What makes a multivitamin for men
There is no legal definition of a men's multivitamin. In practice the label usually has more zinc and selenium than a general formula and less iron, because adult men need less iron than women of childbearing age. Both products in this category follow that pattern. Compare them nutrient by nutrient rather than by the number of ingredients on the front of the box.
| Nutrient | NRV for adults | Osavi, 3 capsules | Yango, 15 ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 800 µg | 800 µg | 800 µg |
| Vitamin D | 5 µg | 50 µg (2000 IU) | 20 µg (800 IU) |
| Vitamin C | 80 mg | 120 mg | 300 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.4 mg | 6 mg | 10 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 µg | 100 µg | 100 µg |
| Folic acid | 200 µg | 400 µg | 400 µg |
| Zinc | 10 mg | 15 mg | 7 mg |
| Selenium | 55 µg | 200 µg | 55 µg |
| Magnesium | 375 mg | 64 mg | 56 mg |
| Iron | 14 mg | 3.5 mg | none |
| Iodine | 150 µg | 150 µg | 75 µg |
| Vitamin K | 75 µg | none | 75 µg (K2, MK-7) |
NRV values are from Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. Both products also contain vitamin E, the other B vitamins, calcium, copper, manganese and chromium.
Capsules or liquid
Osavi comes as three capsules a day after a meal. It has the higher doses of vitamin D, zinc and selenium, plus coenzyme Q10, lycopene and plant extracts: saw palmetto, nettle root, grape seed and Japanese knotweed. Yango is a liquid: you measure 15 ml in the morning after a meal, dilute it in 15 ml of water and drink it. It adds collagen, lutein, amino acids and a green blend that includes ginseng and green tea. None of these extras has an authorised health claim, so the claims below come from the vitamins and minerals only.
What the EU allows these products to say
Both products give at least 15% of the NRV for each of the nutrients below, which is the condition for using their claims under Regulation (EU) No 432/2012. A few examples:
- Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function.
- Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function.
- Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
A multivitamin does not do more than its nutrients. A longer ingredient list does not unlock any additional claim.
Adding up with other supplements
If you already take separate zinc, vitamin D or a B complex, count the totals. EFSA sets tolerable upper intake levels for adults of 25 mg a day for zinc, 100 µg for vitamin D, 12 mg for vitamin B6 and 255 µg for selenium, all sources together. Yango alone gives 10 mg of B6, so a B complex on top would take you past 12 mg.
The Yango label has further restrictions: not for people taking vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants such as warfarin, and not on the same day as other products containing green tea. Both labels say the products are not for children.
Questions
Which vitamins for men should I choose?
If you want the higher vitamin D, zinc and selenium, choose Osavi. If you prefer a drink to capsules and want more vitamin C, choose Yango. Then compare the price per day.
When should I take a multivitamin?
After a meal, as both labels say. Yango specifies the morning.
Can I take a men's multivitamin with magnesium?
Yes, if you follow both labels. Each formula gives only around 60 mg of magnesium, so a separate magnesium product will not push you near a limit.
How is it different from a women's multivitamin?
The Osavi formula for women has twice the iron (7 mg) and no vitamin A, and its plant extracts differ. All our formulas are listed under multivitamins.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 (permitted health claims)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII (reference intakes)
- EFSA (2023): Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin D
- EFSA (2023): Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin B6
- EFSA (2023): Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for selenium
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Multivitamin/mineral supplements
Content reviewed by Inese Kalniņa, dietitian.
2026-07-12