The multivitamin market is one of the most crowded in the entire supplement industry, and it is also one of the most confusing. Walk into any store or browse Amazon and you will find dozens of products called "men's multivitamin" ranging from $8 to $80 per month — but the differences between them are far more significant than the price gap alone might suggest. The form in which nutrients are delivered determines whether they are actually absorbed and utilized, or simply excreted. The selection of which nutrients to include and at what doses determines whether a formula genuinely addresses men's specific nutritional gaps or just covers the minimum to print a comprehensive label. And the presence or absence of third-party testing determines whether what is on the label is actually in the bottle.
Do men need a specifically formulated multivitamin, or is a general product fine? The honest answer is that it depends — but men do have meaningfully different nutritional needs than women in several key areas, and the differences matter. Men generally require higher amounts of B12, zinc, and magnesium. Men almost never need supplemental iron — and for many men, iron supplementation is actively harmful. Men benefit from nutrients that support testosterone production, prostate health, and cardiovascular function in patterns that differ from women's needs. A multivitamin formulated with these priorities in mind will serve men better than a generic product.
But the more critical issue is bioavailability — the fraction of a nutrient that is actually absorbed and available for cellular use after ingestion. The cheapest multivitamins use the cheapest nutrient forms: cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin for B12, folic acid instead of methylfolate for folate, magnesium oxide instead of magnesium glycinate for magnesium, zinc oxide instead of zinc picolinate for zinc, synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol instead of mixed natural tocopherols for vitamin E. These cheaper forms are not biologically equivalent to their better-absorbed counterparts. A product can technically list impressive amounts of every nutrient on its label while delivering far less usable nutrition than a lower-dose product using superior forms.
This guide covers the key nutrients men need and why, the bioavailability differences that separate quality multivitamins from junk, the iron question, age-specific considerations, and the six best men's multivitamins on Amazon in 2026 — evaluated on what actually matters: nutrient form quality, third-party certification, and evidence-based formulation for men's health.
How We Evaluated Men's Multivitamins
We evaluated products based on: (1) use of high-bioavailability nutrient forms (methylcobalamin over cyanocobalamin, methylfolate over folic acid, chelated minerals over oxides, D3 over D2), (2) appropriate doses for men's needs — not just RDA coverage but therapeutically meaningful amounts, (3) third-party testing and certification (NSF, USP, Informed Sport, or equivalent), (4) absence of unnecessary additives, artificial colors, and allergens, (5) iron-free or low-iron formulation (appropriate for most adult men), and (6) brand credibility, manufacturing standards, and consistent user experience. We have no commercial relationship with any brand listed.
Key Nutrients Men Need: What to Look for in a Men's Multivitamin
A useful multivitamin for men goes beyond simply covering the RDA for 20+ nutrients at minimal doses. The following nutrients deserve particular attention in men's formulas, based on the convergence of documented deficiency rates in men, the specific biological roles each nutrient plays in men's health, and the frequency with which the best available forms are used or overlooked in competing products.
| Nutrient | Why Men Need It | Target Amount | Signs of Deficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D3 | Testosterone production, immunity, bone, mood | 1,000–2,000 IU | Fatigue, low testosterone, poor immunity |
| Zinc | Testosterone synthesis, prostate health, immune function | 10–15 mg | Low testosterone, poor wound healing, frequent illness |
| Magnesium | 300+ enzymatic reactions, sleep, stress response, testosterone | 300–400 mg | Muscle cramps, poor sleep, fatigue, anxiety |
| B12 (methylcobalamin) | Energy metabolism, nerve function, red blood cells, cognitive health | 500–1,000 mcg | Fatigue, cognitive decline, nerve tingling, anemia |
| Folate (methylfolate) | DNA synthesis, cardiovascular health, methylation | 400–800 mcg DFE | Elevated homocysteine, anemia, fatigue |
| Selenium | Thyroid function, antioxidant enzyme activity, male fertility | 55–200 mcg | Thyroid dysfunction, low sperm quality |
| Vitamin K2 (MK-7) | Bone mineralization, arterial health (directs calcium with D3) | 100–200 mcg | Arterial calcification risk over time |
| Omega-3 (if included) | Cardiovascular health, anti-inflammation, brain function | 500–1,000 mg EPA+DHA | Cardiovascular risk, inflammation, cognitive decline |
Why Bioavailability Is the Most Important Factor in Multivitamin Quality
A multivitamin label showing 500% of the RDA for B12 is meaningless if that B12 is in a form the body absorbs poorly. The supplement industry has long used cheaper, lower-bioavailability nutrient forms to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining impressive-looking label claims. Understanding the key substitutions that separate quality multivitamins from substandard ones is essential for evaluating any product.
