The Men's Guide to Multivitamins, According to Experts (2024)

The Men's Guide to Multivitamins, According to Experts (1)

Research indicates that nearly one-third of the U.S. population may be at risk for deficiency in at least one vitamin. A men’s multivitamin may be beneficial if you have a nutrient deficiency or find it challenging to meet your daily recommended intake solely through food. Some common reasons someone might have a nutrient deficiency are if they follow a restricted diet, take certain medications, or have certain diseases that affect vitamin and mineral levels.

Multivitamins may help to fill these nutrient gaps and prevent deficiencies, but it's also essential to prioritize eating nutritious foods. As Registered Dietitian Kyala Clegg, MS, RD, CSCS, CES, says, “No matter the quality of the supplement, you cannot out-supplement an inadequate diet.”

When selecting our top multivitamins for men, we prioritized third-party tested supplements to ensure purity and potency. We evaluated multivitamins for essential nutrients for men, including zinc and selenium, as well as those that limited nutrients men do not typically need to supplement, including iron. We also considered the nutritional needs of different ages, price, dosage, complete nutrition profile, and added ingredients.

In addition to our extensive research, we surveyed over 60 adults from a wide age range, to get their feedback on top multivitamins, including their taste, texture, and convenience.

Editor's Note

Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology. Then, a registered dietitian on our Expert Review Board reviews each article for scientific accuracy.

Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure it is appropriate for your needs and to determine the proper dosage.

In This Article

  • Our Picks

  • Who Should Take A Multivitamin?

  • Who Shouldn’t Take A Multivitamin?

  • How We Select Supplements

  • What to Look For

  • How Much To Take

  • Our Experts

  • FAQ

  • Why Trust Verywell Health

Key Specs:

Serving size: 2 capsules | Servings per container: 30 | Major vitamin(s) missing: Vitamin C | Major mineral(s) missing: Iron, copper, selenium, calcium, potassium

Why We Recommend It

Ritual Men's Multivitamin 18+ targets common nutrient deficiencies in men's diets. It provides a breakdown of where each ingredient is sourced and utilizes third-party testing for purity, potency, composition, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

You'll notice that certain nutrients are left out, including calcium, vitamin C, copper, iron, and selenium, which most men can get adequate amounts of from diet alone. Men have lower iron needs than women, with an RDA of eight milligrams compared to 18-27 milligrams for women, so iron supplementation is typically unnecessary for men. However, if you are deficient in these vitamins and minerals, consider additional supplementation to target your needs.

This supplement stood out as a top choice in our survey findings, with multiple participants reporting that they appreciated the refreshing mint essence, enjoyable taste, pleasant aftertaste, and easy to swallow. The delayed-release, stomach-acid-resistant capsule makes the vitamin gentle on an empty stomach and optimizes absorption. The capsule is made from plant-based ingredients, making it suitable for vegans. We also like that it includes omega-3 DHA sourced from microalgae.

Things To Consider

  • This supplement is not a complete multivitamin but designed to target nutrients commonly lacking in the diet. However, we recommend considering a more comprehensive multivitamin if you have a limited diet.
  • Ritual also offers Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+, which contains ten key nutrients in the same small, minty-flavored capsule.

Pros

  • NSF Certified for Sport

  • Capsule form

  • Highly absorbable forms of vitamins and minerals

Cons

  • Two capsules serving size

Key Specs:

Serving size: 2 capsules | Servings per container: 30 | Major vitamin(s) missing: None | Major mineral(s) missing: Iron, potassium

Why We Recommend It

We’re fans of Thorne because they are committed to following and evolving with science. Among our top picks is their Basic Nutrient 2/Day because of the comprehensive blend of nutrients it packs into one serving with high-quality ingredients and rigorous testing.

Thorne operates its own manufacturing facility and in-house testing labs, where supplements are made and inspected for quality assurance. The Basic Nutrients 2/Day is also NSF Certified for Sport, giving third-party assurance, especially for athletes, that it contains what it says it contains without contaminants or substances prohibited by major athletic organizations.

This formula contains all major vitamins as well as key minerals. It includes methylated B12 and folate, the naturally occurring forms that may be more effectively absorbed and utilized by the body. It also contains vitamins K1 and K2, which may support cardiovascular and bone health, in conjunction with the added vitamin D. According to our survey results, users reported a somewhat chalky smell to the vitamin, but this didn’t prevent them from taking it regularly.

