The Daily Multivitamin That Remedied One Vogue Writer’s Fatigue

Before I began taking the Thorne Basic Nutrients supplement in earnest, multivitamins represented little more than a childhood habit that graduated with me into adulthood. The chalky, fruit-flavored Flintstones chewables I consumed daily formed the basis of a daily ritual; a morning fixture doled out alongside my breakfast cereal. At some point, these tablets evolved into any gummy labeled “for women,” usually in pretty pastel packaging, purchased at a premium thanks to the invisible pink tax. But even with consistent multivitamin intake, a halfway-decent diet, and a modest commitment to movement, I couldn’t shake a persistent fatigue that clung to me day in and day out.

A recent visit to my healthcare provider (and several vials of blood later) revealed the culprit: a vitamin B12 deficiency, which I developed from being a vegetarian for nearly two decades. It was a prognosis my doctor ensured could be remedied by a multivitamin potent enough to cover all the essentials, ultimately saving me from the exhausting game of pill Tetris.

My initial question was how can a simple multivitamin improve my chronic symptoms? “Different vitamin and mineral deficiencies can present in different ways,” registered dietitian nutritionist Sammi Haber Brondo explains. “In general, a B12 deficiency might cause symptoms like fatigue, pale skin, dizziness, brain fog, or changes in mood,” Brondo says. I was familiar with all these symptoms, having experienced them in varying degrees. “After seeing your doctor and getting bloodwork done, a regular supplement not only helps to improve these symptoms, but can also fill in any gaps in your diet from other vitamins or minerals.”

And so, per my doctor’s guidance, I gave Thorne’s powerhouse daily supplement a try. Saying it worked is an understatement. Below, everything you need to know about the multivitamin, and what happened when I took it consistently for six weeks.

Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day

Thorne

Basic Nutrients

$34

AMAZON

• Why We Love It: Thorne supplements are no-fuss yet effective; and its Basic Nutrients offering is proof. Packed to the brim with all the essential vitamins and minerals a person could need, just two capsules a day (preferably taken with breakfast) provides a solid nutritional foundation without the hassle of juggling multiple supplements. Think: fewer pills to remember to take amid your already busy day. Plus, the high-quality formula is free from fish oils, common allergens, unnecessary fillers and additives, making it a great option for many—especially those with sensitivities or dietary restrictions. Even more impressive is how bioavailable the ingredients are, making them super-absorbable. With consistent use, many people report a boost in energy, improved focus, and a more balanced mood. While no multivitamin and mineral supplement is a miracle cure, this potent pick is a smart, steady step toward feeling like your most vibrant, clear-headed self.
• Key Ingredients: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E (gamma tocopherol), vitamin D3, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin K1, vitamin K2, zinc bisglycinate, chromium, glycinate mineral blend, lutein, magnesium bisglycinate, boron, amino acid complex
• Best For: A potent daily supplement that provides key nutrients, bolstering overall wellness and body function.
• More To Know: NSF certified, gluten-free, soy-free
• Servings: 30 (two pills per serving)

Rather than stacking your supplement routine with a dizzying array of capsules, Thorne’s all-in-one pick is formulated to address a wide spectrum of nutritional needs. Yes, in a perfect world, we’d all get our nutrients from a vibrant, varied diet. But let’s be honest: Who among us is truly clocking five servings of fruits and vegetables every single day? (And if you are—honestly, hats off to you.)

For many, especially those navigating dietary restrictions—vegetarians, vegans, or anyone managing food allergies—the challenge of getting everything from food alone becomes even more complicated. That’s where strategic supplementation can go from optional to essential.

“Thorne’s Basic Nutrients supplement contains the most bioavailable forms of many vitamins and minerals, helping it to support various body functions,” Brondo explains. “For example, B vitamins (like thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin) help provide energy. Vitamin D and calcium can help maintain bone health. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help protect the body against oxidative stress. Minerals like zinc and biotin help support hair and skin health, and so on.”

What you get from Thorne’s Basic Nutrients supplement isn’t just a multivitamin—but a multitasker, and one that creates a solid safety net for everything from bone density and immune function, to glowing skin and eye health. And in a world where our schedules are stacked and our salads aspirational, that kind of backup feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity in one’s pursuit to holistic wellbeing.

