Helping Men Live Happier, Healthier, Longer Lives.
The month of “Movember” invites us to pause and appreciate the men in our lives; whether it be their intelligence, aptitude, funny (or not so funny) jokes, caring and supportive hearts, dedication, tenacity, strength, or ability to grow a well-crafted Mo. Did you know? June is the official “Men’s Health” month, but November often reminds us of the wonderful men in our lives due to its association with raising awareness for men’s mental health support, suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancers. And for good reason. It is widely reported that men’s testosterone levels start to decline in their 30’s. Lung cancer may be the deadliest form of cancer in men, but one in seven Canadian men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime and testicular cancer ranks as the most common cancer in young Canadian guys (Duvauchelle, 2018).
Men’s health concerns may relate to physical, sexual, and/or mental functions. The top concerns surrounding physical and sexual functions include cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stomach ulcer/acid reflux, energy levels, sexual drive, fertility, metabolic health, bladder control and prostate enlargement. Concerns around mental functions typically relate to feelings of anxiety, depression, or brain fog (Duvauchelle, 2018). It is vital to create a balance between both diet and lifestyle factors to promote longevity and proactively address these concerns. The eleven major organ systems of the body are intimately connected, and each has an impact, a domino effect of sorts, on the others. Physical concerns may be stress related and associated with ongoingly elevated levels of stress hormones including cortisol. Anatomically, the prostate is located just below the bladder and lies adjacent to the rectum in males. It is possible for the prostate to affect the bladder/urinary tract, digestion/the colon, or both. You are encouraged to consult your primary healthcare practitioner to address concerns, symptoms, and for guidance on what may be best suited for your individual history and needs. Our bodies are unique, and they are the sum of our choices related to areas such as sleep quality, integrity of our close relationships, nourishment, movement, hydration and/or supplementation. The top supplements for supporting men’s physical, sexual and mental functions are a vitamin B complex, Zinc, Magnesium, Fish oil, vitamin D, acetyl L-carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, Potassium Nitrate, Saw Palmetto, vitamin C, Saffron, Maca, and Ashwagandha (Irwin, 2020). Most active, productive men need a good supplement program to protect them from illness and deficiency symptoms and increase their longevity by reducing chronic degenerative disease patterns (Haas & Levin, 2006). The following products may be found locally in-store or ordered online through our website to support men’s health.
Whole Earth and Sea Men’s Multivitamin & Mineral Tablets include calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3 and K2, Folate, vitamin B6 and B12, Zinc and Selenium. Folate and B12 may help decrease the risk of stroke. Vitamin D3 may help improve male fertility and erectile function in addition to blood sugar regulation. A variety of enzymes, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients are included for energy and vitality. Whole Earth and Sea Men’s Multivitamin and Mineral Tablets 50+ is also available.
New Roots Herbal Prostate Perform soft gels are formulated to support a healthy prostate. They may help relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) including frequent urination, inconsistent stream, strain to urinate, prostate growth, and fertility. Minerals including Zinc are found in this product, which may help improve testosterone production, along with a combination of Saw Palmetto extract and Pygeum Bark that are traditionally used for prostate enlargement. The free plant sterols are known to help reduce LDL cholesterol to minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Ultimate Testosterone Boost is a synergistic formula that promotes healthy testosterone production in men, while supporting men’s health, energy, performance, and vitality. It features Ashwagandha to amplify the body’s ability to self-regulate key systems including neurological, immune, reproductive, endocrinal and energy-production systems. It also includes key nutrients for men’s reproductive and metabolic health like Zinc, vitamin D3, vitamin B6 (the “stress” vitamin) and B12 alongside Choline and Chromium. Interestingly, organic cordyceps are also featured for additional support of hormone health, digestion, nutrient bioavailability, and immune function.
In addition to supplementation, diet plays a major role in energy levels, hormone balance, and optimal day to day functioning. Sufficient protein intake is one of the most important factors. The target for the average active adult is approximately 1g/lb. of bodyweight (or ideal body weight if trying to lose weight). Garden of Life Sport Certified Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate is the only non-GMO project verified whey and is an easy and convenient way to meet daily protein targets. Available in vanilla or chocolate, it may be added to coffee or other hot elixirs, consumed as a protein shake, blended into a smoothie, combined with grains like oatmeal or buckwheat, or incorporated into baked goods. For men, foods rich in lycopene, a carotenoid found in red, pink, and orange fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, apricots, watermelons, cranberries, red peppers and beets are often recommended due to their association with a lowered risk of lung and prostate cancers. Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds, which can be found in our featured Alive Magazine recipe are associated with an improvement in symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
We welcome you to discover these and more featured products below for November’s Men’s Health: Helping Men Live Happier, Healthier, Longer Lives.
Use coupon code: MOVEMBER15 at checkout to save 15% off your purchase between November 1 2023-November 30 2023. Non-retroactive. Some exclusions apply.
Be sure to check in next month for our December feature on Holiday Stress and Supporting the Immune System.
The content in this post is for information purposes only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment of conditions that your health care practitioner should assess. The products discussed may not be suitable for you. Always read and follow the label.
References
Duvauchelle, J. (2018, May 25). “Men’s Health Fixer Upper”. Alive. https://www.alive.com/health/mens-health-fixer-upper/
Haas, E. & Levin, B. (2006). Staying Healthy with Nutrition The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine. New York. Celestial Arts.
Irwin, C. (2020, June 03). “Top 10 Men’s Health Supplements”. Alive. https://www.alive.com/health/top-10-mens-health-supplements/
Image: Sturino, I. (2023, June 10). “Life is busy, but regular check ups and moving a bit more are key to men’s health- here’s why”. Sunnybrook. https://health.sunnybrook.ca/men/life-is-busy-but-regular-checkups-and-moving-a-bit-more-are-key-to-mens-health-heres-why/