If you have ever perused the supplement aisle in your pharmacy, you’ve come across quite the display of vitamins and minerals. And even though you feel OK, you’ve probably wondered if you need to snag a bottle or two.
You don’t want to start downing supplements willy-nilly, but also aren’t sure what your body needs. We felt the same way, so we decided to reach out to a few medical experts, and get their take on the best supplements for men for maintaining health and wellbeing in 2022.
Below you’ll find a guide to commonly asked questions regarding supplements, our top picks for supplements every guy should consider taking, and a few more options below that are formulated to solve specific health concerns: from poor sleep to inconsistent digestion.
Do Men Need To Take Supplements?
“Any adult, regardless of age, can benefit from proper supplements,” John Ivy, Ph.D., chairman of HumanN’s Science Advisory Board and coauthor of Nutrient Timing: The Future of Sports Nutrition. “Furthermore, once you reach 45 years and older, the benefits of taking the right supplements are enhanced,” he says.
It seems that as you age, your body’s ability to absorb and utilize nutrients becomes less efficient, so taking supplements for men may be able to help fill in the gaps. “Everyone should take a multivitamin/mineral supplement, and there are some good ones that are specifically designed for men,” said Dr. Ivy.
We also spoke with Dr. Justin J. Houman, a urologist and men’s health specialist at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, CA about the best supplements for men of any age, as well as those looking to address specific health concerns. He noted that while taking supplements can have health benefits, an overall healthy lifestyle is crucial first and foremost.
“When it comes to supplements, supplements are supplements, so they should be in addition to a good healthy diet and lifestyle,” said Dr. Houman.
Which Supplements Should Men Be Taking?
Still, we know that it can be confusing to know what you need to take, how much, and if a multi is all you need. Some labels say that vitamins or minerals will improve your vision, hair and brain function, give you more energy and address hormonal issues like sleep. It’s all a bit much.
It’s helpful to narrow down the issues you’re trying to address by looking for supplements in the first place. Do you want to boost your energy levels? Improve your libido? Maybe sleep better? Aiming at a specific issue will help narrow down which supplements you should look for.
Men’s Sexual Health Supplements
“It depends on what you’re looking for, most guys come to me and they ask about what they can do to improve their sexual quality of life, or their sexual health,” said Dr. Houman. “We do know that there are two over-the-counter amino acids that can definitely help in terms of improving blood flow, not just to your penis but blood flow to your whole body. One of those is called L-Citrulline. It’s an amino acid that helps dilate the smooth muscles of your blood vessels, and in doing so increases blood flow to your muscles, your extremities and your penis also.”
“L-Arginine acts similarly to L-Citrulline but it works quicker and has a shorter half-life, so the L-Citrulline is generally recommended because it can last little bit longer,” said Dr. Houman.
Other Men’s Health Supplements
“The other aspect of sexual health is stamina, performance, libido, so when it comes to those, you think of testosterone. So what can someone do to improve their testosterone levels, supplement-wise? Even if you are exercising well, getting good sleep and eating a good diet, if you’re lacking in vitamin D, if you’re lacking magnesium, if you’re lacking zinc, these can contribute to low testosterone levels.”
If you’re looking for the best testosterone supplements, we’ve got a whole other piece for that. If you suspect your levels of the other vitamins and minerals above are low, we’ve gathered supplement options below that could help.
So we did some digging and have rounded up some of the best supplements for men, with a few options for each of the ones mentioned above. We’ve also gathered some vitamin subscription services that make ordering all your vitamins and supplements easy. Read on below for our picks.
Best Men’s Multivitamins
Care/Of Multivitamins for Men
BEST OVERALL
Care/Of is one of our favorite vitamin subscription services, but you can also buy the company’s supplements a la carte. Even better, the company recently partnered with Target, where you can buy these popular supplements for men. Each bottle contains a 30-day supply of vitamins.
Care/Of formulated this multivitamin “to fill real diet gaps for men” and avoid sugar, animal products, gluten and other unnecessary additives. This multivitamin contains essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D3, vitamin K2, plant-based calcium derived from mineral-rich red algae, and more. Like the best supplements for men, they’re available at a reasonable price, although they are slightly more expensive than some other options.
