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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.

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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 levels of vitamin B12.
  • 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 they may therefore 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 instance, vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of warfarin, a medication that prevents blood clotting.

Having a blood test may help determine whether a person has a vitamin deficiency 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 years 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 extra B12-containing foods 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:

These nutrients have numerous potential benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), AREDS, which is a combination of vitamins C and E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin, may slow age-related macular degeneration.

A 2016 review indicates that zinc is also necessary for prostate function.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that may help protect against obesity and inflammation, according to a 2014 review.

Authors of a 2018 study suggest 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 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 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.

We use “men’s” and “women’s” in this article to align with how companies market their products, but there is no need to stick to one or the other. A person should choose the product with the fit, style, and features that work best for them.

The best product for an individual 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 writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.

Ritual Essential for Men 50+

  • Type: gel capsule
  • Dosage: 2 capsules daily
  • Ingredients: folate, magnesium, zinc, boron, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K2

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 that it includes on its website the vitamin and mineral country of origin. 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.

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Care/of Men’s Care Pack

  • Type: varies within pack
  • Dosage: 2 magnesium tablets daily and 1 vitamin D, vitamin B12, astaxanthin capsule each per day
  • Ingredients: vitamin D, vitamin B12, astaxanthin, and magnesium

The Care/of Men’s Care Pack contains four vitamins and minerals: vitamin D, vitamin B12, astaxanthin, and magnesium. Care/of is also a subscription service, meaning that customers can receive this vitamin pack on a monthly basis.

With this pack, a person receives over 100% of the DV for vitamins D and B12 and 95% of the DV for magnesium.

All of the vitamins and minerals in the pack are vegetarian and gluten free. Also, all of the vitamins and minerals except for vitamin D are non-GMO and vegan.

Amazon Elements Men’s One Daily Multivitamin

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 enough of 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 Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facilities and tests them to ensure quality.

The supplements are also vegan and gluten free, and the company cultures 62% of the ingredients from whole food.

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Persona Men’s Essentials + Stress Support

  • Type: varies within pack
  • Dosage: varies
  • 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

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 the DV.

Other ingredients in this pack include spirulina, ashwagandha, a daily probiotic, and omega-3.

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Centrum Multivitamin for Men

  • Type: tablet
  • Dosage: 1 tablet daily
  • 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

This general purpose multivitamin contains a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins D and B12 and zinc.

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.

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SmartyPants Men’s Formula Daily Gummy Multivitamin

  • Type: gummy
  • Dosage: 6 gummies daily with or without food
  • Ingredients: biotin, choline, folate, iodine, niacin, riboflavin, selenium, thiamine, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K1, B6, and B12

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.

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 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-registered GMP facilities. The gummies are also non-GMO and free of common allergens.

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Nature’s Way Alive! Men’s 50+ Gummy Multivitamin

  • Type: gummy
  • Dosage: 3 gummies daily
  • Ingredients: thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, iodine, zinc, selenium, lutein, lycopene, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D3, and E

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 for 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.

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Other considerations

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, are most suitable for them.

It is advisable to choose high quality multivitamin products from trusted sources. Third-party organizations, such as USP and NSF International, will 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 fresh and safe to take.

Are there any risks?

Some vitamins and minerals can cause side effects. For instance, some forms of calcium may cause gassiness and bloating, and iron supplements can cause constipation.

Also, certain nutrients can be harmful to some people. For instance, a multivitamin product may:

  • interact with medications or other supplements
  • worsen preexisting conditions
  • increase the risk of some health conditions
  • cause toxicity at high dosages

Other sources

Taking a multivitamin can help supplement a person’s food intake, but it should not replace a balanced, varied diet.

Vitamin-rich foods may also contain other essential nutrients, such as:

The following table shows how to get a wide range of nutrients from food.

Type of foodNutrients
colorful fruit and vegetablesvitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin K
folate
fiber
magnesium
zinc
other antioxidants
meat and dairy productsprotein
B vitamins
calcium
zinc
nuts and seedsprotein
calcium
fiber
magnesium
selenium
zinc
oily fishprotein
omega-3 fatty acids
vitamin D
iodine
selenium
zinc
whole grainsB vitamins
fiber
magnesium
selenium

When to contact a doctor

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 a person experiences any new or worsening symptoms while taking a vitamin product, they should stop taking it and contact a doctor promptly.

Summary

A multivitamin may benefit males aged 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.

Learn more about vitamins, minerals, and supplements here.