As a man over 50, you understand how important vitamins and minerals are for your health. You also know that men’s nutrient needs differ slightly to women [1].
One way to ensure you’re securing a full spectrum of micronutrients is by utilizing a multivitamin. More specifically, a supplement tailored specifically toward men’s health.
[Related Article: Best Supplements for Men over 50]
Why take a men’s multivitamin?
In an ideal scenario, we would fill our nutrient requirements via the means of whole foods alone. But our modern lifestyles, irregular eating patterns, and diet can sometimes cause men to miss out on some key vitamins and minerals.
A micronutrient deficiency can quickly leave a lasting impact on your wellbeing after 50. In some cases, it may also result in chronic disease or increased risk of injury. This is because vitamins are integral for many important roles in the body; from supporting hormone production and bone health, to regulating mood and energy.
Furthermore, men who are in a calorie deficit or maintain an alternative diet may be more likely to develop deficiencies. Vegan, ketogenic, and Atkin diets, etc. can all establish barriers around certain foods, making the ability to consume a complete range of vitamins harder.
To solve the above issues, many men over 50 turn to a high-quality multivitamin. These are dietary supplements containing numerous essential and non-essential micronutrients which, depending on quality, can bridge the gaps that appear in your diet.
[Related Article: Best Testosterone Boosters for Men Over 50]
Men’s multivitamins are not designed to replace a well-balanced diet. However, when taken alongside one, they can benefit both your health and overall wellbeing.
Key vitamins for men over 50
Almost all micronutrients are important for men. Yet, there are some that stand out as being integral for men over 50 [3].
| Benefits | Recommended Daily Amount for Men | Tolerable Upper Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Keeps immune system, skin, and tissues healthy. May also lower prostate cancer risk | M: 900 mcg (3,000 IU) Some supplements report vitamin A in international units (IU's). | mcg (2,333 IU)Some supplements report vitamin A in international units (IU's). 3,000 mcg (about 10,000 IU) |
| B vitamins | Important for energy metabolism, red blood cell production, and testosterone synthesis | B1 1.2 mg, B2 1.3 mg, B3 16 mg, B5 5 mg, B6 51+ years old 1.7 m, B9 400 mcg, B12 2.4 mcg | B1, B2, B5, B12 Unkown, B3 35 mg, B6 100 mg, B9 1,000 mcg |
| Biotin | Converts food to energy and synthesize glucose | 30 mcg | Unknown |
| Vitamin C | Helps create collagen, acts as an antioxidant, supports immune system | 90 mg | 2,000 mg |
| Vitamin D | Supports bone health, lowers risk of fractures, and aids testosterone production | 31–70: 15 mcg (600 IU) 71+: 20 mcg (800 IU) | 50 mcg (2,000 IU) |
| Vitamin E | Protects cells from harm | 15 mg (15 mg equals about 22 IU from natural sources of vitamin E and 33 IU from synthetic vitamin E) | 1,000 mg (nearly 1,500 IU natural vitamin E; 2,200 IU synthetic) |
| Calcium | Aids muscle function, supports bone health, and helps hormone secretion | 51-70: 1,000 mg, 71+: 1,200 mg | 2,500 mg |
| Chromium | Utilized to free energy from glucose | 51+: 30 mcg | Unknown |
| Copper | Supports iron metabolism and aids the creation of red blood cells | 900 mcg | 10,000 mcg |
| Iron | Necessary for creating amino acids, and helps oxygen travel around the body via red blood cells | 51+ 8 mg | 45 mg |
| Magnesium | Essential for muscle function, aids blood clotting, and regulates blood pressure | 420 mg | 350 mg (Note: This upper limit applies to supplements and medicines, such as laxatives, not to dietary magnesium.) |
| Zinc | Helps make new cells, bolsters the immune system and wound healing, supports testosterone production, may delay age-related macular degeneration | 11 mg | 40 mg |
*Information from Harvard Health Publishing.
Keep reading to see our top five multivitamins for men over 50.
Best Multivitamins for Men Over 50
1. Performance Lab® Whole Food Multi: Men’s
Performance Lab®’s Whole Food Multi: Men’s is a comprehensive multivitamin tailored specifically to suit masculine health. It offers 17 essential nutrients, that are delivered in at least 100% of their DRV, alongside generous quantities of other minerals to provide testosterone support. Each capsule is also vegan-friendly and completely free from synthetic additives and common allergens.
