Men’s Vitality

Nutrients connected to Men’s Vitality

A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.

• PygeumPreliminary or mixed

  Used by men for urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate. A Cochrane review found some benefit over placebo, but the trials were small and short.

• Tongkat aliPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials report higher testosterone in some men, but evidence for better wellbeing or function is mixed and preliminary.

• ZincDeficiency link

  Low testosterone production (hypogonadism) in males is listed as a sign of zinc deficiency. This does not show zinc boosts vitality in men with normal zinc.

• AshwagandhaPreliminary or mixed

  NCCIH says limited evidence suggests 2 to 4 months of use may raise testosterone and sperm quality in men. A higher blood number is not proof of better health.

• Saw palmettoPreliminary or mixed

  Marketed for men's prostate health. Large trials for urinary symptoms found little or no benefit, so this is not an established use.

• MacaPreliminary or mixed

  One 12-week trial in men with symptoms of late-onset hypogonadism reported better symptom scores; it has not been repeated in the sources we read.

• Asian ginsengPreliminary or mixed

  Some research shows better sexual function in erectile dysfunction; effect may be trivial and evidence is low quality.

• Stinging nettlePreliminary or mixed

  Limited evidence that the root may ease urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

• Pumpkin seedPreliminary or mixed

  Pumpkin seed is accepted in the EU as a traditional herbal medicine for urinary symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate or overactive bladder, based only on long use. Trials of seed or oil for prostate symptoms show small or mixed effects.

• EnokiPreliminary or mixed

  One 12-week trial of an enoki extract (not the food) improved a sexual-symptom subscale in men with menopausal symptoms; the evidence is limited.

• YohimbePreliminary or mixed

  Yohimbe is promoted for sexual performance, but NCCIH finds not enough evidence for firm conclusions and MSK does not recommend it for erectile dysfunction; trials of purified yohimbine were mixed. Serious heart and blood pressure risks apply.

• Cuscuta seed (tu si zi)Preliminary or mixed

  A meta-analysis of a seed-containing formula reported better sperm measures in men; credit to the seed alone is unproven.

• Pumpkin SeedsPreliminary or mixed

  Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate improved on the symptom score in one trial; not proven treatment.

• Cynomorium (Suo Yang)Lab or animal research only

  Traditionally used for male sexual function; only rat, mouse and cell studies were found, no human trial.

• ShilajitPreliminary or mixed

  One 90-day trial in healthy older men found higher testosterone with a purified extract; a hormone marker, one product.

• Korean Red GinsengPreliminary or mixed

  Korean red ginseng reviews on erectile function are suggestive but low quality.

• FucoidanPreliminary or mixed

  One trial in men with BPH improved a symptom score; other measures did not differ.

• Proprietary BlendsDocumented risk

  Products sold for sexual enhancement were the largest group among FDA-warned adulterated supplements (45.5 percent of 776). This describes a hidden-drug risk, not a benefit.

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