Zinc, Selenium and Vitamin C: Why These Three Matter for Men

TigerFormel Editorial Team

Of all the ingredients you'll find on a typical men's supplement label, only a handful actually carry an officially approved health claim in the EU. Zinc, selenium and vitamin C are three of them — here's what that approval actually covers.

Zinc

Zinc has two claims approved by EFSA that are relevant here: it contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood, and it contributes to normal fertility and reproduction. Zinc is also involved in immune function and wound healing, though those claims apply separately. A typical daily reference intake sits around 10mg for adult men, so a supplement dose is usually a partial contribution alongside diet, not a full daily replacement.

Selenium

Selenium's approved claim relevant to men's health is that it contributes to normal spermatogenesis (sperm formation). It's a trace mineral, meaning the body needs only small amounts — the NRV is measured in micrograms rather than milligrams, and doses well above the NRV are generally unnecessary and can be counterproductive at high intakes.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has several approved claims, including that it contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and that it helps protect cells from oxidative stress. It's water-soluble, so the body doesn't store excess amounts — consistent daily intake matters more than occasional large doses.

Why these three often appear together

Because all three have EFSA-approved claims tied to energy, fatigue or reproductive health, they're a common combination in men's daily supplements — including in TigerFormel's formula, which lists all three at 25–26% of their NRV per day, alongside amino acids and plant extracts that don't carry approved claims of their own.

The bottom line

These are genuinely useful, well-evidenced micronutrients — but a supplement is meant to fill a gap in your diet, not replace one. If your diet is generally varied and balanced, your baseline intake of all three may already be adequate.