The air in the lab hummed with the low thrum of the spectrophotometer. Sunlight, filtered through the blinds, painted stripes across the stainless steel countertops. Right now, though, my attention wasn’t on the complex analysis of enzymatic reactions. Instead, I was thinking about the other vitamin aisle. Specifically, Nature’s Way Alive! Women’s Multi-Vitamin.

You see, I’m a biochemist. My world revolves around the nuts and bolts of cellular processes. The human body, from the smallest ribosome to the largest organ, is a marvel of precisely calibrated biochemical reactions. And vitamins? Well, they’re the essential cofactors that grease the wheels. I get asked about them constantly. “What should I take, Doc?” is a daily refrain. And the answer is always…complex.

This Alive! formulation, with its promise of 100% of the Daily Value for a whole host of vitamins and minerals, is a contender in the often-confusing world of supplements. Let’s get down to brass tacks. The iron content is a good starting point for women; iron deficiency is a real, and common, nutritional hurdle. The inclusion of B-vitamins, key players in energy metabolism, is also smart. They are literally powering your body. And it includes a good dose of Vitamin D. We’re seeing a widespread insufficiency of this essential fat-soluble vitamin, particularly during those long winter months, so that’s a solid check in the “plus” column.

It’s a reasonably broad spectrum, covering the usual suspects. But the ingredient list does make me raise an eyebrow. This multivitamin uses a lot of ingredients. As is often the case, it’s more complex than simply popping one tablet. The inclusion of a “food-based blend” might make marketing sense. And while I am a huge fan of the benefits of consuming foods in their original forms, the amounts are a little low to really matter.

One potential stumbling block for some is the tablet size; it’s not exactly tiny. A user with swallowing difficulties might find it a challenge. But hey, a little tip? Crushing the tablet and mixing it with yogurt or applesauce should do the trick.

Compared to, say, a more basic, single-ingredient supplement like Vitamin C, this is certainly more involved. However, this is by design; the intention is to create a one-stop-shop.

Look, nobody expects a miracle cure from a multi-vitamin. What you can expect, if taken regularly, is to help fill the gaps in your diet. So, if you’re a woman with a less-than-perfect diet, especially if you’re not hitting the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables, this could be a good foundational supplement. Go for it. Just remember it is not a cure-all. It’s a tool.