Top Vitamins for Men

In honor of men’s health month, we dedicate this blog to all the fellas out there who might need extra help getting all the nutrients they need to stay in tip-top shape.

It’s simple. Certain people need to take vitamins to ensure they receive enough daily nutrients. Some reasons why you may need to take specific vitamins include:

• Restricted diet – applies if you have allergies or follow a vegetarian or vegan diet
• Reduced intake – from lack of appetite or illness
• Increased physical activity – you’ll need more nutrients to promote healing and growth
• Gastrointestinal disease – affects nutrient absorption
• Gastrointestinal surgery – reduces nutrient intake and affects nutrient absorption

It’s also essential to look at the different needs of men and women. For instance, most men should not supplement iron (or need less iron than females).

Ideally, before starting a vitamin regimen, you’ll speak with a medical provider who can conduct blood tests that will indicate which micronutrients you need to supplement.

Keep reading to learn what the top vitamins are for men and why you may want to start taking them!

Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)

You can get fish oil from various oily fish species, like mackerel, herring, and tuna.

Fish oil contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids (the human body cannot produce them). There are two main types of omega-3 fatty acids:

1. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
2. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

A 2017 animal study found that omega-3 fatty acids significantly improved erectile dysfunction in rats with atherosclerosis (the narrowing of blood vessels). An earlier review also showed that omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to help men with erectile function.

A 2020 study on young males showed that those who reported using fish oil supplements had larger tests and higher semen volume and quality. They also had a healthier-looking profile of the two essential hormones that regulate sperm production: follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

Multivitamins for Men

Nutrients to look for in a men’s multivitamin include:

• Essential minerals – zinc and selenium
• Nice-to-have – omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics
• Vital nutrients – calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and magnesium

Those who may not benefit from a men’s multivitamin include those who eat a varied diet, those that don’t have health issues, and those that must take certain medications. For example, vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners. On the other hand, vitamin E inhibits blood clotting and may increase your bleeding risk if you take a blood thinner.

The ingredients of men’s multivitamins vary, but in general, they contain:

• Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K
• Thiamine
• Riboflavin
• Niacin
• Pantothenic acid
• Pyridoxine
• Biotin
• Folate
• Cobalamin
• Calcium
• Potassium

Your age, diet, and current health status will determine which type of multivitamin you need. For instance, you should choose a multivitamin specifically for 50+ if you are over 50. These vitamins typically have higher vitamin C, E, D, and B levels.

You can find multivitamins for men in tablet, liquid, and gummy forms.

Testosterone Booster

The male body primarily produces the hormone testosterone in the testicles. It is essential in the development of male growth and masculine characteristics.

Testosterone production increases about 30 times during adolescence and early adulthood. However, it’s normal for testosterone levels to drop each year after early adulthood. To put that into perspective, you may see a one percent decline in testosterone levels by the time you turn 30.

Testosterone plays a significant role in:

• Muscle mass and bone health
• Facial and pubic hair growth
• The development of a deeper voice
• Sex drive
• Mood and quality of life
• Verbal memory and thinking ability

See your doctor if you are concerned about low testosterone levels. Since it’s natural for your testosterone to lower as you age, some symptoms, like decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, or erectile dysfunction, may be signs of other conditions.

The benefits of testosterone replacement therapy below have only been researched in people with low testosterone levels. It is unclear if you will experience any benefits of testosterone replacement therapy if you already have normal levels.

Low testosterone levels are linked to various cardiovascular risks. So, can testosterone replacement therapy help with heart disease?

A recent study found that men whose testosterone levels were returned to normal were 24% less likely to experience a heart attack and 36% less likely to have a stroke.

Also, for men with low testosterone, treatments can decrease fat mass and increase muscle size and strength. Some men reported a difference in lean body mass but no increase in strength. It’s believed that you’ll see the most benefits when you combine testosterone therapy with regular strength training.

While more research is needed, current research suggests that men with higher levels of testosterone have a reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Testosterone treatment for men ages 34 to 70 has been shown to improve spatial memory.

As men age and testosterone levels dip, they are at a greater risk of weakening bones and osteoporosis. This is bad, as strong bones help support your muscles and internal organs. Research shows that bone density increases due to testosterone treatment if the dose is high enough.

Older men need more testosterone to help with libido and erectile function. However, it is crucial to note that erectile dysfunction can result from other conditions rather than low testosterone. Studies show that testosterone can improve sexual performance. Yet, they also confirm that there is a maximum level of testosterone that men reach before there is no more increased benefit.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps keep your bones, muscles, and teeth healthy. Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” sun exposure is the most natural way to receive vitamin D. However, your body can only absorb so much vitamin D before it’s time to head inside and protect yourself against the sun’s powerful rays.

Take a supplement to ensure you receive enough vitamin D. The NHS recommends an individual take at least 400 IU daily. Keep in mind that taking up to 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily is considered safe. So, don’t worry about taking too much of it.

Speak with your doctor if you are concerned about being deficient. They can run a blood test to test your vitamin D serum levels. Once they know this, they can prescribe you an amount of vitamin D that is perfect for your body.

Along with reducing inflammation and modulating cell growth, immune function, and glucose absorption, vitamin D can help prevent osteomalacia (soft bones) in adult men.

One study also found that vitamin D may raise testosterone levels, while another similarly found a relationship between low vitamin D and low testosterone levels.

Vitamin C

Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an essential nutrient that protects the body against oxidative stress, aids in tissue repair, and helps bones grow and repair themselves. However, that’s not all that vitamin C is good for. Other benefits of vitamin C include:

• Producing collagen – collagen is a connective tissue that holds your muscles, bones, and other tissues together. It also protects you from bruising, as it keeps capillary walls and blood vessels firm.
• Helping the body absorb folate and iron from plant food sources
• Keeping your gums healthy
• Promoting wound healing
• Working as an antioxidant – inhibits damage that can be done to the body’s cells.
• Boosting immunity – stimulates the formation of antibodies.

If you don’t receive enough vitamin C through your diet, you could develop anemia and/or scurvy. Believe it or not, scurvy is still seen in some malnourished adults today.

It’s recommended that men consume about 90mg of vitamin C per day. Remember that too much vitamin C can’t hurt you but could leave you with an upset stomach.

Shop For All Your Vitamin Needs at WellRabbit!

WellRabbit provides high-quality supplements to those who need them. We pride ourselves on being a trusted source of vitamins and minerals for people of all ages and genders.

Our goal is to help keep you healthy by ensuring that your supplements are the real deal. By shopping with us, you no longer have to worry if your vitamins are safe. You’ll always be safe when shopping at WellRabbit.