As a multivitamin for men over 50, Whole Food Multi: Men’s is one of the leading natural and balanced options on the market. It does not rely on mega-servingss, which can be harmful, or fillers to bulk capsules.
Based in London, England, Performance Lab® offer an expansive range of supplements using cutting-edge formulas and an ethos surrounding holistic health. Their specialty is producing high-quality, premium products, for the general public and athletes alike.
Each of their products, including this one, is vegan friendly, non-GMO, and GMP certified. Whole Food Multi: Men’s is also free from caffeine, soy, gluten, and common allergens, making it a popular choice among men with specific dietary needs.
Designed for men’s health
According to Performance Lab, Whole Food Multi: Men’s is designed to aid everything from cardiovascular to hormone health, using exclusively high-grade ingredients. They claim to innovate multivitamins with bioavailable BioGenesis® vitamins and minerals, which are grown on cultures in strict lab conditions.
Apparently, this is to sidestep the low nutrition density of modern foods, which are often exposed to poor farming and processing practices. It allows Performance Lab® to keep their manufacturing process eco-friendly; as their nutrients do not require pesticides or herbicides, do not deplete the soil, have a minimized carbon footprint, and do not utilize destructive mining. Eco-conscious men often choose Performance Lab® products for these very reasons.
Features vitamin’s vital for men
Whole Food Multi: Men’s features all the vital vitamins and minerals essential for men’s health. B vitamins aid energy and brain power, while the likes of vitamins A, D, C, and E, support strength and vision.
Furthermore, Performance Lab® have paid attention to their mineral selection, including generous amounts of Zinc, Magnesium, and Boron to bolster testosterone production and sleep [3] [4]. What’s also important is that these vitamins and minerals are all contained in balanced servings – meaning mega portions aren’t an issue.
Key benefits according to Performance Lab [5]:
- Whole-body biological performance
- Supports cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, immune, and digestive system wellness
- BioGenesis® vitamins and minerals
- Customized for men’s needs
Positives
- 17+ essential vitamins at or above 100% daily value
- Probiotic-cultivated BioGenesis® in prebiotic-infused Plantcaps® for digestive comfort
- 100% Natural plantcaps®
- Caffeine, Gluten, and Soy free
- Synthetic additive free
- Vegan
- GMP Certified
- Allergen friendly
- Vitamins and minerals complete enzymes, probiotics and other cofactors
Negatives
- Only available direct from manufacturer
- Expensive
- No extra blends
| Price (30 servings) | Price per serving | |
|---|---|---|
| USD ($) | $40 (5% off 2 bottles & 10% off 3 bottles) | $1.33 |
| GBP (£) | £30 (5% off 2 bottles & 10% off 3 bottles) | £1 |
2. Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Men – 50 & Wiser Men
Created using individually grown nutrients, Garden of Life’s Vitamin Code for Men – 50 & Wiser Men is an impressive raw choice. By preparing and processing each vitamin and mineral below 115º F, all their cofactors, enzymes and probiotics remain intact. This allows the body to receive these micronutrients just as they would if they were eating raw food.
Much like Performance Lab®, Garden of Life look to supply men with the best possible products, undamaged by poor, low-quality processing techniques. As a company they boast being able to trace every whole food ingredient back to the seed, as well as refusing to use GMOs, synthetic ingredients, or bioengineered products.
Garden of Life also say they refrain from adding artificial colors, chemicals, sweeteners, or flavors to their products too. Regarding their men’s multivitamin, each capsule is vegetarian friendly.
Formula specifically for men over 50
According to the Garden of Life website; Vitamin Code 50 & Wiser Men is a comprehensive whole food multi-nutrient formula, specifically formulated to meet the unique needs of men over 50 [6]. It’s said to do this by providing the body with the nutrients it needs to maintain optimized health and wellbeing; via both a vitamin and mineral complex, alongside antioxidants from 23 different fruits and vegetables.
Garden of Life claim their multivitamin offers many benefits tailored for men over 50. These include the likes of; healthy heart and blood pressure support, prostate health, memory and concentration, and healthy digestion. While these factors aren’t exclusive to men over 50 – they can be considered important for this age range. If you have a desire to help one of these directly, this multivitamin might be the best choice for you.
50 & Wiser Men differs from other men’s multivitamin
Vitamin Code 50 & Wiser Men differs from Garden of Life’s other men’s multivitamin in two important ways. 50 & Wiser contains 150% more vitamin D, almost double the amount of Magnesium, and extra Copper. These should work in favor of men 50+ by supporting their bone health, muscle function, sleep, skin, immune system, and testosterone [3].