B12: Methylcobalamin vs. Cyanocobalamin
Cyanocobalamin is the synthetic form of B12 used in the majority of inexpensive multivitamins. It requires conversion to the active forms (methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin) before it can be used in the body. For most healthy young adults, this conversion occurs adequately. However, a significant subset of the population — estimated at 10–15% — carries genetic variants in the MTHFR gene that impair this conversion, leaving them poorly served by cyanocobalamin. Additionally, conversion efficiency declines with age, particularly after 50.
Methylcobalamin is the bioactive form of B12 that the body uses directly, without requiring conversion. It does not need to be processed by the liver before it is available to cells. For neurological function in particular — nerve repair, myelin maintenance, cognitive health — methylcobalamin appears superior based on research. Quality multivitamins use methylcobalamin. Budget products almost universally use cyanocobalamin.
Folate: Methylfolate vs. Folic Acid
This distinction is arguably even more important than the B12 form difference. Folic acid is the synthetic, oxidized form of folate used in cheap supplements and food fortification. Like cyanocobalamin, folic acid requires enzymatic conversion — specifically by the enzyme MTHFR — to become active 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the form the body actually uses. The problem: approximately 40% of the population carries one or more MTHFR variants that reduce this conversion efficiency by 30–70%. For these individuals, folic acid supplementation may result in accumulation of unmetabolized folic acid in blood — a phenomenon with its own potential adverse consequences — rather than effective folate delivery.
Methylfolate (5-MTHF) is the directly bioavailable form. It does not require MTHFR conversion, crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively than folic acid, and is available for immediate use in DNA synthesis, homocysteine metabolism, and neurotransmitter production. The only reason most multivitamins use folic acid instead of methylfolate is cost — methylfolate is significantly more expensive. Using methylfolate is a clear marker of a quality-focused manufacturer.
Magnesium: Chelated Forms vs. Oxide
Magnesium oxide, the form found in most budget multivitamins, has an absorption rate of approximately 4% — meaning 96% of the magnesium you consume in this form is never absorbed and simply passes through the digestive tract. Its only legitimate use is as a laxative. Magnesium citrate absorbs at roughly 30%; magnesium glycinate at 40–50% or higher. Magnesium glycinate (magnesium bound to glycine) is the preferred form for general supplementation: high absorption, excellent tolerability, and the added benefit that glycine itself has calming, sleep-supporting properties. Magnesium malate is another well-absorbed form with additional mitochondrial energy support.
If you see magnesium oxide as the primary or sole magnesium source in a multivitamin, that is a red flag for the overall quality of the product's formulation. A product using magnesium oxide for cost savings is almost certainly cutting corners on other nutrient forms as well.
Zinc: Chelated Forms vs. Oxide
Like magnesium oxide, zinc oxide has poor bioavailability. Zinc picolinate and zinc glycinate are significantly better-absorbed forms — studies show roughly 2–3 times greater absorption for chelated zinc forms versus oxide. Zinc gluconate, while less ideal than picolinate, is also meaningfully better than oxide. Since zinc is one of the most important nutrients specifically for men (testosterone synthesis, prostate health, immune function), the form in which it appears in a men's multivitamin is particularly consequential.
Vitamin E: Mixed Natural Tocopherols vs. Synthetic dl-Alpha Tocopherol
Natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol, often accompanied by mixed tocopherols including beta, gamma, and delta forms) has approximately twice the bioavailability and biological activity of synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol. More importantly, gamma-tocopherol — one of the mixed tocopherol forms — has distinct antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions that alpha-tocopherol alone does not provide. High doses of synthetic alpha-tocopherol alone may actually displace other tocopherol forms. Quality products use mixed natural tocopherols; budget products use synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol.
