The Secret of Keeping the Man in your Life

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I’ll bet that man in your life makes sure his baby that he drives gets its oil changed every 3,000 miles, tires rotated every 10,000 miles, spark plugs and filters checked and other good stuff. He takes great care of that engine and the fuel it runs on! I’ll also bet this regular preventative maintenance only goes as far as the car and not his own body! What about the junk inside it – the body?

June is Men’s Health Month and this week is National Men’s Health Week. When men have a health problem, most of the time unfortunately it impacts the whole family – their wives, mates, children, mothers and siblings. And, all too often, the catalyst for identifying and fixing his health problem is you – wife, lover, and mom! Here’s a regular preventative maintenance secret to keeping that man in your life…

What about that bulge in his tire?

Because 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime and it’s the second-leading cause of cancer related death for men, the health of his prostate is priority! 80% of men over 80 will develop prostate cancer. 50% of men between 50-60 years and 90% of men over 80 develop an enlarged prostate – aka benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is a harmless, non-cancerous condition caused by an overgrowth of prostate tissue that, because of its enlargement and pressure on the bladder, is annoying – more bathroom trips, weak urine streams that take forever, discomfort and sexual dysfunction. Researchers believe BPH is linked to hormone levels.

Getting the prostate checked is similar to a woman’s delightful PAP exam – a physical rectal examination and a common blood test (PSA). Consuming a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight (both are talked about next) is the good start! Obesity and a diet high in processed foods have been linked to almost all forms of disease including diseases of the prostate. Interesting, Dr. Weil mentions that Asian men have a lower BPH risk which leads theories to their soy foods. Foods rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes, and flax seed have been associated to prostate health – if he’s not Italian or a tomato lover, lycopene is also available as a supplement. Saw palmetto is becoming the “go to” herb that positively affects men’s testosterone levels. Other recent research has uncovered a connection between Vitamin D deficiency and the increase risk of prostate cancer…

What fuel is he putting in his tank?

Our mantra at Natural Healthy Concepts is that proper nutrition is the number one key to disease prevention! UNLESS he’s eating a minimum of 4 servings of vegetables and 2 fruits, at least 25 grams of fiber and a balance of protein, good fats and complex carbohydrates, a multi-vitamin is a healthy “supplement” to his diet. Get this – men aged 31 to 50 years old have to eat more dark green vegetables by 350% just to meet the USDA basic dietary guidelines! You might want to dip into your own multi-vitamin BUT men have special nutritional needs – calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamins A, C and E are the most common deficiencies in men’s diet. Choose a men’s multi-vitamin especially formulated for him containing at least 100% of the daily value (DV) of most of the essential vitamins and minerals. Natural products (no allergens, artificial preservatives, flavors or dyes) far outperform synthetics too.

If he’s over 50, Vitamin Code 50 & Wiser Men Formula from Garden of Life is a popular choice of our customers. It’s a comprehensive multi-vitamin with an extreme blend of vitamins and minerals for extraordinary health and vitality support. Vitamin Code has other men’s formulas too. Terrific news is that it’s on sale this month!

Is his super size SUV a gas hog?

Just as important as the quality of the gas that makes his car go and what nutrients he eats to make his body go is his body size. A healthy weight, whether than means losing weight or maintaining it, is the best option for vitality, longevity and overall health. Have him take the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid to check his healthy weight.

Another and more recommended method for assessing healthy body weight is BMI – (this is not a sports car but Body Mass Index) a number that describes weight based on height and body fatness, including obese levels and risk for disease. Use this BMI calculator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Warning – a BMI of 30+ is considered OBESE according to the USDA and Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Is his engine tuned up, running and well lubricated?

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the #1 cause of death in the world and it can be knocking his engine too! Heart health is vital. When his heart is healthy, it supports healthy blood fats, cholesterol, blood pressure and arteries. Just like the oil dip stick, a simple blood test can reveal whether your triglycerides (blood fats/lipids) fall into a healthy range as well as your cholesterol and blood pressure. Get his checked and regularly, especially if there’s any family history of CVD. The most essential supplement for heart health (skin and brain too) is Omega-3 fatty acids – aka fish oils or EFA, essential fatty acids. This is another supplement great for the whole family! Some popular Omega-3 choices are by Life Extension and Europharma.

Last part of the secret of keeping the man in your life…

They really aren’t any secret – exercise and lessen stress! If you get those men you love on this regular preventative maintenance, he’ll have less junk and be good to go for another 3,000 miles! You’ll probably be healthier too! ???

Other Sources:

“Inside a men’s MULTI” by Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, Remedies June 2011

“What the pros know about prostate support” by Victoria Dolby Toews, Remedies June 2011

Related articles

• Prostate Cancer Prevention and Tomatoes (everydayhealth.com)
• Breakthrough Dietary Supplement Offers Prostate Lifeline (prweb.com)