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{joomplu:1233}Multivitamins for Men

Once used to prevent nutritional deficiency (such as vitamin C for scurvy), vitamins and multivitamins are now recommended to promote optimal health and prevent chronic disease such as heart disease and cancer – two leading causes of death for men and women in the U.S. Ideally, the best way to ensure an adequate intake of vitamins, minerals, calories and nutrients is with a balanced diet. This includes sources of macronutrients ­– lean protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates.

The next step may be to consider adding a daily multivitamin to the diet (but not as a replacement for any meal or snack), or alternatively, adding one or more individual vitamin supplements to a healthy diet. Multivitamins vary in types and amounts of nutrient content. To avoid excessive intake of certain supplements, look for a multivitamin that provides no more than 100 percent of the daily recommended value. This one pill may be more practical than a regimen of several single vitamin pills.
Label comparison will show that vitamins for men and postmenopausal women have more than 20 ingredients per tablet, but neither includes iron in order to avoid both iron overload and possible harm to someone with undiagnosed Hereditary Hemochromatosis, where excess accumulated iron in the body could cause liver and heart problems. Conversely, adult formulas for both sexes will generally weigh in heavier on amounts of vitamin D3, which may help bone and breast health. Low blood levels of D3 are more common with advanced age and supplementation may be a good way to increase blood levels and aid bone health.

For Men Only
Ingredients in men’s multivitamin preparations also vary according to age group. One A Day Men’s Health Formula aims at four areas – heart health, healthy blood pressure, immunity and physical energy. The benefit of some vitamins overlap and specific aims include vitamins B6, B12, C, E and folic acid for heart health; vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and D for blood pressure; antioxidants A, C, E and selenium for immunity; and selenium, B6, B12, pantothenic acid (B5), chromium and folic acid for physical energy. This multivitamin also has 300 mg of lycopene, which may play a role in prostate and heart health. The antioxidant lycopene is the substance in tomato and watermelon that gives the fruits their natural red color. There is no daily percent value for lycopene.
A formula designed for men over the age of 50, One A Day Men’s 50+ Advantage also aims to supply nutrients for heart, blood pressure and physical energy plus additional nutrients for eye, memory and concentration – all of which have a propensity for functional decline with advancing age. Vitamins A, C, E and zinc are added for eye health and Ginkgo biloba extract for memory. Due to the potential for bleeding, any patient on a blood thinner (including daily aspirin) and patients who may have surgery should talk with their doctor before taking any form of Ginkgo. There is no daily percent value for Ginkgo, since it is an herb. 
The B vitamins – B6, B12 and folic acid – all work together and may potentially help prevent heart disease and cancer. Folic acid may help prevent a stroke in patients who have not had a previous stroke. Studies are ongoing.
Always be sure to bring your doctor the label of the specific supplement you are considering.