10 Best Multivitamins in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Licensed Physician

Dr. Siselle Fajardo is a registered nurse and a Resident Physician currently practicing General Medicine in different hospitals located in Batangas City. She loves to create correct, informative, and easily understandable digital content about medicine and health.

You can book an appointment with her through her SeriousMD page, and you can know more about her practice by following her on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube channel!

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The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide. For ranks 1 to 3, in addition to the buying guide, we also referred to more than 100 reviews in Lazada to come up with their respective rankings.

We have more product recommendations in store for you! Listed in no particle order, here are seven more of our recommended products carefully chosen by the mybest team.

Multivitamins are supplements that contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients formulated to provide you 100% of the daily recommended intake of vitamins not found in your diet. This is helpful if you have a poor diet due to lifestyle or certain health conditions, or are simply needing more nutritional support, as in the case of pregnant and breastfeeding women. 

Older adults would benefit from it due to their weakened immune system, which makes them more susceptible to disease. People on weight-loss, vegetarian, or vegan diets would also benefit from multivitamins, as some nutrients and minerals can only be sourced from animals. Pregnant, breastfeeding women, and women trying to conceive also need higher levels of vitamins as they are feeding for two now. 

Lastly, people with chronic conditions that would prevent them from regularly absorbing nutrients would benefit from multivitamins. However, some supplements are not recommended for cancer patients, since they may interfere with chemotherapy. Patients should take the time to discuss with their physician first before taking any vitamin supplement.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Pick a formulation that's easy for you to take.
2. Look for nutrients that support overall health.
3. Inspect the dosage to avoid overdosing.
4. Buy from a trusted brand to ensure quality. 

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

Your supplements can come in different forms, and it is really a matter of preference as to what type you would want to take. Below are the most common formulations you'll find in the market.  

Tablets and capsules are the most common forms, and they have a more stable shelf life than liquid or gummy vitamins. These are usually powder formulations compressed in a dense and solid form. They also contain more concentrated doses of active ingredients. 

Aside from the hard type of capsules, multivitamins are also available as softgel capsules. These are oil or liquid formulations that come encased in a gelatin-like shell or casing. Because they are flexible, they are easier to swallow than hard capsules. 

Powders that must be dissolved in liquid are ideal for those who have difficulty consuming whole tablets. It could contain large doses of active ingredients but must be added with other ingredients to prevent clumping.

One of the most common types of powders you'll find are those that come as effervescent tablets. This is a formulation that breaks apart when you drop it in a liquid, such as water or juice. Once the powder has dissolved, you can then drink it like any other beverage. 

Chewable tablets and gummies are easy and pleasant to consume because they come in different fun flavors. These are best for those who have a hard time swallowing hard tablets or capsules. However, compared to the other types of formulations, these do not contain as many nutrients to make room for the sugar or flavoring that masks the medicinal taste. 

Not all multivitamins are made equal. Some could contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals, while others might have more concentrations of a specific nutrient. To give you an idea, here are some of the essential nutrients your supplements should contain. 

B complex is comprised of 8 B vitamins; B-1 Thiamine, B-2 Riboflavin, B-3 Niacin, B-5 Pantothenic Acid, B-6 Pyridoxine, B-7 Biotin, B-9 Folic Acid, and B-12 Cobalamin. This is essential for your overall health, since it helps prevent infection and promotes and supports your body’s functions. It also helps the body to unlock energy from food and utilize it efficiently.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is needed to grow and repair tissues in your body. It has been known to boost immunity and is a vital antioxidant that blocks cells from the damage done by free radicals. Studies have also shown it can shorten a wound’s healing time because it aids in the production of white blood cells that protect the body against infection. 

Concerned about your eyesight? Take Vitamin A! Retinol found in vitamin A creates the pigments found in your eye’s retina and is essential in giving you good vision, night vision, and overall eye health. It also aids in preventing age-related problems regarding eyesight, such as macular degeneration. 

Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin, as the body produces it when exposed to sunlight. It is known for regulating calcium and phosphorus in the body. This essential nutrient keeps bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone abnormalities such as osteoporosis or soft and fragile bones.

Another vital nutrient is Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects your cells from damages caused by free radicals. It also helps cells fight infection as well as protects your eyesight. It is also responsible for the production of prostaglandins, which regulate body processes such as blood pressure and muscle contraction. 

Lastly, Vitamin K plays an essential role in blood clotting, thereby helping your wounds heal properly. It is helpful in preventing internal bleeding, reducing heavy menstrual flow, and regulating blood sugar. It works with vitamin D for the proper absorption of calcium in the body, making it important in promoting bone health. 

