Men's Health - What can't you afford to ignore

• Posted On: 06/05/2010 19:39:00
• In: General

It is widely acknowledged that men are often more reluctant than women to seek help for a health problem, particularly from their GP. Whilst women are encouraged to self-check on a regular basis, high-profile campaigns specifically targeting men's health are sadly few and far between. One of the most prominent, featuring Robbie Williams, to raise awareness of testicular cancer, is now 10 years' old. Often health information aimed at men is relegated to men's fitness magazines.

Happily, this state of affairs is changing, albeit slowly, in the form of supplements tailored to men's specific health needs and a growing industry dedicated to men's skincare. However, men are still typically less well-informed than women about the challenges that are more likely to affect them, such as heart disease and stress, as well as the conditions that target men exclusively, such as prostrate cancer.  

 "MEN MAY REQUIRE HIGHER DOSES OF THE B VITAMINS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY DRINK ALCOHOL OR EAT A HIGH-CARB DIET"

Stress and Heart Disease

In his book The Great Cholesterol Con Dr Malcolm Kendrick suggests that stress plays a crucial part in heart disease since, over time, spikes in stress hormones such as cortisol damage the lining of blood vessels, forming playues.

Studies show that statins only reduce overall mortality in men with existing heart disease, possibly because the significant action they perform is an anti-coagulant one rather than anything to do with lowering cholesterol.  And the answer isn't to reduce our dietary cholesterol, since even the famous Framingham study (begun in 1948 and still ongoing) concluded this didn't reduce heart disease.

In fact, a lowered cholesterol reading can actually increase one's risk factors for other diseases including cancer. However, important evidence shows that a better risk indicator is the amount of triglycerides in the blood: free-floating fatty acids which elevate in response to altered trans-fats and sugar.   

The solution seems to be twofold: find ways of managing stress and reduce the amount of processed foods in your diet. Replace heated and refined vegetable oils with raw fats such as virgin coconut oil and olive oil; fish oils also provide important anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties.

Dehydration is another factor which can cause the body to release stress hormones into the bloodstream; both caffeine and nicotine, common pick-me-ups during times of stress, will cause constriction of the blood vessels.

Another crucial element in the heart/stress picture is magnesium, which is required to bring the heart back from a contracted to a relaxed state. A recent client of mine complained of heart pains at moments of anxiety. Regular doses of a soluble magnesium supplement stopped these almost immediately.

Over-production of stress hormones such as cortisol also causes visceral fat (the 'beer belly') to accumulate around the abdomen. In addition, a diet high in sugars and refined foods can be readily metabolised into high blood sugar, leading to obesity and, further down the track, diabetes.

Abdominal fat is notoriously difficult to budge even with regular exercise, so it's important to reduce alcohol (a unit or two may be beneficial) and to swap 'white' offenders such as refined pasta, rice and bread for wholegrain sources which release their sugars more slowly. In some cases it might be helpful to instate a 'no carbs after 5pm' rule and fill up on light proteins, fats and vegetables instead.

Sexual and Prostate Health

 In terms of general vitality and sexual health, vitamin E and zinc support the adrenals in manufacturing male hormones, and men as well as women benefit from folic acid and essential fatty acids to support fertility. Men may require higher doses of the B vitamins, especially if they drink alcohol or eat a high-carb diet, but, unlike women, are less likely to suffer from iron deficiency.

The herb ginseng root helps increase both sexual and general energy; it is an adaptogen that helps boost immunity against stress and regulate the metabolism. It also has the added benefit of lowering triglyceride levels.  (A liquid whole ginseng root supplement is available from Natur Boutique.

As men get older, they may experience problems with the reproductive prostate gland, which can affect urine flow and in extreme cases, lead to cancer. Again zinc is crucial here, as are vitamins A, C and E, so consumption of fresh vegetables, alongside seafood and soft egg yolks, are good sources of these nutrients.

Evidence also supports the use of the herb saw palmetto, which is a widely available supplement and works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT, its more potent cousin. Similarly, pumpkin seed oil has been found to inhibit the over-stimulation of the prostate cells; it is often included in various 'omega' plant-oil blends, through it must be consumed fresh and unheated.

Recent research has also found protective benefits in walnuts, particularly in relation to prostate cancer, where it slowed the rate of tumour growth. Walnuts have also been shown to improve elasticity of blood vessels, so even more reason to pack a few into a salad or make your own mix of raw nuts and dried fruit to take to work. Eaten in moderation they can even help you lose weight!