Looking To Improve Your Health in Your 40s and Beyond? These Vitamins May Help

How do men’s health needs change over 40?

Men in their 20s and 30s tend to be at their physical peaks. This is true even though men are more likely than women to engage in risky behaviors, including drinking too much and smoking.

But as men age, their bodies tend to change. Men over 40 know this well. Hormonal shifts can begin to occur, and nutrient needs shift. Testosterone levels tend to decline, and it becomes more difficult to add mass and keep it. Their bodies need fewer calories, but a result can be that men fail to get the nutrients they need.

To ensure healthy aging, it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet of fruits, veggies, fiber, protein, carbs, and fats. You should also be willing to make some minor lifestyle adjustments, whether that’s getting more exercise, getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, and finding ways to manage stress levels. If your main health challenge has to do with getting adequate nutrient levels, vitamin supplements can come in handy.

What are the best vitamins and supplements for men over 40?

Vitamin D

While vitamin D is vitally important for our health, most people don’t get enough of it. Vitamin D is necessary for promoting a healthy immune system and managing your hormone levels.

Studies have shown that, as men get older, vitamin D deficiency becomes more common. This has a variety of causes. For example, as men get older, they might spend less time out in the sunlight, which is necessary for the body to create vitamin D. They might also end up consuming fewer foods that are rich in vitamin D. For more information on vitamin D, check out Care/of’s in-depth research library.

If you’re concerned about your vitamin D levels, Care/of’s vitamin D supplement might be part of the solution. It supports calcium absorption and bone health, helps regulate immune cells, and comes in an easy-to-absorb form. The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D for men over 40 is 15 mcg; the number goes up to 20 mcg once you get past age 70.

B-vitamins

The B vitamins are a group of 8 water-soluble vitamins, and they perform a range of vital functions in your body. They’re needed, especially, for transforming your food into the energy your body needs to function. Most food sources of the B vitamins are from animal-based foods, making vitamin B deficiencies a particular problem for people on plant-based diets. Alcohol consumption and stress can also impact your vitamin B levels. You can learn more about B-complex vitamins in Care/of’s research library.

As with other vitamins, your body absorbs fewer B vitamins as you age due to naturally declining stomach acid levels. That makes vitamin B supplements especially useful for men over 40. Care/of’s B-complex supplement supports the nervous system and promotes energy metabolism.

Magnesium

Magnesium is responsible for many health benefits. A major mineral in the body, it’s found in more than 300 of the body’s enzyme systems. It supports healthy blood pressure within normal range, heart health, healthy blood sugar levels within normal range, sleep quality, bone health, and even exercise performance. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have adequate levels. Still, most people are magnesium deficient. For more information about magnesium, check out Care/of’s in-depth research library.

The recommended daily allowance for men over 40 is 420 mg. Care/of’s magnesium supplement includes 72 trace minerals and is sourced from Irish seawater.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that’s naturally present in some foods, added to some others, and available as a supplement. Zinc is a big part of cellular metabolism and is well known for supporting a healthy immune system. It also supports healthy digestion by promoting hydrochloride production. To learn more about zinc, check out Care/of’s research library.

When it comes to men’s health, zinc plays a particularly valuable role. Studies show that zinc supports testosterone levels, prostate health, and fertility. The recommended daily allowance for men is 11 mg.

Protein

Getting enough protein is essential for the development and maintenance of muscle mass. As men age, it can be harder to put on mass, which makes eating enough protein all the more important. Some dietitians recommend that you should eat 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of your body weight per day. To make sure you’re maintaining healthy muscle mass, it’s vital to couple your protein intake with regular exercise.

Should men over 40 take a multivitamin?

With so many different multivitamins available for purchase, it can be difficult to figure out which option is right for you. For starters, you can discuss this matter with your doctor. Then, when you’re looking at your multivitamin label, you should be on the lookout for these factors: the quality of the ingredients, whether the multivitamin has been third-party tested, the formulation of the multivitamin, and whether the dose is in line with the appropriate daily value percentages. Let’s take a look at each of these important factors.

Assessing quality of ingredients

You should look for a multivitamin that includes active, easily absorbable forms of the nutrients you seek. Furthermore, it’s important to find a multivitamin made from non-GMO ingredients and that doesn’t include needless filler. Your dietary preferences also play a role. Are you trying to stay gluten-free? Are you on a vegetarian diet? The Care/of multivitamin is created with the latest research, guaranteeing the highest quality absorption.

Third party testing

Third-party testing is crucial for ensuring that the multivitamin is what it claims to be. Whether or not your multivitamin has been third-party tested will usually be advertised on the packaging. Care/of products, as a rule, are third-party tested.

Formulation

The formulation of your multivitamin is a big deal. Check the label to see if the multivitamin adheres to the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations. This will be prominently displayed.

Appropriate daily value percentages

Remember, you’re taking a multivitamin to fill nutrient gaps, not to get more than you need. Check the label and stick to appropriate daily values. The Care/of multivitamin is designed with appropriate doses in mind.

Key takeaways

As men age, their bodies change in myriad ways: hormonal shifts, shifting nutrient needs, reduced muscle mass, and so on. This is just a part of life and is ordinarily nothing to worry about. But if you want to age in a healthy way, there are some things you can do. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Manage your stress. Stay hydrated. Get enough sleep. If you have nutrient deficiencies, the vitamins listed above can help you fill nutrient gaps and keep your body functioning at a high level. When you feel healthier, you’re better able to enjoy your life, no matter your age.