Top Supplements for Men's Health
From exercise nutrition to prostate support and overall wellbeing, men’s health supplements can help keep you (or a man in your life) in tip-top condition. We've narrowed down 21 top picks in men’s health supplements for sexual health and libido, exercise and joint support, heart and brain health, prostate and urinary health, plus our pick for the best men’s multivitamin.
Some of these may sound familiar, but you might not know the science behind why they’re especially good for men. Plus, we’ve included a few that are probably new to you either in benefit or formulation. So, let’s get started!
Supplements for Men’s Sexual Health & Libido
Sexual health plays a big role in your wellness journey and there are many factors involved including stress, age, hormone levels and more.1 Because of the importance of sexual health to our overall wellbeing, it isn’t a surprise that we're bombarded with advertisements for libido-enhancing pills and so-called miraculous supplements for sexual health that don’t reveal their formulas on product labels. It’s a much better idea to stick with time-tested options like the supplements below so you know exactly what you’re putting in your body and why.
1. Maca Supplements for Men
Maca supplements are derived from the roots of the Maca tree, which is native to the Andes Mountains in Peru.2 Maca roots have been used for thousands of years as both a health tonic and a nutritious root vegetable.2 This plant-based supplement is often used for enhancing libido, but it's also used to help with energy, stamina, athletic performance, memory and for an antioxidant-fueled immune system boost.2 Not so bad, right? Experience its invigorating effects for yourself in Swanson Passion Maca.
2. Fenugreek for Testosterone Support
Fenugreek supplements are made from the seeds of the fenugreek herb, which is similar to clover and native to the Mediterranean region.6 Fenugreek leaves are eaten as a vegetable in India and its seeds are used as a health tonic for numerous benefits.6
For men, fenugreek may help with a variety of sexual concerns including testosterone support and reproductive health.6,7 Try Swanson Ultra Fenugreek Extract Featuring Testofen, a uniquely concentrated formula based on research by a global nutraceutical leader.
3. Ashwagandha for Sexual Health & Adaptogen for Stress
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps our bodies with daily stressors. It’s also used as a health tonic for many benefits including sexual health.3 This plant-derived supplement is made from the roots and berries of the Ashwagandha plant native to India, and has a history in Ayurvedic practices.3
Since our stress levels play a big role in libido and can disrupt hormone levels, Ashwagandha’s ability to help calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiousness can be a great help for reconnecting with your partner after a stressful day.4 Some studies have also linked Ashwagandha to an improvement in men’s reproductive health.3 Try it in Swanson Premium Ashwagandha.
4. Yohimbe for Blood Flow
Herbalists often use Yohimbe, an evergreen tree native to Africa, for stimulating sexual excitement because a chemical in the plant may increase blood flow and nerve impulses, encouraging arousal.5
Yohimbe supplements are made from the bark of the tree, and you’ll often find this herb combined with others in combination formulas for sexual health, as well as in Yohimbe Bark Supplements.
5. Tribulus for Sexual Health & Beyond
Renowned in traditional practices for its effect on libido and testosterone support, this herbal ally features steroidal saponins, compounds which deliver powerful support for sexual health,8 especially in mature men. As men age, this support for healthy hormonal function and drive can become increasingly important, which is why Swanson Mega Tribulus Extract includes a minimum of 50 mg steroidal saponins per serving.
Prostate & Urinary Health Supplements for Men
Prostate health concerns are extremely common in men over 50, and many also experience urinary health issues.30 Supporting these two areas of health is a top priority for men as a part of healthy aging. There are several nutrients and herbal supplements that may help support men’s prostate and urinary tract health.
6. Saw Palmetto for Prostate & Urinary Health
Saw palmetto is a plant native to the southeastern United States and its fruit is used to make saw palmetto supplements.31 This herb is a source of fatty acids and phytosterols and is one of the most common supplements taken by men with prostate concerns.32 It's most frequently taken to help support prostate health and promote healthy urinary tract flow and frequency, as well as to help maintain hormonal balance. Try it in Swanson Premium Full Spectrum Saw Palmetto.
7. Selenium Supplements for Men
Selenium is a trace mineral that's essential for human health.33 It works as an antioxidant to help protect cells, and your body needs it for many processes including reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism and DNA synthesis.33 Selenium concentrations decline with age, and some studies have shown a correlation between higher selenium intakes and better prostate health.33
Selenium may also help maintain cardiovascular, thyroid and immune health.33 If you’re looking for the best selenium supplement for men, try Swanson Ultra SeMSC Selenium, which contains the same form of selenium found in garlic, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
8. Lycopene for Prostate Health
Lycopene is a carotenoid pigment and a highly effective antioxidant that accumulates in prostate tissues.34 It’s found in whole foods including tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit and other foods with a red hue, but tomatoes and tomato products are our most common dietary source.34 Studies have linked tomato consumption with a decrease in risk for prostate health concerns, and because lycopene is found in a high concentration in tomatoes and provides antioxidant protection, it's suspected to play a role in prostate health. Discover your new favorite source of lycopene in Swanson Premium Lycopene.
