When it comes to choosing supplements for men, there are some important physiological needs to consider. There are significant differences between men and women that affect your nutritional needs. This is why most multivitamins that you find on the market are marketed either toward men or women.
For instance, there are certain conditions that affect men more than women, such as heart disease and lung cancer. Generally, these differences stem from physical differences in body makeup.
Men tend to have more muscle mass and bone mass than women. Usually, they also have lower body fat. These characteristics can be attributed to sex hormones like testosterone.
The nutritional needs of men are also defined by their lifestyle choices, which differ from women. For example, men are less likely to regularly visit a medical provider than women. They are also less likely to consume the recommended amount of five or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
With some of these differences in mind, you can better gauge what supplements to look for. Take a moment to evaluate your everyday habits and identify areas that are in need of improvement.
With how oversaturated the health and wellness space has become in recent years, it can be overwhelming trying to find a supplement that works for you. Fortunately for you, we’ve put together an in-depth list of the best supplements for men. Learn more below!
Multivitamin
For an easy, convenient way to supplement your diet, multivitamins are a solid option. This is by far the most popular dietary supplement, with an estimated 33% of Americans taking one. Yet, men are less likely to take a multivitamin compared to women.
Multivitamins offer essential vitamins and minerals to help fill any gaps in your diet. Most of the time, these types of supplements contain a multitude of different ingredients. Ultimately, you should find multivitamins that target your specific needs.
For instance, if you have low vitamin D levels, you should buy multivitamins that contain high levels of vitamin D. If you’re someone who has a weak immune system, you might benefit from supplements that contain vitamin C.
It is very difficult to get the nutrients you need in your diet alone. To get a better understanding of how crucial it is to take supplements, here are some key statistics: in America, 94% of people don’t get enough vitamin D; 88.5% are low on vitamin E; 52.2% for magnesium; and about 38% for calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet is incredibly important to your health. You may not notice any immediate impacts from neglecting these nutrients, but eventually, you will. A lack of vitamins and minerals has been linked to many chronic diseases like cancer.
Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are known as “the good fats.” Most fats are known for clogging your digestive system and increasing cholesterol. However, omega-3 fatty acids offer an abundance of health benefits.
This supplement, also known as fish oil, supports your heart, brain, eye, skin and joint health. The three classifications of omega-3s are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Out of these fatty acids, ALA is the most significant because it cannot be produced by the body on its own. They must be consumed through food like chia and flax seeds; or omega-3 supplements.
According to the Institute of Medicine, men should consume 1.6 grams a day of omega-3, while women should consume 1.1 grams.
Probiotics
Probiotics have taken over the health and wellness industry as of late. If you’ve ever heard of kombucha, you’re probably familiar with the term.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer a host of health benefits. They are most commonly used to support digestive health. According to advocates of probiotic products, when consumed, these organisms remove the bad bacteria in your gut.
Probiotics are bacteria themselves, but they’re a good kind of bacteria; one that helps you by cleaning out your stomach.
You can find these organisms in a variety of supplements, in the form of a liquid, pill, or powder. The most common probiotic strains that you’ll find on the market are lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.
One interesting thing about probiotic products is that they aren’t dosed in terms of milligrams or grams. Instead, they’re dosed in terms of Colony Forming Units (CFU).
Alternatively, there are also many foods you can eat that are rich in probiotics, such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.