Why Are Vitamins Necessary
Eating a healthy diet is one thing, but hitting your Daily Recommended Amount of vitamins and minerals is something else entirely. We all know the importance of a balanced diet, and may even attempt to include whole grains, cut back on sugar, and eat a piece of fruit.
Though those efforts are certainly a good start, they simply arent enough to fuel our bodies with the spectrum of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and good fats they need to thrive. Take this for example. According to the FDA, we should be eating 5 servings of vegetables per day.
Thats 2.5 cups of cooked, colorful veggies. And heres the thing, you very well may be eating a ½ cup of spinach with your breakfast, 1 cup of broccoli with your lunch, and 1 cup of peppers with your dinner, but that onlyscratches the surface of your bodys nutritional needs.
Multivitamins are the easy way to ensure youre getting enough without you having to think too hard about it.
Feeling sluggish? Maybe you have brain fog? Or perhaps youre getting every cold and flu that comes around. Those are all symptoms of vitamin deficiencies, each one pertaining to a different typelike b12 for energy, iron for clarity, and vitamin C for immune defense.
There are many reasons why vitamins are necessary, and your own needs may be completely different from someone elses. Keep an eye out for multivitamins that have added elements, like Omega-3s or antioxidants, if you have an interest in upping your intake of a particular one.
Top Pick For The Best Daily Vitamins For Men Athletes
Best Daily Vitamins For Men Athletes.
- Key Nutrients: Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B 6 and 12. Also Riboflavin, Niancin, Folate, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium and Molybdenum.
- Dosage: 3 tablets a day with food.
Optimum Nutrition is a well known brand of supplements in the fitness and muscle building word and because of this their multivitamin is definitely geared towards fitness enthusiasts.
Opti-Men has extremely high concentration of vitamins with all but Vitamin K being well over 100% and the B vitamins being in the 1000s% it is extensively geared towards people who are extremely fit and exercise regularly.
There is no mention if this product is vegan, gluten free or free of artificial preservatives.
Optimum Nutrition Opti-Men is made in a facility that is NSF Certified for Sport as well as being tested internally and third party tested although the third party isnt mentioned.
Why Should Men Buy Multivitamins
Taking a multivitamin may benefit you if your doctor has determined that you have a vitamin deficiency. Not everyone gets all the vitamins and minerals they need from their food. Many people are deficient in certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Taking a daily multivitamin is an effective way to replace these nutrients and avoid a deficiency.
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Can I Get The Same Nutrients From My Diet
Definitely! But for some people it can be tougher. For instance, if youre a vegan who hates the taste of nutritional yeast, it may be easier to pop a multi to meet your vitamin B12 needs.
And, as Wirtz reminds us, some people may need a multi to get what they need as a result of bariatric surgery, a malabsorption disorder, or aging.
When in doubt, speak with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian. Most wont keep you from taking a multi if you really want to, but if youre on the fence, they can help you decide whether youll truly benefit from one.
Who May Not Benefit From A Mens Multivitamin
The different vitamins and minerals found in a particular whole food work together in ways we are only beginning to understand. Because of this, there are numerous benefits to getting our nutrients from eating a wide variety of whole foods. Scientists are calling the complex relationship of all the various components that make up a whole food the food matrix. While some supplement companies try to pack in all of these nutrients in their multivitamins, we don’t know if this will ever be as effective as getting our nutrients from food as nature intended.
Given the lack of scientific evidence, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics does not recommend the routine use of multivitamins for preventing chronic diseases without first carefully weighing the risks and benefits.
Those who may not benefit from a men’s multivitamin include:
Those who eat a varied diet and don’t have health issues: If you are not vegetarian or vegan, eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods, and have no medical indication for extra vitamins and minerals, there is probably no need to add the expense of a multivitamin.
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Features To Look For In Best Multivitamin For Men:
Keep some things in mind before purchasing the multivitamin for men.
- Verified from reliable institution
- Appropriate daily values of nutrients and source of ingredients
- Consists of right nutrients
- Right balance between gender and age
Take an omega 3 tablet separately as omega 3 fatty acid is the most important nutrient and unavailable in most multivitamins.
Vitamins For Men Over 40
If you are a man over 40 looking to boost your natural testosterone production, then there are only a few good options that may do the trick.
But there is also another option, that will most certainly increase your T production and that is dehydroepiandrosterone . DHEA is the natural precursor for testosterone in your body and it is shown to significantly boost testosterone in men.
However, beware that higher doses will also boost your estrogen levels since your body always aims to maintain a balance between these two hormones.