9. Flower Pollen Extract for Urinary & Prostate Support
Flower pollen extracts are a rich source of amino acids, minerals and vitamins.35 Researchers believe that bee pollen, or flower pollen collected from bees, is unequivocally valuable as a supplement but that a challenge exists due to having little control over the variety of flowers bees visit for pollen.36 That’s where Graminex® comes in. A unique grower and provider of flower pollen extracts that are backed by extensive research showing it may be an effective tool in enhancing and maintaining prostate and urinary health.35 Try it in Swanson Ultra Graminex® Flower Pollen Extract.
10. Pygeum for Prostate and Urinary Tract Health
Pygeum extract comes from the bark of an African tree with a long history of use for promoting prostate and urinary tract health.37 According to experts, chemicals in pygeum may work to help with urine flow, urinary frequency during the day and night, as well as prostate health.37 Get the herbal power of pygeum bark and extract from Swanson Superior Herbs Pygeum.
Exercise Nutrition & Joint Supplements for Men
Whether you’re looking to power up your next workout or support healthy muscle recovery, joints or overall energy, there are plenty of great options for this category. We’ve picked five of our favorites for men’s sports nutrition and joint supplements.
11. Glucosamine Sulfate Supplements for Men
Glucosamine is a substance found naturally in the synovial fluid that lubricates joints and in cartilage tissues that connect joints, acting as a natural shock absorber that helps protect your body from everyday stresses of movement and exercise like walking, jogging and climbing stairs.12
It’s the second most popular supplement in the United States (after fish oil), and numerous studies have explored glucosamine sulfate’s potential benefits for joints.13 Glucosamine may be particularly helpful for flexibility of knee joints in men.12
Glucosamine sulfate supplements are derived from shellfish, so if you have a shellfish allergy choose a vegan glucosamine supplement instead. If you don’t have shellfish allergies, try it in Swanson Premium Mega Glucosamine.
12. MSM for Muscle Health, Exercise Recovery, Joints & More
Research shows that methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) may help support muscles during workouts and help fight oxidative stress caused by exercise to help you recover faster.9 It’s also taken to support joint health, promote flexibility and preserve collagen. Many studies have been conducted on the benefits of MSM for joints with positive results.10,11
As a bonus, MSM may also boost hair health because it supports collagen and keratin, both of which are needed for strong, healthy hair.10 Swanson Premium MSM Powder is great because you can mix it in your pre- or post-workout water bottle.
13. Creatine Supplements for Exercise Performance
Creatine is a popular supplement among fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes for boosting exercise performance. How does creatine work? Researchers believe the benefits of creatine are related to its ability to help your muscles store phosphocreatine and provide extra energy for muscles, which may enhance performance during shorter, intense strength-building workouts.14
Want to work out like a pro? Try Swanson Ultra Albion Creatine MagnaPower, an advanced formula that keeps creatine active in your body for maximum performance.
14. L-Carnitine for Energy, Exercise and Recovery
Carnitine is an amino acid derivative that helps your body convert fat into energy and may decrease fat levels in muscle.15 It occurs in two forms: D and L, which are similar in structure, although only L-carnitine is active in the body.15 In addition to helping burn fat for energy, research suggests that L-carnitine supplements may provide benefits while in training, competition and recovering from strenuous exercise.16
Unlike creatine, which helps more with shorter, strength-building workouts, L-carnitine appears to provide benefits during cardio activities, with research showing significant increases in running speeds among athletes supplementing with L-carnitine along with decreased heart rate responses to the exercise.17 To help promote lean muscle formation, fat loss and swifter recovery after exercise, try Swanson Premium L-Carnitine.
15. Protein for Strong Muscles and Prolonged Energy
Protein is a building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood.18 Our bodies need it for tissue repair, making hormones and a whole lot more. And we don’t store protein like we do fat, which means we need to make sure to get enough through our diets on a regular basis.18
Everyone needs protein, but studies show supplementing with protein may be particularly beneficial for people looking to build more muscle and strength with exercise, since protein supports muscle strength and mass as well as post-exercise recovery.19,20 It may also help you retain lean muscle while dieting for fat loss.20
Boost your protein intake with science-backed ingredients in Swanson Ultra Certified rBGH-Free Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder or opt for a vegan protein option with Swanson 100% Organic Pea Protein Powder
Supplements for Men’s Heart & Brain Health
Many of the same nutrients that support cardiovascular health are also great for cognitive support and other areas of health. The following supplements provide multifaceted support for men’s wellness.
