General Nutrition | nutritional deficiencies and stress in men and hormones imbalance in men | Healthyr U
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Misbah Wasi

Functional Nutrition Specialist, Scientific & Regulatory Advisor for Health Supplements

Misbah Wasi is a seasoned professional in the field of Nutrition Science and Food Regulation for over 15 years. Currently, she is lendin her expertise in the area of Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals and is an active member of the Standards Review Group (SRG) - Nutraceuticals FSSAI Ms. Wasi is a post-graduate in Food and Nutrition. Certified Lead Food Safety Management Systems Auditor (FSMS, FSSC 22000) and a certified FoSTaC traine for Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals. She is also a Subject Matter Expert for ‘Food Regulations in India’ for IFLR (International Food Laws and Regulations) course at Michigan State University.

What are the most common nutritional deficiencies in men?

Read Time: 4.3 min

Common nutritional deficiencies in men include vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and zinc deficiency. These common vitamin deficiencies can lead to fatigue, low immunity, and poor muscle function. Recognizing nutritional deficiency symptoms like weakness or mood changes is key. Nutritional deficiency treatment involves dietary adjustments and supplements. Understanding the types of nutritional deficiency helps in addressing what are nutritional deficiencies effectively.1,2,3


What causes nutritional deficiencies in men?

Nutritional deficiencies in men are often caused by poor diet, stress, alcohol consumption, and certain medical conditions. Common causes of nutritional deficiencies include a lack of nutritional eating, low intake of essential vitamins and nutrients, and impaired absorption of nutrients in your body4. Protein deficiency may also result from unbalanced meals, leading to reduced muscle mass and energy levels.


What are the best ways to diagnose a deficiency?

The best way to diagnose a deficiency is through a nutritional deficiency test, which includes blood tests to assess specific nutrients4. For example, how to diagnose vitamin deficiency or how to diagnose protein deficiency involves measuring serum levels. Similarly, diagnosing magnesium deficiency and diagnosing vitamin D deficiency require targeted blood panels. Accurate deficiency test results help guide appropriate dietary or supplemental interventions.



What role does lifestyle play in developing deficiencies?

Lifestyle plays a crucial role in developing deficiencies. Bad lifestyle habits such as poor diet, smoking, and lack of sleep can impair the absorption of essential nutrients. Unhealthy lifestyle habits reduce the body's ability to utilize vitamins and minerals, leading to imbalances. Incorporating nutritional eating habits ensures that the nutrients in your body are replenished and maintained for optimal health and function.4,5


What are omega-3 fatty acids and why are they important for men?

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fats that support heart, brain, and joint health. The omega-3 benefits for men include improved cardiovascular function, reduced inflammation, and enhanced cognitive performance. Taking an omega-3 supplement can help meet daily needs, especially when dietary intake is low. Fish oil benefits for men also extend to better testosterone balance, highlighting key omega-3 supplement benefits.6,7


What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in men?

Vitamin D deficiency in men can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, and reduced immunity. Low vitamin D in men is also linked to low testosterone, poor mood, and decreased bone density. Common low vitamin D symptoms male include frequent illness and joint discomfort. Maintaining optimal men's vitamin D levels is crucial to prevent long-term effects of low vitamin D in men.1,7


What are the signs of low magnesium levels in men?

Low magnesium levels in men can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, irritability, and abnormal heart rhythms. Magnesium in men supports nerve function, energy production, and bone health. Recognizing the health benefits of magnesium for men is essential to prevent deficiencies. To maintain optimal levels, consider the best magnesium supplement for men and explore the full range of magnesium benefits for men through diet and supplementation.8


What is the link between poor nutrition and low testosterone?

Poor nutrition negatively impacts hormone production, including testosterone. A poor diet low in essential nutrients like zinc, vitamin D, and healthy fats can lead to reduced testosterone synthesis. The effects of poor nutrition include hormonal imbalances and fatigue. The consequence of poor nutrition is especially critical in men, as lack of nutrition causes decreased libido, muscle mass, and energy, highlighting the direct link between nutrition and testosterone.1,2,3,9


What role does stress play in nutritional imbalances in men?

Stress significantly impacts hormone balance for men, often disrupting metabolism and nutrient absorption. Chronic stress in men elevates cortisol, which can lead to hormones imbalance in men and deplete vital nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. These imbalances worsen signs of stress in men. To reduce stress hormones and restore a normal stress level, proper nutrition and lifestyle adjustments are essential for maintaining stress and hormones equilibrium.10,11


What supplements should men consider for preventing deficiencies?

Men should consider supplements to prevent common deficiencies in vitamins D, B12, and zinc, which support energy, immunity, and hormonal balance.5,12 Essential vitamins for men are provided by a high-quality men's health supplement, such as Healthyr-U's Advanced Men Multivitamin Tablet. These daily vitamins for men help maintain overall wellness, making men multivitamins a smart addition to any proactive health routine.


What is the best diet plan to avoid nutritional deficiencies in men?

The best approach to prevent nutritional deficiencies in men is a balanced diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. A healthy diet plan for men focuses on variety to cover all essential vitamins and minerals. Avoiding a deficient diet is key by following a healthy eating plan tailored to individual needs. A consistent diet for vitamin deficiency prevention supports overall well-being.5,6,7 


References

  1. AlQuaiz AM, Kazi A, Fouda M, Alyousefi N. Age and gender differences in the prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency. Archives of osteoporosis. 2018 Dec;13:1-1.

  2. Margalit I, Cohen E, Goldberg E, Krause I. Vitamin B12 deficiency and the role of gender: a cross-sectional study of a large cohort. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2018 Mar 29;72(4):265-71.

  3. Rahmati M, Safdarian F, Zakeri M, Zare S. The prevalence of zinc deficiency in 6-month to 12-year old children in Bandar Abbas in 2013. Electronic physician. 2017 Aug 1;9(8):5088.

  4. Kiani AK, Dhuli K, Donato K, Aquilanti B, Velluti V, Matera G, Iaconelli A, Connelly ST, Bellinato F, Gisondi P, Bertelli M. Main nutritional deficiencies. Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene. 2022 Oct 17;63(2 Suppl 3):E93.

  5. Hajder D. Nutrition And Lifestyle Habits. International Journal of Academic and Applied Research (IJAAR). 2023 Feb;7(2):95-101.

  6. Krupa KN, Fritz K, Parmar M. Omega-3 fatty acids [Internet]. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. 2024.

  7. Abbott K, Burrows TL, Acharya S, Thota RN, Garg ML. Dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid rich fish oil increases circulating levels of testosterone in overweight and obese men. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 2020 Dec 1;163:102204.

  8. Faryadi Q. The magnificent effect of magnesium to human health: a critical review. International Journal of Applied. 2012 Mar;2(3):118-26.

  9. Wrzosek M, Woźniak J, Włodarek D. The causes of adverse changes of testosterone levels in men. Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2020 Sep 2;15(5):355-62.

  10. Hardy MP, Gao HB, Dong Q, Ge R, Wang Q, Chai WR, Feng X, Sottas C. Stress hormone and male reproductive function. Cell and tissue research. 2005 Oct;322:147-53.

  11. Lopresti AL. The effects of psychological and environmental stress on micronutrient concentrations in the body: a review of the evidence. Advances in Nutrition. 2020 Jan 1;11(1):103-12.

  12. Ames BN. A role for supplements in optimizing health: the metabolic tune-up. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics. 2004 Mar 1;423(1):227-34.
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