All-in-one supplement review · Evidence-weighted

AG1 vs. IM8
The all-in-one, examined

Two premium "drink-your-vitamins" powders that promise to replace a cabinet of pills. Here is what's actually inside each, where the science is real, where it's marketing — and which one makes more sense for a healthy woman in her mid-sixties.

01Snapshot & verdict

Both products sit at the very top of the market — roughly the same price, both NSF Certified for Sport, both vegan, both built on the same idea: a single daily scoop of vitamins, minerals, greens, probiotics and a long tail of "functional" extras. They are more alike than different. The decision comes down to a handful of nutrients that genuinely matter more with age, and to how much you value transparency versus completeness.

AG1

"Upgrade" formula · by AG1 (formerly Athletic Greens)

Price (subscription)~$79 / mo · $2.63 a scoop5
Servings30 (13 g scoop)
Calories / sugar41 kcal · 1.2 g sugar
Third-party testedNSF Certified for Sport1
Track recordOn market since ~2010
Signature strengthTransparency & researched probiotics
IM8

Daily Ultimate Essentials (Pro) · co-founded by David Beckham

Price (subscription)~$78–89 / mo · ~$2.61 a scoop10
Servings30 (13.6 g sachet/scoop)
Calories / sugar20 kcal · low sugar
Third-party testedNSF Certified for Sport8
Track recordLaunched January 2025
Signature strengthMost complete one-scoop coverage

Bottom line

For a healthy woman in her mid-60s, IM8 has the edge — with one honest caveat.

IM8 wins on the things that matter more as we age and that AG1 simply leaves out of the scoop: vitamin D (2,000 IU), iodine, a quantified dose of vitamin K2, more B12, and electrolytes including 470 mg of potassium. AG1 sells its vitamin D separately, so a fair comparison of the powders alone favors IM8 on completeness.

The caveat: neither product is necessary, and both bury their "greens," adaptogen and longevity ingredients at doses too small to do what the marketing implies. If you already take vitamin D and a good diet covers your basics, AG1 is the more transparent, longer-proven choice with better-studied probiotic strains. If you'd rather have the widest nutritional safety-net in one glass and won't bother with separate pills, choose IM8. Full reasoning in section 7.

02Where they overlap

Strip away the branding and roughly 80% of these two products is the same concept executed two ways. Both are, at heart, a comprehensive multivitamin wrapped in a greens-and-fruit powder, dusted with the same fashionable extras.

AG1 — the shared core

  • Full B-complex, plus A, C, E and a broad mineral panel
  • Methylated folate & methyl-B12 (active forms)
  • Magnesium as bisglycinate (gentle, well-absorbed)
  • Greens: spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, alfalfa, barley, broccoli, spinach, beet, carrot
  • CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, choline, inositol
  • Reishi & shiitake mushrooms; eleuthero & astragalus
  • 10 billion CFU probiotics · inulin prebiotic fibre
  • Stevia-sweetened · vegan · no added iron

IM8 — the shared core

  • Full B-complex, plus A, C, E and a broad mineral panel
  • Methylated folate (Quatrefolic) & methyl-B12
  • Magnesium as bisglycinate chelate
  • Greens: beet, carrot, spinach, blueberry, açaí, elderberry, cranberry, green tea, grape seed
  • CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, choline
  • Reishi & chaga mushrooms; rhodiola, ginseng, andrographis
  • 10 billion CFU probiotics · inulin prebiotic fibre
  • Stevia/monk-fruit-style sweetness · vegan · no added iron
The shared weakness worth naming Both products list dozens of greens, herbs, adaptogens and "longevity" compounds, but the total amount of those blends is small — a few grams spread across 40+ ingredients. Independent reviewers describe many of them as present at "token doses."39 Greens powders in general have limited, low-quality evidence behind their headline health claims; as one researcher put it, "the marketing is way ahead of the actual science."11 The vitamins and minerals are the part that reliably "does something." Treat the rest as a pleasant bonus, not the reason to buy.

