Men over 40 will begin to experience a number of changes in their physical condition -- many of them are not for the better -- reports the the National Institutes of Health, or NIH. The NIH states that men over 40 will or may experience a drop in fertility and sperm production, an enlarged prostate gland, less frequent erections or actual erectile dysfunction, and urinary tract infections.. Meanwhile, a CBS News report on testosterone and aging says that a loss of testosterone in older men, called andropause, can contribute to excessive weight gain, osteoporosis, loss of muscle mass and fatigue. Fortunately, a number of vitamins can keep you healthy and vibrant.
Vitamin C
A 2004 study by the National Institute of Health, National Eye Institute, shows that more than 3.3 million Americans over the age of 40 are suffering or will suffer from age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. However, according to Neelakshi Bhagat, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the New Jersey Medical School, antioxidants such as vitamin C have been proved to have the ability to reduce the risk of advanced AMD by nearly 25 percent.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a natural substance found in tomatoes and other red fruits and can reduce the risk of benign prostate hypertrophy, otherwise known as an enlarged prostate, according to Health Research Data. Lycopene intake is linked to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
B-12
B-12 is another vitamin that is an essential nutrient for men over 40 because it promotes the metabolism of folate, according to Health Research Data. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University adds that because B-12 converts folate into a usable form, it minimizes the breakage of DNA strands, which is an important factor in preventing cancer.
Vitamin D
Men, like women, suffer from bone density loss as they age. The Mayo Clinic, in fact, states that calcium supplements that contain vitamin D are particularly important for older men in halting the loss of bone density. In addition, the BBC reports that low levels of vitamin D are linked to depressed testosterone levels.
References
- University of Medicine and Dentistry Magazine: Will Vitamins Restore "Boomersightis"?
- National Institutes of Health: Aging changes in the male reproductive system
- CBS Evening News: FYI: Testosterone And Aging More Information About Symptoms Of Testosterone Loss
- Health Research Data: Vitamins for Men 40 and up
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin B12
- Cancer Research: Lower prostate cancer risk in men with elevated plasma lycopene levels: results of a prospective analysis.
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