Multivitamins should contain a range of minerals that are needed to promote overall health. For one, calcium maintains strong bones and teeth, circulates blood, moves muscles, and releases hormones. Another mineral, iron, is found in red blood cells and is needed for the transport of oxygen from your lungs throughout your body. Women typically need more iron because of menstruation. 

Magnesium is another mineral involved in various biochemical reactions in your body, including protein formation, muscle movements, and nervous system regulation. It has been known to boost mood and fight depression and anxiety, as well as prevent migraines. 

Potassium helps your body regulate fluids to prevent dehydration. It can help maintain a healthy blood pressure, which is essential especially if you consume high amounts of sodium. It can also protect against strokes and kidney stones.

Finally, zinc is needed in the activity of 300 enzymes involved in healthy digestion, nerve function, and metabolism. Simply put, it helps the body heal by building proteins, healing damaged tissues, and supporting cell membrane repair. It has been thought to improve your body’s immune function as well. 

The right dosage varies from person to person and depends on the daily value recommended for our specific needs. As mentioned earlier, be sure to check the dosage/amount per serving and % daily value in your multivitamins in order to ensure proper intake.  

Keep in mind, too, that your body will also absorb nutrients from the food you eat, so it's best not to overdo it. Some vitamins and trace minerals such as vitamin A, iron, fluoride, and zinc can have toxic effects and can cause liver damage if consumed in excess. When in doubt, remember to ask your physician first for advice.

Make sure you buy from trusted brands or sellers to ensure the authenticity and quality of the product. It may be tempting to buy vitamins at a low cost, but you might end up with a product not compliant with regulatory and safety standards and which could be dangerous to your health.

For imported products, you could check if it has been USP verified. For local products, you could check if it has been prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on their website. 

Here’s how you could get the most out of your multivitamins to ensure optimum results and avoid doing more harm than good. 

Tips:

• Unless your doctor specifically instructed you to take another supplement or vitamin, do not combine multiple supplements or vitamins. The combination could lead to an overdose or complications like liver and kidney problems.
• If you’ve missed a dose, take the supplement as soon as you can, but if it is almost time for your next one, then skip it. Do not try to make up for it by doubling your dose.
• Don't take your vitamins on an empty stomach, especially if they contain Vitamins A, D, E, and K. These are fat-soluble vitamins and need a little fat to help your body absorb them better.
• If your multivitamin doesn't contain 100% of the DV of a certain nutrient that you need, try to eat foods rich in that nutrient or take a separate supplement for that.
• Eat a balanced meal - remember that multivitamins are not meant to replace meals. They are designed to merely supplement and augment your nutrient intake.

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by our expert, Dr. Siselle Fajardo.

Although acid reflux along with nausea and gastrointestinal distress have been reported in cases, studies have little evidence that multivitamins may have directly caused them. In some cases, multivitamins may actually aggravate present gastrointestinal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcers. 

When taking vitamins, it would be best to take it with a full stomach in the morning in small doses instead of taking 2-3 supplements altogether. Remember that you can always get it in your diet.

Anecdotally, some say they experience instantaneous changes, but this is when you have severe deficiency of that vitamin, while some would see the effects after 2-6 weeks. However, this depends on the dosage of the supplement you're taking and the frequency, but remember: do not take this in excess just to "rush" the supplement's effects.

Although this has not been fully studied, and there is a lack of evidence that would support this, they may not cause weight gain since they hardly contain any calories. It neither can cause weight loss because our bodies would always depend on the calories on how much we consume every day. However, if you're deficient in these vitamins and take them to replenish the deficiencies, it may increase your appetite and cause weight gain.

It is always best you get your vitamins from natural sources, such as fruits, vegetables, and meat. Always consult your physician before taking any supplements to be educated on whether you should be taking them or not. It will always be based on your state of health, lifestyle, deficiencies, or dietary habits. Multivitamins should never replace a healthful, well-balanced diet.

Can’t get enough of energy supplements? Or maybe you just need something to perk you up? Here are some of our picks that can help give you an energy boost the healthy way. 

Multivitamins are essential if you're lacking certain nutrients or looking to boost your immune system. It is important to note that multivitamins are not the key to optimum health, but are simply supplementary. A balanced diet and exercise is still the way to go. When in doubt, consult with your doctor before consumption. We hope that our top 10 list and buying guide have been helpful in narrowing down your choices. 

Author: Justine Cuizon

Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.