Red Flags and Green Flags Summary
Red flags in a men's multivitamin: folic acid (not methylfolate), cyanocobalamin (not methylcobalamin), magnesium oxide as primary magnesium source, zinc oxide as primary zinc source, vitamin D2 instead of D3, synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol for vitamin E, excessive iron for men who do not need it.
Green flags: methylfolate (5-MTHF), methylcobalamin (or adenosylcobalamin), chelated minerals (glycinate, picolinate, citrate, malate), vitamin D3, natural mixed tocopherols, vitamin K2 (MK-7), iron-free formulation, third-party testing certification.
Iron: Why Most Men's Multivitamins Omit It — and Should
Women of menstruating age lose iron monthly through blood loss, creating a genuine and common need for supplemental iron. Adult men, by contrast, have no regular iron loss mechanism. Men absorb dietary iron from food, and their bodies have limited pathways for excreting excess iron. The result is that excess iron accumulates — stored primarily in the liver, pancreas, heart, and joints in a form that can cause progressive organ damage over decades.
Hemochromatosis — hereditary iron overload — is one of the most common genetic conditions in populations of Northern European descent, affecting approximately 1 in 200 to 1 in 400 people of that ancestry, with a significant proportion being male. Even outside diagnosed hemochromatosis, elevated ferritin (the iron storage protein) is associated with increased oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk in men. Iron is a pro-oxidant: excess iron catalyzes the formation of free radicals through the Fenton reaction, promoting oxidative damage to tissues.
For these reasons, the vast majority of men's multivitamins deliberately omit iron or include only a small maintenance amount. This is a feature, not an oversight. If you are a man and you are looking at a multivitamin that includes substantial iron without an explanation, that is worth pausing on. The rare exception is men diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia through blood testing — but this is unusual in non-menstruating adults without a specific underlying cause (significant blood donation, GI bleeding, malabsorption disorder), and treatment in those cases involves therapeutic supplementation under physician guidance, not a standard multivitamin.
Best Multivitamins for Men of 2026
1. Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day
Best for Bioavailability and Quality
Thorne's Basic Nutrients 2/Day represents the highest-quality general men's multivitamin you can obtain without a prescription or working directly with a physician. Every nutrient is in its most bioavailable, active form: methylfolate (5-MTHF) instead of folic acid, methylcobalamin instead of cyanocobalamin, vitamin D3 instead of D2, chelated minerals rather than oxides, and natural mixed tocopherols for vitamin E. The formula is iron-free — appropriate for the vast majority of men. NSF Certified for Sport certification means every batch is independently tested for label accuracy and the absence of banned substances.
The 2-capsule daily serving is a practical tradeoff: delivering meaningful doses of well-absorbed nutrients in two capsules requires more capsule space than a single-tablet formulation can accommodate while keeping nutrient forms at the quality level Thorne maintains. This is a strength, not a weakness — the alternative to 2 capsules with good forms is 1 tablet with cheap forms. Thorne's manufacturing is conducted in NSF-certified GMP facilities, and their documentation practices exceed industry norms. If budget allows for one premium supplement choice, this is among the most justifiable.
Pros:
- All active, bioavailable nutrient forms: methylfolate, methylcobalamin, D3, chelated minerals
- NSF Certified for Sport — independently tested for purity and banned substances
- Iron-free formulation appropriate for most men
- Minimal excipients and no unnecessary additives
- Trusted by healthcare practitioners and professional athletes worldwide
Cons: Premium price; 2-capsule daily serving; some nutrients (zinc, magnesium) present at lower doses than standalone supplements would provide.
Best for: Quality-focused buyers who understand the bioavailability difference and want the best available foundation; anyone working with a healthcare provider who has recommended premium multivitamin supplementation.
2. Garden of Life mykind Organics Men's Multi
Best Whole Food Option
Garden of Life's mykind Organics Men's Multi occupies a unique position in the market: it is the only multivitamin for men that is simultaneously USDA Organic certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, certified vegan, and derived entirely from real whole food sources. Rather than synthesizing isolated nutrients and pressing them into tablets, this formula concentrates and standardizes nutrients from organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and botanicals — foods like organic guava (vitamin C), organic lemon peel (vitamin E), and a blend of organic vegetables for B vitamins and minerals.