Vitafusion Men’s Multi
RUNNER UP
If you want to be one and done when it comes to the best supplements for men, a multi is an excellent way to go. There are brands available that ensure they are giving you a proper dose of each vitamin and mineral. They may not always meet 100% of the RDA of all vitamins and minerals, but they are a good start. Plus, even if you are taking a supplement, it is still essential to eat a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, fiber and whole carbs
A great entry into supplementing your diet is by starting with an easy-to-digest multi such as Vitafusion Men’s Multi’s. They are tasty, and each serving provides vitamins A, C, D, E, B12, B6, Pantothenic Acid, and Folic Acid, a synthetic form of vitamin B9. Folic Acid supplementation has been linked to a 10% lower risk of stroke. While gummies may have been candy from your childhood, many manufacturers are now creating supplements in this form.
Naturelo One Daily Multivitamin for Men
BEST PLANT BASED MULTI
Naturelo One Daily Multivitamin is packed with 23 essential vitamins and minerals. These include plant-based vitamin D3 from lichen, vitamin E from sunflower, iodine from kelp, calcium, and magnesium from marine algae — an antioxidant with anti-aging properties
One a Day Men’s Multivitamin
ALSO CONSIDER
This multivitamin is designed specifically for men and to help with one of the leading concerns when it comes to men’s health — heart health. It contains key nutrients like vitamins A, B6, C, D, E and K as well as riboflavin, thiamin and niacin. The supplement is formulated to support things like immunity, healthy blood pressure, healthy muscle function and turning food into fuel and energy.
Courtesy of Amazon
ASystem Superhuman Supplements for Men
BEST SPLURGE
Unlike a typical multivitamin, ASystem Superhuman Supplements are separated into individually wrapped packets, each of which contains five capsules meant to keep you energized, focused, support immune health, support mental health and help manage stress levels. SPY had a chance to test out these supplements for men, and we did feel a difference in energy levels after several weeks of use. One capsule is packed with ashwagandha, while the others contain a potent mix of fish oil, Coenzyme Q10 and S7.
Use the code SPY15 to get 15% off at ASYSTEM
Courtesy of ASystem
ASystem Superhuman Supplements for Men
$75.00/Month
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Best Nutritional Supplements for Men
If you aren’t interested in a multivitamin, there are hundreds of potential supplements you can choose from to support almost every part of your body, from your skin and hair to your brain and heart. Below, we’ve gathered some of the best supplements for men that address specific health concerns or contain a particular vitamin or mineral.
Nature’s Bounty Zinc Immune Support Supplement
BEST FOR IMMUNE SUPPORT
Zinc is very important for the health of your immune system and your overall health and wellbeing. This one contains no GMOs and 50 milligrams in each capsule for a daily dose formulated to be easily absorbed into the body.
Courtesy of Amazon
hims Immunity Gummy Vitamins
QUALITY PICK
These immunity gummy vitamins from Hims have a delicious meyer lemon flavor and are formulated to be taken three times each day. Each gummy contains a bunch of crucial vitamins including Vitamins A, E, K as well as thiamine for supporting a healthy immune system. You can buy one jar or subscribe and get them regularly delivered to your home so you never run out.
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hims Immunity Gummy Vitamins
$19.00
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Bulletproof Brain Octane Softgels
Bulletproof is best known for its unique and KETO-friendly coffee, which is packed full of MCT oil to support your metabolism and energy. In recent years, Bulletproof has expanded with a line of supplements for men and women, and so this is a great brand to consider if you’re looking for the best supplements to support brain function and energy levels. Bulletproof Brain Octane Softgels “contain C8 MCT oil, the most ketogenic MCT oil for brain-powering ketone energy,” per Bulletproof’s website.
Courtesy of Bulletproof
Bulletproof Brain Octane Softgels
$16.95
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NatureWise Vitamin D3 Supplement
BEST VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is a very common supplement to take no matter your age or lifestyle, as almost anyone can benefit from boosting their vitamin D levels. This supplement from NatureWise is formulated to deliver an active form of vitamin D in a 5,000 IU dose, or 125 mcg, to help adults maintain healthy levels without excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
Read More: The Best Vitamin D Supplements of 2022
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NatureWise Vitamin D3 Supplement
$14.99
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Doctor’s Best Magnesium Glycinate
BEST FOR RELAXATION
According to Dr. Houman, magnesium glycinate is the type of magnesium that can help with your mood as well as spur relaxation, something many of us need in today’s world to support our overall wellbeing. He explained “there’s magnesium glycinate which is better for relaxation, and that one’s absorbed better, so you actually feel the impact,” said Dr. Houman.