Space for these greater serving sizes seems to come at the cost of a slightly lower amount of Vitamin Code 50 & Wiser Men’s organic fruit and vegetable blend. However, this small 40 mg difference should not make a substantial impact. What matters the most for men over 50 is the fundamental vitamin and mineral profile.
Yet, there are still 23 different fruits and vegetables present in their raw form, including additional live enzymes and probiotics. Not all men’s multivitamin’s take the extra steps to include these blends, which is another reason why men over 50 should consider Vitamin Code 50 & Wiser Men.
Key benefits according to Garden of Life [6]:
- Healthy heart and blood pressure support
- Prostate health
- Memory and concentration
- Health digestion with live probiotics and enzymes
Positives
- 18 micronutrients at 100% DV or higher
- Supports heart health and blood pressure
- Aids prostate health
- Helps memory and concentration
- Contains live probiotics and enzymes for healthy digestion
- No high-heat during process
- No synthetic binders
- Cofactors still intact
- 23 fruit and vegetable blend
- Antioxidant and immune support blend
- Gluten free
- Vegetarian
Negatives
- Expensive
- Large capsules
- Not vegan friendly
- No online UK store
| Price (30 servings) | Price per serving | |
|---|---|---|
| USD ($) | $35.99 | $1.19 |
| GBP (£) | - | - |
3. GNC MEGA MEN® 50 PLUS
As a brand GNC are mostly recognized for their bodybuilding and sports supplement. Yet, their MEGA MEN® 50 PLUS stands out as a reputable multivitamin for the man over 50. Encompassing a wealth of essential micronutrients, MEGA MEN® 50 PLUS also carries three distinct blends designed to support its target age group. Among the key benefits of this multivitamin are men’s health, antioxidants and heart health, and prostate and circulatory support [7].
According to the GNC website; Mega Men® 50 Plus includes a robust blend of ingredients to support overall men’s health, cardiovascular function and prostate health, while also claiming their product is clinically proven to help men feel better too [7]. Given the breadth of research surrounding the micronutrients supplied, our team see this as a bold, yet appropriate statement [3].
MEGA MEN® 50 Plus contains over 30 clinically studied ingredients, including all the vitamins and minerals outlined above as being essential for men’s health. However, some could be considered mega-dosed, while a few may not carry much evidence for effectiveness in all men.
Consequently, we recommend checking with your GP before taking this multivitamin [1], although it is Physician Endorsed [7].
Additional support for men over 50
GNC also look to offer additional support for men over 50 by adding a brain health blend, prostate health blend, and super antioxidant blends. These contain extra minerals and extracts such as; Boron, Choline, L-Arginine, Bacopa Monnieri, and Turmeric Root, which you may not find in other men’s multivitamins.
If you are looking for a supplement to help regulate the brain, prostate, or free radicals in your body, these blends might work well for you.
Unlike Performance Lab or Garden of Life, GNC do use colorings and flavorings in MEGA MEN® 50 Plus, however they are from natural sources. It also has fish and soy inside too, which makes this multivitamin unsuitable for vegans/vegetarians, and possibly for others with soy allergies.
However, omnivore men without soy allergies can be confident in the knowledge that this product is gluten free, dairy free, and wheat free.
Key benefits of MEGA MEN® 50 Plus [7]:
- Antioxidants
- Heart health
- Prostate and Circulatory support
Positives
- Supports heart health
- Aids prostate health
- Helps circulatory system
- Contains antioxidants
- Added brain health blend
- Natural colors & flavors
- Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, and Yeast free
- 21+ micronutrients at 100% DV or above
Negatives
- Some ingredients mega-dosed
- Not vegan
- Contains soy
- Uses colorings and flavorings
- No online UK store
| Price (60 servings) | Price per servings | |
|---|---|---|
| USD ($) | $39.99 | $1.33 |
| GBP (£) | - | - |
4. NOW ADAM™ Superior Men’s Multi
NOW are a renowned supplement company that has been a leader in this field since 1968. Their focus is on creating quality and healthy products, with a strong stance on organic produce being both safer and more effective. They’re also environmentally aware and committed to reducing their carbon footprint.
