Although we all have basic nutrient needs to be met, there are a few key ingredients that men should keep an eye out for when researching the right multivitamin. Young or old, active or not, sometimes you don’t always get everything you need from your diet alone. Whether it is a busy life, food allergies, or just don’t like fruit or veggies, a supplement can cover cover those nutrient gaps.
Even though we all have basic nutrient needs to be met, there are a few key ingredients that men should keep an eye out for when searching for the right multivitamin. Young or old, active or not, sometimes you don’t always get everything you need from your diet alone. Whether you’re not getting the nutrients you need because you’re busy, have food allergies, or just don’t like fruits and veggies, the right supplement can fill those nutrient gaps. So, what should the best men’s multivitamin have in it?
4 Vitamins to Look for in a Men’s Multi
1) Selenium
Selenium is a great antioxidant that increases levels of glutathione peroxidase. This is a good nutrient to check for in a multi because of its many benefits. It may help keep your heart healthy by reducing inflammation (1). It can potentially help decrease mental decline, increase immunity, support thyroid health, and ease asthma. It also can help with sperm motility, so if you and your partner are trying to conceive, make sure this is on your multi list.
2) B-12
We often think of vitamin D for bones, but B12 is also important. It has a vital role in your bone health, and it has been shown that people with low blood serum levels of B12 may be at an increased risk of osteoporosis. (2) B vitamins also help to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, support energy production, and even support nervous system health. (3)
3) Vitamin D
Vitamin D supports bone health by increasing absorption of calcium. It also may help with boosting immunity and mood. Not only does the combo of calcium and vitamin D help support bone health, but some studies have also shown that adequate levels of this combo can have an appetite suppressing effect which could help with weight loss. (4)
4) Zinc
We often think of zinc for immunity, blood sugar control, and wound healing, but it has another very important benefit specifically for men. Zinc is essential for prostate health and fertility (5), something that becomes more of a concern as men age.
Men’s Unique Needs
Men have their own nutritional needs, and our Foundational Multivitamin has all four of the vitamins above to help with those needs, as well as other vitamins and minerals to fill nutrient gaps. As much as we would like one pill to take care of everything, there are many nutrients to keep in mind when looking for the right vitamins for men. As we age, vitamins become even more important to our nutritional health, so finding the right combination of nutrients is essential.
- Flores-mateo G, Navas-acien A, Pastor-barriuso R, Guallar E. Selenium and coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84(4):762-73.
- Clemens TL. Vitamin B12 deficiency and bone health. N Engl J Med. 2014;371(10):963-4.
- Oulhaj A, Jernerén F, Refsum H, Smith AD, De jager CA. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Status Enhances the Prevention of Cognitive Decline by B Vitamins in Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis. 2016;50(2):547-57.
- Major, G., Alarie, F., Doré, J., & Tremblay, A. (2008). Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fat mass loss in female very low-calcium consumers: Potential link with a calcium-specific appetite control. British Journal of Nutrition, 101(5), 659-663. doi:10.1017/S0007114508030808
- Gonzalez A, Peters U, Lampe JW, White E. Zinc intake from supplements and diet and prostate cancer. Nutr Cancer. 2009;61(2):206-15.