Herbal Options for Optimum Men’s Health
Sexual Health
As a race, we are living longer than most of our ancestors, with men now living typically to an average of 73.8 years. As men age, they are proned to experience sexual complications that may be brought on by aging itself, endocrine diseases, vascular problems, neurological, and psychiatric diseases. Even the side effects from the drugs used to treat these conditions can be responsible for causing sexual dysfunction in men. There are some natural remedies you can turn to that will help you maintain a satisfying sexual ability:
L-Arginine is an amino acid that helps the body to properly synthesize nitric oxide, and this sythesis is necessary in order to relax the muslces that allow penile erection. In a recent study, men who were given high doses of L-Arginine reported a significant improvement in sexual function.
Dehydropiandro-sterone (DHEA) levels have been found to be lower in men who have erectile dysfunction, and researchers have found that supplementing the diet with DHEA may improve sexual response in many areas.
Protecting Your Heart
Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, so protecting our hearts is an absolute necessity if we are going to live healthy. In fact, from 1979 to 1997, the number of coronary bypass procedures performed increased at an alarming 432%! To keep your heart beating strong, turn to these natural aides.
Vitamin E should be taken daily, and some studies have suggested that this may be an even more protective strategy than the recently popular aspirin regimen.
Vitamin C is important for men’s health because it reduces blood pressure and combats many of the risk factors for heart disease.
Carnitine is a nutrient that shuttles fat across cellular membranes to be burned as fuel, which is important because it provides many vital organs with the energy they require to function properly – and the heart requires the most energy of all.
CoQ10 is a vitamin-like nutrient which functions as an anti-oxidant and co-factor, and it is key to healthy heart function.
Magnesium is quickly depleted by stress, so we must be careful to supplement our diet with this important mineral, which is involved in vital enzyme activities in the body.
Prostate Problems
According to the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, more than 50% of the men in their 60s, and as many as 90% of men in their 70s have some form of the symptoms of prostrate problems. These symptoms can include anything from hesitant and interrupted urine flow, urgency to urinate, and frequency in urination. This is often a painful problem, but there are some natural remedies.
Saw Palmetto is an herb that hsa been found to have therapeutic effects on the urinary system. Saw Palmetto is often used with Stinging Nettle, and these herbs have been scientifically proven safer than the drug finasteride, which is often prescribed to men with prostate problems.
Exercise may be an important key to fighting prostate problems. It can both prevent the development of these problems, and aid in the repair of them.
The most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in men is prostate cancer, and it is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer-related death in men. If you are over 65, there are some steps you should take to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer:
Get Tested – After the age of 50, all men should get tested annually for prostate cancer. Black men, and those who have a history of cancer in the family, should have annual tests after age 45.
Drink A Cup of Soy Milk Every Day – Certain Isoflavoones contained in soy and red clover may inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Cut Back on Trans Fats and Consume Plenty of Fiber.
Get Adequate Supplies of Selenium and Vitamin E – These antioxidants are important for reducing prostate cancer risk.
Eat Lycopene-Rich Cooked and/or Processed Tomato Products or Supplment your Diet with Lycopene – Cooked and/or processed tomato products offer more protection than raw tomatoes.
Battling Baldness
Many men suffer from the seemingly inevitable baldness that is brought on by aging and/or genetic history. There are some things you can do to battle this process.
Ho Shou Wu is a Chinese herb that can boost the strength, color, and amount of your hair, as well as offer a boost to your sexual vitality.
Vitamin B6 is important because a deficiency of it can actually encourage hair loss.
Saw Palmetto appears to block the conversion of testosterone to hormones that cause hair loss in men.
Vitamin E & Zinc may also help to save your hair from vanishing.
To protect your hair with a topical remedy, massage the scalp with essential oil of Rosemary or rinse the hair with Sage tea.
The good news is that men are living longer, but we are suffering from more chronic health conditions and higher death rates for all leading causes of death, and we still die an average of 7 years younger than women. For better longevity and overall health, wemen should supplement their diets with herbs and nutrients that will support heir bodies without damaging side effects.
