As we celebrate Father’s Day this month, we are turning our attention to men's health. Our fathers play a big role in our lives. Whether it’s helping with assignments or playing tag in the backyard, our fathers are there to support us no matter what. These activities are not only fun, but they also enrich the body and mind and keep our fathers healthy inside and out. But as time passes, men’s health needs become more complex.
Across the world, health issues affecting men are often underrepresented, even though they are the demographic most at risk for serious lifestyle diseases. [1] To start the discussion around the importance of men’s health and wellbeing, the understanding of men’s health must be reframed.
Men have to start looking into the nitty-gritty of their health to catch serious but preventable health problems before they start. Thankfully, awareness for men’s health has been growing since 2002, during which Men’s Health Week began to take off internationally.
Men have the power to make better choices. And the first step to do that is to understand their body’s needs.
HEART HEALTH
Cardiovascular diseases affect men at younger ages than women. It’s so common in men that when you ask anyone to imagine a person having a heart attack, they will most likely say they imagine a man. Though it’s not clear why men have more heart attacks than women, the prevailing historical figures suggest this is linked to unhealthy habits such as smoking and stress. [2]
Keeping your heart healthy is crucial to avoid any fatal complications. Luckily, heart disease can be prevented early with the right diet. Make sure you have a fiber-rich diet and add Now Foods Psyllium Husk Powder into your regular meals to reduce the risk of heart disease. Further keep your heart healthy with the help of Now Foods Ultra Omega-3, as Omega-3 is helpful in lowering triglyceride production, a type of fat that causes coronary artery disease, heart disease, and stroke.[3]
LIVER HEALTH
Aside from its underrepresentation in the wider health arena, men’s health also takes a backseat due to physical and chemical hazards they may face in the workplace, as well as male behavioural norms around risk-taking and adventure. [4] Men tend to take uncalculated risks, which get them into lifestyle ills such as drinking. It’s been found that men binge drink alcohol twice as much as women. [5]
To protect the liver against alcohol-related diseases, Now Foods Silymarin Milk Thistle Extract 150 mg has been proven to reduce oxidative stress and protect liver cells from being irreversibly damaged. Silymarin has been used for centuries by medical professionals and traditional herbalists alike in the treatment of hepatic conditions, and its effectiveness is backed by years of research. [6]
BONE HEALTH
Men may have better bone density than women, [7] but their overall bone health is just as important. Osteoporosis and decreased bone mass are just as much a concern for men as it is for women. In fact, one in four men over the age of 50 experience a fracture caused by osteoporosis. [8]
Now Foods Bone Strength has calcium and vitamins C, D, and K which all help in the formation of bone tissue. Now Foods Calcium Citrate also helps treat conditions caused by low calcium levels and potential bone loss leading to osteoporosis. [9]
Aside from vitamins, it also helps to adopt a proactive lifestyle. Biking around the park or going for a 20-minute run around your apartment can help keep your bones healthy and improve the alignment of your joints. [10]
SKIN HEALTH
When talking about men’s health, skin health tends to be overlooked. It may not be a main concern for most men but maintaining healthy skin is just as important as delaying the onslaught of serious diseases. A great way to care for your skin is through daily vitamin C intake.
Now Foods AlphaSorb-C 500 contains threonic acid, a metabolite that enhances the cellular uptake of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the body by neutralizing free radicals that may harm healthy cells, and slowing signs of ageing. [11]
Vitamins E and D also play a role in skin health by protecting against sun damage and transporting healthy cells in the body. [12] Now Foods Superior Men’s Multi contains these two vitamins, as well as 75% of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps protect against sun damage.
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental issues afflicting men are also often overlooked. Historically, men have had a harder time sharing their mental health concerns than anyone else.
In Singapore, men are 2.5 times more likely to commit suicide than women. [13] Lowering this number depends on our ability to normalise conversations surrounding mental health and de-stigmatise help-seeking. Thankfully, more attention is now being directed to the conversation of mental health.
Anxiety is one of the many mental health problems affecting men, and sometimes, getting a good night’s sleep helps immensely in warding anxious thoughts away. Now Foods Peaceful Sleep Oil Blend combines the powers of Orange Oil, Tangerine Oil, Lavender Oil, Chamomile Oil, and Sandalwood Blend to ensure you are sleeping soundly in no time.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
In times like these, boosting the immune system is important. As we age, our immune response becomes reduced and we become more prone to illnesses. Often a weakened immune system may be caused by micronutrient deficiency which alters the immune system’s ability to function properly.
Lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabetes, which affects more men at a lower weight than women, [14] is one of the most common diseases in the world. It damages the body’s immune response, [15] leading to a slew of related comorbidities to follow.
Vitamin A is one of the many vitamins that help keep the immune system running smoothly. Now Foods Vitamin A from fish liver oil contains essential nutrients to support healthy epithelial tissue also found in eyes, respiratory system, GI, and urinary tracts. Committing to a diet high in fruits and vegetables and exercising regularly ensures the health of the immune system.
Our health is our shield. It is the barrier that stands between us and the many lifestyle diseases we are susceptible to in our lifetime. These lifestyle diseases may yet affect us, but how we battle them is what truly makes us strong. Be proactive, exercise, and don’t be afraid to talk about your health.
Photo credits:
Photo 6: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-gray-tank-top-lying-on-black-rug-4325488/
References:
[1] https://www.mobihealthnews.com/blog/invisible-inequality-men-s-health
[2] https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-heart-attack-gender-gap
[3] https://www.peacehealth.org/healthy-you/8-heart-health-supplements-take-and-one-avoid
[4] https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/8/13-132795/en/
[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/top-10-health-risks-for-men#alcohol
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7140758/
[8] https://www.reboundmd.com/news/bone-health-tips-men
[10] https://www.reboundmd.com/news/bone-health-tips-men
[11] https://www.everydayhealth.com/mens-health/a-mans-guide-to-essential-vitamins.aspx
[12] https://www.healthline.com/health/4-best-vitamins-for-skin#vitamin-d
[13] https://antheaindiraong.medium.com/lets-talk-about-men-in-mental-health-5040d7f6f3ce