Why does Ritual not have vitamin C? Unpacking the 'Food First' Philosophy

November 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Ritual's founding science team, the brand consciously excludes vitamin C from its multivitamin formulas based on a "Food First" philosophy, the high rate of adequate dietary intake among adults, and concerns over potential nutrient interference. This strategic omission sets Ritual apart from many traditional supplement brands and reflects a targeted approach to filling common nutritional gaps rather than providing an all-encompassing pill.

Quick Summary

Ritual omits vitamin C from its multivitamins because most adults meet their needs through diet, potential over-supplementation risks, and concerns about interfering with other key nutrient absorption. The company's "Food First" and "less is more" philosophy prioritizes filling specific, common dietary gaps with high-quality, traceable nutrients.

Key Points

'Food First' Philosophy: Ritual assumes most individuals get sufficient vitamin C from their diet, promoting a focus on filling specific gaps rather than over-supplementing.
Nutrient Interaction Avoidance: The brand deliberately excludes vitamin C to prevent potential interference with the absorption of other key nutrients, such as vitamin B12.
Focus on Bioavailable Nutrients: Ritual prioritizes harder-to-obtain and bioavailable nutrients like Omega-3 DHA, methylated folate, and Vitamin D3, which are more likely to be deficient.
Targeted vs. Comprehensive Formula: Unlike conventional multivitamins that offer a broad range of nutrients, Ritual provides a targeted formula based on gender, age, and common deficiencies.
Avoiding Excessive Doses: Omitting vitamin C helps prevent the potential for exceeding safe upper intake levels, which could cause mild gastrointestinal issues or increase kidney stone risk.
Empowering Consumer Choice: Ritual’s approach allows individuals to decide if they need to supplement vitamin C separately, based on their personal dietary needs and health conditions.

The 'Food First' Approach and Dietary Intake

Ritual's primary justification for excluding vitamin C is its belief that most adults can meet their daily requirements through diet alone. The company champions a "Food First" approach, encouraging individuals to get the bulk of their nutrients from a healthy, varied diet. Vitamin C is widely available in many common fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, red peppers, and broccoli, making deficiency less common in populations with regular access to these foods. By focusing on nutrients that are harder to obtain through diet, such as vegan Omega-3 DHA, bioavailable Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D, Ritual aims to fill precise nutritional gaps rather than provide excessive amounts of already plentiful vitamins.

Concerns Over Nutrient Interactions and 'Nutrient Overflow'

In addition to the "Food First" rationale, Ritual's formulation strategy is influenced by scientific considerations regarding nutrient interactions. The company believes in a "less is more" approach to supplementation, arguing that an excess of one nutrient can disrupt the balance and absorption of others. While most vitamins can coexist without issue, high doses of some can impact the absorption or function of others. For example, high levels of vitamin C may potentially interfere with vitamin B12 absorption if taken concurrently. The body's ability to absorb nutrients is like a delicate orchestra, and introducing too much of one component can throw the entire system out of tune.

Risk of Excess Vitamin C

While vitamin C is water-soluble and generally safe, excessive intake can lead to certain side effects. Taking more than the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 2000 mg per day can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as upset stomach, cramps, and diarrhea. In susceptible individuals, high doses may also increase the risk of kidney stones. Rather than including a nutrient that many people already consume sufficiently and which carries a risk of mild adverse effects in high quantities, Ritual strategically chooses to focus on nutrients where deficiency is more prevalent or absorption is more complex. For instance, many people, particularly vegans and those with limited sun exposure, benefit significantly from supplemental Vitamin D3 and B12, which are core components of Ritual's formulas.

Comparison of Ritual and Conventional Multivitamins

To better understand Ritual's distinct approach, it's helpful to compare its philosophy and formulation with those of a more conventional multivitamin.


Feature	Ritual Multivitamin (e.g., Essential for Women 18+)	Conventional Multivitamin
Core Philosophy	"Less is more" and "Food First." Focuses on filling common dietary gaps with essential, high-quality, traceable ingredients.	"More is better." Aims to provide a comprehensive list of vitamins and minerals, often in high doses, regardless of potential dietary sufficiency.
Inclusion of Vitamin C	Consciously excluded from most formulas, citing sufficient dietary intake and risk of nutrient interference.	Typically includes vitamin C, often at or near the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or higher.
Nutrient Sourcing	High transparency via a "Made Traceable" program, detailing the origin and form of each ingredient.	Varies widely. Some brands are transparent, while others offer limited information on ingredient sourcing.
Key Nutrients Included	Often includes harder-to-get or bioavailable forms of nutrients like methylated folate, vegan Omega-3 DHA, and Vitamin D3.	Wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals, including those easily obtained through a balanced diet.
Formula Design	Targeted formulations based on age and sex, informed by scientific research on common deficiencies.	General, one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition, offering the same formula to a broad audience.

The Science Behind Smart Supplementation

Ritual’s philosophy aligns with a modern view of nutrition that moves beyond simply providing a broad spectrum of nutrients. Scientific research increasingly supports a targeted approach to supplementation. For example, some studies suggest that taking vitamin C alongside iron can enhance iron absorption, which is beneficial for those with iron deficiency. However, high doses of vitamin C can also interfere with certain medications, such as blood thinners like Warfarin. By leaving out vitamin C, Ritual avoids these potential interactions and allows consumers to decide if they need to supplement it separately, based on their individual dietary and health needs. This places more emphasis on personalized nutrition, empowering consumers to make informed choices rather than assuming a single pill can solve all potential nutritional shortfalls.

Conclusion

Ritual's decision to omit vitamin C from its multivitamins is a deliberate and well-reasoned choice, grounded in its "Food First" philosophy, concerns over potential nutrient interactions, and a strategic focus on filling specific, scientifically-identified dietary gaps. Instead of adopting a maximalist, "more is better" approach, Ritual prioritizes a minimalist and transparent formula, providing essential, traceable nutrients that are often lacking in modern diets. For consumers, this means a more targeted supplement experience, with the flexibility to add a standalone vitamin C supplement if their individual diet and health require it. The company’s emphasis on high-quality, bioavailable ingredients for key nutrients like D3, B12, and Omega-3 DHA underscores its commitment to effective, science-backed supplementation over a one-size-fits-all solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can take a separate vitamin C supplement. It is often recommended to take vitamin C at a different time than your multivitamin, with a gap of at least two hours, to optimize the absorption of all nutrients.

While Ritual's core multivitamins for general health typically do not include vitamin C, some of its other products might. It's important to check the specific ingredient list for each product, as formulas can vary.

If you have a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, Ritual's targeted formula may be ideal. It focuses on supplementing the nutrients most likely to be missing, such as Omega-3s and Vitamin D3, without adding unnecessary vitamins.

The "Food First" philosophy is Ritual's approach to nutrition, which emphasizes obtaining most of your vitamins and minerals from a healthy, whole-food diet. Supplements are intended to fill gaps that remain after a healthy diet is established.

For most healthy individuals with a balanced diet, omitting a vitamin C supplement is unlikely to cause a deficiency, as the vitamin is so common in foods. However, those with specific dietary restrictions or malabsorption issues may need additional supplementation.

While it's challenging to track daily intake perfectly, you can increase your consumption of vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and kale. If you have concerns, consult a healthcare provider.

High doses of vitamin C can interact with certain medications, including blood thinners like Warfarin. If you are taking any medications or have underlying health conditions, you should consult with your healthcare provider before combining supplements.