“Mood and relaxation and stress, people like magnesium glycinate for those things.” This supplement from Doctor’s Best is 100% chelated and made with TRAACS, a bioavailable form of magnesium that’s formulated to be easier for your body to absorb. Each bottle comes with 100 240 mg tablets so you have a large supply with each purchase.
Courtesy of Amazon
Doctor's Best High Absorption Magnesium Glycinate
$19.99
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Nature Made Vitamin B12
BEST FOR ENERGY
Vitamin B12 is often touted as something that you should take if you feel a little more tired and groggy even after a decent night’s sleep. But supplements like Nature Made Vitamin B12 have been found to only boost energy to those who are deficient. B12 deficiency is most commonly found in those 50 and older and starting at that age; your body has a hard time absorbing it. Absorption is also problematic for those who have conditions like celiac or Crohn’s disease. Also, since your body doesn’t produce B12 and it is primarily found in animal products, you may run low and feel depleted if you follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet. B12 or cobalamin helps your body convert what you eat into glucose which in turn gives you energy.
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Nature Made Vitamin B12
$15.29
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Nature Made Vitamin K2
BEST FOR BONE HEALTH
While you may be familiar with vitamin K, the generic name for a group of compounds, you may not fully understand its structure. “There is K1 which helps with blood clotting, and K2 has the heart and bone health benefits,” says nutrition expert Mia Syn, RDN. While K1 can be accessed from eating leafy green vegetables, K2 is found in fermented foods such as Nattō (food made from fermented soybeans) and sauerkraut. “Fermented foods are not typically consumed in the western diet, and because of that, it’s estimated that most Americans don’t meet their K2 needs,” she says. This deficiency could impact your bone and heart health, so Syn suggests taking a K2 supplement, but you also want to make sure you are also getting enough D3.
K2 and D3 are a perfect pair and work in conjunction with one another. “D3 enables the production of osteocalcin, which is a marker for bone health and is inactive until vitamin K2 activates it so that it can bind calcium,” says Syn. If osteocalcin remains inactive, then calcium won’t be integrated into the skeletal system. “This can lead to excess calcium that can be deposited into the cardiovascular system and have harmful heart effects,” she says. So they depend on one another to support both bone and heart health.
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Nature Made Vitamin K2
$15.52
$19.29
20% OFF
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NusaPure Beet Root
BEST FOR IMPROVED BLOOD FLOW
The average American diet contains only 40 to 100 mg of nitrate. The body can convert nitrate to nitric oxide. “Maintaining a healthy level of nitric oxide has many health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, prevent atherosclerosis, reducing insulin resistance, and improving cognitive function,” says Ivy. “These benefits of dietary nitrate are seen when consuming 400 to 800 mg of dietary nitrate per day,” he says. You can eat four to five servings of green leafy vegetables per day (100 g/serving) to reach those numbers; you can also take a nitric oxide generating supplement such as beetroot supplements like NusaPure Beet Root.
Amazon
NusaPure Beet Root
$19.90
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Zenwise Vegan Omega-3
BEST FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Zenwise Vegan Omega-3 takes away fish burps that often happen when you take an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Zenwise sources its active ingredient from marine algae. Omega-3 fatty acid helps to support heart health. The brand includes 140 mg of EPA and 280 mg of DHA in its sustainable and vegan-friendly supplement. This product is an excellent choice for those concerned about fish-derived omega products that may contain mercury and other toxins.
Read More: The Best Vitamins and Supplements for Metabolism
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Zenwise Vegan Omega-3
$28.97
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Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Prostate+
BEST FOR PROSTATE HEALTH
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Prostate+ is a gluten-free, non-GMO formula that does double duty as it targets your prostate and gut health. Probiotics have been associated with health benefits, including balancing your digestive tract. It contains vitamin D and organic ingredients which may improve lower urinary tract symptoms and support prostate health. Note: this vitamin supplement needs to be refrigerated.
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Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Prostate+
$32.84
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Olly Sleep Gummies
BEST FOR SLEEP
This blackberry-flavored supplement from Olly Sleep Gummies is a blend of Melatonin, L-Theanine and chamomile and lemon balm. The hormone melatonin is increased when it gets dark outside and can cause you to feel sleepy. Plus L-Theanine and lemon balm promote calmness, while chamomile promotes sleep.
