14/02/2022

Targeted nutrition & tips for MEN

Life Extension, two smiling men on the couch with game consols in their hands playing video games

Supporting a healthy lifestyle at any age is important for everyone to pursue, but there is no doubt that men and women both have unique nutritional needs. 

There are hormonal differences, of course, and the aging process treats men and women a bit differently.


Help boost testosterone levels

As early as age 30, testosterone levels start falling at a rate of about 1% per year. Lower levels of testosterone are associated with loss of energy, virility, and increased risk of depression, obesity, heart disease, muscle wasting, and more.  


Protecting prostate health

Your prostate is a male reproductive gland. What's good for your prostate is good for the rest of you: reduce or eliminate red meat, salt, and alcohol. Eat brightly-colored fruits and vegetables (the redder the better). (1)

Why? They're packed with carotenoids, like lycopene. Extracts of saw palmetto and stinging nettle root are good for your prostate health. Saw palmetto also helps promote a healthy inflammatory response. (2)

Lycopene is a fat-soluble carotenoid and antioxidant that is found in tomatoes. If you've ever wondered what makes tomatoes red, lycopene is your answer! And while you may be able to get some nutritional lycopene from your daily serving of fruits and vegetables, it's harder to absorb. 

This nutrient not only supports healthy prostate size and function, a crucial element of maintaining men's health, but also arterial and DNA health as well. As a nutrient that's also tied to longevity, it's found in many high-quality multivitamins, but lycopene is also available as a stand-alone supplement. (3)

Another prostate health superstar that also happens to have a glowing reputation for its immune health benefits is zinc. According to Dr. Pavey, beyond contributing to over 100 different chemical processes in the body, this nutrient is found more abundantly in the prostate gland than in any other human tissue. 

zinc supplement for men can ensure that you're maintaining optimal levels, with the added bonus of immune health-supporting benefits. (4)


Promoting a healthy bladder

Your bladder may be near your prostate, but it has a much different job—which is to store and then eliminate liquid waste. Consuming plenty of water is key to bladder health. And pumpkin seed extract has been found to be bladder-friendly, too.

Found in nature, saw palmetto is a berry that is known for having high concentrations of the bioactive compound, beta-sitosterol, and is well known as a urinary health supplement, something that men are more conscious of maintaining as they age.


Maintaining healthy sexual function

  • Kaempferia parviflora, muira puama, maca & ginseng

For men, sexual health is related to hormone balance, overall physical health and even stress levels. But the single most important factor is healthy blood flow. To help maintain healthy circulation to the male organs, try extracts like Kaempferia parviflora, maca, muira puamaand ginseng

In addition, L-arginine promotes nitric oxide production in your arteries—which is another great way to promote healthy blood flow. 

Research has even found a correlation between zinc and men's sexual health. (4)


Read more health related blogs for men


References

  1. Tinsley, Grant, PhD. "Should You Take DHEA Supplements?" Healthline, July 2017, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dhea-supplements
  2. Saw Palmetto,2007. Available at: http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2007/1/aas/page-01 Life Extension
  3. Rowles 3rd, J L et al. "Increased dietary and circulating lycopene are associated with reduced prostate cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis., December 2017, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28440323/
  4. Zaichick, VYe et al. "Zinc in the human prostate gland: normal, hyperplastic and cancerous." Int Urol Nephrol., 1997, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9413764/