Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular these days with people often citing health benefits and environmental/ethical reasons for switching over to this diet. Yet, despite the potential health benefits of a plant-based diet, many people implement it incorrectly which can lead to pretty significant nutrient deficiencies.
And even for those who know the ins and outs of nutrition, meeting every nutrient requirement on a plant-based diet is difficult, which is where supplementation can come in handy. So in this review, we’re going to go over a multi-nutrient supplement called Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients (also referred to simply as Complement Vitamins) to see how well it can help with a plant-based diet.
Ready to learn more? If so, keep reading this Complement Vitamins review.
About Complement Vitamins
Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients is advertised to be the ultimate multivitamin for plant-based eaters. It contains 8 key nutrients in science-backed dosages that are often missing or otherwise lacking from plant-based diets; thus, it serves to complement the nutrients you’re already getting and create a well-balanced intake of nutrients.
Also, the makers at Complement are interested in environmental sustainability and other measures, so the product comes in sustainable glass bottles and eco-friendly packaging. Plus, every order helps to plant trees around the world, support sanctuary animals, and to reduce carbon footprint.
Complement Vitamins Benefits
Vegan and plant-based diets have gained a lot of popularity within the health world, and with that rise came the need for supplements. Now there are vegan options for a range of needs, from protein (Ghost Vegan Protein) to omega-3s (Freshfield Vegan Omega-3) and more. So, how about a vegan supplement dedicated to filling in nutritional gaps while also benefiting heart health, brain function, and more? That’s where Complement Vitamins comes in.
With its inclusion of various vital nutrients, Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients is advertised to benefit those areas of health and more.
The main advertised benefits of Completement Vitamins include:
- Improved heart health
- Increased energy levels
- Better brain function
- Improved immunity
- Extended healthspan
Improved Heart Health
A number of anti-inflammatories and otherwise healthy nutrients are included to improve heart health, such as magnesium and omega-3s.
Increased Energy
With key B-vitamins and other vital nutrients, Complement Vitamins is also designed to improve physical and mental energy levels.
Better Brain Function
Numerous omega fatty acids, B12, and other vitamins and minerals are also included to optimize brain function and prevent cognitive decline.
Improved Immunity
Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients also has vitamin D and zinc for improved immunity and overall health and wellness.
Extended Healthspan
Not to be confused with lifespan, healthspan is how long you live healthily. And Complement Vitamins’ formula is designed to improve your healthspan so you can feel better, for longer.
These benefits all sound great, but what’s the likelihood of all of these occurring? Read on in this Complement Vitamins review to see the ingredients, what they can do for you, and how effective it really is as a plant-based multi-nutrient supplement.
Complement Vitamins Ingredients
Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients’ formula is featured by 8 main ingredients, including what they call “The Big 4” (vitamin B12, vitamin D3, vitamin K2, and omega-3s DHA/EPA) and “The Other Essentials” (iodine, magnesium, selenium, and zinc).
Below is the full ingredients list with the dosages listed per serving:
- Vitamin D3 (50mcg)
- Vitamin K2 (50mcg)
- Vitamin B12 (300mcg)
- Iodine (150mcg)
- Magnesium (200mg)
- Zinc (8mg)
- Selenium (50mcg)
- Algal Oil (1350mg)
Vitamin D3
Up first is vitamin D3, which is a prohormone. It is necessary for immune function, hormonal health, muscle and bone health, and even brain function. Many people in the modern world don’t get enough of this vitamin, whether plant-based or not.
And while some research shows supplementation doesn’t always provide benefits for immune, heart, or other health aspects, it is known that a deficiency does increase the risk for many health problems.
Vitamin K2
Next, we have vitamin K2, which is found predominantly in animal foods and some fermented plant foods (e.g. natto, sauerkraut). Even still, many people struggle to get enough K2 in their diets, especially plant-based eaters.
This is unfortunate since vitamin K2 is a powerful anti-inflammatory and has benefits for heart, bone, and brain health. And research shows that vitamin K supplementation can help prevent against Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, and skeletal problems. Plus, it has a synergistic role with vitamin D, especially for bone health support.
Vitamin B12
Another vitamin in Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients is vitamin B12, which is the only vitamin exclusively found in animal foods (in meaningful amounts). That’s why it’s essential that plant-based dieters supplement with vitamin B12 in some form.
Additionally, vitamin B12 is crucial for energy, brain function, mood, and exercise, among other things. Without it, you run the risk of cognitive dysfunction, mental health problems, fatigue, anemia, and more. Not fun!
Iodine
Up next is iodine, which is also a mineral that a massive amount of people are deficient in. Plant-based eaters can get it from vegetables and sea vegetables (esp. kelp) but not many do this.
The most common problem from low iodine is impaired thyroid function, but it can eventually cause other problems too, such as decreased cognitive function. At least 150mg/day is needed for optimal health.
Magnesium
Complement Vitamins also incldues magnesium, which is a very important mineral involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body. It is involved in heart health, brain function, sleep, exercise recovery, stress management, and hormonal health, just to name a few.