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How To Choose The Best Daily Multivitamin For Men
- Percentage of Daily Needs –It may seem like an ideal percentage of daily value is 100%. But keep in mind that you will also be receiving vitamins and minerals through diet and exceeding recommended daily intake can have averse reactions. And for example having to much iron can cause toxicity, nausea and abdominal pain.
- Quality In the supplement industry there is as much useless supplements as there is high quality. Choosing a high quality multivitamin is essential. Looking for supplements that have the support of organizations such as USP and NSF ensures that you are using a supplement with a quality that has third party quality testing.
- Delivery system The delivery forms for multivitamins are preference based. some delivery forms include Pill form, capsules, liquids and gummies. Find a delivery system that you like to take the most.
- Dosage-Depending on how many times a day you want to take a multivitamin will dictate the product you want. If you often forget to take your multivitamin perhaps a larger once a day dose is more fitting.
- Allergies Be sure to always check the ingredient list for any potential ingredients that could effect you if you have an allergies.
- Cost-Supplements have different recommendations on how many to take daily. Factoring the price per day is important when determining if a multivitamin fits into your budget.
What Vitamins Are Essential For Men
Vitamins A:Vitamin A helps to support healthy vision, immunity, cell growth, and reproductivity.
Vitamin B: There are many different B vitamins, but they generally help with energy levels and metabolism.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is essential for healing and immunity. It also aids the body in blood vessels, cartilage, and bone formation.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus. It can also help control infections and reduce inflammation.
Vitamin E: The health of your blood, brain, and skin is supported by vitamin E.
Vitamin K:Vitamin K helps with healthy blood clotting and calcium regulation.
Thiamine: Thiamine is a type of B vitamin. It helps the body turn food into energy, supporting nervous system health.
Riboflavin:Riboflavin is another type of B vitamin, and its role in the body is similar to that of thiamine, helping the body convert food to energy.
Pantothenic acid: Pantothenic acid helps the body to properly utilize carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, and it helps with maintaining skin health.
Pyridoxine: Pyridoxine is another derivative of vitamin B. This vitamin is responsible for healthy brain development and immune health.
Biotin: You may also hear of biotin referred to as Vitamin H. This vitamin helps support metabolism and can improve the health of the hair, skin, and nails.
Folate:Folate helps to support healthy cell growth and function.
Calcium:Calcium is an essential mineral that is responsible for the health of the bones and teeth.
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Diversity Of Nutrients In Multivitamins For Men
Were looking at multivitamins here, so if a product just hits you with some calcium and vitamin K, we consider that more of a bone health supplement than a comprehensive multi. But we havent selected many multivitamins that just have vitamins and minerals as we mentioned above, there are some with enzymes, some with omega-3s, and some with compounds that havent yet been described as essential by the FDA.
For example, nettle leaf extract, for example, has been linked to lower inflammation in a few studies, like a 2013 study in Phytomedicine. Its hard to say which results are totally definitive here, but we like it when most of a products ingredients are backed by science and extend beyond just vitamins.
Ritual Mens 18+ Multivitamin
Promising heart, brain, muscle, and immune support, Rituals 18+ supplement is one of the best multivitamins for men . Key ingredients like omega-3 DHA, as well as vitamins E, B12, A, D3, and K, all work together to boost health. Ritual developed its multivitamins with scientists and nutritionists, and the brand is very up-front about tracing its ingredients. Better still, Ritual uses a third-party lab to test for contaminants like heavy metals, microbes, and allergens.
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Do I Need To Take Multivitamins
Think about your unique wellness. How old are you? What are your health goals? Do you have deficiencies? All of these factors come into play when deciding whether or not to take a multivitamin.
The best way to find out if you are deficient in nutrients is to go and get a blood test with your doctor. You may find booking a consultation with a dietician beneficial as well, as theyll be able to recommend supplements or vitaminsfor you to take based on your symptoms .
If youre taking matters into your own hands, then one of the most important things to keep in mind is your age. Men over 50 typically need more nutritional support for their bones, prostate, and nervous system than young bucks do. So, if youre not feeling your best and are over this age, you may want to consider taking a multivitamin.
But regardless of age, anyone who doesnt feel in fighting shape may benefit from taking these convenient little health bombs. More often or not, low vitamin or mineral counts are to blame, and once you restore them to their optimal levels, your energy, mood, and wellness will return to normal.
Before trying any new supplement, its always recommended that you talk it over with your doctor first.
When Is The Best Time To Take A Multivitamin
Seeing as a comprehensive multivitamin formula should contain fat-soluble vitamins, it will be optimally absorbed and thus provide more benefit to the body, to take this supplement with food . “Because multivitamins do typically contain fat-soluble vitaminswhich are vitamins A, D, E, and Kconsuming them with a meal or snack that provides some fat enhances absorption,”* Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., dietitian and author of The Little Book of Game-Changers previously advised. To complement the water-soluble vitamins in your multi, Cording also suggests taking it with a glass of water.
