The Truth About Personalized Vitamin Subscriptions

Buying vitamins or supplements can be overwhelming. Whether you're at your local drugstore or a vitamin shop, the shelves are jam-packed with different kinds to choose from. From pills, gummies, liquid, and powdered options to herbal supplements, it can feel impossible to know which is best for you. The amount of guesswork that people often face when attempting to purchase vitamins, as well as remembering to take them every day, is why many people turn to personalized vitamin subscriptions. 

Brands such as Care/of, Ritual, and HUM nutrition offer monthly subscriptions of vitamins personalized for you based on a health questionnaire you take online. Care/of, for example, states that it will "help you create a health plan with vitamins, supplements, and more that help you feel your best today and support you long-term." 

With the popularity of subscription boxes like these across social platforms, major publications listing the top boxes of the year, and celebrities and influencers endorsing the products and benefits, it is hard not to jump on the bandwagon. 

While your body does need certain vitamins, how do you know if there are real benefits to getting them from a vitamin subscription? What is in the ones they send, and if you really need them, how can you avoid common mistakes in regards to vitamin intake?

While the concept of a vitamin subscription box seems helpful and convenient, there are red flags that you should think about before assuming that the personalized route will solve all your nutritional needs. According to the American Society of Nutrition, there isn't enough evidence to show a correlation between taking multivitamins and preventing chronic and long-term diseases. Also, a 2006 study conducted by the United States Government Accountability Office suggests that the vitamins may fail to improve health. Even more alarming, some companies selling them may provide misleading and inaccurate health information.

The quizzes for many of these vitamin companies market the personalization aspect, claiming your subscription will be tailored to your needs — but is that really the case? "These online questionnaires are a good starting point, but in my opinion, nothing replaces micronutrient testing and a consultation with a registered dietitian," Lauren Manaker, owner of Nutrition Now and registered dietician, explained to Shape. If you are deficient in certain nutrients, you should undergo blood work from a doctor. Healthcare professionals have tests that can assess certain deficiencies, something an online quiz has no way of determining accurately.

Before buying yourself a personalized vitamin subscription, you should consult your physician. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends getting annual checkups and screenings if you are looking to diagnose potential diseases and take preventive measures.