“His” and “Hers”: they separate our bath towels, robes, coffee mugs, you name it. Men and women have different styles and interests. And when it comes to health, they have very different needs.
Multi-vitamins are a popular way to support health, filling in “nutritional gaps” when diets lack the nutrients we need. There are a number of multis tailored specifically for men or women, offering benefits for your particular gender. So what are the differences?
A women’s multi might contain higher levels of calcium and vitamin D to support bone health. It might also feature more folic acid and iron to support healthy pregnancy, or soy isoflavones to support healthy menopause. Some women’s formulas also contain anti-aging nutrients such as coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid and green tea for healthy skin and weight.
A men’s multi-vitamin is likely to include nutrients such as lycopene and saw palmetto, which support prostate health. Higher levels of zinc may be added for reproductive health. And a number of nutrients such as vitamin E, selenium and coenzyme Q10 may also be included for cardiovascular support.
With only 11 percent of Americans meeting the USDA guidelines for eating fruits and vegetables, taking a daily multi-vitamin can be important for maintaining good health””for both women and men. Men may want to consider, too, that their diets are known to be worse than women’s, with higher caloric and fat intake, and less fiber, fruits and vegetables. Men are also more likely to skip meals (especially breakfast) than women.