Both are also sensibly iron-free, which is exactly right for a post-menopausal woman: iron needs fall sharply after menopause and excess iron can accumulate and harm the liver, heart and joints.22 And both omit one nutrient that genuinely matters at this age — omega-3 (EPA/DHA) — which you'd still want from oily fish or a fish/algae-oil capsule.22

03The real differences

These are the points that actually separate them. The "edge" tag reflects which product is stronger on that line for a healthy older woman.

Head-to-head on the features that drive the decision
FeatureAG1IM8Edge
Vitamin DNot in the powdersold as separate D3+K2 drops2,000 IU (50 µg)vegan VegD3IM8
Iodine (thyroid)None150 µg (100%)IM8
Vitamin K2 (MK-7)Present, amount not stated on label100 µg quantified+ 30 µg K1IM8
Vitamin B1250 µgmethylcobalamin200 µgmethylcobalaminIM8
ElectrolytesMinimalPotassium 470 mg+ Na, Mg, Ca electrolyte blendIM8
Joint support (MSM)None1,500 mg MSMIM8
Saffron (mood)None30 mga genuinely clinical doseIM8
Free amino acids2.6 g pea protein insteadEAAs, taurine, citrulline, glutamineamounts pooled in a blendDifferent
Protein2.6 g (pea)~0 gAG1
"Longevity" blendNoneCRT8: resveratrol, berberine, astaxanthin, spermidine, turmeric100 mg total — under-dosedNeither, really
Probiotic strains5 named strainsincl. LGG — the most-studied probiotic2 Bacillus spores + L. caseibetter shelf survival, less dataTrade-off
Dose transparencyIndividual actives quantifiedCoQ10, ALA, choline, inositol, each probioticHidden inside 10 "complexes"despite "no proprietary blends" claimAG1
Calories / sugar41 kcal · 1.2 g20 kcal · lowerIM8
Track record15 years on marketLaunched Jan 2025AG1
Prop 65 lead noticeCarries a California lead warning4Common to plant-based greens generallyBoth: trace, plant-derived
On the "no proprietary blends" claim IM8 markets itself as having "no proprietary blends, no hidden dosages."7 Its label tells a more nuanced story: vitamins and minerals are disclosed individually, but the functional ingredients are grouped into about ten named complexes (Greens 4,100 mg; Aminos 1,580 mg; the 100 mg CRT8 longevity blend, and so on) where the individual amounts are not given.9 That is, by definition, a proprietary blend. AG1's European label is actually more forthcoming about its individual active compounds — though it, too, doesn't itemise every gram of greens.

04Vitamins & minerals, side by side

Per daily serving. A blank cell means the nutrient isn't declared on that product's label. Percentages are shown as printed on each label.

Read the percentages with care AG1's label uses EU reference values (% NRV); IM8's uses US Daily Values (% DV). The two reference systems differ slightly, so a percentage on one label is not perfectly comparable to the same percentage on the other. Compare the absolute amounts (mg / µg) for an apples-to-apples view.
Declared micronutrients per serving
NutrientAG1 (13 g)IM8 (13.6 g)
Vitamin A250 µg RE 31% NRV900 µg 100% DV
Vitamin C420 mg 525% NRV900 mg 1,000% DV
Vitamin D50 µg / 2,000 IU 250% DV
Vitamin E32 mg 267% NRV15 mg 100% DV
Vitamin KMK-7 present amount not statedK1 30 µg + K2/MK-7 100 µg
Thiamin (B1)3.0 mg 273%4 mg 333%
Riboflavin (B2)2.0 mg 143%4.2 mg 323%
Niacin (B3)16 mg NE 100%20 mg 125%
Vitamin B65.0 mg 357%5 mg 294%
Folate300 µg methylfolate · 150%400 µg DFE Quatrefolic · 100%
Vitamin B1250 µg 2,000%200 µg 8,333%
Biotin330 µg 660%300 µg 1,000%
Pantothenic acid (B5)5.0 mg 83%12 mg 240%
Choline20 mg55 mg 10%
Calcium120 mg 15%150 mg 12%
Iodine150 µg 100%
Magnesium57 mg 15%100 mg 24%
Zinc10 mg 100%15 mg 136%
Selenium22 µg 40%70 µg 127%
Copper0.2 mg 20%1 mg 111%
Manganese0.4 mg 20%3 mg 130%
Chromium25 µg 63%100 µg 286%
Molybdenum45 µg 90%50 µg 111%
Phosphorus125 mg 18%within complexes
Potassiumtrace470 mg 10%
Sodium~40 mg (salt 0.1 g)5 mg
IronNone ✓None ✓