Things To Consider

  • This supplement contains a high amount of vitamins and minerals in a two-capsule dosage. To maximize absorption, you can split up the two-capsule serving so that you take one with a meal earlier in the day and the other at your evening meal.

Pros

  • USP Verified

  • Single tablet dosage

  • Affordable

Cons

  • Does not contain methylated forms of B vitamins

  • It contains gelatin, not suitable for vegans and vegetarians

Key Specs:

Serving size: 1 tablet | Servings per container: 90 | Major vitamin(s) missing: None | Major mineral(s) missing: Iron, potassium

Why We Recommend It

Nature Made Multi for Him is a trusted brand at a more affordable price point that doesn’t compromise on quality. This supplement is third-party tested for purity and potency and USP Verified. It includes 22 key nutrients for daily nutritional support at dosages appropriate for a baseline multivitamin.

Take note that you're supposed to take this supplement with water and a meal. If swallowing pills is challenging, you’ll appreciate that this is conveniently small, so it's easy to swallow. We also like that it omits iron, a mineral most men do not need to supplement. If you eat enough animal proteins like red meat, chicken, and fish, you are probably getting enough iron through food. For those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, incorporating a variety of greens, lentils, and tofu can help you consume enough iron without the need for a supplement.

Things To Consider

  • Although Nature Made Multi for Him provides adequate amounts of B vitamins, they are not in the more absorbable, methylated forms.
  • This product contains gelatin in the capsule, which is unsuitable for vegans or vegetarian diets. It also includes additives, including modified food starch, maltodextrin, and polyethylene glycol.

Pros

  • NSF Certified

  • Contains Omega-3s

  • Free of common food allergens

Cons

  • Large serving size (6 gummies)

  • Contains added sugar

Key Specs

Serving size: 6 gummies | Servings per container: 30 | Major vitamin(s) missing: None | Major mineral(s) missing: Iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium

Why We Recommend It

If you're looking for a gummy multivitamin option, consider SmartyPants Men's Formula. These tasty gummies offer a pleasant alternative if you don’t love swallowing pills. This supplement is third-party tested for purity and potency and is NSF Certified, making it a trusted product. We like that it contains the active, methylated forms of B vitamins and adequate dosages of key nutrients for men without iron. Additionally, it is free of common food allergens, including milk, eggs, shellfish, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat.

This multivitamin contains 510 milligrams of fish oil and 125 milligrams of omega-3s EPA and DHA. Omega-3s can help to lower inflammation and support brain, eye, and heart health. This is a relatively low dose, given the recommended intake of 1,600 milligrams of omega-3s per day for adult men, but it's a helpful way to help boost your daily intake. Also, they source their fish oil from sustainable fisheries and only use small fish, limiting mercury exposure.

Things To Consider

  • One serving is six gummies, which can be a lot to take every day. However, our survey respondents report that they are enjoyable to eat, with a sweet and fruity flavor. They are sweetened with organic cane sugar and contain natural flavors and colorings from organic carrots, berries, and turmeric.
  • Each serving contains six grams of sugar, which should be considered in the context of your total added sugar intake for the day.

Pros

  • USDA Organic

  • NSF Certified

  • Made from a whole food blend

Cons

  • Larger tablets

  • Contains herbal blends that may not be suitable for all

Key Specs:

Serving size: 2 tablets | Servings per container: 60 | Major vitamin(s) missing: None | Major mineral(s) missing: Calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium

Why We Recommend It

Garden of Life mykind Organic Men's 40+ is uniquely formulated to meet the needs of older men. It’s made from over 30 organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs and is USDA Organic and third-party tested for purity and potency with an NSF Certification.

It contains several key vitamins and minerals with nutrient dosages suitable for men 40+. Compared to their basic multivitamin, it has over three times the amount of vitamin B12, which is a common deficiency among older people. It also has vitamin K2 added, which has been shown in studies to play an important role in heart and bone health.

This supplement also contains an herbal blend of pomegranate, pumpkin, turmeric, and lycopene. These ingredients have some evidence to suggest a potential protective effect on prostate and heart health, although more research is necessary.

