Maintaining a balanced diet is vital for everyone, but men have specific nutritional needs that are important to address for overall health and vitality. While getting nutrients from whole foods is always the best option, supplements can help fill any gaps. Here are four key nutrients every man should consider, especially in the UK, where certain deficiencies can be common due to lifestyle factors or limited sunlight during the winter months.
Vitamin D- Is known as a superstar vitamin, which also is one of the only vitamins that acts like a hormone in the body as well. Now vitamin D plays a role in bone health, in mood, in energy, immune system function, but low levels of vitamin D have been linked to a higher risk of hypertension compared to those who have sufficient levels. So it's also a really important one for cardiovascular disease risk. In addition, vitamin D can play a role in testosterone production, our male sex hormone, major male sex hormone, and also in sperm health. Vitamin D can be found in some foods, so things like egg yolks, activated mushrooms, fatty fish, but it's quite hard to get your recommended daily intake from diet alone, which is why sometimes supplementation is advised.
Zinc- Zinc is one of the key minerals that is known for supporting testosterone and sperm production. It also plays a role in immune system health as well. Study shows that zinc ingestion reduces oxidative stress, which is connected to ageing and age-related diseases. The human body doesn’t naturally produce zinc, we have to ingest it from certain vegetables, seafood, meat, or supplements.
Vitamin B12- It supports nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis, ultimately promoting energy levels, brain function, and potentially heart health. Good sources of Vitamin B12 are in fish, meat, milk, cheese and eggs.
CoQ10- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound that helps generate energy in your cells. Your body produces less of it with age, but you can also get it from food or supplements. CoQ10 may help support the skin, brain, and lungs and protect against chronic diseases like cancer and type 2 diabetes. Male fertility is also susceptible to oxidative damage, which may result in reduced sperm count, poor sperm quality, and infertility. Several studies suggest supplementing with CoQ10 may improve sperm activity and concentration by increasing antioxidant protection.
If you’re interested in adding supplements to your routine to support these key nutrients, here are three great options to check out:
Tryception
Duron Plus
Jointin-D
While supplements are a great option, always aim to get your nutrients from a diet rich in whole foods whenever possible. But if you're looking to fill in the gaps, these supplements can offer the support you need to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.