Nutritional needs change as people grow older, and also differ between the sexes, so drug companies have responded with vitamins specifically aimed at men and women who are 50 and older. If you compare the ingredient labels on a standard multivitamin and a multivitamin that's targeted for older men, you'll find that one mineral is probably missing--iron.
Iron Overload
Iron is a critical mineral in the body, but the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health reports that iron deficiency is uncommon in adult men, and that iron supplements should only be taken by men on a doctor's recommendation. The problem is that the body stores iron, and if too much is taken, you can experience an iron overload. The NIH explains that an iron overload occurs when excess iron is found in the blood and stored in organs such as the liver and heart. MayoClinic.com reports that doctors have two blood tests they can use to detect iron overload at any stage. Iron overload is often associated with diseases such as hemochromatosis.
Hemochromatosis
The NIH reports that hemochromatosis is a genetic disease that affects about one in 250 people of northern European descent. People with hemochromatosis absorb iron very efficiently, which can lead to a build-up of iron. It often goes undiagnosed until organ damage has occurred, such as cirrhosis of the liver or heart disease. MayoClinic.com reports that the signs and symptoms of hemochromatosis usually appear in midlife, so those diagnosed with the disease should be most careful about avoiding supplemental iron in multivitamins.
Anemia
Recommendations about iron supplements may change as men approach advanced age. The Cleveland Clinic reports that there is a "pronounced increase" in anemia among Americans once they reach the age of 85, and many of those cases can be traced to iron deficiency. Iron is found in such foods as liver, poultry, beef, legumes, nuts and fortified breads, but because the elderly tend to eat less, it may be harder for older men to reach the recommended daily allowance of eight milligrams of iron. If that's the case, a multivitamin with iron may be recommended.
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