In the quest to strive for the best, majority of the men ignore their most important asset –
HEALTH. Statistically, men die younger than women do. A recent national survey found that women are far more likely than men to get routine preventive care. In part because women tend to seek regular medical attention arising from issues like birth control and pregnancy, and to get screening tests like Pap smears and mammograms.
Owing to their neglects, men are susceptible to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, pulmonary disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease. In general, men have poorer health and thus medical professionals are now targeting on males to mind their Health now!
The risk of being a
MAN. 4 major concerns:
1.
Aging and Andropause
Many men are not aware their bodies are undergoing silent changes on the journey downhill around the age of 45 because is not easy to spot warning signals. Like his other sex counterpart, menopause also strikes men and the term used is
andropause.
Women usually treat irregular or no menstruation as an indicator of the beginning of menopause. A noted difference between them is
females do not have any more protection from female hormones whilst men continue to enjoy declining level of androgen in the body till their golden age.
During andropause, he starts to witness a decline in vitality and virility due to falling hormone level, especially those of
testosterone - the male hormone responsible for his good health, sex drive and fertility. The severity varies from one man to another. Once recognised, most men treat menopausal symptoms as a sign of aging and do nothing to alleviate the condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms experienced from ages 40-49 is estimated between 2-5%, rises to 6-30% for ages 50 -59, further rises to 20-45% for ages 60-69 and 34-70% for ages 70-79, and virtually all men over 80. For the younger counterparts, they are usually the busy executives who burn out the fastest due to stress or those who are unable to cope with stress well.
+ Men start to experience ebbing sex drive and can develop into impotency. He gets frustration in obtaining and sustaining an erection. However, if his spouse is also undergoing mid-life crisis, both may abstain from sex activity and this problem becomes less of a psychological burden.
+ More worrying is that he may develop chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis (more fractures and breaks) and prostate enlargement (urinary problems). With mounting problems, he may feel there is a lack of interest in life, get exhausted easily, depressed and develop insomnia.
+ A decrease in lean body mass, along with decreases in muscle mass and strength. This can result in an increase in fat surrounding the internal organs, which increases the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
+ A decrease in body hair. To assess for hypogonadism, which is in part the clinical basis, the doctor will check for physical signs in men including hair loss particularly in the armpit and genitalia.
+ In the andropausal years the mind becomes less sharp and nimble. The older male becomes less swift in mental calculations and his judgment is not as accurate as before. Memory loss can be accelerating too.
+ He may suffer mood swings, irritability and depression.
It is important to remember that not all of these symptoms need to be present to identify andropause. Also, it is important to remember that symptoms do not all appear to the same degree in all men. Some men may suffer from only one or two of these symptoms and at varying degrees.
In the long term, testosterone deficiency may result in an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and more chronic diseases.
What to do?
+ Testosterone replacement therapy for andropause may be of help to some men. Treatment goals include restoration of sexual functioning, increased libido, increased sense of well-being, prevention of osteoporosis by optimizing bone density, restoration of muscle strength and improved mental functioning. Biochemically, testosterone replacement should aim not only to reach normal levels of serum testosterone. However, men with a history of prostate cancer or breast cancer should avoid such treatment as the testosterone can make both of these hormonally sensitive cancers grow more rapidly. Other negative effects may include fluid retention, liver toxicity, fertility problem, sleep apnea, tender or breast enlargement.
+ All but one of the hormone levels drop as we age. Cortisone, the stress hormone is the only one that increases. Fortunately, regular exercise can counteract cortisone and stress.
+ Getting older does not have to mean gaining those extra pounds. Instead, work around to keep the weight off and being smart about it. With lesser muscle mass in the fifties, lesser calories are required. Thus, you cannot afford to eat like in your twenties and expect not to put on weight. Keep to a balanced diet of 200 fewer calories a day unless you work out consistently combining aerobic and cardiac exercises. Also watch your diet: no excessive alcohol; avoid cholesterol food, processed food and sugars.
+ The best way is for men to take responsibility and face all the challenges. Most importantly, changing his lifestyle to staying fit, be positive thinking and look at some good anti-aging products to help in reversing the biological clock.
+ Some researches indicate that free form amino acids from soy and rice protein can help to stimulate the production of HGH. Also, they aid in improving immune function, vision and sustain youthfulness.