Reading: IM8 carries the broader, generally higher-dosed mineral panel and the only vitamin D and iodine. AG1 leads on vitamin E and provides a meaningful 2.6 g of plant protein that IM8 lacks. Several of these megadoses (e.g., 1,000–8,333% of water-soluble B and C) exceed what the body can use in a day — the surplus is simply excreted.2

05The evidence, ingredient by ingredient

What does the research actually support — and at what dose? Each card weighs the strength of evidence and notes whether the products deliver an amount that matches the studies.

Strong robust human trials Moderate promising / mixed Limited thin or pre-clinical

Greens & superfood powders Limited

Spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, beet, berries, etc. · AG1 IM8

The premise — that powdered greens stand in for vegetables — isn't well supported. Studies are small and low-quality; UK public-health guidance won't even count fruit/veg powders toward "five a day."11 A handful of small trials hint at modest blood-pressure effects, but reviewers are blunt that "the marketing is way ahead of the science."11

Verdict: A fine bonus, not a vegetable substitute or a reason to choose either product. Whole plants still win.

Core multivitamin & methylated B-vitamins Strong

Methylfolate, methyl-B12, B-complex, zinc, selenium · AG1 IM8

This is the part that reliably works. Correcting a real deficiency in folate, B12, vitamin D, zinc or selenium has clear benefits, and the methylated forms of folate and B12 that both brands use are well-absorbed and active. The caveat: in someone who isn't deficient, megadoses of water-soluble vitamins offer no extra benefit — you excrete the excess.2

Verdict: The genuine engine of both products. Effectively a high-quality daily multivitamin in a glass.

Vitamin D Strong (in deficiency) IM8 only

2,000 IU in IM8; absent from AG1 powder

Vitamin D matters for bone, muscle and immune health, and deficiency is common in older adults with limited sun exposure. Important nuance from the large VITAL and similar mega-trials: routine 2,000 IU in already-replete community-dwelling adults did not reduce fractures or falls14 — the benefit is concentrated in those who are deficient (where supplementation clearly helps). 2,000 IU is a sensible maintenance dose; post-menopausal guidance is typically 800–2,000 IU depending on blood levels.22

Verdict: A real, age-relevant advantage for IM8 — provided you're not already supplementing D elsewhere. AG1 users must buy it separately.

Vitamin K2 (MK-7) Moderate–Strong IM8 quantified

100 µg MK-7 in IM8; present but unquantified in AG1

K2 activates the proteins that steer calcium into bone and away from arteries. A 12-month RCT in 600 post-menopausal women using 180 µg/day improved spine and hip bone density; cardiovascular signals are arguably stronger, with 180 µg/day reducing arterial stiffness and large cohort data linking higher K2 intake to far less aortic calcification.13 Three-year bone data are more mixed.

Verdict: Genuinely useful for a post-menopausal woman, and pairs naturally with K2's partner, vitamin D. IM8's 100 µg is below the 180 µg study dose but disclosed; AG1's is a mystery amount. Important: if you take a blood thinner (e.g., warfarin), vitamin K interacts with it — clear any K-containing supplement with your doctor.

CoQ10 Moderate IM8 higher

100 mg (IM8) vs 50 mg (AG1) — both as ubiquinone

Cardiac CoQ10 declines with age and with statin use, and meta-analyses suggest CoQ10 can modestly ease statin-related muscle symptoms (though 2025 reviews call the overall evidence inconclusive).12 Clinical doses run 100–200 mg. One catch both share: they use ubiquinone, the less-bioavailable form — ubiquinol reaches ~3.5× higher blood levels, an absorption gap that widens with age.12

Verdict: IM8's 100 mg is the more meaningful dose, especially if you take a statin. Neither uses the better-absorbed form.

