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It probably comes as no great surprise that the differences that make us male or female also make our nutrient needs unique. And if you’ve ever looked closely at the ingredients of gender-specific multivitamin & mineral formulations, you’ll notice there are small differences in the formulations that reflect these unique needs. Here we take a closer look at some of the key factors to look out for in gender-specific multivitamins:

Multivitamins for men

Iron free

Men are more prone to a hereditary condition that causes excess iron to build up in the organs so they are best suited to an iron-free multivitamin & mineral formulation.1

Extra zinc

Both men and women need zinc in a multivitamin but men may benefit from slightly higher levels. This is due to increased needs to support male fertility and the importance of zinc for supporting testosterone balance.2

Lycopene

Many multivitamins for men contain essential vitamins & minerals, however the more innovative formulas now include targeted phytonutrients for additional support. One phytonutrient that deserves special mention, especially when it comes to male health, is lycopene. Lycopene is a plant carotenoid compound found in naturally high amounts in tomatoes. It has the highest antioxidant activity of all the carotenoids and has been studied for its potential effects for protecting prostate health, cardiovascular benefits and supporting male fertility.3-5 More specifically, lycopene may be a useful phytonutrient to protect sperm against oxidative stress.6

L- Taurine

Taurine is a naturally occurring, non-protein amino acid found in foods such as meat, fish and dairy products. Whilst the human body can synthesise taurine, dietary intake is essential to support optimal levels, and this is especially important as we get older since levels of taurine tend to decline with age. There are numerous ways that taurine may support health; perhaps best known are its potential roles in supporting cardiovascular function and healthy ageing. Much research has now demonstrated taurine’s potential to support several aspects of cardiovascular health and longevity.7

Multivitamins for women

Broccoli extract

The way the body handles oestrogens is an important focus, especially for women’s health, and there are natural plant compounds which may help to support this. Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable which contains powerful bioactive compounds that have been widely studied for their significant potential in supporting the safe handling of oestrogens in the body.8

Pomegranate

Much has been written about the power of pomegranate in recent years, most notably due to its naturally high antioxidant levels.9 Less well known however are the phytoestrogen properties of pomegranate seeds which may deliver additional protective benefits and may help to support female hormonal balance.10

Iron included

In contrast to men, women are more likely to benefit from a daily maintenance dose of iron in a multivitamin, and this is certainly true during the reproductive years.11 Iron bisglycinate is a well absorbed form of iron which tends to be gentler on stomachs.

Boron

Boron is a less well known trace mineral with diverse and vitally important roles in human health. It is essential for the growth and maintenance of bone - a particularly important consideration for post-menopausal women. Boron is also involved in antioxidant protection processes and may help to support the body’s use of oestrogen and vitamin D.12

References:
1. Fix OK & Kowdley KV. Hereditary hemochromatosis. Minerva Med. 2008 Dec; 99(6): 605-17
2. Te L, Liu J, et al. Correlation between serum zinc and testosterone: A systematic review. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2023 Mar: 76: 127124
3. Przybylska S & Tokarczyk G. Lycopene in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Feb 10; 23(4): 1957
4. Gupta NP & Kumar R. Lycopene therapy in idiopathic male infertility – a preliminary report. Int Urol Nephrol. 2002; 34(3): 369-72
5. Mirahmadi M, Azimi-Hashemi S, et al. Potential inhibitory effect of lycopene on prostate cancer. Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 Sep: 129:110459
6. Babaei A, Asadpour R, et al. Lycopene protects sperm from oxidative stress in the experimental varicocele model. Food Sci Nutr. 2021 Oct 17;9(12):6806-6817.
7. Santulli G, Kansakar U, et al. Functional role of taurine in aging and cardiovascular health: an updated overview. Nutrients 2023 Oct; 15(19): 4236
8. Giudice A, Barbieri A, et al. Dissecting the prevention of estrogen-dependent breast carcinogenesis through Nrf2-dependent and independent mechanisms. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12: 4937-4953
9. Habib HM, El-Gendi H et al. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-cancer activities of pomegranate juice concentrate. Nutrients 2023 Jun 11; 15(12): 2709
10. Shaygannia E, Bahmani M, et al. A review study on Punica granatum L (pomegranate). J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2016 Jul; 21(3): 221-7
11. Derman RJ & Patted A. Overview of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in women and girls of reproductive age. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023 Aug: 162 Suppl 2:78-82.
12. Pizzorno L. Nothing boring about boron. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2015 Aug; 14(4): 35-48

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Nutri Advanced has a thorough research process and for any references included, each source is scrutinised beforehand. We aim to use the highest value source where possible, referencing peer-reviewed journals and official guidelines in the first instance before alternatives. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate at time of publication on our editorial policy.