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Wellness Works Blog

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Mens health and lifestyle

Compared to women, men tend to pay less attention to their physical, emotional and mental health. Some men even consider managing stress, getting adequate sleep, regular checkups, exercise and eating healthy foods too complex or time-consuming; however, all are essential to achieving and maintaining optimal health.

Although some men are beginning to take notice and move toward healthier habits, many remain unaware of their common health risks. By recognizing health threats and making healthy lifestyle changes, men can reduce their risks.

Heart Disease

According to the CDC, heart disease is the number one killer of men in the United States, regardless of origin, race or age.1,2 Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity, diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle. Men can reduce their risk for developing heart disease by adopting new habits such as better stress management, improved diet and regular exercise.

Some meta-analysis studies show that increasing omega-3 levels through quality nutritional supplements can help reduce heart disease mortality, reduce bad cholesterol and improve blood flow.3,4,5,6 High-quality omega-3 supplementation can be found in Marine Fish Oil 1000 mg (WW #10306), a molecularly distilled marine lipid formula that provides 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in their natural forms. Omega Max Complete Essential Fatty Acid Formula (WW #10118) contains molecularly distilled deep sea fish sources combined with borage seed and flax seed oils providing DHA and EPA as well as alpha linolenic acid (ALA), cis-linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). This combination may provide additional benefits such as healthier skin and improved inflammatory and neurological function.7,8,9

Prostate

As men age, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) commonly develops. BPH symptoms include urges to urinate throughout the night, difficulty starting or maintaining urination and more frequent urination.

Prostate cancer — one of the top causes of cancer-related deaths in men — is another risk. Regular screenings and early detection can help mitigate the risk of developing or succumbing to prostate cancer. Preventative measures, such as eating a high vegetable and fruit diet, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise, may also help reduce risks for developing prostate and other cancers.10,11

Some dietary and herbal ingredients may help promote overall prostate health. Clinical studies show saw palmetto supports normal levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and influences the binding of DHT to prostate cells. These mechanisms can help promote prostate health and function.12 Additional studies indicate the saw palmetto herb is effective in treating BPH symptoms.13,14 Saw palmetto is also being studied for its possible use in treatments for male pattern baldness.15 This herb can be found in our nutritional supplement, Saw Palmetto 320 mg Standardized (WW #10335), as well as in our combination product, Prostate Health Support (WW #10126).

Erectile Dysfunction

Erections require vasodilation, which occurs when the smooth muscles of the vessel walls relax and allow increased blood flow. Nitric oxide (NO) mediates the relaxation of smooth muscles and allows for the erection.16 Studies show that increasing the endogenous amounts of NO assists with the vasodilation and helps restore sexual functions.17 Studies show that pine bark extract, available in Pycnogenol® 50 mg (WW #10373), and L-arginine helped increase NO levels to possibly assist in restoring sexual functions.18 Studies also indicate pycnogenol may improve BPH symptoms and residual bladder volume.19Male Virility Support (WW #10253) combines ViriloMax® herbal blend with damiana, muira puama and horny goat weed, which are also considered potent supporters of male vitality and libido.

Restoring & Maintaining Optimal Health

As well as reducing health risks, men should strive for optimum well-being. Our standard American diet, however, contains plenty of nutritional gaps — impacting the health of men.

To help men fill these gaps, we developed a fully organic and vegan Men’s Complete Whole Food Multi (WW #10430). Derived from real, certified USDA organic, non-GMO nutritious foods and formulated specifically for men, our new multi-supplement is packed with vitamins, minerals and herbs in a highly bioavailable form.

By embracing a balanced nutritional approach, prioritizing physical activity, managing stress effectively, undergoing regular health screenings and avoiding harmful substances, men can take significant strides in optimizing their health — now and as they age.

References

  1. CDC. (last reviewed 2022) Leading Causes of Death – Males – All races and origins – United States, 2018. Accessed June 2023 at https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/lcod/men/2018/all-races-origins/index.htm
  2. CDC. (last reviewed 2023) Men’s Health. Accessed June 2023 at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mens-health.htm
  3. Rizos, E.C., Markozannes G., Tsapas A, et al. (2021) Omega-3 supplementation and cardiovascular disease: formulation-based systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. Circul. 107:150-158. Accessed June 2023 at https://heart.bmj.com/content/107/2/150.abstract
  4. Mohebi-Nejad, A., Bikdeli, B. (2014) Omega-3 Supplements and Cardiovascular Diseases. Tanaffos Journal of Respiratory Diseases 13(1): 6-14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4153275/
  5. Chin J.P, Dart A.M. HBPRCA Astra Award. (1994) Therapeutic restoration of endothelial function in hypercholesterolaemic subjects: effect of fish oils. Clin Exp Pharma Physiol; 21:749-55.
  6. Christensen J.H., Christensen M.S., Dyerberg J., et al. (1999) Heart rate variability and fatty acid content of blood cell membranes: a dose-response study with n-3 fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr;70:331-7.
  7. Simopoulos, A.P. (2003). Importance of the ratio of omega6/omega-3 essential fatty acids: evolutionary aspects. World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics; 92: 1–174.
  8. Flider, F.J. (2005). GLA: Uses and New Sources. INFORM 16 (5): 279–282.
  9. Horrobin, D. (2000). Essential fatty acid metabolism and its modification in atopic eczema. Am. J. Clin. Nutr 71 (1): 367S–72S.
  10. Mayo Clinic. (2022) Prostate cancer prevention: Ways to reduce your risk. Accessed June 2023 at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/in-depth/prostate-cancer-prevention/art-20045641
  11. American Urological Association (2004) Dihdrotestosterone and the Prostate: The Scientific Rationale for 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Accessed June 2023 at https://www.auajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1097/01.ju.0000139539.94828.29
  12. Mount Sinai Health Library. Saw palmetto. Accessed June 2023 at https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/saw-palmetto
  13. Wilt, T.J., Ishani, A., Rutks, I., et al. (2000). Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Public health nutrition, 3(4A), 459–472. Accessed June 2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11276294/
  14. Prager, N., Bickett, K., French, N., et al. (2002). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J. Alt Comp Med. 8(2), 143–152. Accessed June 2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12006122/
  15. Moradi, H. R., Erfani Majd, N., Esmaeilzadeh, S., et al. (2015). The histological and histometrical effects of Urtica dioica extract on rat's prostate hyperplasia. Vet Res For 6(1), 23–29. Accessed June 2023 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4405682/
  16. Ziegelmann, M. (2022) What is erectile dysfunction? A Mayo Clinic expert explains. Accessed June 2023 at

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776

  1. Simonsen, U., García-Sacristán, A., Prieto, D. (2002). Penile arteries and erection. J. Vas Res, 39(4), 283–303. Accessed June 2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12187119/
  2. Stanislavov, R., & Nikolova, V. (2003). Treatment of erectile dysfunction with pycnogenol and L-arginine. J. Sex & Marital Ther, 29(3), 207–213 Accessed June 2023 at.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12851125/
  3. Ledda A., Belcaro G., Feragalli B., Cornelli U., et al.(2018) Benign prostatic hypertrophy: Pycnogenol supplementation improves prostate symptoms and residual bladder volume, Minverva Med. 109(4):280-284



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