Magnesium (bisglycinate) Moderate

100 mg (IM8) vs 57 mg (AG1)

Bisglycinate is among the best-tolerated, best-absorbed forms. A 2025 RCT found 250 mg elemental magnesium bisglycinate modestly improved insomnia scores, with bigger gains in people whose baseline intake was low.18 Both products provide a useful top-up but sit below the dose used in sleep studies.

Verdict: Helpful for daily adequacy; not a stand-alone sleep aid at these amounts. IM8 supplies nearly double.

MSM (joint support) Moderate IM8 only

1,500 mg in IM8; absent from AG1

Across 20-plus trials, MSM reduces osteoarthritis pain and stiffness, typically at 1,500–3,000 mg/day over 8–12 weeks.17 IM8's 1,500 mg sits at the lower bound of the effective range — a real, if modest, dose rather than a sprinkle.

Verdict: A legitimate inclusion for anyone with achy joints; one of IM8's better-justified extras.

Saffron extract Moderate IM8 only

30 mg in IM8; absent from AG1

This is the rare "extra" dosed exactly as the research recommends. RCTs of standardized saffron at 30 mg/day for 6–8 weeks improved mood and anxiety, in several head-to-head trials performing comparably to low-dose fluoxetine, with good tolerability.16 (It is not a substitute for prescribed treatment.)

Verdict: IM8's 30 mg is genuinely clinical — a small but real point in its favor for mood and well-being.

"Longevity" blend — resveratrol, berberine, astaxanthin, spermidine, turmeric Limited (as dosed)

IM8's 100 mg CRT8 complex; not in AG1

Individually, some are interesting: berberine has the best human metabolic data — but needs ~1,000–1,500 mg/day to lower blood sugar. Astaxanthin works at 4–18 mg; spermidine at 1–2 mg; resveratrol has largely disappointed in human outcome trials.15 The problem is arithmetic: a 100 mg blend cannot hold therapeutic doses of all of these at once. Reviewers flag the longevity blend as essentially under-dosed.9

Verdict: Nice on the label, negligible in the body at these amounts. Don't choose IM8 for this blend.

Adaptogens — rhodiola, ginseng (IM8) · eleuthero, astragalus (AG1) Limited (as dosed)

AG1 IM8

Rhodiola shows real anti-fatigue and cognitive effects — at 200–600 mg/day; Panax ginseng benefits mood and cognition at ~200 mg.21 But in IM8 the rhodiola and ginseng share a 200 mg "enzymes + adaptogens + mushrooms" complex, so each is far below those thresholds.9 AG1's eleuthero and astragalus sit in a small fibre blend, similarly modest.

Verdict: Both under-dose their adaptogens. If you want rhodiola's benefits, a stand-alone extract is the honest route.

Probiotics Moderate Trade-off

AG1: 10 bn CFU, 5 named Lactobacillus/Bifido strains · IM8: 10 bn CFU, 2 Bacillus spores + L. casei postbiotic

Same headline count, different philosophy. AG1's roster includes Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG — among the most-researched probiotic strains in existence — plus HN019 and NCFM, all with published human data.19 IM8's spore-forming Bacillus strains survive stomach acid far better and are more shelf-stable (≥83% survival), but carry less strain-specific clinical evidence.19 A powder that sits in water arguably favors the hardier spores; the depth of research favors AG1's strains.

Verdict: A genuine toss-up. Choose AG1 for research pedigree, IM8 for survivability.

Alpha-lipoic acid Moderate (at clinical dose)

42 mg (AG1) · pooled in IM8's amino complex

ALA is an antioxidant with reasonable evidence for diabetic nerve symptoms — but at 600 mg/day, roughly 14× what AG1 provides.23 At label doses it's a mild antioxidant top-up, not a therapeutic dose.

Verdict: Token amounts in both. Fine, but not a differentiator.

The pattern across the extras Notice the recurring theme: the vitamins, minerals, MSM, CoQ10 and saffron are dosed at or near levels the research supports; the greens, adaptogens and longevity compounds are not. You're buying a very good multivitamin with a flavourful halo of under-dosed botanicals. That's true of both products — it's the nature of cramming 90 ingredients into one 13-gram scoop.