Things to Consider

  • The herbal blend in this supplement can interact with certain medications and may not be suitable for all, so be sure to check with a healthcare professional to ensure it is safe for you to take.
  • These tablets are relatively large, so if you have trouble swallowing pills, this may not be the best option.

Pros

  • Uses a comprehensive, evidence-based questionnaire to help guide your supplement selections

  • Offers customizable supplement packets

  • All supplements are internally and third-party tested

Cons

  • Subscription only

Key Specs:

Serving size: 2 tablets | Servings per container: 30 | Major vitamin(s) missing: some B vitamins | Major mineral(s) missing: Iron, copper, selenium

Why We Recommend It

Care/of is a subscription-based service that allows you to curate your own customizable daily supplement packets and conveniently have them delivered to your door monthly. We appreciate that all their supplements are internally and third-party tested for purity and potency.

Their multivitamin offers a base of key vitamins A, C, D3, E, B6, B12, and K, and choline, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. You can also add additional vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, and probiotics to your daily packet. Probiotics can help diversify our gut bacteria and potentially benefit a variety of bodily functions, including those related to gastrointestinal diseases, high cholesterol, and immune function.

We like that they offer an in-depth, evidence-based questionnaire to help guide your supplement selections. While it does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional, it is a helpful resource for determining your potential supplement needs.

Things To Consider

  • Care/of is a subscription-only company that offers an easy option to pause or cancel monthly deliveries.

Pros

  • Gluten-free

  • Made from a whole food blend

  • NSF Certified

Cons

  • Larger tablets

  • Contains herbal blends that may not be suitable for all

Key Specs:

Serving size: 1 tablet | Servings per container: 60 | Major vitamin(s) missing: None | Major mineral(s) missing: Calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, iodine

Why We Recommend It

If you're looking for an organic and vegan multivitamin, mykind Organics Men’s Once Daily Whole Food Multivitamin from Garden of Life is a good option. It is made from over 30 organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs, containing all major vitamins and a few key minerals to meet the daily recommended needs of most men.

This multivitamin is USDA Organic, non-GMO verified, NSF Certified Gluten-Free, and certified vegan. It is also third-party certified by NSF, which ensures it contains the nutrients it says it contains without harmful contaminants. These third-party verifications provide peace of mind that this multivitamin undergoes steps to ensure a higher quality offering.

This supplement is also available in a larger container with 60 servings to make it more affordable. Garden of Life is a certified B Corporation, which means it is guided by ethical and sustainability principles.

Things To Consider

  • The list of organic food and herbal ingredients is extensive, so read the label carefully to be sure you do not have any intolerances or allergies and that the ingredients will not interact with any of your existing medications or supplements.
  • The tablets are larger, so it may not be the best choice if you have trouble swallowing pills.

Pros

  • NSF Certified for Sport

  • Easily dissolves in water

  • High in a variety of vitamins and minerals

Cons

  • Contains some ingredients that can interact with medications

  • Exact amounts are not listed in the proprietary blend

  • Not everyone will like the taste

Key Specs:

Serving size: 1 scoop (12 grams) | Servings per container: 30 | Major vitamin(s) missing: Vitamin D | Major mineral(s) missing: Iron and iodine

Why We Recommend It

Athletic Greens (AG1) could be a great option if you prefer a greens powder that also functions as a multivitamin. AG1 combines whole foods, vitamins, and minerals into this 75-ingredient greens powder. We appreciate that it is third-party tested and NSF Certified for Sport, with all their ingredients being traceable.

Beyond its multivitamin function, AG1 also includes probiotics and digestive enzymes that may support gut health. Some research shows that the adaptogens in this supplement—Rhodiola rosea and ashwagandhamay help us better adapt to and handle stress. While adaptogens have been used for centuries, we don’t have enough research to understand the long-term effects.

We appreciate that AG1 offers a subscription-based service so you can rest easy knowing your multivitamin will arrive on time each month. Plus, the fruity taste and smooth blending in water without leaving behind any clumps adds to its appeal.

Things To Consider

  • Keep in mind that some of the additional ingredients in this supplement, such as adaptogens, mushroom powders, probiotics, and digestive enzymes, are not suitable for everyone. Consult with a healthcare professional before you add this supplement to your daily regimen.

