Men's Health Supplements and Nutrition

Most men like to think that they are indestructible; they do not need remedies because they do not get sick. Of course this is a myth. In many cases men and women would take the same remedies; however, men do have special needs.

Supportive and adjunctive care alongside conventional medical treatment.

Prostate Health

Specific to men are prostate problems. Both prostate cancer and prostatitis are common in men. Prostatitis is when the prostate becomes inflamed. It can be caused by a bacterial infection, and stress, drinking too much alcohol, too much caffeine or lack of exercise may make symptoms worse. Some symptoms to watch out for are painful urination, difficulty emptying the bladder completely, frequent urination throughout the night, pain when sitting, chills and fever and sometimes blood in the urine.

Maintaining a healthy diet and getting good regular exercise are among the best things you can do for your overall health, including your prostate. If you take at least 20 minutes of each day to go on a walk or do a simple workout you can do a lot for maintaining a healthy body. So many of us in today's society sit at a desk all day and have limited movement. Our bodies need exercise in order to stay healthy. Some men also make sure they get enough vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and zinc, but these nutrients are not a treatment for prostatitis, and more is not always better: high doses of some supplements, such as vitamin E, may do more harm than good. Seeking the assistance of a professional who is knowledgeable in supplements and vitamins, like Dr. Dalal Akoury, MD, MPH, at AWAREmed can be helpful in deciding what is best for you.

Vitamins and Minerals From Food

Nutrients often discussed for men's health include calcium and magnesium, vitamin E and zinc; ask your doctor whether you need a supplement or can get enough from food. Some men also add foods such as cucumbers and pumpkin seeds (a source of zinc) to their diet. Supplements may play a supporting role, but evidence that they protect the prostate is limited. You are better off receiving most of your vitamins by eating your food and leaving supplements for times when your doctor finds you need them.

In order to get vitamin A you should eat green or yellow vegetables and fruits such as broccoli, winter squash, apricots, peaches and cantaloupe. For vitamin A and beta-carotene your best bets are broccoli, peas, cabbage, tomatoes, apricots, mangoes, spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. Vitamin C is found in oranges, grapefruits, berries, melons, cabbage as well as cauliflower. Vitamins A and C are found in Brussels sprouts, leafy greens, spinach, tomatoes, sweet green and red peppers and sweet potatoes. Other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E and zinc can be found in spinach, cooked oatmeal, whole grain cereals, beef, cashews, eggs and turkey.

Your body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight, and vitamin D is also found in fatty fish and fortified foods. Because sun exposure raises the risk of skin cancer, protect your skin with sunscreen and ask your doctor whether you should have your vitamin D level checked or take a supplement.

Eating as much as you can each day of these foods that include more than one vitamin is your best bet. However, there are plenty of foods available for you to choose from in order to maintain the proper levels of vitamins and minerals every day that your body needs. On a daily basis you should be eating 5 to 6 servings of fruits and vegetables. Steaming your vegetables or simply eating them raw helps keep more of their vitamins. By boiling the vegetables many of the vitamins and minerals that you are looking for are lost in the water.

Fiber, Fats and Herbs

A healthy diet for men should include plenty of fiber. Once he reaches 50 a man should also strive to have a low-fat diet. It is at this age and beyond that a man is more likely to develop prostate problems. Some research suggests that diets high in saturated fat may be linked to prostate problems, while fiber-rich diets support overall health. When adding fats to your diet they need to be good fats, such as those in lean poultry, and you need to receive omega-3 fatty acids that can be found in fish. Consider using olive oil in place of other vegetable oils. When you go shopping, start looking at the labels on the food that you are buying and try avoiding saturated fats.

Herbs are also of interest to many men who are looking to keep healthy. Hawthorn is an herb some men use to support heart health and cholesterol levels. Talk to your doctor before taking it, because hawthorn can interact with heart medicines, including some blood pressure drugs and digoxin. Saw palmetto is a supplement many men use for urinary symptoms related to an enlarged prostate, although studies have shown mixed results. It has not been shown to prevent prostate cancer; if your family has a history of prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about screening. Garlic adds flavor to food in a delicious and healthy way, and some studies suggest it may modestly help with blood pressure; it does not replace blood pressure medicine.

Erectile Dysfunction

When it comes to men's health supplements, many men ask about natural remedies for erectile dysfunction (impotence). Horny goat weed is an herb some men use for circulation and sexual function, but there is little research in people, and it can interact with some medicines. You can find it in health stores, but talk to your doctor before trying it. Erection problems can be an early sign of heart disease, diabetes or hormone changes, so it is worth seeing a physician rather than relying on herbs alone.

Prostate Screening

It is important to remember that from around age 50 (earlier if you have a family history or other risk factors), men should talk with their doctor about prostate cancer screening. Prostate cancer found early can often be treated effectively.

Call us at (423) 430-6170 if you need help with these topics. Read more about managing andropause and testosterone and sexual health, or book a consultation.