2. Prostate Enlargement
Although Asian men have the lowest incident and mortality rates of prostate cancer in the world, the figure is rising rapidly in the past two decades. Singapore sees an increase of 118% from 6.6 to 14.4 per 100,000 person years, whilst Japan rose by 102%.
Prostate Gland
It is part of the male reproductive organ, which is located right in front of the rectum and under the bladder. It secretes a slightly alkaline fluid that carries, nourishes and transports sperm.
The prostate goes through two periods of growth. The first growth happens during early puberty, growing from pea size to walnut size. At mid or late 30s, the prostate cells start to reproduce more rapidly, resulting in prostate gland enlargement or
BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperlasia). The enlarged tissues are often compressed to the urethra and partially block urine flow. Besides, the wall of the bladder becomes thicker and irritable. It begins to contract even when it contains small amount of urine causing more frequent urination. Inability to empty the bladder can interfere with sleep, cause recurrent infection or result in kidney damage. About half of the men in their 50s experience varying degree of prostate problem rendering them to more frequent urinating, has a strong urge to urinate, dribbling or a feeling of not being able to empty the bladder fully.
BPH can prolong till later part in life. Half of the male population suffers from some BPH symptoms. Hence it is advisable to include PSA (
Prostate Specific Antigen) test and rectum examination in your routine body checkup.
Recommendation:
+ Taking phytosterois-rich foods such as saw palmetto, pumpkin seed, pygeum and wheat germ to aid men with BPH.
+ Tomato concentrates are rich in antioxidants and contains
lycopene with abundant carotenoids present. (note tomato must be boiled to derive this substance). A Harvard research study confirms that lycopene plays a vital role in health of the prostate and promotes healthy urinary system.
+ Scientists also suggest taking soya to prevent prostate cancer and going bald. It is found that the digestion of soya causes a molecule called
equol to be produced in the intestine. This substance blocks the functioning of the male hormone DHT, a byproduct of testosterone that encourages prostate growth. This explains why Japanese men who eat more soya rarely have prostate cancer.
+ Vitamin E is also believed to reduce the chance of prostate risk. The best absorbed form of alpha tocopherol is found in foods like sunflower seeds, spinach, almonds and sweet peppers.
+ An interesting finding that men who ejaculate regularly – 13 to 20 times a month is less prone too.
3.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Impotence means that a man’s penis does not get hard enough to maintain an erection in sexual intercourse. The medical term -
erectile dysfunction is different from
premature ejaculation where ejaculating takes place within a minute after initiation of intercourse.
Causes
1)
Vascular (blood vessel) disease – Most men with impotent problem has this defect. The amount of blood flowing to or remains in the penis is limited and thus hinders erection. This can be due to blood vessels being damaged by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) or trauma.
2)
Nerve damage (neuropathy) – Nerves must be working normally for a man to get and keep an erection. Nerves can be damaged by diabetes, multiple sclerosis, prostate surgery or damage to the spinal cord.
3)
Psychological factors – Psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, guilt or fear can contribute to sexual problems affecting mostly young men. If they do not overcome their embarrassment or “performance anxiety” this physical problem can worsen their relationship problems and affect self-esteem, and could be a sign of underlying health problems.
4)
Medications – Many medications cause problems with sexual function, including drugs for high blood pressure, depression, heart disease and prostate cancer.
5)
Hormonal problems – Rarely a cause, abnormal levels of certain hormones, such as testosterone, thyroid hormone and a pituitary hormone known as prolactin, can interfere with erections and sex drive.
Remedies for Impotence
a) Ginseng: It
has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine as a male sexual tonic as its
phytochemicals are believed to increase stamina, lessen fatigue and improve overall well-being. Another study done in the West concluded that an extract from ginseng known as
ginsenosides enhances the effects of nitric oxide which helps to relax blood vessels in the penis for greater blood flow, and thus an improved erection.
b) L-Arginine: It is an essential
amino acid known to bolster the immune system and increase human growth hormones. With the amount of nitric oxide boosted, blood vessels are dilated to enable an erection.
c) Gingko Biloba: Traditional Chinese medicine has been using it to boost oxygen supply. When more blood penetrates the tiny capillaries in the penis that may be starved off oxygen and nutrients, the blood vessels are able to dilate to produce an erection.
d) Co-enzyme Q10: This can be used to
increase significantly seminal plasma and sperm cells in infertile men with a disorder of sperm motility. It also provides the body with necessary energy and effectively neutralises free radicals in the body to reduce the oxidation damaging the cells, which in turn triggers increased
libido and sexual stimulation.
e) Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): It assists in the processing of amino acids, which are responsible for the creation of some hormones (eg. testosterone) and formation of neurotransmitters that affect mood and enhance sexual stimulation.
f) Vitamin B3 (niacin): It increases blood circulation and is involved in the synthesis of sex hormones.