Pros

  • Organic and vegan

  • Sugar-free

  • Tasty flavor

Cons

  • Contains some ingredients that can interact with medications

Key Specs:

Serving size: 1 pouch (15 ml) | Servings per container: 14 | Major vitamin(s) missing: Vitamin C and K | Major mineral(s) missing: Iron, copper, selenium, calcium, potassium

Why We Recommend It

Swallowing pills can be a hassle, but Mary Ruth’s Organic Men’s Multivitamin makes it easy in liquid form. This supplement is available in single-serve pouches as well as a bottle version and is perfect for on-the-go with no measuring required. It has a tasty vanilla peach flavor with no added sugar and can easily be added to a drink or smoothie.

While the vitamin and mineral list isn’t extensive, the focus is on key nutrients essential for men’s health. Additionally, it contains some omega-3s from algal oil, making it suitable for vegans. However, note that it includes a modest dose of 100 mg; this means you still want to make sure you are eating foods containing omega-3s.

Mary Ruth’s proprietary botanical blend incorporates elderberry, goji berry, ashwagandha, and maca, offering a blend of herbal supplements and adaptogens. While research is limited, it supports some benefits. Maca has become increasingly popular with men, although the evidence is weak on its ability to improve libido and boost energy. Discussing these ingredients with a healthcare professional before taking this supplement is essential, as they may interact with certain medications.

Things To Consider

  • This supplement contains a proprietary botanical blend with adaptogens that may interact with certain medications; we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before adding it to your routine.
  • Remember that taste is subjective, and while our survey results provided many favorable taste reviews, many people also felt this supplement had a somewhat unpleasant taste and texture.

Who Should Take A Multivitamin?

If you suspect you are at risk of a deficiency in vitamins or minerals, you may benefit from adding a supplement to your routine. We recommend you work with a medical provider to identify potential vitamin or mineral deficiencies through laboratory testing, like blood work. This personalized approach would allow you to add a supplement that aligns with your specific needs. Realistically, this is not standard practice in our healthcare system, so if you think you might be deficient in one or several vitamins or minerals, you may have to advocate for yourself to be tested.

“Often, multivitamins alone aren’t enough to reverse a deficiency. That is why if someone suspects they are deficient in a vitamin or mineral, it’s crucial to meet with a qualified dietitian to develop a plan of action that works and is backed by science,” says Crystal Pace, MS, RD, IFNCP, RYT.

Men who may not be meeting their micronutrient requirements or who are at risk for a deficiency include:

  • Those restricting energy intake for weight loss
  • Those with reduced intake related to poor appetite or illness
  • Those following strict dietary protocols, such as the ketogenic diet, vegan, low FODMAP, and carnivore diets
  • Those with increased needs related to physical pursuits, such as athletes and those who work jobs requiring long and/or extreme bouts of manual labor
  • Those with a gastrointestinal (GI) disease or who have undergone GI surgery, including bariatric surgery
  • Those with very high alcohol intakes or who have alcohol use disorder
  • Those on micronutrient-depleting medications

The following medications are considered micronutrient-depleting and may deplete the corresponding nutrients:

  • Proton Pump Inhibitors: may deplete B12 and magnesium
  • NSAIDs (Aspirin): may deplete vitamin C
  • Anti-hypertensives (Diuretics): may deplete calcium
  • Statins: may deplete coenzyme Q10
  • Metformin: may deplete B12
  • Corticosteroids: may deplete calcium, vitamin D, potassium
  • Bronchodilators: may deplete calcium, vitamin D

Who Shouldn’t Take A Multivitamin?

The different vitamins and minerals found in a particular whole food (a fruit or vegetable, for example) work together in ways we are only beginning to understand. Because of this, there are numerous benefits to getting our nutrients from eating a wide variety of whole foods. Scientists are calling the complex relationship of all the various components that make up a whole food the food matrix. While some supplement companies try to pack in all of these nutrients in their multivitamins, we don't know if this will ever be as effective as getting our nutrients from food as nature intended.

Given the lack of scientific evidence, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics does not recommend the routine use of multivitamins for preventing chronic diseases without first carefully weighing the risks and benefits.

Those who may not benefit from a men's multivitamin include:

Those who eat a varied diet and don't have health issues: If you are not vegetarian or vegan, eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods, and have no medical indication for extra vitamins and minerals, there is probably no need to add the expense of a multivitamin.