The whole food approach has genuine advantages: nutrients arrive with their natural matrix of cofactors, phytonutrients, and enzymes that may enhance absorption and utilization in ways that isolated synthetic nutrients cannot replicate. The formula includes a men's blend of organic botanicals — saw palmetto for prostate support, a probiotic blend for gut health, and a comprehensive enzyme blend for digestion. The certified vegan formulation means no animal-derived nutrients, making it the clear choice for plant-based men.
The main limitation of whole food multivitamins is that concentrating nutrients from food sources typically results in lower doses than synthetic formulas can achieve — some nutrients may not reach the therapeutic levels found in premium synthetic products. The serving requirement is also higher: 2 tablets twice daily (4 tablets total) rather than a single daily serving. Some men will prefer the whole food philosophy enough to accept these tradeoffs; others will prioritize higher synthetic doses in two capsules.
Pros:
- USDA Organic certified and Non-GMO Project Verified
- Certified vegan — ideal for plant-based men
- Whole food nutrient sources with natural cofactor matrix
- Includes probiotics, digestive enzymes, and organic botanical men's blend
- No synthetic additives, binders, or artificial anything
Cons: 4-tablet daily serving; whole food doses may be lower than synthetic alternatives for some nutrients; premium price; not NSF Certified for Sport.
Best for: Plant-based men; buyers who prioritize organic certification and whole food sourcing; anyone who prefers real food matrices over synthetic isolated nutrients.
3. Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 18+
Best Minimalist Formula
Ritual has built one of the most distinctive brands in the supplement industry by being radically transparent about what is in their products — and what is not. Rather than cramming 30+ nutrients into a formula to achieve the most impressive-looking label, Ritual's Essential for Men focuses on the 10 key nutrients most commonly deficient in men's diets and omits everything else. The nutrients included are in high-quality forms: vitamin D3, vitamin K2 (MK-7), omega-3 DHA from microalgae, magnesium (as citrate), zinc, vitamin A (as mixed carotenoids), vitamin E (natural d-alpha tocopherol), folate (5-MTHF), B12 (methylcobalamin), and boron.
The delivery system is distinctive: an oil-filled delayed-release capsule in olive oil. The oil-filled capsule ensures that fat-soluble nutrients (D3, K2, omega-3, vitamin E) have a fat substrate for absorption even if taken without food — an elegant formulation solution. The delayed release targets the small intestine, where absorption of these nutrients is optimal. The capsule is minty-flavored to reduce supplement aftertaste, a consumer-experience detail that reflects Ritual's user-focused design approach.
Ritual's supply chain transparency — publishing traceability information for each ingredient — is genuinely unusual in the supplement industry and addresses a real consumer concern about ingredient sourcing. Third-party testing is conducted on every batch. The subscription model is the default purchasing option, which drives down the per-serving cost meaningfully compared to one-time purchase. For buyers who want a carefully curated, minimalist formula in high-quality forms from a transparency-forward brand, Ritual is an excellent choice.
Pros:
- High-quality forms for all included nutrients: methylcobalamin, methylfolate (5-MTHF), D3, K2 (MK-7), natural tocopherol
- Transparent supply chain — ingredient sourcing information publicly available
- Third-party tested; clean formula with no artificial colors, additives, or major allergens
- Oil-filled delayed-release capsule for optimal fat-soluble absorption even without food
- Includes omega-3 DHA from sustainable microalgae — a rare multivitamin inclusion
Cons: Premium price; does not cover every vitamin and mineral — intentionally minimalist; subscription model is the default, which not all buyers prefer; not NSF Certified for Sport.
Best for: Buyers who prefer a carefully edited, minimalist formula; those who appreciate radical ingredient transparency; anyone who wants omega-3 included in their daily multivitamin.
4. One A Day Men's Complete
Best Budget Mainstream Option
One A Day Men's Complete is one of the best-selling multivitamins in America for a reason: it covers a broad range of vitamins and minerals at accessible prices in a single convenient tablet, is widely available at every pharmacy and grocery store, and has a long track record of consumer trust. For someone coming from no multivitamin supplementation at all, One A Day Men's Complete will deliver meaningful nutritional value — particularly the RDA-level doses of vitamins and minerals that are commonly underconsumed in typical Western diets.
The formula includes nutrients specifically relevant to men's health, including lycopene (a carotenoid with research support for prostate health), a comprehensive B-vitamin complex, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium. The iron-free formulation is appropriate for most men. A single daily tablet is the most convenient serving format available, which meaningfully supports compliance.