06If you're a woman in your mid-60s

Here's how the comparison maps onto the priorities that genuinely shift with age — and where a daily all-in-one helps versus where it doesn't.

  • Bone & cardiovascular health (post-menopause). The trio that matters is vitamin D + K2 + adequate calcium. IM8 supplies vitamin D (2,000 IU) and a quantified 100 µg K2; AG1 supplies neither D nor a stated K2 amount in the scoop. Neither provides enough calcium (~120–150 mg vs a ~1,200 mg/day target) — you'll still rely on diet or a separate calcium source.1322
  • B12 absorption declines with age. Atrophic gastritis makes older adults absorb less B12 from food; 500–1,000 µg is a common practical target.20 Both products clear the bar easily; IM8's 200 µg vs AG1's 50 µg both far exceed daily needs.
  • Iron: rightly absent from both. Post-menopausal women generally should not supplement iron — both products are iron-free, which is exactly correct.22
  • Omega-3 is missing from both. EPA/DHA (~1,000 mg/day) supports heart, brain and joints after menopause and isn't in either scoop — keep oily fish or a fish/algae-oil capsule in the routine regardless of which you pick.22
  • Heart & statins. If you take a statin, IM8's 100 mg CoQ10 is the more useful dose (though both use the less-absorbed ubiquinone form).12
  • Joints & mood. IM8's clinically-dosed MSM (1,500 mg) and saffron (30 mg) are small but real perks if achy joints or low mood are on your radar.1716
  • Watch fat-soluble totals. Vitamin A is one to keep an eye on if you also take other supplements; AG1's 250 µg is modest, IM8's 900 µg is at 100% — fine alone, but tally your total intake across products.
Two conversations to have with your doctor or pharmacist Vitamin K2 can interfere with warfarin and other anticoagulants — both products contain K, so flag it if you're on a blood thinner. Berberine (in IM8's longevity blend, albeit at a tiny dose) can affect blood-sugar and how some medications are metabolized. A 60-second check is worth it.

07The recommendation

If you want one all-in-one scoop and you're a healthy woman in your mid-60s, IM8 is the better single choice — chiefly because of what it includes that AG1 leaves out of the powder. But the honest, money-conscious answer has a second layer, below.

Best all-in-one for this reader
Choose IM8 if…

…you want the widest nutritional safety-net in a single glass and you'd rather not juggle separate pills. Independent 30-day testers report steady energy and easier digestion — subjective, but consistent with a solid multivitamin base.6

  • It's the only one with vitamin D and iodine in the scoop
  • Quantified K2, higher B12, more magnesium & selenium
  • Electrolytes (470 mg potassium) and clinically-dosed MSM + saffron
  • Lower calories/sugar; NSF Certified for Sport
The transparent classic
Choose AG1 if…

…you already take vitamin D, value a long track record, and want clearer dosing and the best-studied probiotics.

  • Discloses its active doses; 15-year history
  • Probiotic strains (incl. LGG) with the deepest research
  • Adds 2.6 g protein; fewer gimmicky "longevity" claims
  • Also NSF Certified for Sport; many find the taste easier

The fuller, more honest answer

Both are excellent multivitamins at a luxury price wrapped in greens and botanicals that are mostly under-dosed. For ~$80–90 a month, you're paying largely for the multivitamin core, the convenience, and the brand. A capable generic multivitamin plus targeted vitamin D, omega-3, and adequate calcium would cover the essentials for far less, with each component dosed precisely.

So the decision tree is simple:

  • If you'll commit to exactly one product and nothing else → IM8. It's the most complete single scoop for an older woman because it doesn't make you buy vitamin D separately and it adds iodine, K2, electrolytes and a couple of genuinely-dosed extras.
  • If you already take vitamin D (and perhaps omega-3) → AG1. With D handled elsewhere, AG1's transparency, track record, protein and superior probiotic strains make it the more trustworthy daily base.
  • If value and precision matter most → neither. A quality multivitamin + standalone vitamin D + fish/algae oil + dietary calcium will out-dose both for a fraction of the cost. Choose AG1/IM8 for the convenience and ritual, not because the science demands them.