Those on certain medications: Multivitamins can influence the dosage and effectiveness of your medication. For example, vitamin K could reduce the effectiveness of your blood thinner as your body utilizes it to assist with blood clotting. Vitamin E, on the other hand, inhibits blood clotting and may increase your risk of bleeding if you are on a blood thinner. If you are taking any medications, check with a healthcare provider before starting a multivitamin.

How We Select Supplements

Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.

We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. Additionally,we asked over 60 peoplefor their feedback on their level of satisfaction with different aspects of multivitamins, includingtaste, texture, ingredient transparency, convenience, and value.

It's important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.

What to Look For in a Men's Multivitamin

The bottom line is that multivitamins don’t account for our unique individual nutrient needs. Our nutrient needs vary based on factors such as age, genetics, health status, environment, and activity level. Therefore, most multivitamins are more of a “shotgun” approach to ensuring that you are covering the nutritional gaps from food alone.

We recommend working with a healthcare provider to determine if you need to supplement and, if so, with what nutrients. Multivitamins can vary in what vitamins and minerals they contain and what amount of each nutrient they provide. For example, some multivitamins for men contain iron, and some do not. Men eating a variety of foods, especially red meat, may not need iron in a multivitamin.

Third-Party Testing

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements to ensure products contain their listed ingredients in the amounts claimed and are free of contaminants, companies are responsible for meeting these requirements independently. Therefore, the FDA will only investigate a multivitamin if someone reports it has caused harm.

Supplements that are third-party tested are sent to a lab where they are tested for purity and potency to ensure they contain what they say and do not contain any potential contaminants. Trusted third-party certifications include ConsumerLab.com, NSF, USP, Clean Label Project, and Informed Choice, among others. However, these certifications can be difficult to obtain and expensive for manufacturers, so many companies choose not to get their products tested. If you are selecting a supplement that does not have third-party testing, we recommend choosing a trusted brand that does rigorous internal testing.

Form

The following are considerations for forms of multivitamins for men, from the form of the supplement to the form of nutrients.

  • Physical forms: You can find men’s multivitamins in capsule, tablet, gummy, liquid, and even powder form. Capsules may be better than pills to ensure greater absorption because of their protective coating. Liquid forms may be preferable if you have difficulty swallowing pills or have trouble with digestion (from issues such as gastric surgery or reflux).
  • Nutrient forms: Supplement companies will also use different forms of each vitamin and mineral found in the multivitamin. For example:
  • Vitamin A: Some multivitamins will have vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, the plant form found in plants that your body will turn into usable vitamin A. We recommend looking for the beta-carotene form of vitamin A in your supplements, as it has the least risk of toxicity.
  • Vitamin B12: Some multivitamins will have a synthetic form of B12 known as cyanocobalamin, while others will have a naturally occurring form known as methylcobalamin. Research shows that your body may be able to utilize B12 as methylcobalamin better and that there is some concern with B12 as cyanocobalamin because it may lead to the build-up of cyanide, a potentially dangerous chemical.

Ingredients & Potential Interactions

It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included relative to its recommended daily value. Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.

Many men’s multivitamins today contain additional ingredients like herbs, enzymes, and probiotics, with additional health claims that haven’t necessarily been validated through quality research. Some of those ingredients may interact with your medications and/or medical treatments, so reviewing supplements you are on or plan on taking with a medical provider is vital.

Many factors contribute to how easily our bodies can use the vitamins and minerals we consume from food or supplements. Some nutrients work together, so consuming them at the same time is beneficial. Other nutrients work against each other, so consuming them at different times is best. For example, calcium reduces your absorption of iron, whereas vitamin C can enhance it.

According to the 2015-2020 USDA dietary guidelines for Americans, people are not consuming enough choline, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A, D, E, and C. The 2020-2025 guidelines list calcium, potassium, and vitamin D as nutrients of a public health concern due to the underconsumption of foods high in these nutrients. So, with that considered, these might be important nutrients to include in a multivitamin, depending on your diet.

How Much To Take

There is no standard dose for multivitamins, though most manufacturers use daily values (DVs), dietary reference intakes (DRIs), and adequate intakes (AIs) to determine the dosage of each vitamin or mineral included in a multivitamin.

