Whether you’re a man or a family member or friend shopping for supplements for a man in your life, you might be wondering about the best supplements for men. While there are many essential vitamins for men and women, some are major players in men’s health, while others play a more essential role in women’s health. For the purposes of this article, the word “vitamin” will refer to any vitamin, mineral, or other essential nutrient with particular benefit for men’s health.

What are the most important vitamins for men?

When determining which vitamins a man should take daily, it in part depends on the man’s age. For example, younger men in their 20s might be more interested in supporting their physical endurance and performance at the gym, while 30-something men might be focused on their career or starting a family. Then, once a man reaches his 40s, he might be focused on issues of sexual function and libido as testosterone levels begin to naturally decline. And men over 50 might be looking for prostate, cardiovascular, and muscle support. 

A multivitamin/mineral: a good place to start

Men (and women) in their 20s are not always focused on the most healthful lifestyles. A simple supplement plan that includes the basics will help fill potential nutrient gaps, created by potentially spending too much time in the fast “food” lane. Thorne can help. Basic Nutrients 2/Day is a comprehensive multi-vitamin formula that provides a high-performance nutritional foundation, but does so with just two capsules per day – compared to the recommended six or eight capsules for some of our other high-performance-nutrition multis. And if you’re an athlete, we have you covered, because it’s NSF Certified for Sport®.

If a man chooses to balance home life with a career, a multi with some additional zing might be in order. Thorne’s Advanced Nutrients provides a complete powerhouse multi with added nutrients like nicotinamide riboside and resveratrol to help maintain that mental edge.*

And, if you are looking for supplements for men over 50, look no further than Men’s Multi 50+. This complete multivitamin/mineral contains additional nutrients for prostate and cardiovascular health – including lycopene and extra zinc.*

Other supportive nutrients for men’s health

Testosterone support

Testosterone levels in men normally decrease gradually at a rate of 1-2% per year, starting between ages 30 and 40. Other causes of lower testosterone in men can include:

  • Overweight/obesity: testosterone in fat cells is converted to estrogen; weight loss increases testosterone
  • Stress: the stress hormone cortisol can block testosterone production
  • Medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney and liver disease
  • Medications, including statins, blood pressure meds, antidepressants, and opiates

Note that testing testosterone levels later in the day can give a falsely low level because testosterone is highest in the morning and declines as the day goes on.

The mineral zinc is essential for several aspects of men’s health. Low levels of zinc have been associated with low levels of testosterone and decreased sperm production.1 Zinc is included in Thorne’s Advanced Testosterone Support – a botanical and nutrient supplement for men over 40 to enhance testosterone levels.* You can read more about testosterone in men here.

Research shows testosterone levels tend to be low in men who also have low vitamin D levels.2 Other studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin D supports healthy testosterone levels in men.* In a study of 102 men (average age of 53) supplementing with vitamin D resulted in improved testosterone levels and metabolic biomarkers during a 12-month period.3

Prostate support

In addition to testosterone and fertility support, zinc also plays an essential role in prostate health.* Zinc is found in high concentrations in the prostate gland; maintaining balanced zinc levels in various tissues in the body is essential for healthy prostate funiction.4

Low levels of vitamin D have also been implicated in poor prostate health.5 Because vitamin D is not found naturally in very many foods, taking a vitamin D supplement might be the best option. 

Lycopene is a carotenoid found in highest concentrations in tomatoes. It’s what gives tomatoes and some other fruits and vegetables their red color. As a potent antioxidant, it has been found to provide support in a variety of health scenarios including cardiovascular and prostate health.*

Thorne’s Men’s Multi 50+ contains 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 and 30 mg of the well-absorbed zinc bisglycinate (double the amount of zinc in the average well-designed multi). This men’s multi also contains a clinically relevant 15 mg of lycopene per daily serving.

Muscle support

Men of all ages have need for muscle support – whether to enhance their performance in the gym or maintain strength as they age. 

Because muscle is comprised primarily of protein, supplementing a healthy diet with a protein powder smoothie made from whey protein or collagen peptides can provide muscle, tendons, and ligaments the nutrients they need to function optimally.* Alternately, amino acids – the building blocks of protein – can be considered. Thorne’s Amino Complex contains all the essential amino acids, including branched-chain amino acids – in an easy-to-mix, berry- or lemon-flavored powder.

Whether it’s general foundational health or support for specific organs or body systems, Thorne has you covered. Explore all of Thorne’s men’s health products here.

References

  1. Kothari R, Chaudhari A. Zinc levels in seminal fluid in infertile males and its relation with serum free testosterone. J Clin Diagn Res 2016 May;10(5):CC05-8. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/14393.7723. 
  2. Wehr E, Pilz S, Boehm B, et al. Association of vitamin D status with serum androgen levels in men. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2010;73(2):243-248. 
  3. Canguven O, Talib R, El Ansari W, et al. Vitamin D treatment improves levels of sexual hormones, metabolic parameters… in middle-aged vitamin D deficient men. Aging Male 2017;20(1):9-16.
  4. Chen Z, Liu J, Ma J, et al. Role of zinc homeostasis in,,, prostate… . J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2025;88:127605. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2025.127605. 
  5. Duraki A, Krieger KD, Nonn L. The double disparity: Vitamin D deficiency… in black men. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2025;247:106675. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2025.106675..