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Some males aged 50 years and over may benefit from taking a multivitamin to support their health and quality of life as they get older.
Quick links
- Best overall: Ritual Essential for Men 50+
- Best subscription: Care/of Men’s Care Pack
- Best vegan: Amazon Elements Men’s One Daily Multivitamin
- Best multivitamin pack: Persona Men’s Essentials + Stress Support
- Best general purpose: Centrum Multivitamin for Men
- Best chewable gummy: SmartyPants Men’s Formula Daily Gummy Multivitamin
- Best gluten-free: Nature Made Men’s Multivitamin Tablets
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.
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 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 levels of vitamin B12. - 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 osteoporosis
may 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
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
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function. However,
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 an antioxidant that may help protect against obesity and inflammation, according to a
The authors of a
For more research-backed information and resources for men’s health, please visit our dedicated hub.
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 may have some benefits and drawbacks, such as the following:
Pros
- They may help prevent vitamin deficiencies.
- They provide the convenience of only needing to take 1 tablet.
- They may help those following specific diets get vitamins they may miss at mealtimes.
- They are readily available in drugstores and pharmacies.
Cons
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate multivitamins in the same way it does other products.
- Some multivitamin brands lack legitimacy, and their products may not be effective or safe.
- Some multivitamins may react with certain prescription medications.
- It is possible for a person to have too much of a vitamin in their body, and a multivitamin may provide more than the recommended amount.
The best product for an individual will depend on their particular circumstances, such as their age, any medications they take, and their health status. 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 adult males
- 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.
Best overall: Ritual Essential for Men 50+
| Type | gel capsule |
|---|---|
| Dosage | 2 capsules daily |
| Price | around $35 |
| Ingredients | folate, magnesium, zinc, boron, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K2 |
| Certifications | vegan, gluten- and major allergen-free, non-GMO, manufacturers are NSF certified and operate in a Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) facility |
This multivitamin capsule 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 that it 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.
Best subscription: Care/of Men’s Care Pack
| Type | various within a pack, including pills and softgels |
|---|---|
| Dosage | 2 multivitamin tablets and fish oil softgels daily, and 1 multivitamin and astaxanthin capsule each per day |
| Price | around $52 |
| Ingredients | astaxanthin, B. lactis, L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, vitamins D3 and K2, salmon oil, and omega-3 |
| Certifications | non-GMO and gluten-free. Three products are vegetarian-friendly, and two are vegan-friendly. Products manufactured and tested in NSF- and GMP-certified facilities. |
The Care/of Men’s Care Pack contains four vitamins and minerals: probiotic blend, multivitamin, astaxanthin, and fish oil. Care/of is also a subscription service, meaning that customers can receive this vitamin pack every month.
All the vitamins and minerals in the pack are gluten free and non-GMO. They may suit some vegetarians, apart for the salmon oil. The astaxanthin and probiotic blend are vegan.
Best vegan: Amazon Elements Men’s One Daily Multivitamin
| Type | tablet |
|---|---|
| Dosage | 1 tablet daily with food |
| Price | around $20 for a 2-month supply |
| Ingredients | calcium, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, fenugreek powder, eleuthero powder, astragalus powder, ginger, turmeric, oregano powder, hawthorn powder, and vitamins A, C, D2, E, K1, K2, and B complex |
| Certifications | vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and whole-food cultured. Manufactured in a CGMP facility. |
This vitamin contains a botanical blend and 21 essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, and antioxidants, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium.
Customers receive more than the DV for many of the vitamins and minerals in these tablets. However, for some vitamins, such as vitamin C, the tablets contain only some of the DV.
The company manufactures its supplements in GMP facilities and tests them to ensure quality.
The supplements are also gluten free and vegan, and the company cultures 62% of the ingredients from whole food.
Best multivitamin pack: Persona Men’s Essentials + Stress Support
| Type | varies within pack |
|---|---|
| Dosage | varies, but the company provides time-of-day packs to ensure a person gets the correct dose at the optimal time |
| Price | varies by vitamin type |
| Ingredients | niacin, folate, biotin, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, chromium, potassium, ashwagandha, astaxanthin, DHA, omega-3, DPA, EPA, lutein, lycopene, organic spirulina, zeaxanthin, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, C, D3, E, and K2 |
| Certifications | manufactured in a CGMP facility. Some vitamins are suitable for vegans, vegetarians, those who have allergies, and those who follow a kosher diet. |
This multivitamin pack contains a number of important minerals and vitamins.
Vitamins C, D, and B all contain at least 100% of the DV. However, some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A and E, contain smaller amounts of DV.
Other ingredients in this pack include spirulina, ashwagandha, a daily probiotic, and omega-3.