ADAM™ Superior Men’s Multi is one of their most popular multivitamins, featuring 19 integral nutrients at 100% DNV or above. According to NOW, their dedicated men’s multivitamin doesn’t use mega-doses, leaving space for stronger amounts of the more key ingredients that support men’s health.
NOW’s ADAM™ Superior Men’s Multi contains all the standard, well-researched micronutrients we’d expect to see in a men’s multivitamin. This includes individual portions of the essential vitamin and mineral list at the beginning of this article.
Furthermore, NOW have also added grape seed extract, which can improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure, alongside enzymes such as CoQ10 for energy support.
Contains resveratrol for antioxidative support
Another additional factor that separates this multivitamin from other alternatives is the inclusion of natural resveratrol. According to recent research, this ingredient acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect men from heart disease, cognitive disease, diabetes, inflammation, and certain types of cancers [8]. Our team recognizes resveratrol as being an asset to any men’s health supplement.
Men who choose ADAM™ Superior Men’s Multi can be confident that it has been created under good manufacturing practices. As a result, there’s almost no chance of cross-contamination, which is a problem in lower-quality alternatives.
Furthermore, ADAM™ Superior Men’s Multi is; halal, kosher, vegan, dairy free, egg free, nut free, and made without gluten. Meaning it’s an extremely accessible supplement.
Key benefits according to NOW [9]:
- Lowest levels of unneeded additional ingredients
- Saw Palmetto, Lycopene, Alpha Lipoic Acid & CoQ10
- Natural Resveratrol & Grape Seed Extract
Positives
- 19 micronutrients at 100% DV or higher
- Supports blood flow and blood pressure
- Helps protect against heart disease, cognitive disease, and diabetes
- Fight inflammation
- GMP compliant
- Low level of unnecessary ingredients
- Organic
- Halal, kosher, vegan, dairy free, egg free, gluten free, and nut free
Negatives
- Expensive
- No online UK store
| Price (30 servings) | Price per serving | |
|---|---|---|
| USD ($) | $27.99 | $0.93 |
| GBP (£) | - | - |
5. Rainbow Light® Men’s One™ Multivitamin
Rainbow Light® Men’s One™ Multivitamin is another extensive men’s multivitamin from a company with decades of experience. Operating since 1981, Rainbow Light® has a focus on providing natural supplements, and according to their website are; grounded in the power of nature [10].
Their Men’s One™ Multivitamin is a tailored exclusively to fit the requirements of men. Consequently, it’s very well suited to men over 50, with many key ingredients suiting the lifestyle and health commonalities of this age group.
Rainbow Light® say their tablets contain ingredients to aid the heart, prostate, sexual health, muscle health, immunity, stamina, and energy. Furthermore, this specific multivitamin is designed to help manage stress too, which can be common among busy, professionals over 50.
Men’s One™ Multivitamin’s standout ingredients
Men’s One™ Multivitamin’s standout ingredients include; a B vitamin complex for energy and folic acid to support heart health. There’s also well-sized servings of zinc and selenium for reproductive health and immunity; and importantly, vitamin D to aid colon, bone, blood pressure, and hormone health [11].
While we expect to see all of these in a reputable, high-quality multivitamin, Rainbow Light® deliver them in generous quantities without over-supplying. As a result, we feel this helps outline Rainbow Light® as a respectable company with a priority for safety.
This aspect is also bolstered by their compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices and stance to only use non-GMO ingredients. In regard to allergens, this multivitamin is free from; gluten, wheat, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, fish, and shellfish.
Unique blends for men’s health
Like the four men’s multivitamins that precede it in this list, Men’s One™ Multivitamin also features unique blends.
Firstly, Rainbow Light® have named created a Men’s Vitality Blend to supply men with nutrients integral to both reproductive and prostate health. Within the mixture are the likes of chlorella, green tea and lycopene, all of which have health marker benefits for men over 50 including prostate cancer and heart disease [12] [13] [14].
Their other two additional blends concentrate on digestion and vibrant foods. Our team believe these to be beneficial, especially for busy men over 50 who do not eat a complete spectrum of fruits and vegetables.
The digestive blend should allow the body to better utilize and absorb certain minerals; while the vibrant food blend provides nutrition from various leaves, roots, fruits, and vegetables.
