Do men need a multi?

2 mins to read

A multivitamin is often seen as a good way to ensure your daily nutritional needs are met. Online personal trainer Andrew Cate helps you determine if and when you really need to supplement.

Mens health

The human body needs vitamins and minerals to function properly, and ideally, our nutritional needs would be met by the food we eat every day.

But there are a number of situations in modern life where men may struggle to get all the nutrients they need from food.

Take the following quiz to help determine if your body might benefit from a multivitamin supplement. Any answer of “no” may indicate you have extra nutritional requirements.

Do you have at least 2 servings of fruit (preferably fresh) on most days?
Do you have at least 5 servings of vegetables on most days?
Do you have at least 3 servings of dairy products on most days, including milk, yogurt, or cheese, or their soy equivalents?
Do you eat fish or seafood at least two times per week?
Do you eat a wide variety of foods?
Do you avoid eating exactly the same meals every day?
Do you minimise your intake of alcohol, caffeine and soft drinks?
Do you eat fast-food or junk food no more than two times per week?
Do you avoid cigarette smoke, both directly and passively?
Do you get at least 10 minutes of sunlight on most days of the week?

The benefits of taking multivitamins

One of the primary benefits from taking multivitamins is the prevention of nutritional deficiencies that may be caused by poor diet, stress or illness. Multivitamins may also help to support your immune function and metabolic health – both require the smooth running of many complex body processes that rely on sufficient vitamins and antioxidants.

There is even research to show that there may be potential weight loss benefits from taking a multivitamin. A study reported in the British Journal of Nutrition suggested that men who regularly consumed vitamin and dietary supplements had a lower body weight, fat mass, and body mass index compared to men who did not supplement.

The researchers speculated that a higher consumption of key nutrients could prevent signaling from feeding centres in the brain to increase energy intake in order to satisfy the body’s nutrient needs.

Tips on taking multivitamins

The following tips may help to ensure you enjoy the maximum benefits from your multivitamin without any risk to your health.

Make sure to read the label on the vitamin bottle for directions on how to best use the supplement. It should tell you the recommended dosage and any other important requirements.
More is not necessarily better when it comes to multivitamins. Avoid taking more than the recommended daily dose
Take your multivitamin with a meal to avoid feeling queasy or nauseous afterwards.
Avoid multivitamin products with added sweeteners or unnecessary colours.
Multivitamins may interfere with some medications. If you are taking any prescribed medication or have any other health concerns, check with your healthcare professional.
Think of a multivitamin as a supplement, not as a replacement. Don’t use it as an excuse to eat unhealthy foods. A balanced diet of unprocessed and nutritious food is vital for good health and weight management whether or not you take a multivitamin.

Search for multivitamins for men with the Blackmores Product Assistant.

References available on request