The honest limitations: One A Day uses lower-bioavailability forms for several key nutrients. Cyanocobalamin rather than methylcobalamin for B12, folic acid rather than methylfolate for folate, magnesium oxide as the magnesium source, and zinc oxide rather than zinc picolinate. These form choices reflect the cost constraints of mass-market pricing and are the primary reason premium alternatives justify their higher prices. For budget-conscious men who primarily want comprehensive basic coverage and are not sensitive to nutrient form differences, One A Day represents solid value.
Pros:
- Affordable and widely available
- Comprehensive coverage of major vitamins and minerals at or near RDA levels
- Single daily tablet — maximum convenience and compliance
- Iron-free; includes lycopene for prostate support
- Long-established brand with consistent quality control
Cons: Lower-bioavailability forms (cyanocobalamin, folic acid, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide); not NSF or USP certified; not ideal for those with MTHFR variants or absorption issues.
Best for: Budget-conscious men who want basic comprehensive coverage; those transitioning from no supplementation to a daily multivitamin; households where cost is the primary constraint.
5. Nature Made Multi for Him
Best Verified Budget Option
Nature Made's Multi for Him occupies a distinctive position in the budget-to-mid-range market: it carries USP Verified certification, which independently confirms that the product contains the ingredients listed on the label at the stated potency, is free from harmful contaminants, will dissolve appropriately for absorption, and is manufactured under good manufacturing practices. For budget buyers who want independent assurance that what is on the label is actually in the product, the USP Verified mark is a meaningful guarantee that most budget competitors cannot claim.
The formula covers a comprehensive range of vitamins and minerals appropriate for men, including a men's health complex with lycopene and vitamins specific to prostate and cardiovascular support. It is iron-free. The one-tablet daily serving keeps compliance simple. Like One A Day, Nature Made uses more cost-effective nutrient forms in several areas — cyanocobalamin for B12, folic acid rather than methylfolate, magnesium oxide — which limits the ceiling of its bioavailability performance. But for the budget segment, the USP Verified status provides meaningful assurance that makes it a better choice than uncertified competitors at similar prices.
Pros:
- USP Verified — independently confirmed label accuracy and manufacturing standards
- Affordable; one of the best-selling multivitamins on Amazon
- Iron-free; comprehensive coverage of vitamins and minerals
- One tablet per day; convenient and highly compliant
- Long-established brand with strong quality control track record
Cons: Uses cyanocobalamin (not methylcobalamin), folic acid (not methylfolate), magnesium oxide — bioavailability is adequate but not optimized.
Best for: Budget buyers who want independent certification that what is on the label is in the bottle; anyone who wants USP-verified quality at mass-market prices.
6. Optimum Nutrition Opti-Men
Best for Active Men and Athletes
Optimum Nutrition Opti-Men is not a minimalist product. With 75+ active ingredients, it was specifically designed for men with high physical activity levels who place elevated demands on their nutritional systems. Training at high intensity increases the utilization and excretion of B vitamins, antioxidant nutrients, zinc, and magnesium — demands that exceed what a standard once-daily multivitamin can address. Opti-Men attempts to meet those elevated needs with high-potency doses across the vitamin and mineral spectrum, plus additions that go beyond a standard multivitamin formula: a blend of amino acids, a complex of botanical extracts including ginseng and saw palmetto, and a digestive enzyme blend.
The formula includes meaningful doses of zinc (15 mg), selenium (200 mcg), magnesium (80 mg from citrate), and a full B-complex at high potencies. Vitamin D is present at 1,000 IU. The serving is 4 tablets per day, which provides the capsule volume necessary to deliver the comprehensive nutrient load at meaningful doses. This serving requirement is the most significant practical consideration — 4 tablets is a commitment, and compliance can be challenging compared to single-tablet products. Optimum Nutrition's manufacturing reputation and Informed Sport certification (in select markets) provide confidence in quality, though the formula complexity makes it less suitable for men who want a clean, minimalist approach.
