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Some males over the age of 50 years may benefit from taking a multivitamin to support their health and prolong their quality of life as they get older.
Quick links
- For subscription multivitamin: Ritual Essential for Men 50+
- For general-purpose multivitamin: Centrum Multivitamin for Men
- For chewable gummy multivitamin: SmartyPants Men’s Formula Daily Gummy Multivitamin
- For more vitamin B6 and B12: Nature’s Way Alive! Men’s 50+ Gummy Multi-Vitamin
Multivitamins contain a range of vitamins and minerals that are essential for human 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 a variety of reasons for this, including:
- Reduced absorption: According to the Institute of Medicine,
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. - Medication: Some medications can deplete a person’s vitamin levels. For example, proton pump inhibitors and metformin can
reduce vitamin B12 levels. - Physical training: If a male over 50 is very physically active, they may need additional vitamins and minerals to support their training.
- Reduced mobility: If a person has a disability or chronic illness, they may not be able to cook fresh foods from scratch or get outdoors easily. This might make it more difficult to get enough of some nutrients.
- Limited diet: A person with dietary restrictions may not get all the essential nutrients from food and benefit from taking a supplement.
- Age-related chronic disease: Conditions such as osteoporosis may
increase a person’s need for nutrients.
However, while some people may benefit from taking vitamin supplements, it is important to note that 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 example, vitamin K can
Having a blood test may help determine whether a person is deficient in any vitamins and requires a supplement.
People need to get enough of all the vital nutrients each day. However, there are some specific nutrients that males over 50 may benefit from taking.
Vitamin B12
As
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:
These nutrients have numerous potential benefits. According to the
A
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is another antioxidant that may help protect against obesity and inflammation, according to a
One study suggests that CoQ10 can reduce the muscle pain and weakness that some people experience while taking statins.
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 their money.
- Vitamin and mineral content: Not all multivitamin products contain the same selection of vitamins and minerals and may include differing amounts.
- Multivitamin form: Some multivitamins come in capsule, tablet, or chewable gummy form. 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.
The best product for someone will depend on their particular circumstances, such as their age, any medications they take, their health status, and other factors. A doctor or dietitian can advise on this.
The product options below:
- contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals
- contain doses that are suitable for male adults
- have undergone testing by a third party for quality and safety
Please note that the following statements are research-based. No one at Medical News Today, including the writer, has tried these products.
Ritual Essential for Men 50+
This capsule multivitamin contains 10 essential vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, vitamin K2, and boron. People can take out a subscription, and Ritual will deliver this product each month.
A person receives 100% or more of the daily value (DV) for vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate with this product. However, the levels of the other vitamins and minerals are lower.
Ritual states that its multivitamins are traceable and includes the vitamin and mineral country of origin on its website. The company makes each bottle out of 100% recycled material.
This product has a delayed-release design, and Ritual states that people should take 2 capsules per day. The company uses a third party to test its products for heavy metals, microbes, allergens, and other contaminants.
Centrum Multivitamin for Men
This general-purpose multivitamin contains a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, and zinc.
With this product, a person can get 100% of the DV for many nutrients in one tablet. However, while vitamin B12 and selenium levels are high, those of calcium and potassium are low.
The company manufacture their supplements in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facilities and run numerous quality checks.
SmartyPants Men’s Formula Daily Gummy Multivitamin
This product provides good amounts of vitamin D, vitamin B12, and zinc. It also contains modest amounts of other essential nutrients, as well as CoQ10 and omega-3.
This product comes in the form of chewable gummies, which some people may find easier than tablets. However, it is worth noting that they contain 6 grams (g) of added sugar per serving.
The company make their products at Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-registered GMP facilities.
Nature’s Way Alive! Men’s 50+ Gummy Multi-Vitamin
These gummies contain 100% of the DV for numerous key nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E. The amounts of selenium and vitamins B6 and B12 are higher than the DV.
In addition, this product provides 50% of the DV of zinc and other B vitamins. It also contains some fruit and vegetable powders. Nature’s Way is GMP-registered by NSF International and certified organic.
Some vitamins and minerals can cause side effects. For example, some forms of calcium
Certain nutrients can also
- interact with medications or other supplements
- worsen preexisting conditions
- increase the risk for some health conditions
- cause toxicity at high dosages
Taking a multivitamin can help supplement a person’s food intake, but it cannot replace a balanced, varied diet. Vitamin-rich foods may also contain other essential nutrients, such as:
- protein
- omega-3 fatty acids
- fiber and prebiotics, which feed beneficial bacteria in the gut
- other antioxidants, such as polyphenols and beta carotene
The following table shows how to get a wide range of nutrients from food.
| Foods to include | Nutrients |
|---|---|
| Different colored fruits and vegetables | vitamin A vitamin C vitamin K folate fiber magnesium zinc other antioxidants |
| Meat and dairy products | protein B vitamins calcium zinc |
| Nuts and seeds | protein calcium fiber magnesium selenium zinc |
| Oily fish | protein omega-3 fatty acids vitamin D iodine selenium zinc |
| Whole grains | B vitamins fiber magnesium selenium |
Anyone concerned about their nutrient intake may wish to speak to a doctor or registered dietitian for advice. These professionals can help them understand whether they need a supplement and, if so, which one will suit their needs.
If a person experiences any new or worsening symptoms while taking a vitamin product, they should stop taking it and contact a doctor promptly.
A multivitamin may benefit males over 50 years who cannot get enough nutrients from their diet. Some essential nutrients include antioxidants, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. However, everyone’s needs are different.
It is important to know which nutrients a person needs and in what quantities. A doctor or dietitian can advise someone on which supplements to take and how to avoid potential adverse effects.