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Some males 50 years and over may benefit from taking a multivitamin to support their health and quality of life as they age. The best product will depend on individual age, medications, and health status.
Males and females often benefit from differing vitamin and mineral types, quantities, and combinations. With this in mind, some pharmaceutical companies develop specific formulas of supplements, vitamins, shakes, and health bars to benefit either male or female biology. A person should discuss their options with a doctor or healthcare professional who can help them decide, and choose the product they feel works best for them and their needs.
Medical News Today chooses multivitamins for men over 50 that meet the following criteria:
Ingredients: MNT chooses multivitamins containing safe and high quality ingredients that can benefit health, such as vitamins A, B, and C.
Dosage: MNT chooses multivitamins that must clearly state the supplement dosage and how it relates to an adult’s daily recommended intake.
Serving size: MNT selects multivitamins in which manufacturers recommend a safe dosage.
Third-party testing:MNT chooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
Available certificate of analysis: MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) after receiving its third-party lab results.
Medical News Todayfollows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
have undergone third-party testing for quality and safety
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Before purchasing multivitamins, a person may consider the following factors:
Cost: Some multivitamins are more expensive than others, and not all products contain the same number of supplements. Check the packaging carefully to ensure the best value for money.
Vitamin and mineral content: Not all multivitamin products contain the same selection or amount of vitamins and minerals.
Multivitamin form: Some multivitamins come in the form of a capsule, tablet, or chewable gummy. People may wish to consider purchasing a multivitamin that is easier to swallow.
Subscription services: Some companies may offer a subscription service, delivering a monthly supply of multivitamins directly to a person’s home.
Eco-friendly materials: Some companies use eco-friendly materials, such as 100% recycled bottles or biodegradable packaging.
Multivitamins contain a range of vitamins and minerals that are essential for health. In many cases, a person can get these nutrients from eating a balanced diet and getting sunlight exposure.
However, as people get older, they may need extra help getting enough vitamins and minerals. There are several reasons for this, including:
Reduced absorption: According to the National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging, 10–30% of older adults do not absorb vitamin B12 effectively. If a person is not absorbing enough nutrients from their food, taking a supplement may help.
Physical training: If a male over 50 years is physically active, they may need additional vitamins and minerals to support their training.
Reduced mobility: If an individual has a disability or chronic condition, they may not be able to cook fresh foods from scratch or get outdoors easily. This might make it more difficult for them to get enough of some nutrients.
Limited diet: A person with dietary restrictions may not get all the essential nutrients from food and may benefit from taking a supplement.
Age-related chronic disease: Conditions such as osteoporosismay increase a person’s need for nutrients.
However, while some people may benefit from taking vitamin supplements, not everyone needs or benefits from them.
Getting too much of some vitamins can be dangerous, and some vitamins can also interact with medications. For instance, vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of warfarin, a medication that prevents blood clotting.
A blood test may help a person determine whether they have a vitamin deficiency and require a supplement.
It is essential to get enough of all the vital nutrients each day. However, there are some specific nutrients that males aged 50 years and over may benefit from taking.
Vitamin B12
As 10–30% of older adults may not absorb vitamin B12 from food efficiently, they may need to increase their intake through more foods containing B12 or from a supplement.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function. However, many people do not get enough vitamin D from food alone, and an adult’s need for this nutrient increases as they age.
Antioxidants
Some vitamins and minerals are also antioxidants. Antioxidants can help protect against free radicals.
Some antioxidants to look for in supplements include:
A person should consult a healthcare professional before taking any multivitamins, especially if they have a health condition or are taking medications or other supplements.
A doctor will help a person determine what supplements, if any, would best suit them.
A person should strongly consider purchasing high quality multivitamin products from trusted sources. Third-party organizations, such as USP and NSF International, leave a seal of approval on supplement packaging to guarantee the quality and accuracy of the product.
Additionally, it is essential to check expiration dates on product packaging to ensure supplements are safe to take.
Below, we look at some common questions about these products.
Should men over 50 take a multivitamin?
While many people will receive the DV of most nutrients through their diet, multivitamins can help fill nutritional gaps.
What is the best supplement for men over 50?
A 2021 study discovered a positive relationship between vitamin D and testosterone levels, semen quality, and male reproductive health.
Other vitamins that males should ensure they get plenty of, include magnesium for heart health, vitamins A, B, C, and E for overall health, and calcium for bone health.
However, it is worth noting that obtaining calcium through food intake is best.
Do men’s multivitamins really work?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that multivitamins are the most common dietary supplement in the United States that contributes to increased nutrient intake in people in the U.S.
However, a 2020 review found that supplement use may have little to no benefit for disease prevention in those without clinical deficiencies.
What is the highest quality multivitamin for men?
To find the highest quality multivitamin, people should look for brands that undergo third-party testing and have certifications from organizations such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
What vitamins should men not take?
Multivitamins can fill nutrient gaps in otherwise healthy diets.
However, it is important not to take high doses of vitamins or minerals, as it can damage a person’s health. For example, having too much iron can cause nausea and vomiting, and may lead to liver damage.
It is also important to discuss taking multivitamins with a healthcare professional if a person is taking any medication. For example, vitamin K can negatively interact with Warfarin, reducing its ability to thin the blood.
A multivitamin may benefit males aged 50 years and over who cannot get enough nutrients from their diet. Some essential nutrients include antioxidants and vitamins B12 and D. However, everyone’s needs are different.
Knowing which nutrients a person needs and in what quantities is important. A doctor or dietitian can advise someone on which supplements to take and how to avoid potential adverse effects.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Ciccone IM, et al. (2021). Serum vitamin D content is associated with semen parameters and serum testosterone levels in men. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7831823/
Dietary supplement use among adults: United States, 2017–2018. (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db399.htm
Dietary supplements: What you need to know [Fact sheet]. (2023). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WYNTK-Consumer/
Iron [Fact sheet]. (2022). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/
Marsman D, et al. (2018). Healthy aging: The natural consequences of good nutrition – a conference report. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5984649/
Qu H, et al. (2018). Effects of coenzyme Q10 on statin-induced myopathy: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.118.009835
Sauer AK, et al. (2020). Zinc deficiency in men over 50 and its implications in prostate disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7424038/
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Zhang FF, et al. (2020). Health effects of vitamin and mineral supplements. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7322674/