Some manufacturers add more than the recommended amount of certain vitamins and minerals since emerging research suggests there may be additional benefits from higher doses. In addition, the nutrient bioavailability (the amount your body absorbs) from supplements varies by vitamin or mineral type and form, so higher amounts of certain nutrients may be included, assuming your body won't absorb the entire dose.

It’s essential to ensure that no nutrients in your multivitamin exceed the upper limit established by the National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.

Your body filters and eliminates excess water-soluble vitamins (the B vitamins and vitamin C), so it is difficult to over-consume these. However, fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, D, and K) can be stored in fat tissue and are dangerous when consumed in excess. Minerals iron, calcium, iodine, magnesium, selenium, copper, molybdenum, and manganese also can be damaging if consumed in excess.

You can help ensure that you are not exceeding micronutrient upper limits by running your multivitamin pick by your healthcare provider before you start taking it, sticking to reputable multivitamins that do not have unnecessary additives, and getting annual blood work to make sure your micronutrient levels are within the normal range.

Our Experts

  • Kyala Clegg, MS, RD, CSCS, CES is a Registered Dietitian and Strength and Conditioning Coach with a background in pediatrics, tactical performance, and sports performance nutrition, with over ten years of experience.
  • Crystal Pace, MS, RD, IFNCP, RYT, is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) who specializes in helping people make peace with food and their bodies.
  • Amy Fischer, MS, RD, CDN, is a Registered Dietitian specializing in covering nutrition- and health-related content and product testing. She has extensive knowledge of the supplement industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are multivitamins necessary for active men?

    If you are an active man, you can get all the necessary vitamins and minerals to optimize your performance and well-being if you eat enough nutrient-dense foods. Studies that have provided multivitamin supplements to athletes over prolonged periods have shown no significant effects on performance.

  • Should I get a specific multivitamin if I’m over 40 or 50?

    Yes, if you have decided to get a men’s multivitamin and are over 40 or 50 years old, it would be beneficial to look for a product that meets your evolving nutritional needs. Multivitamins marketed for men over a certain age often vary in the amounts of certain micronutrients.

    As we age, vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, silicon, boron, and vitamins D and K become important for maintaining healthy bones. One study in older adults found that multivitamin use was associated with a 51 percent lower risk of sustaining a hip fracture.

    Many multivitamins in this category will also contain additional ingredients like herbs marketed for things like heart and prostate health. Some herbs can interact with certain medications, so check with a healthcare provider if you choose a multivitamin that contains added herbs. Remember, age is not the only factor that will guide you in making the right decision.

  • Do I need to take a multivitamin every day for it to be effective?

    It depends. Overall, your current nutritional status and whether you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency or insufficiency will be what makes a multivitamin effective or not. If you have a micronutrient that you need to supplement, then it will be most important to take your supplement as prescribed.

  • What is the best time to take a multivitamin?

    If you want to maximize the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, then it is best to take your multivitamin with a source of fat from food. If you’re looking to limit the competition for absorption between vitamins and minerals, it’s better to spread your intake throughout the day, which may look different based on your unique dietary habits and schedule. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

  • What is different about a multivitamin for men versus women?

    The primary difference you will usually find in multivitamins made for men versus women is the presence of iron and calcium, as men’s multivitamins often won’t contain them, or they will have them in lesser quantities.
    For reference, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iron in men is 8mg compared to 18mg for women before menopause. The RDA for calcium in men is 1,000mg versus 1,200mg for women.

    The other major difference will be the addition of specialty ingredients marketed specifically for “men’s health” versus “women’s health”, but these claims may not be backed by research.

Why Trust Verywell Health

Peter Pace, MS, RD, CSCS, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a master of science in nutrition & exercise physiology from Columbia University. He is a certified strength & conditioning specialist (CSCS) and personal trainer, specializing in both athletic and general populations. He is also an experienced researcher, having worked in both nutrition & exercise physiology labs in the university setting. As a former athlete, he has an expertise and passion for the practical applications of the sciences of nutrition and exercise for optimal performance. Peter also co-founded Re-nourishing Roots, which provides nutrition and fitness services to help people improve their health and well-being through nutrition, movement, and sustainable living.

The Men's Guide to Multivitamins, According to Experts (2024)
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