Men’s vs Women’s Multis: What’s the difference?

By Naturopath Paul Keogh
Paul Keogh is the founder and technical director of Global Therapeutics P/L trading as Fusion Health. Paul is a qualified naturopath and medical herbalist with 28 years combined experience in clinical practice and the development of integrated Chinese and western herbal medicines.

Is it really worthwhile buying separate multivitamins for yourself and your partner? Naturopath Paul Keogh certainly thinks so, as he explains here.

Men and women’s nutritional needs are fundamentally the same in many ways, although men do have higher requirements for some nutrients simply due to their larger body size.

That means that regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman, your multivitamin should provide a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals, which are needed to help maintain important aspects of wellbeing such as your immune health, digestion, vision, cognitive function, cellular energy production and ability to cope with stress.

But beyond that, there are some important differences in both lifestyle and physiology that mean men and women may be better off taking a multi that’s been specially formulated for their individual requirements.

For example, the diets of many Australian women don’t supply the recommended quantities of iron, which needs to be topped up regularly to cover the iron lost during menstruation.

However, most men have adequate iron stores, and consequently should guard against building up an excess in the body, which may lead to free radical damage.

A multivitamin that’s been specially formulated for women should therefore provide adequate amounts of iron to support women’s dietary intakes (ideally in a form that’s readily absorbed and unlikely to cause digestive upsets such as iron glycinate), while one that’s tailored to men should exclude iron altogether, as it’s rarely needed.

Consequently, a multi that’s formulated for both genders is unlikely to fully meet the needs of either, as it will provide insufficient iron to make a meaningful difference to women, but more than is necessary for a man.

Similarly, a woman’s multi should also contain zinc and vitamin B6 to help maintain a healthy menstrual cycle, and a high dose of folic acid (which may reduce the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects when taken for at least a month prior to conception and during pregnancy).

On the flipside, many Australian men consume diets low in zinc, making it a particularly important ingredient in a men’s multi formula - especially as it’s required for prostate function, sperm health and testosterone production.

Nutritional support of heart and blood vessel health is also particularly important for men, as they’re at greater risk of cardiovascular problems than women are. With that in mind, it’s vital that your men’s multi includes vitamins B1, B6, C, E and folic acid, as well as the antioxidant nutrients selenium and lycopene.

Look for gender-specific herbs to support sexual vitality
Some advanced multivitamin supplements include carefully chosen herbs that have traditionally been used to support men and women’s sexual vitality and reproductive functioning. 

The benefits of Manuka Honey

In an era of prescription human-made medicines, many people are looking for natural health alternatives to treat their ailments. Manuka Honey is supported by scientific research to contain medicinal qualities that cover a range of conditions.

Based on the report by Crop & Food Research Institute, a New Zealand Government research agency (Dec 2007), Manuka Honey is said to have high levels of anti-bacterial activities eliminating pathogenic bacteria in the gut as well as encouraging the growth of good, probiotic gut bacteria.

Trials have indicated that Manuka Honey can also help to heal wounds and skin ulcers that haven't responded to standard treatments. It naturally acts to assist as a balm for skin infections, acne, bites, cuts and burns.

Oral hygiene
Don’t be surprised if you see toothpaste with Manuka in it. Manuka helps to fight off the nasty bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and keeping those pearly whites well supported.

First Aid 
We’ve all experienced burns and cuts while preparing for food. Wound and burns healing is one of Manuka’s most traditional uses, so make sure you have a jar on hand in the first aid kit as well as the 
kitchen pantry.

Sore Throats 
Try mixing a spoonful of Manuka Honey into a cup of warm water with lemon and ginger for a soothing beverage every day. It tastes great and is good for you and help soothe a sore throat.

Beauty Treatment and Health Booster
Manuka is a pure carbohydrate like glucose and fructose, which can support your body with short-term energy boosts. Because of its nutrient dense profile, it boosts vitality, youthful energy, and has been known to improve skin tone and texture. Consider using it in a homemade face wash to exfoliate and fight free radicals in the skin. Use it in your shampoo or a hair mask, to boost the shine of your hair.

What is MGO? 
Manuka factor MGO stands for methylglyoxal. It is a compound naturally formed in the nectar of the Manuka flower ready for collection by the honey bee. In the case of Manuka Honey the methylglyoxal is transferred into the honey, where it remains stable and is resistant to heat, light and enzymatic activity in body fluids.

The MGO Manuka Honey certification system is based on scientific evidence confirming that naturally occurring methylglyoxal is one of the key compounds in New Zealand Manuka Honey.

Every Batch of MGO Manuka Honey is certified, guaranteeing the minimum level of methylglyoxal as clearly indicated on the label. For example, MGO 800+ Manuka Honey means there is at least 800mg methylglyoxal per kg of Manuka Honey in the product.

New Zealand government – Ministry for primary industries (MPI) acknowledge Methylglyoxal as being an allowable claim in labelling Manuka Honey.

Beneficial uses for MGO 100+ 
• Dry, irritated thoat, mouth ulcers 
• Topical for Eczema and dry skin

Beneficial uses for MGO 280+ 
• Gastritis, heartburn/reflux, Irritable Bowel 
• Dry, irritated thoat, mouth ulcers

Beneficial uses for MGo 400+, 550+ & 800+ 
• Gastritis, heartburn/reflux, Irritable Bowel 
• Sore throat and Coughs
• Gum disease, mouth ulcers, dental care
• Wound healing

What are the different types of Flower Honey?
Wild flower honey - has been collected from wild flowers native to New Zealand’s pristine green pastures. The honey-bee produces a distinctively viscous blend yields and exquisitely rich honey laced with a floral fragrance. Wild flower has the perfect match with tea and water. With a scoop of wild flower honey, water, lemon and ice can produce one of the best honey drinks. 
Clover Flower Honey - is one of the most widely available and popular honey varieties from New Zealand.This classic honey has a pleasingly mild, floral sweetness. Clover honey is best used as a honey spread and a perfect companion with your sandwiches, yoghurts and fruits.