Now, magnesium is found in many plant foods, but it is often not as absorbed very efficiently due to phytic acid and other antinutrients. And soil quality can affect magnesium levels.
This is why supplementing with extra magnesium can be beneficial, especially since the majority of the population is deficient.
Supplementing with at least 200mg is typically best.
Zinc
Another very important mineral is zinc, which is involved in hormonal health, reducing inflammation, immune health, and even brain function. Like magnesium, the main issue is poorer absorbability from plant foods compared to animal foods as well as soil quality concerns. So, supplementation may be beneficial for some people.
Around 7 to 15 mg is best.
Selenium
The final mineral in Complement Vitamins is selenium. It has anti-inflammatory effects and benefits for the immune and endocrine systems, among other things.
Again, like zinc and magnesium, it is found in many plant foods, but it has a poorer absorption due to antinutrients and also depends on the selenium content in the soil from which the foods are grown. Thus, many plant-based dieters consume less selenium than other dieters, so supplementation can be beneficial.
Most people will want to shoot for around 75mg per day.
Algal Oil: Fatty Acids and More
The final ingredient in Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients is algal oil, which itself contains many different forms of omega fatty acids along with chlorophyll.
Of chief importance among the omega fatty acids are DHA and EPA because these are found in hardly any plant sources. But Complement Vitamins does contain DHA and EPA from algal oil. And the omega-3 fatty acids are vital for brain health, heart health, and reducing inflammation, just to name a few things!
Plus, there are also omega-6, 7, and 9 fatty acids, which are less talked about but still important for health. Omega-6 and other non-omega-3 fatty acids have been demonized but they are essential for health too; they just need to be balanced with other sources of omega fatty acids.
And finally, the chlorophyll in algal oil has a few health benefits too. Chlorophyll is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds and is useful as a cancer-preventive agent and for wound healing, among many other benefits.
Does Complement Vitamins Work?
Overall, it looks like Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients is a solid multi-nutrient supplement for plant-based eaters. It contains key nutrients that many plant-based dieters are often deficient in, so it should really help them to “close the gaps” and reach their daily intake for nutrients.
Additionally, the dosages included in Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients are all at solid amounts, although it likely isn’t the perfect amount for every individual. But it no doubt can help everyone get more of what they need.
It’s also nice that a lot of these nutrients work together, such as vitamin D and vitamin K; the many different omega fatty acids; and magnesium, zinc, and selenium. And magnesium also plays a role with vitamin D and K too.
So basically, Complement Vitamins has vital nutrients to help plant-based eaters achieve their nutritional goals and offers various health benefits, such as for the heart, brain, muscles, immune system, and overall energy levels.
Claims vs. Reality
With its solid list of ingredients at effective dosages, Complement Vitamins should be able to stand behind its claims. Of course, it depends on someone’s existing nutritional status, and not everyone will get the same benefits.
But most plant-based eaters should see improvements in energy, mood, and cognitive function, with longer-term benefits likely to be seen for heart health, bone health, and overall wellness.
There’s nothing fancy in Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients; just nutrients that your body needs to function well. So, Complement Vitamins likely won’t make you feel like superman, but it should help to get you feeling more like yourself again.
Who is Complement Vitamins Best For?
Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients is best for plant-based dieters who are low in the nutrients in this product. And that likely means MANY, if not all, plant-based eaters, particularly strict vegans and people who are running a vegetarian diet but don’t know much about nutrition.
So, if you’ve been following a plant-based diet and you’re not experiencing the health you want to, Complement Vitamins is definitely worth considering.
Is Complement Vitamins Safe?
There shouldn’t be any major side effects to worry about with Complement Vitamins, but it does have a pretty high vitamin B12 content, which can lead to nervousness, anxiety, irritability, and related symptoms.
And any time you supplement with nutrients you increase the risk of taking in too much, although the modest amounts in Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients shouldn’t be anything to worry about. But always consult your doctor.
Other possible side effects include headaches, nausea, and stomach upset.
Also, Complement Vitamins is vegan and cruelty-free, and the ingredients are third-party tested. It is also free from soy, nuts, yeast, gluten, MSG, GMOs, artificial colors and flavors, additives and fillers, fish, dairy, eggs, or any other animal-sourced ingredients.
Where to Buy Complement Vitamins
You can buy Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients on the official Complement website here.
Complement Essential Vegan Nutrients is available for purchase in a single pouch, a 6-month supply, a 12-month supply, or a subscription. There are savings offered on the 6-month and subscription options. Below, we will detail the pricing and savings offered for each option.
Complement Vitamins Pricing:
- Single Pouch – $89.00
- 6-Month Supply – $199.00 (save $68)
- Subscription – $67.00 (save $22)
For the subscription option, you’ll get 2 weeks free and then 15% off each renewal. Complement also offers a 100-day guarantee, easy cancellation, and free shipping on orders over $95.
So, all in all, you’ll pay $1.26 to $1.48 per serving of Complement Vitamins, which is pretty affordable considering all of the different nutrients you’re getting.