Tuesday, October 20, 2009

What Vitamins Do Men Need To Take

Every day our body requires a specific amount of 17 minerals and 13 vitamins (six of those being part of B complex). A deficiency in any of these nutrients can be detrimental to our health. Most Americans cannot meet all their nutritional needs through diet alone and men need extra vitamins to meet their special needs.








Selenium


Taking 100--200 micrograms of selenium every day will protect against many forms of cancer (including prostrate, lung, and colon) and protect against heart disease. Selenium is not produced in our body, but it is necessary for the production of glutathione which is essential to every cell in our body to eradicate toxins.


Folic Acid


Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid (one of the B vitamins) daily can help keep the levels of homocysteine (an amino acid) normal. Elevated homocysteine levels have been shown to increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks in men.


Lycopene


Lycopene is a carotenoid, mostly found in tomatoes. The supplementation of lycopene has been shown to help reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer and macular degeneration. Although it's recommended to obtain lycopene through diet, a Harvard University study demonstrated that men who supplemented with 30 milligrams of lycopene a day experienced a decrease in both size and growth of tumors.


Ester C


Taking 250 milligrams of Ester C twice daily can help protect sperm from the damage of free radicals. This is particularly important if men are trying to conceive a baby. Ester C is also vital for a strong immune system, can help protect against cataracts, heart disease and cancer.


Vitamin E








Vitamin E is a fat soluble anti-oxidant vital to the human body, taking 400 milligrams of natural vitamin E daily helps to reduce the risk of developing prostrate cancer, heart disease and can boost longevity.


Essential Fatty Acids


The human body is unable to manufacture essential fatty acids, we must obtain them either through our diet or through supplements. Essential fatty acids are necessary for the function of our cells and production of hormones within our body. Taking 2 tablespoons of flax seed oil or evening primrose oil daily, both of which contain essential fatty acids, can help reduce the risk of many health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure.

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