(4)
Cancer and Diabetes
Cancer is the second killer disease in Singapore accounting for 25% of all deaths after cardiovascular disease and stroke (36%). Men has higher chance of dying from cancer especially lung cancer (1 out 5) caused by smoking. Carbon monoxide from tobacco smoking can dramatically reduce hemoglobin’s ability to transport oxygen. Vitamin B aids in hemoglobin reproduction can help to recover partial loss.
About 10% of the adult population in Singapore has diabetes. It claims victims predominately over 40 years old. Possible complications of type 2 diabetes include cardiovascular disease, blindness, nerve damage and kidney damage.
Recommendations:
Prevention is more than cure
As our body are filled with cancer cells waiting to explode, taking lots of antioxidants help to suppress their breakouts. Foods and supplements containing Vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), C, E and selenium can help to fight free radicals synergistically and offer optimal cell protection. They reduce the amount of free radicals in our body caused by air pollution, chemical substances, exposure to UV radiation, cigarette etc. At the same time, they enhance respiratory functions, improve allergic and asthmatic condition and prevent the onslaught of degenerative diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancers and premature aging of various bodily organs.
Conclusion
Health is not merely the absence of diseases but a lifestyle as well. Being able to at least maintain the level of activity they are used to, both physically and mentally, is one of the key objectives of many men in any age group.
Look for best known alternative to drugs or surgery by taking right foods and supplements as early as possible in your life. They are the best natural medicine for the body.
Other than adopting an appropriate diet, other lifestyle changes like losing weight, regular exercise, reducing alcohol intake and managing stress are crucial for healthy living.
Viva corner
(1) Scientists at VIVA Life Science have specially designed this product
VIVA PROSMETT to cater to the need of the men’s urinary system. It is a formulation of multiple botanical and herbal concentrated extract to produce synergistic effects. Ingredients include (as discussed in text above): saw palmetto, pumpkin seeds, stinging nettle root, pygeum bark, soy bean (containing beta sitosterol and soy isoflavones), lycopene from tomato, rice bran powder, wheat germ powder, burdock root powder, carrot, broccoli and kelp. Another ingredient zinc is essential for proper functioning of the immune and endocrine systems. Note that the prostate gland has high amount of zinc and thus a deficiency can cause a significant drop of testosterone levels in the blood.
(2)
VIVA AGEGUARD provides free form amino acids that acts as natural human growth hormone (HGH) releaser to enable a youthful level of testosterone to maintain for prevention of muscle mass loss, wrinkles and hair loss. It can also improve vitality, enhance lean muscle mass in the body, improve memory, strengthen heart function and promote youthfulness.
(3)
VIVASHIELD with a combination of 4 potent antioxidants to protect against free radical attacks which may cause cancer.
(4)
VIVA LIQUICK GINGKO is well documented to improve the peripheral blood circulation and impotence.
(5)
VIVA B-EASY is a Vitamin B complex that can relieve stress, fatigue as well as prevent anxiety and depression.
Research found that 90% of older people living in urban area had an inadequate intake of most essential nutrients namely Vitamin A, B, C, calcium, selenium, iron and protein. Scientists discovered that Vitamin A, C, E and selenium are scavengers of free radicals. They are powerful antioxidants that can readily part atoms to the free radicals to stabilise their structure and deactivate their damaging effects.
VIVA AGEGUARD is a proprietary formulation of free form amino acids extracted from soy and rice protein with other unique ingredients, that act as natural HGH releaser by stimulating the pituitary glands to secrete more of the growth hormone. 
O
ther useful products are VIVA DAILYGUARD, a multivitamin supplement for those lacking a balanced diet, suffering from malnutrition and physically sick. 