16. CoQ10 for Heart Health & Energy
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant compound used by every cell in your body as a source of natural energy for growing and staying healthy.22 CoQ10 is used to promote heart health and healthy blood pressure within the normal range, and aids in other areas of cardio health and recovery.22
As a bonus, since CoQ10 is involved in cellular energy production, it may also help with physical performance and ease effects associated with taking certain prescriptions, including statins. Learn more in CoQ10 Benefits: What You Need to Know, and check out our line of CoQ10 supplements.
17. Fish Oil or Krill Oil for Heart & Brain
Fish oil is the most popular supplement in the United States, and that isn’t surprising given the many benefits of omega-3 essential fatty acids for our health.13 The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and they're important for supporting cardiovascular health, cognitive function, joint health and more.23
These nutrients are also available from other sources, including krill oil, a source of omega-3s that may be more easily absorbed by your body, and Swanson's award-winning Plant Based Omega-3 supplement.
Learn more about the differences between fish and krill oil and how they benefit your body in Krill Oil Vs. Fish Oil: Which Has More Benefits? and be sure to try Swanson EFAs High Concentrate Omega-3 or Swanson EFAs Krill Oil.
18. Turmeric or Curcumin for Cognitive Support
When it comes to getting herbal support, turmeric is a shining star for health. Turmeric has been used as both a culinary spice and a tonic for many areas of health for thousands of years.25 Curcumin, a substance within turmeric, is one of nature’s great antioxidants and recent research revealed that highly concentrated curcumin supplementation may have a positive impact on cognitive health by supporting memory, attention and mood in healthy adults.26
You can read more about the study in the article What is Turmeric? and enjoy the benefits from Swanson Ultra High Absorption Theracurmin®, the same type of curcumin used in the study.
19. Pumpkin Seed Oil Supplements for Men
Pumpkin seed oil is a supplement that is uniquely suited for mature men. In addition to the cardiovascular, cognitive and joint-supporting nutrition provided by essential fatty acids in pumpkin seed oil, studies have also linked pumpkin seed oil to prostate and urinary health, as well as healthy hair growth in men.27
It’s chock full of nutrition and a clear winner for promoting men’s health. Swanson Premium Pumpkin Seed Oil is highly bioavailable and a great option for daily nutrition.
20. Folic Acid for Men
Most people only think of folic acid as a prenatal supplement for women, but men need folic acid too. Our bodies use folic acid to help break down and use proteins, as well as to break down lipids and support healthy homocysteine levels, which plays a role in heart health.28 New research has led some experts to dub folic acid as a nutritional chameleon; studies suggest healthy levels of folic acid may play key roles in maintaining cognition and memory as we age, promoting heart health and more.28,29
Ideally, folic acid should be obtained through eating plenty of healthy, whole food sources of folic acid like leafy greens. If you're not getting enough folic acid daily through your diet, you might consider a folic acid supplement derived from real food sources like Swanson Ultra Real Food Folic Acid.
Bonus:
21. Multivitamin for Men from Real Food Sources
Hey, we get it—you’re human, and so are we! Sometimes we don’t eat as well as we should, and sometimes life gets in the way of our best nutritional intentions. It’s a fact that most Americans do not meet their recommended daily levels of every essential nutrient, like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium and potassium, but they're called essentials for a reason: our bodies need them to stay healthy!38
So, fill in your nutritional gaps with a men’s multivitamin with nutrients from real food sources. It’s the next best thing to getting all your nutrition from healthy foods. Try Swanson Ultra Real Food Multi Men's Daily for a men’s multivitamin that delivers what your body needs and nothing it doesn’t. Swanson Real Food Men’s Multi features a potent blend of vitamins, minerals and herbs from organic, real food sources, including pumpkin seed extract, saw palmetto and Aquamin™ algae harvested from red marine algae, which provides calcium, magnesium and more than 70 other important trace minerals.
Formulated with men’s health and healthy aging in mind, this powerful men's multi helps promote male vitality, delivers antioxidants to help immune health, aids in stress, prostate and bladder health and boosts overall health and wellbeing. Plus, it’s vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free with no yeast, synthetic ingredients, artificial colors or flavors.
Vitamins for Men and Supplements for Men’s Health
Men’s bodies have unique nutritional demands, and supplements formulated specifically for men can help you meet them. Formulas like Swanson Premium Men's Multi with Iron + Prostate Support and Swanson Prostate Essentials Plus can go a long way to ensuring men get the targeted nutrition they need.
Above, we’ve shared our picks for some of the best men’s health supplements for maintaining optimal health and wellbeing for you or a man in your life, from sexual health and enhancement to prostate and urinary tract nourishment, heart health and more. Just remember: anytime you’re choosing a supplement, be sure to look for quality, science-backed ingredients, good manufacturing seals and transparency in labeling. You can learn more about what to look for in How to Choose Quality Supplements.
About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Lindsey is a nationally-recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for pie. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between the pleasure and nourishment in food. Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. It’s what inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition.
*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.
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