“Ideally, the best way to get a variety of micronutrients in your diet is to eat a varied diet,” says Brondo. “So, any time you have a dietary restriction, there is a risk of missing out on the nutrients that specific food provides.” This rings especially true for me, a vegetarian for nearly two decades.

At age 11, after what can only be described as a campaign of impassioned pleading, my parents finally relented and allowed me to give up meat and fish. Fast-forward 18 years, and what appeared to be an angst-fueled phase has become a way of life—and sometimes (unfortunately) a little light on certain essential nutrients.

Per Brondo, vegetarians are particularly prone to B12 deficiency, since the vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal products. Registered dietitian Carrie Ruxton further confirms what I had been missing along—that vegetarians should “top up with vitamin B12, iodine, vitamin D, iron, and zinc, which are all harder to get from plant foods.” Ruxton previously told Vogue “Vitamin B12 is only present in animal foods or those made from microorganisms like yeast.”

And by substituting meat for plant-based substitutes, vegetarians can also develop iron deficiencies, too. Non-heme iron, she tells me, is a type of iron found in plant-based foods, which is less readily absorbed by the body. As in my case, experts agree that supplementation—whether it’s pills, capsules, or powders—is the most reliable means to bridge nutritional gaps.

For me, my deficiencies showed up in my body as fatigue. Now granted, I skew sleepy by nature—think more indoor cat curled under a sunbeam than high-octane energizer bunny—but this past year, my lethargy has hit uncharted territory. And we’re not talking a post-lunch slump. I’m referring to a full-body exhaustion, the kind that settles in even after eight solid hours of beauty sleep. Days blurred together in a haze of brain fog, forgotten errands, and long stares at my laptop screen, cursor blinking like it too was waiting for a thought to arrive. Eventually, even I had to admit: Something was off.

So, I did what any wellness-aware zillennial with a Prime membership would do. I scheduled a visit with my doctor—and then promptly logged into my Amazon account after our appointment. It was time to swap out my nostalgic berry-flavored chewables for something less delicious, but infinitely more effective. Adulthood, it seems, tastes less like candy and more like responsibility.

Six weeks in—with only a few forgotten mornings here and there—I can confidently say: The fog has lifted. No, I’m not bouncing out of bed singing show tunes, but I finally feel like what a 29-year-old should feel like—I have enough energy to get through the day without that late-afternoon mental crash, and my thoughts no longer move at glacial pace. It’s subtle, but noticeable—like turning up the brightness a few notches on a dimmed screen. While I’ll never say no to a nap, I no longer need one to function. Turns out, when you give your body the nutrients it’s been quietly begging for, it remembers how to show up for you.

It’s simple enough—just take two pills a day. No complicated regimen, no color-coded pill organizers (unless that’s your thing). But let’s set expectations: This isn’t a floral-scented, spa-like supplement moment. Thorne’s vitamins are no-fuss, no-frills, and yes—a bit pungent. The experts assure us not to fret when we get a whiff—the strong scent is due sulfur compounds associated vitamin B rich supplements. But hey, we’re all adults here, right?

Of course, with any new wellness routine, there’s always a little trial and error. I learned the hard way that popping these on an empty stomach is…not ideal. Cue the midday queasiness and regret. “It’s best to take this potent Thorne vitamin in the morning with food to prevent the potential side effect of nausea," says Brondo. “Plus, a meal containing dietary fat can help to better absorb fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K).”

Lesson learned: A solid breakfast isn’t just good for your mood—it’s key to making the most of your supplements, too. Consider it your morning ritual upgrade: coffee, toast, and a little science-backed self-care.

All our experts agree on one universal truth: Every body is different. Which means, so is the timeline for seeing results. “Different vitamins and minerals are absorbed by the body at different rates,” Brondo continues. “In general, within a few weeks, you should start to notice most vitamin and mineral levels return to baseline after starting a multivitamin.” That said, if you’re working from a deeper deficiency, it may take a bit more time—and a bit more patience. The key is consistency, listening to your body even when progress feels slow, and consulting with your clinician. After all, wellness is rarely an overnight transformation—it’s a quiet recalibration, one capsule at a time.

• Sammi Haber Brondo, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified intuitive eating counselor.
• Dr. Carrie Ruxton, PhD, is a registered dietitian at the Health and Food Supplements Information Service.