Do older adults need vitamins & supplements?

Before starting any vitamin or mineral supplements, you should talk to your doctor to determine if it is appropriate. Because these supplements may affect the way prescription drugs work, you should also tell your pharmacist if you begin taking them.

Vitamins are nutrients that your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy. The amount you need depends on the vitamin. Because your body can only make limited amounts of vitamins for itself, the rest must come from a nutritious diet. Minerals are other nutrients that your body needs to function properly. Examples of minerals include iron, calcium and zinc. As you get older, you can become deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, and the nutrients you get from diet alone may not be enough.

Did you know about Vitamin D?
From our 40s onwards, our bones gradually lose their density as a natural part of ageing.
Your body needs vitamin D to help it absorb calcium needed for strong bones and hormone production.Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin.

It is found in oily fish, liver, and egg yolks. Your body also makes its own vitamin D when you’re exposed to sunshine so a few minutes a day of sunlight during summer and a couple of hours of sun exposure spread over the week during winter is essential as we age.

Did you know about Calcium?
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones, causing them to become weak and fragile and more likely to break (fracture). It has no symptoms so the first clue may be seen if you fracture a bone.
Whether you have osteoporosis or just want to build strong bones for the future the first step is to ensure that you eat calcium-rich foods.

Calcium is important for maintaining strong bones and is found in a number of different foods including dairy foods, green leafy vegetables and tofu. Talk to your health practioners about whether you need a calcium supplement and what the right dose is for you especially if you feel that your diet may not be providing enough calcium to protect your bone density.

Did you know about Glucosamine?
Glucosamine is a substance naturally produced by the body. It is one of the building blocks of cartilage and may play a role in protecting against the deterioration of cartilage.

Cartilage covers and protects the ends of the bones, preventing bones from griding against each other. Glucosamine comes in two forms – glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. Glucosamine supplements are made from shellfish or the vegetarian forms are derived from corn or fungus. They are available as tablets or liquid.

If you have kidney disease or are taking heart or blood pressure medicines, consult your health practioner before use. Source: arthritissa.org.au

Did you know about Fish Oil?
Fish oil contains vital fatty acids known as Omega-3 essential fatty acids, in particular, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). And while these are scientific references and difficult to pronounce, let alone remember - all you really need to know is that these fatty acids that are known as “essential fats”, need to be obtained from our diet as our bodies can’t manufacture them.

The best source of Omega-3 fatty acids are oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and tuna. But we’d have to ensure we eat the recommended two to three serves of oily fish every week.

That’s why so many of us turn to fish oil supplements to make sure our bodies get an adequate amount of these essential fatty acids as they help to:

• Relieve arthritis symptoms as an anti-inflammatory action.
• Help maintain healthy levels of triglycerides.
• Work for a healthy brain function, and are needed for healthy brain development for kids.
• Are a part of the structure of every cell in your body.

Did you know about CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a substance similar to a vitamin. It is found in every cell of the body. Your body makes CoQ10, and your cells use it to produce energy your body needs for cell growth and maintenance.

It also functions as an antioxidant, which helps to protects the body from damage caused by harmful free radicals. CoQ10 is naturally present in small amounts in a wide variety of foods, but levels are particularly high in organ meats such as heart, liver, and kidney, as well as beef, soy oil, sardines, mackerel, and peanuts.

Coenzymes help enzymes work to digest food and perform other body processes, and they help protect the heart and skeletal muscles.

CoQ10 and other antioxidants and minerals may also help to improve skin roughness and fine wrinkles.

Did you know about Ginkgo?
Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) is one of the oldest living tree species. Native to China, it has been used for centuries as a herbal tonic for memory and circulation. Ginkgo is known to have antioxidant effects and may assist blood flow through the veins, arteries and capillaries. Some studies suggest that Gingko biloba leaf extracts can improve thinking, learning, and memory. Benefits on memory and circulation have been seen using a standardized leaf extract of Ginkgo biloba. The leaf preparation is standardized to the active components 24 % flavonoids and 6 % terpenoids.

Ginkgo biloba has the potential to increase bleeding and should not be used by anyone taking anti-coagulant (blood thinning) medications without medical advice.

Did you know abouth the benefits of Turmeric?
Turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family, is called the “Golden Spice of India”. It has been used as a traditional remedy in India for centuries for a wide variety of ailments. It has a main constituent, curcumin, which has been shown in scientific research to have a wide range of biological actions.

It is generally recommended as a pain reliever due to its potent anti-inflammatory effect, and has a wide use as an antioxidant with an antioxidant capacity said to be far stronger than Vitamin C.

It is one of the prime herbs suggested for the pain and inflammation associated with a variety of conditions, including arthritis.

Turmeric also stimulates bile production, which helps you to digest fats and generally improve your digestion. Check with your doctor if you are taking medication to assure its suitability to you.

Did you know about zinc?
Nearly 100 different enzymes in your body rely on zinc to perform their roles. It is an essential mineral that is needed for your healthy immune responses and the correct functioning of the nervous system. Zinc helps to regulate your genes, and is critical for your very own enzyme system that works in your body to help neutralise free radicals and help fight the damage that can be caused by them.

Zinc is found in seafood, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), meat and nuts.