In one line

For a healthy woman in her mid-60s choosing between just these two: IM8 for the most complete one-scoop coverage; AG1 if your vitamin D is already covered and you prize transparency and a proven probiotic line. Whichever you pick, keep omega-3 and enough calcium in your routine — and run the vitamin-K and any berberine past your doctor if you take medication.

08References

A note on evidence quality: brand pages (AG1, IM8) are used only for product facts such as testing and price; health claims are weighed against peer-reviewed journals, NIH/Oregon State references, and independent reviews. Independent reviews are interpreted with appropriate skepticism, as the request asked.

  1. AG1 — Quality & Testing (NSF Certified for Sport, batch heavy-metal & banned-substance testing). drinkag1.com/about-ag1/quality-standards
  2. Healthline — "AG1 Review: A Dietitian's Take" (megadosing, excreted excess, value). healthline.com/nutrition/athletic-greens-review
  3. Top Nutrition Coaching — "A Dietitian's AG1 Review 2026" (proprietary-blend & dosing critique). topnutritioncoaching.com/blog/ag1-review
  4. Previnex — "Why Does AG1 Have a Lead Warning?" (California Prop 65, trace plant-derived lead). previnex.com/blogs/blog/why-does-ag1-have-a-lead-warning
  5. AG1 pricing — official membership page & price guide (~$79/mo subscription; $99 one-time). drinkag1.com/ag1-membership
  6. Trail & Kale — "IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Review: My 30-Day Experience." trailandkale.com/im8-daily-ultimate-essentials-review
  7. IM8 Health — "Third Party Tested" / Essentials Pro (transparency & "no proprietary blends" claim). im8health.com/pages/third-party-tested
  8. NSF / Prenetics — "IM8 Earns NSF Certified for Sport for Daily Ultimate Essentials." nsf.org · nsfsport.com listing
  9. HypeCheck & Innerbody — IM8 Essentials Pro reviews (proprietary complexes; under-dosed adaptogen & longevity blends). hypecheck.io · innerbody.com/im8-reviews
  10. IM8 pricing — product pages & review summaries (~$78–89/mo subscription; ~$112 one-time; ~$2.61/serving). im8health.com/products/essentials-pro
  11. National Geographic — "Do 'super greens' powders actually work?" & Boston Globe (2026) on greens-powder evidence. nationalgeographic.com
  12. CoQ10 & aging / statins — NIH PMC review (PMC6627360); ubiquinol vs ubiquinone bioavailability; 2018 & 2025 statin-myalgia meta-analyses. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6627360
  13. Vitamin K2 (MK-7) — Frontiers in Endocrinology systematic review (postmenopausal bone turnover); 180 µg RCTs (bone density, arterial stiffness); Rotterdam Study. frontiersin.org
  14. Vitamin D — VITAL trial, NEJM (2,000 IU; no fracture/fall reduction in replete adults). nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2202106
  15. Longevity compounds — Healthpath evidence review & NIH PMC toxicology review (berberine, spermidine, resveratrol, astaxanthin doses). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10752229
  16. Saffron — Frontiers in Nutrition RCT & J. Nutrition affron® trial; 30 mg/day mood/anxiety, comparable to fluoxetine. frontiersin.org
  17. MSM — NIH PMC review (PMC5372953) & OARSI knee-OA trial; 1,500–3,000 mg/day. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953
  18. Magnesium bisglycinate — 2025 RCT in poor sleepers (250 mg elemental), NIH PMC12412596. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12412596
  19. Probiotics — Frontiers in Microbiology review of Bacillus spore-formers (survivability) & the extensive Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG literature. frontiersin.org
  20. Vitamin B12 in older adults — NIH ODS fact sheet & Linus Pauling Institute (atrophic gastritis, 500–1,000 µg). ods.od.nih.gov
  21. Rhodiola & Panax ginseng — Healthline evidence summary & clinical trials (200–600 mg rhodiola; ~200 mg ginseng). healthline.com/nutrition/rhodiola-rosea
  22. Post-menopausal nutrition — NIH PMC systematic review (iron caution, omega-3, vitamin D/calcium needs). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11393286
  23. Alpha-lipoic acid — NIH PMC update on ALA & glucose metabolism; 600 mg/day for diabetic neuropathy. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9824456