We’ve consulted the latest research to bring you some of the best supplements for men. Talk to your doctor about which of these may be right for you.
Vitamin D
According to experts, vitamin D deficiency has become a major problem in the U.S. While we used to get our dose of vitamin D through sun exposure, too much time spent indoors and the use of sunscreen to protect from skin cancer has increased the need to get vitamin D through diet and supplementation.
One of the main roles of vitamin D is to help the body absorb calcium to strengthen bones and prevent bone loss.
A new 2018 study found a new benefit: Men with fertility issues who were vitamin D deficient and who supplemented with varying doses of vitamin D were able to improve their partner’s birth success rate.
The RDA for vitamin D for adult men up to age 70 is 600 International Units (IU) per day. If your blood test results indicate a deficiency, your doctor may recommend an even higher dose.
Try: Jarrow Formulas Vitamin D3 1000 IU Softgels
L-Carnitine
An amino acid naturally produced in the body, L-carnitine is necessary for moving fatty acids into the mitochondria of cells for the purpose of burning fat for energy.
There is a high concentration of L-carnitine in both skeletal and cardiac muscle, so it also works to improve cardiac output and muscular function.
A Mayo Clinic review article of 13 clinical trials stated that L-carnitine had multiple benefits for heart attack sufferers, including a 65 percent reduction in ventricular arrhythmias and a 27 percent reduction in all-cause mortality.
In a study published in Fertility and Sterility, supplementing with L-carnitine was shown to help increase sperm count and mobility in men with low sperm counts and sperm quality.
The observed safe level (OSL) of L-carnitine is up to 2,000 mg/day.
Try: Nature’s Way L-Carnitine 500 mg Vegetarian Capsules
Vitamin C
While it’s likely the most popular antioxidant on the block, experts say that adults in the U.S. simply aren’t getting enough vitamin C through diet alone.
Vitamin C is known for its immune-boosting properties, and is often associated with its ability to prevent a cold or shorten its duration.
A vitamin C study published in the journal Nutrients concluded that vitamin C does help to prevent and treat respiratory infections by enhancing immune cell functions.
The RDA of vitamin C for men is 90 mg/day – easy to find in a good men’s multi.
Try: NOW Foods Sports Men’s Extreme Sports Multi Softgels