Key benefits according to Rainbow Light® [11]:
- Comprehensive, once-daily nutritional support for men’s health and vigor
- Comprehensive, once-daily nutritional support for men’s health and vigor
- Gentle on the stomach with digestive support blend
Positives
- 19 micronutrients at 100% DV or higher
- Added men’s vitality blend
- Contains digestive support blend
- Includes vibrant foods blend
- Supports heart, prostate, and muscle health
- Boosts immune and reproductive systems
- Promotes colon, blood pressure, and bone health
- Gluten, wheat, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, fish, and shellfish free
Negatives
- Expensive
- No online UK store
| Price (90 servings) | Price per serving | |
|---|---|---|
| USD ($) | $4249 | 0.47 |
| GBP (£) | - | - |
Conclusion on Best Multivitamins for Men Over 50
As a man over 50, your nutrient needs play a pivotal part in your wellbeing. Not only do they regulate your physical health, but mental state and overall enjoyment of life too. This means supplying your body with essential vitamins and minerals is paramount.
One method of tackling the possibility of nutrient deficiencies is with a high-quality multivitamin. More specially, a multivitamin created specifically for men as a whole, or men over 50.
We chose the five multivitamins on this list based on brand reputation, ingredient profile, quality, and serving sizes. Those selected were chosen because of their dedication to supplying men with all the micronutrients essential for their health, plus additions and innovative blends. All are developed to Good Manufacturing Processes too, which we recognize as another way of significantly reducing the chance of cross-contamination.
In closing, we always recommend choosing a top-tier, transparent supplement over cheaper alternatives. A reputable company should clearly state all ingredients on the side of the label and refrain from mega-servings. They will also outline each component of their unique blends, just like each of the five supplements we have featured above.
Click here to be taken back to our number one pick – Performance Lab® Whole-Food Multi: Men’s.
References
[1] Overview of Vitamins – Nutritional Disorders – MSD Manual Professional Edition. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/professional/nutritional-disorders/vitamin-deficiency,-dependency,-and-toxicity/overview-of-vitamins#v2089461
[2] Overview of Vitamins – Nutritional Disorders – MSD Manual Professional Edition. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/professional/nutritional-disorders/vitamin-deficiency,-dependency,-and-toxicity/overview-of-vitamins
[3] Publishing, H. (2019). Listing of vitamins – Harvard Health. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins
[4] Pizzorno L. (2015). Nothing Boring About Boron. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 14(4), 35–48.
[5] Lab, P. (2019). Whole-Food Multi. Retrieved from https://uk.performancelab.com/collections/core-range/products/whole-food-multi
[6] Capsules, V. (2019). Vitamin Code® 50 & Wiser Men 240 Vegetarian Capsules. Retrieved from https://www.gardenoflife.com/vitamin-code-men-50-wiser-raw-daily-whole-food-multivitamin-240-vegetarian-capsules-658010114202
[7] Mega Men® 50 Plus. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.gnc.com/multivitamins-for-men/201622.html?cgid=multivitamins-for-men#start=1
[8] Ramírez-Garza, S. L., Laveriano-Santos, E. P., Marhuenda-Muñoz, M., Storniolo, C. E., Tresserra-Rimbau, A., Vallverdú-Queralt, A., & Lamuela-Raventós, R. M. (2018). Health Effects of Resveratrol: Results from Human Intervention Trials. Nutrients, 10(12), 1892. doi:10.3390/nu10121892
[9] Tablets, A. (2019). ADAM™ Men’s Multiple Vitamin Tablets. Retrieved from https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/adam-mens-multiple-vitamin-tablets
[10] The Origin of the Name | Rainbow Light. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.rainbowlight.com/the-company/
[11] Men’s One™ Multivitamin. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.rainbowlight.com/mens-one-multivitamin.html#popup_product_supplefacts
[12] Parreno, E., Fornovi, A., Ballester, R., Martinez, L., Aviles, C., Martinez, M., & Arjonilla, E. (2018). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) as a possible biomarker of cardiovascular diseases in obese subjects. Endocrine Abstracts. doi: 10.1530/endoabs.56.p548
[13] Kurahashi, N., Sasazuki, S., Iwasaki, M., & Inoue, M. (2007). Green Tea Consumption and Prostate Cancer Risk in Japanese Men: A Prospective Study. American Journal Of Epidemiology, 167(1), 71-77. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwm249
[14] Karppi, J., Laukkanen, J., Sivenius, J., Ronkainen, K., & Kurl, S. (2012). Serum lycopene decreases the risk of stroke in men: A population-based follow-up study. Neurology, 79(15), 1540-1547. doi: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e31826e26a6
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