Multivitamins are not essential, “if your diet is very well-rounded with a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, grains and proteins, you may be able to hit all your nutritional targets through food alone,” says Kostro Miller.
The main benefit, she explains, is that it, “covers your nutritional bases” and supplies nutrients your normal diet may not. “For example, vegans and vegetarians tend to present with nutrient deficiencies in iron, vitamin D and B12, to name a few,” she says. “Taking a multivitamin is almost always necessary for those individuals.”
Other groups who may want to consider taking a multivitamin for men include:
• Adults age 50 and older: Older adults are at an increased risk of nutritional deficiencies due to decreases in appetite and difficulty absorbing certain vitamins and minerals. What’s more, taking a multivitamin can help maintain cognitive function for those 60 and older. Older adults may want to consider taking a multivitamin that specifically contains vitamin B12, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
• Those who take certain medications: Some prescription medications like diuretics can deplete levels of magnesium, potassium and calcium in the body, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Other medications, like proton pump inhibitors commonly prescribed for heartburn and acid reflux and certain Parkinson’s disease medications can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients like B vitamins, calcium and magnesium.
• Individuals with malabsorption conditions: Those who experience conditions that interfere with digestion like celiac disease, ulcerative colitis or cystic fibrosis may have difficulty absorbing some nutrients. Taking a multivitamin can help ensure you get adequate amounts of necessary vitamins and minerals.
• Those who adhere to strict diets: People who eat low-calorie diets or avoid specific foods (like vegans and vegetarians) may benefit from taking supplements that contain nutrients such as iron and vitamin D.