Best general purpose: Centrum Multivitamin for Men
| Type | tablet |
|---|---|
| Dosage | 1 tablet daily |
| Price | around $20 for 200 tablets |
| Ingredients | thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, iodine, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, chloride, potassium, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K |
| Certifications | non-GMO and gluten-free. Manufactured in GMP facilities. |
This general purpose multivitamin contains a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins D and B12 and zinc.
The tablets contain gelatin, so they may not suit vegetarians.
With this product, a person can get 100% of the DV for many nutrients in a tablet. However, while vitamin B12 and selenium levels are high, those of calcium and potassium are low.
The company manufactures its supplements in GMP facilities and runs numerous quality checks.
Best chewable gummy: SmartyPants Men’s Formula Daily Gummy Multivitamin
| Type | gummy |
|---|---|
| Dosage | 6 gummies daily with or without food |
| Price | around $27.05 for a 30-day supply |
| Ingredients | biotin, choline, folate, iodine, niacin, riboflavin, selenium, thiamine, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K1, B6, and B12 |
| Certifications | non-GMO and gluten-free. Manufactured in GMP facilities. |
This product provides good amounts of vitamin D, vitamin B12, and zinc. It also contains modest amounts of other essential nutrients and CoQ10 and omega-3.
The product comes in the form of chewable gummies, which some people may find easier to swallow than tablets. However, it is worth noting that they contain 6 grams of added sugar per serving.
The company makes its products at FDA-registered GMP facilities. The gummies are non-GMO and free from common allergens.
Best gluten-free: Nature Made Men’s Multivitamin Tablets
| Type | tablet |
|---|---|
| Dosage | 1 tablet daily |
| Price | around $12.59 for a 90-day supply |
| Ingredients | thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D3, E, and K |
| Certifications | gluten-free and USP-verified |
These tablets contain 100% of the DV for biotin and iodine. However, the amounts of most nutrients are significantly higher than the DV.
In addition, this product provides less than 100% of the DV for calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and K.
Nature Made recommends that a person who is taking medication or having blood clotting issues consult a doctor before taking this product.
The table below compares the seven multivitamins for men over 50 explored in the section above.
| Price | Type | Ingredients | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ritual Essential for Men 50+ | around $35 | gel capsule | folate, magnesium, zinc, boron, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K2 |
| Care/of Men’s Care Pack | around $52 | various within a pack, including pills and softgels | astaxanthin, B. lactis, L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, vitamins D3 and K2, salmon oil, and omega-3 |
| Amazon Elements Men’s One Daily Multivitamin | around $20 for a 2-month supply | tablet | calcium, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, fenugreek powder, eleuthero powder, astragalus powder, ginger, turmeric, oregano powder, hawthorn powder, and vitamins A, C, D2, E, K1, K2, and B complex |
| Persona Men’s Essentials + Stress Support | varies by vitamin type | varies within pack | niacin, folate, biotin, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, chromium, potassium, ashwagandha, astaxanthin, DHA, omega-3, DPA, EPA, lutein, lycopene, organic spirulina, zeaxanthin, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, C, D3, E, and K2 |
| Centrum Multivitamin for Men | around $20 for 200 tablets | tablet | thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, iodine, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, chloride, potassium, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K |
| SmartyPants Men’s Formula Daily Gummy Multivitamin | around $27.05 for a 30-day supply | gummy | biotin, choline, folate, iodine, niacin, riboflavin, selenium, thiamine, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K1, B6, and B12 |
| Nature Made Men’s Multivitamin Tablets | around $12.59 for a 90-day supply | tablet | thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D3, E, and K |
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 quality and accuracy in the product.
Additionally, it is important to check expiration dates on product packaging to ensure supplements are safe to take.
Some vitamins and minerals can cause side effects. For instance, some forms of calcium
Also, certain nutrients
- interact with medications or other supplements
- worsen preexisting conditions
- increase the risk of some health conditions
- cause toxicity at high dosages
Taking a multivitamin can help supplement an individual’s food intake, but it should not 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.
| Type of food | Nutrients |
|---|---|
| colorful fruit 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 consult a doctor or registered dietitian for advice.
These professionals can help a person determine whether they need a supplement and, if so, which one will suit their needs.
If an individual experiences any new or worsening symptoms while taking a vitamin product, they should stop taking it and contact a doctor promptly.
Below, we look at some common questions around multivitamins for men.
Do men’s multivitamins really work?
The
However, a
Is it good to take a multivitamin every day?
Evidence is mostly inconclusive, and individuals should consider discussing dietary supplements with a healthcare professional. This will ensure they are taking products appropriate for their needs.
What vitamins should men take daily?
A
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 calcium is best obtained through food intake.
What is the best time to take a multivitamin?
Sometimes, a person will take a multivitamin in the morning with food. This helps with vitamin absorption. Individuals may also let a doctor guide their multivitamin routine, as some supplements may work better at different times of the day.
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.
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.