Prenatal vitamins contain extra amounts of nutrients needed during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins are generally safe for healthy adults, according to MayoClinic.com, but they may not be appropriate for men and women who aren't pregnant. Men may assume prenatal vitamins are good for them because they contain extra vitamins, but this may not be the case. Some of these nutrients may be good for men or harmless in extra doses, but some could increase the risk of health problems.
Description
Prenatal vitamins are pills or capsules formulated for pregnant women and their developing babies, as well as breast-feeding women, according to MayoClinic.com. Prenatal vitamins contain extra amounts of folic acid, a B vitamin needed to prevent certain birth defects. Because a women's iron needs increase during pregnancy, prenatal vitamins contain more iron than typical multivitamins. Prenatal vitamins also contain calcium and vitamin D to support a developing baby's bones and teeth. Although some prenatal vitamins require a prescription, prenatal vitamins are sold over-the-counter at most drug stores and supermarkets.
Possible Benefits
The American Pregnancy Association suggests men should take a multivitamin or even a prenatal vitamin to improve their pre-conception health and aid fertility. Calcium and vitamin D are important for men as well as women to help prevent osteoporosis and improve bone health. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, although the body produces it when the skin is directly exposed to the sun. For darker-skinned men and those who don't get much sun, the vitamin D in prenatal vitamins may help meet their requirements for this vitamin. Prenatal vitamins are rumored to help give men and women thicker hair and stronger nails, but MayoClinic.com notes these claims are unproven.
Possible Problems
Getting too much iron can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea and even death. The Office of Dietary Supplements reports iron overload is associated with several genetic diseases, including one that can cause heart failure. It's uncommon for men to be deficient in iron, according to the ODS, so the extra iron in prenatal vitamins is unnecessary. While uncommon, getting too much folic acid from supplements can mask the symptoms of vitamin-12 deficiency and delay treatment. Standard prenatal vitamins don't contain omega-3 fatty acids, but some do. A 2011 study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle suggests omega-3s may increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Considerations
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation recommends getting important nutrients from foods instead of pills. The foundation says fruits and vegetables contain hundreds of disease-fighting phytochemicals, as well as vitamins and minerals. Prenatal supplements can't provide all these nutrients together. If you feel you need to take a vitamin, MayoClinic.com advises taking a multivitamin tailored to your sex, age and specific medical needs. There are plenty of multivitamins specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of men.
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