As for morning or evening, it’s really up to you and when you think you can actually stick to your routine. “In general, most people are more likely to stick with taking a multivitamin first thing in the morning,” Bethany Doerfler, RDN, a clinical research dietitian at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, once told mbg.
But taking a multi with breakfast might not jibe for you. As Ferira previously shared with mbg: “For certain people, the morning is simply not an ideal time to take their multivitamin because some individuals’ stomachs can’t tolerate such a hefty mineral load in the initial hours of the day.” She further explains that “personalized nutrition honors these individual differences and pivots one’s approach,” which is why she takes her daily multi with lunch.
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Who Shouldnt Buy Huge Supplements Huge Multivitamin
- Pill-adverse customers who may prefer to take fewer capsules per serving, or would rather take their vitamins in a powder supplement.
- Individuals who dont need this robust ingredients list can find less expensive options out there.
Huge Supplements Huge Multivitamin is great for men who are looking for a wide variety of vitamins and minerals at high dosages its got over 30 nutrients, including solid doses of B vitamins, and even adaptogens.
Best Vitamin C: Doctors Best Vitamin C With Q
While vitamin C is celebrated for promoting a healthy immune system, the potent antioxidant also reduces the damage of free radicals in the body, works in tandem with collagen to create healthy skin and joints, and plays a critical role in wound healing.
Fruits and vegetables are delicious sources of vitamin C, and can easily help men to meet the RDA of 90 milligrams per day. However, if you dont think youre getting enough vitamin C from your diet, these vegetarian capsules from Doctors Best are an easy way to meet your needs.
The capsules provide 1,000 milligrams of ascorbic acid from a particular brand of ascorbic acid called Quali-C, which is manufactured in Scotland and is celebrated for its quality and reliability. Doctors Best recommends taking the non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan capsules without food.
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Vitamin D: A Key Factor In Testosterone Levels
Its very common for Americans to be deficient in vitamin D a 2009 article in Scientific American noted that over 75% of American teens and adults don’t get recommended levels. Why is that a big deal?
For one thing, vitamin D may boost testosterone levels in men. Further research is still needed, but this suggests that a lack of vitamin D could be a cause for low testosterone. Because low testosterone makes men prone to a variety of health issues, such as sleep apnea, low metabolism, libido and fatigue, maintaining proper vitamin D levels is a critical part of mens health.
Low vitamin D also supports heart health and bone health. This is especially essential for older men, who are generally more prone to falls.
How To Choose The Right Multivitamin
The exact nutritional content varies significantly between individual products and brands. Your decision on what supplement you need will depend on:
- Your age. You may need more or less of a nutrient depending on your age. For example, those entering their 50s may wish to start taking vitamins that maintain normal bones.
- Your diet. Consider the nutritional value of what you eat. Do you have a diet thats low or high in certain foods? For example, if youre vegetarian, a multivitamin with B12 provides an extra supplement of a nutrient commonly found in non-vegetarian food sources.3
- Immune status. For example, if youre looking to support your immune system, maybe choose a multivitamin with zinc.
- Your health goals. Do you want more energy? Consider whether low iron could be feeding your fatigue. Or if you want to improve your sleep patterns, look for vitamin B6 in the ingredients.
If you have specific health concerns, please seek medical advice first.
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Ingredients & Potential Interactions
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.
Many mens multivitamins on the market today also contain additional ingredients like herbs, enzymes, and probiotics, with additional health claims that havent necessarily been validated through quality research. Some of those ingredients may interact with some of your medications and/or medical treatments, which is why it is vital to review supplements you are or plan on taking with a medical provider.
There are many factors that contribute to how easily our bodies can use the vitamins and minerals we consume from food or supplements. Some nutrients work together, so consuming them at the same time is beneficial. Other nutrients work against each other, so it is best not to consume them at the same time. For example, calcium reduces your absorption of iron, whereas vitamin C can enhance it.
Who Should Buy Onnit Total Human
- Men over 50 who may need extra key nutrients like vitamin B12 and folate to make sure their age doesnt affect their performance and ability to recover.
- Active men who want a plethora of supplements that can improve their cognition during the day will enjoy the addition of Alpha BRAIN .
- Those who need to wind down at night will like the New Mood 5-HTP supplement that can potentially allow for a better nights sleep.
- Any man over 50 who wants a convenient stack of supplements that are split into easy day and night packages to take on the go, or for ease of use at home.
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