When it comes to our diets every nutritionist and dietician out there is going to say that the healthiest way to live is by getting all of the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that we need from our diets.
It would be great if everyone did this, but the facts are that most people don’t. Most people do not eat diets rich in these foods, and thus many of us develop illnesses and diseases that can be linked back to deficiencies in certain nutrients.
Most of the foods we eat today are exactly the opposite of what our body needs, they are very rich in calories, but low in protein, fiber, good fats, vitamins and minerals. This isn’t just a small problem in isolated pockets throughout the United States, most adults who eat this type of diet are deficient in at least one important vitamin or mineral.
Here Is a List of the Best Vitamins and Minerals for Men:
1.Magnesium
Magnesium usually doesn’t first come to mind as the most important nutrient when it comes to men’s health, but the more research that is conducted about this interesting mineral, the more we come to realize how important it really is.
Magnesium plays many roles in many functions throughout the body, most importantly it regulates the potassium sodium pumps in our bodies. This is important in both muscle contraction, and in maintaining blood pressure as well.
The next time you head to the gym, make sure you are eating something high in magnesium like yogurt which will help you with your muscle endurance. If you’re prone to muscle twitching and spasms during or after working out, a magnesium deficiency may be to blame.
2. Foods High in Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Fats are the one macro nutrient that always seems to have a negative stigma attached to it because of the link they have to heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. The problem with this train of thought is that our bodies do in fact need fats, so completely cutting them out of your diet is not a good idea and can lead to neurological problems and problems involving hormone regulation.
Omega 3 fatty acids on the other hand are excellent for our overall health, and are essential in providing the body with things likes testosterone and reducing inflammation.
Fish are the best source of omega 3 fatty acids, but they are also found in seeds, nuts, grass fed beef and grass fed milk products as well.
Another option when it comes to getting enough omega 3 fatty acids that many people turn to are supplements, which can help you make up the difference that you aren’t getting from your diet. Optimal Omega by Men’s Healthy Lifestyle is an excellent product that uses high grade omega 3 extracts.
3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is not just a problem for men, but for women and the general population as a whole. This is not just a problem unique to people who eat a western diet either, as most of the vitamin D we get comes from the sun. This makes people who live in higher elevations or in colder climates more susceptible to vitamin d deficiency due to lack of time spent in the sunlight.
Vitamin D is important when it comes to our bone health and maintenance because it makes the body absorb and synthesize calcium much more effectively. Vitamin D is also important when it comes to the production of testosterone which makes it especially important for men when it comes to their sexual health.
4. Vitamins A, C and K and Other Antioxidants
Most people are familiar with these vitamins and the term antioxidants, however they don’t realize that these three vitamins are in fact antioxidants as well as vitamins. Antioxidants are important because they help to fight against free radicals in our body, which are known to cause a wide array of problems, including cancer.
Eating foods high in these vitamins like dark leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables are used to protect our bodies from aging as well, including maintaining eye sight, and blood vessels.
If you’re not sure what foods to go for, the easiest way to tell if a food is high in antioxidants is by its color. In general the darker it is, the more antioxidants it has.
