Best Vitamins for Men Over 50
Men don’t always like to admit when they need help, but through no fault of your own, after the age of 50, your body is going to need a little more TLC than it's used to. You might deal with more aches and pains, feel a little more forgetful, or have less energy. That’s ok, it happens to everyone.
It just means you need a little more help to stay at the top of your game both physically and mentally.
Your body might start to feel run down because as you age, it stops or slows in producing the vitamins your body needs to stay healthy. But when it comes to figuring out which vitamins you need most, it can be easy to get lost in all the information available.
We’re obviously not doctors but we’ve compiled a list of some of the best vitamins men need when they’re over 50 to stay active and do more!
Vitamins Vs. Supplements
Before you start shopping, there are a few words you show.
Supplements are a popular product but also a bit of a marketing buzzword. Supplements often rely on marketing and have completely unregulated substances in their products. The studies on these various compounds tend to show mixed results.
Vitamins, on the other hand, are thoroughly studied and science knows exactly how they work in the body. They’re essential to healthy growth and maintenance for all stages of your life.
Here is a list of the vitamins men need to support their bodies when they’re over 50.
The Best Vitamins for Men Over 50
Always talk with your doctor before starting to supplement one or more of these in your diet. It’s possible to overdose! Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, E, D and K) are stored in fat cells and can be especially dangerous in large amounts.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D should be a top priority for men simply because so many work indoors - far away from the sun. Besides getting outside, which might be hard depending on where you live, you can get more Vitamin D by eating more fatty fish and fortified milk and cereals. This vitamin is important as you age because it helps with calcium absorption and helps keep bones strong and prevents breaking as you age. If you’re active, it can help prevent cramps and muscles and may even lower the risk of colon cancer, a common cancer in older adults.
One study found that men taking vitamin D supplements had higher testosterone levels than the placebo group.
Best to talk to your doctor about dosage!
Vitamin B12
All animal product foods have B12 in them, so supplementing isn’t usually needed for this one unless you’re vegan or vegetarian but you do want to make sure you’re getting enough of it because it does a lot! Vitamin B12 helps brain functions like memory, can increase energy, enhances your mood, and is great for heart health!
As we age, our bodies have a hard time absorbing so a supplement and/or fortified foods can be a good idea. Have your doctor check your vitamin B12 levels in a blood test.
Magnesium
Although magnesium is considered a mineral, it’s probably the most important one for this part of your life. It has been shown to support brain function, helps out your heart, improves sleep, help lower blood pressure, and even reduce symptoms of depression and "depression is in the background as a causative factor or a co-existing condition in most of the diseases facing men over age 50" such as heart attack and stroke, says Steven P. Roose, MD, professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University.
You can get magnesium in leaf veggies, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes.
Vitamin C
Getting adequate vitamin C has been shown to lower your risk of developing an enlarged prostate. Aside from being an essential nutrient for everyone, it has specific advantages as one of the best vitamins for men over 50.
New research shows that vitamin C could help over 50s retain muscle mass in later life. The study shows that older people who eat plenty of vitamin C -- commonly found in citrus fruits, berries and vegetables -- have the best skeletal muscle mass.
High amounts can also be found in peppers and dark green veggies.
Potassium
Potassium works to maintain bone density, regulate blood pressure, regulate muscle contractions, and much more…all beneficial to men as they age. One study found that men who consumed 4,300 mg of potassium per day were 38% less likely to suffer a stroke. For such a helpful electrolyte, many tend to overlook meeting their potassium needs. The best sources include bananas, avocados, beets, and salmon.
For men looking to stay active, keep their minds sharp, and continue to enjoy life and do more, these vitamins can be an important part of a daily health regimen. But always make sure to talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
