need due to lifestyle or health factors, then the amount of that nutrient in a one-size-fits-all multivitamin might not be sufficient for your particular needs. This is where individual vitamin and mineral supplements can be beneficial.

Individual vitamins and minerals are focused on a single nutrient. This could range anywhere from Thorne’s Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) to Thorne’s Zinc Bisglycinate. Individual supplements like these provide for a targeted increase in the amount of a specific nutrient without needing to increase the other nutrients you aren’t deficient in. What’s more, an individual vitamin or mineral supplement can offer a more concentrated amount per capsule, allowing for more versatility in your personal supplement regimen.

Individual vitamins and minerals also can be taken at different times of the day. When taken together in higher amounts, some minerals and vitamins can compete for absorption in your gut. Therefore, spacing out certain supplements throughout the day gives the body sufficient time to absorb each nutrient instead of prioritizing one over the other. For example, supplementing with 50 mg of zinc daily can result in a decreased ability to absorb copper. For some individuals who take a high amount of zinc for optimal immune function, taking a separate copper supplement can avoid a deficiency while helping maintain your immune health.

So, is it better to take a multivitamin or individual vitamins?

The answer depends on your health needs as well as your lifestyle. Thorne always recommends that you consult with your health-care professional about adding a multivitamin supplement versus single vitamin or mineral supplements. Generally, taking a multivitamin is more of a holistic approach and helps fill any nutrient gaps in your diet. However, taking an individual vitamin or mineral supplement might be better for a targeted health concern.

Although there is much debate about taking a multivitamin vs. individual vitamins, both can offer a starting point to fill in any gaps in your health and wellness. As you continue supplementing, you can refine your diet and supplement needs and narrow in on specific health goals. For many individuals, a mix of a multivitamin and individual vitamins provides a more personalized approach to individual needs.

A word from Thorne

If you have ever asked, “Should I take a multivitamin or individual vitamins?” but you’re not sure where to start, Thorne has several quizzes to help you engage with your personal health. With a variety of multi-vitamin/mineral supplements, a full suite of individual vitamin and mineral supplements, and numerous specialty supplement formulas, Thorne has health and wellness solutions for every health need and for every age and life stage.

Health test kits taken in the comfort of your own home can also get you started on the journey to better health and wellness. Each Thorne test analyzes your individual biomarkers to create an in-depth and accurate picture of your health. Your results include a comprehensive improvement plan, tailored with individual recommendations based on your unique results to help you get answers to your health questions including, “Should I take a multivitamin or separate vitamins?”

Still not sure? Schedule a consultation session with a Thorne Health Advisor to discuss your health goals and receive personalized recommendations on multivitamin vs individual vitamins.