Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about supplements lately. They come in all kind of formats, including tablets, capsules, powders you add to food and drinks and in the US people are even vaping their vitamins. Yep, it’s a thing.
It’s no secret the supplements market is booming and there’s a lot of competition out there vying for your hard-earned cash, so we’ve tried to cut through the noise to look at a few of the vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial in supporting men’s health.
Why would you need a supplement?
Before we begin it must be said: supplements don’t replace a balanced diet, so eating properly is going to do more for you than any pill. What a supplement can do however, is give you a boost where your diet or your body’s own stores of certain vitamins or minerals are inadequate.
If you’ve been burning the candle at both ends or you know your diet’s just not up to scratch (man cannot live on protein shakes alone), you might be a candidate for a vitamin or a food supplement. But where do you begin when it comes to knowing what you need? Here are a few that can be beneficial for men.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are ‘good’ fats that may be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke and a recent study found that they can also aid recovery and increase mobility. If you eat seafood including oily fish such as salmon three times a week you should be getting your recommended intake, but if you’re not a fish fan or you’re a bit hit-and-miss on your consumption, you might benefit from the regularity of a supplement.
Zinc
Zinc is an important mineral that contributes to brain health, heart health, endurance and energy. Zinc is also essential for normal immune system function, the production of DNA and the cell repair process. “Zinc is an essential mineral, which is found in almost every cell of the human body,” writes Dr Peter Lim Huat Chye, Adjunct Professor in Men’s Health at Edith Cowan University, WA in his paper on the management of erectile dysfuncion. “It is believed to have a wide range of functions, especially for men and sexuality. Men need more zinc than women, especially for sexual functionality and prostate health”.
Importantly for men, zinc also helps to maintain normal testosterone levels in the blood to support fertility and reproductive functions, which is why low levels of zinc can sometimes be linked to erectile dysfunction.
If you’re an oyster lover, here’s some good news. Oysters contain more zinc than any other food. But if you’re not at liberty to down a dozen oysters on the reg, you can also get your zinc from red meat or poultry. Alternatively, there’s another option new to the market with a uniquely Australian tilt to it.
Created specifically for men, Dr. Nature Oyster Kangaroo Essence (OK) is a food supplement that comes in capsule format, and it’s a combination of high-purity oyster flesh powder, zinc and a uniquely formulated powdered muscle extract from kangaroos. (And let’s face it, we’ve all seen the rippling muscles on some of those big Red Kangaroos.) It’s the only one of its kind and completely new to the Australian market.
Importantly for men, zinc also helps to maintain normal testosterone levels in the blood to support fertility and reproductive functions, which is why low levels of zinc can sometimes be linked to erectile dysfunction. Studies have shown that men need more zinc than women, especially for hormone and physical functionality and prostate health*.
If you’re an oyster lover, here’s some good news. Oysters contain more zinc than any other food and are also a rich source of the amino acid taurine, which is beneficial for cardiac health and nerve transmission. But if you’re not at liberty to down a dozen of them on the reg, you can also get your zinc from red meat or poultry. Alternatively, there’s another option new to the market that has a uniquely Australian tilt to it.
Created specifically for men, Dr. Nature Oyster Kangaroo Essence (OK) is a food supplement that comes in capsule format, and it’s a combination of high-purity oyster flesh powder, zinc and a uniquely formulated powdered muscle extract from kangaroos. (And let’s face it, we’ve all seen the rippling muscles on some of those big Red Kangaroos.) It’s the only one of its kind and completely new to the Australian market.
The formulation is a multi-nutritive supplement that contains high concentrates of oyster flesh powder (2000mg) and kangaroo meat powder (20000mg) so it’s packed with nutrients as well as the mineral boost of zinc oxide 8.8mg. It may sound like an exotic blend, but every ingredient delivers carefully formulated top-notch quality food grade ingredients and is clearly labelled and outlined on the packaging (unlike some other supplements on the market).
Made in Australia from at least 76% Australian ingredients sourced from Australian kangaroo and Pacific oysters, it’s designed to help support men’s performance, vitality and energy production. It provides a concentrated nutrient boost as kangaroo and oyster extracts contain all 59 of the trace elements needed by the body as well as vitamins and omegas 3 and 6 fish oils. Oyster extract is excellent for men’s reproductive health and endurance, according to Dr Chye’s paper. “It is a rich source for the amino acid taurine, which is used for cardiac health and nerve transmission. Historically known as an aphrodisiac, flavonoids in oyster meat have been shown to stimulate the reproductive system.”
Magnesium
Magnesium is another important mineral as it’s involved in more than 600 processes in your body including building bone, maintaining good brain function and improving sleep quality.
Foods that are good sources of magnesium are generally high in fibre, so think legumes, whole grains, fibrous veggies like broccoli, seeds and nuts. It can also be taken as a supplement.
Calcium
We all know that calcium is essential for strong bones, but it’s important not to have too much as it can harm your heart. More than 1000mg per day will up your risk of heart disease by 20 per cent. If you eat a variety of calcium rich foods, you don’t need an additional supplement.
Good examples of calcium rich foods include dairy foods, seeds, sardines and tinned salmon, beans, lentils, edamame and tofu.
Vitamin D
Known as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is created in our skin when exposed to UV rays, then any excess is stored in the body’s fat as reserves.
Every cell in the body has a receptor for vitamin D, which makes it one of the most essential vitamins for the body’s processes, including bone health, immune system function and protection against cancer. Other than sunshine, the main sources of vitamin D are fatty fish, egg yolks, fish liver oils, fortified foods and supplements.
A final word on supplements
Before you start any supplement, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor or health professional to ensure you’re taking the right one for your needs. Never exceed any recommended dosages and use only as directed.
