In 2020 enhancing health and well-being is likely on the mind of all genders. One valuable addition men (and women!) can make to their daily health routine is including daily vitamin and mineral supplements. These function as both regulators and inhibitors and play an important role in hundreds of different bodily functions.
How does diet affect men’s health?
Approximately 75% of today’s typical Western Diet is comprised of processed foods, meat and carbohydrates. As a result, many people are not meeting daily vitamin and supplement requirements essential to keeping our bodies healthy. Factors that increase nutrient deficiency include declining levels of nutrients in our soils, increase in chronic diseases that influence nutrient needs and prescription medications causing certain key vitamin and mineral depletions like statin drugs and CoQ10, for example.
Consequently, even when consuming fruits and vegetables in recommended daily amounts, our diets fail to deliver the nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy. Unexplained lethargy, depression or change in weight may be an indication that you are not acquiring the needed nutrition to stay both mentally and physically healthy.
Even short-term vitamin deficiencies can result in many unhealthy outcomes, including softened bones, muscle weakness and nerve damage. Long-term deficiencies, meanwhile, can lead to inflammation, weakened bodies and increased risk of chronic illnesses including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and cancer. Neurological issues, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, are also tied to diets lacking in vitamins and minerals over time. Vitamins A, B complex, C, E and K are all vitamins the human body needs to thrive.
Your needs may shift
To make it more complicated, vitamin and supplement needs will shift with hormone and lifestyle changes. After the age of 40, vitamin A and beta-carotene help vision stay strong. To reduce the chances of heart disease, men in their 40s should consider taking magnesium, vitamin D and Omega 3s. Fluctuating testosterone levels affect bone density, fat distribution, facial hair, sex drive, sperm count and muscle strength. Vitamin D, D-aspartic acid, zinc, L-arginine, and nitric oxide can successfully boost testosterone.
A study from the University of Southern Denmark showed young men who take fish oil supplements appear to have better sperm quality and high testosterone levels. These factors can lead to overall improved fertility.
Particularly of interest to men as they age are supplements supporting prostate health. Saw palmetto facilitates healthy testosterone metabolism, while nettle root maintains healthy hormone metabolism in prostate cells. Zinc, pygeum africanum and pumpkin seed oil also aid healthy prostate gland and urinary tract function.
If not taken in the proper dosage, some supplements will interact with medications or have unwanted side effects. Therefore, it’s important to consult your pharmacist to develop tailored supplement regimens to help achieve personal goals. In addition, supplements are not all created equal, so quality matters. All dietary supplements should come with a Supplement Facts label, listing all active ingredients and serving size. Finally, it is vital to purchase only pharmaceutical-grade supplements that are manufactured under strict quality control GMP (good manufacturing practices) and also validated by independent third-party laboratories for purity and potency.
Cypress Pharmacy can help you determine the best approach for your wellness needs. Learn more with a FREE consultation or contact us at 239-481-7322.