Pros:
- High-potency, comprehensive formula designed for active men and athletes
- Includes amino acids, botanical extracts, and digestive enzymes beyond standard multivitamins
- Good zinc (15 mg) and selenium (200 mcg) levels
- Trusted Optimum Nutrition brand; strong manufacturing track record
- Excellent value per tablet given the nutrient density
Cons: 4-tablet daily serving — compliance challenge; some proprietary blends obscure individual ingredient doses; uses some lower-bioavailability forms; may be overkill for sedentary men.
Best for: Athletes, gym-goers, and highly active men who need elevated B-vitamin, zinc, and antioxidant support; men training at high volume who want comprehensive nutritional coverage in one product.
Men's Multivitamins by Age Group
Nutritional needs shift significantly across a man's life span, and the best multivitamin at 25 is not necessarily the best choice at 55. Here is how priorities should evolve:
Under 30
Men under 30 generally have robust absorption efficiency, lower risk of B12 deficiency, and stronger baseline nutrient status — provided their diet is reasonable. The primary gaps in this age group tend to be vitamin D (because young men spend substantial time indoors), magnesium (because its food sources — green vegetables, nuts, legumes — are underconsumed in Western diets), zinc (depleted by high physical activity and processed food heavy diets), and sometimes B vitamins in men who drink alcohol regularly. A solid multivitamin in this age group should cover D3, B complex, zinc, and magnesium as priorities. Antioxidant focus is less critical than in older age groups.
Ages 30–50
By 30–40, cardiovascular risk factors begin to accumulate and deserve more attention in supplement formulation. Men in this age range benefit from multivitamins that include K2 (for arterial health alongside D3), CoQ10 (mitochondrial energy and cardiovascular antioxidant support — some formulas include it, others do not), and comprehensive B-vitamin coverage to manage homocysteine levels. Metabolic support becomes more relevant: chromium, alpha lipoic acid, and B5 (pantothenic acid) for blood sugar regulation. The bioavailability emphasis becomes more important in this decade as well — men who have been using cyanocobalamin-based multivitamins for 10–15 years will benefit from upgrading to methylcobalamin formulas.
Ages 50 and Above
After 50, several nutritional shifts accelerate. B12 absorption decreases significantly because stomach acid production declines with age, and B12 requires adequate stomach acid for its initial separation from dietary protein. Supplemental methylcobalamin at higher doses becomes especially important. Vitamin D needs increase because skin synthesis efficiency declines and kidney conversion to active calcitriol becomes less efficient — look for 2,000 IU or more. Prostate support nutrients — lycopene, selenium, and zinc — become more prioritized. CoQ10 production in the body declines naturally after age 40–50, and a multivitamin that includes it (or supplementing separately) becomes more compelling. Bone health focus intensifies: ensuring D3, K2, calcium, and magnesium are all adequately covered is critical for preventing the accelerated bone loss that begins in this decade for men.
Can You Get Everything From Food? The Honest Answer
A well-constructed whole foods diet — rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, quality protein sources, nuts, and seeds — can provide most essential micronutrients at adequate levels. For some nutrients, diet genuinely covers needs without supplementation needed. However, several nutrients present consistent challenges even for diet-conscious men that justify supplementation regardless of dietary quality:
Vitamin D: Almost impossible to obtain in meaningful amounts from food alone (very few foods contain significant D3). Sun exposure is unreliable for most people in developed countries. Supplementation is effectively necessary for most men regardless of diet quality.
Magnesium: The modern food supply is significantly depleted in magnesium compared to historical norms — soil depletion means that even magnesium-rich foods like spinach and almonds contain less magnesium per serving than decades ago. Simultaneously, conditions that deplete magnesium (chronic stress, alcohol consumption, high carbohydrate intake, proton pump inhibitors) are pervasive. Surveys consistently show 50–70% of American adults fall below the estimated average requirement for magnesium.
Vitamin K2 (MK-7): Found primarily in fermented foods (particularly natto, a Japanese fermented soy product) that are consumed in negligible quantities by most Western men. The dietary gap is real and significant.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Most men do not eat fatty fish two to three times per week consistently. The chronic shortfall in EPA and DHA intake relative to the inflammatory omega-6 pattern of Western diets is one of the most well-documented nutritional imbalances in the developed world.
A good multivitamin addresses these gap nutrients reliably and cheaply relative to the health cost of deficiency. It does not replace a good diet — it supplements the remaining gaps that diet alone cannot practically fill for most men.
Sources & References
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