Five Supplements Every Man Should Consider
By Dr. Will Cole, Functional Medicine Practitioner & NOW Wellness Expert.
As a functional medicine practitioner, my goal is to look at each patient as an individual. That way, I can get to the root cause of health issues, and then create a personalized treatment plan. That said, just like there are some nutrients that are particularly important for women’s health, the same goes for men! So here I’m sharing my five top supplements for men that can help optimize health, mood and productivity.* But remember, always consult with a healthcare professional before starting a supplement routine, to help meet your specific needs.
Vitamin D-3 Liquid
Vitamin D is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies out there This is especially true for those living in colder climates and who have a darker skin tone since the body absorbs vitamin D from the sun (hence its nickname the “sunshine” vitamin). I often suspect a vitamin D deficiency when a person suffers from ”the winter blues” or if they seem to be susceptible to every bug that comes along (vitamin D plays a key role in a healthy immune system)*.
How to take vitamin D3: Depending on your starting point, I typically recommend 2000 to 5000 IUs of liquid vitamin D per day. NOW offers so many different formats and strengths, from 1,000 IU up to 50,000 IU!
DIM 200 Diindolylmethane Veg Capsules
DIM is a compound the body produces after you eat vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. It typically gets attention for women’s health because it can help with estrogen dominance, which can occur when the body gets overloaded with estrogen and estrogen-like chemicals from the environment. But here’s the truth — too much estrogen is a common problem for men as well and can lead to decrease sex drive, weight gain, and even the growth of breast tissue. Taking a DIM supplement can help you promote healthy hormone metabolism by supporting your body’s normal detoxification processes.*
How to take DIM: Take 200 mg of DIM daily with a meal.
Rhodiola 500 mg Veg Capsules
Man or woman — we all get stressed. Luckily, there’s an incredible group of plant medicines called adaptogens, which are herbs uniquely suited to bring balance back to the nervous system.* Rhodiola rosea, which is indigenous to the Arctic and Alpine regions of Europe, Asia, and America, is one of my favorite adaptogens that helps the body adapt to everyday stress.*
How to take Rhodiola: Take 500 mg of Rhodiola 1 to 2 times daily on an empty stomach. Make sure to store in a cool, dry place after opening.
Vitamin C Crystals Powder
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant is known for supporting the immune system, but it also plays a key role in skin health.* Vitamin C is crucial for the production of collagen in the body, which is responsible for skin health and elasticity.* It can also neutralize free radicals from environmental stressors like UV light.* And for my male patients who often opt to skip a multi-step skincare routine, a vitamin C supplement is a great way to support skin health.*
How to take vitamin C: Take 1000 mg of powdered vitamin C daily in juice or water. And, if you don’t like powdered form, check out the other formats available here.
Clinical GI Probiotic™ Veg Capsules
Digestive distress is pretty common, thanks to a combination of lifestyle factors like a low fiber diet, chronic stress, too much alcohol and caffeine, and prescription medications that can sabotage gut health. And unfortunately, gut health is intricately connected to mood, energy levels, and even sleep.* Probiotics are great for inoculating the gut with beneficial bacteria, which helps restore balance and keep bad bacteria at bay.*
How to take a probiotic: Take a probiotic with at least 10 billion CFUs and a combination of clinically proven strains of probiotics once a day after a meal. NOW offers so many varieties here.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
