With so much recent attention directed towards feminine health, it is no
surprise that men might sometimes feel left out. Men tend to pay a lot less
attention to their own health than women. They visit the doctor only after
having prolonged symptoms, and are less likely to go in for a preventative
annual physical.
The most prevalent health issues facing men today center
on the following key areas: Heart health, Energy enhancement, Mental acuity,
Prostate wellness and Sexual support. Eating a diet that is both high in
organic fruits/vegetables, and low in fried, processed/junk food, is the
first and foremost step on the road to health. Couple this with 30-45
minutes of exercise daily to insure the best chance at sustaining overall
wellness. After addressing diet and exercise, herbal and nutritional
supplements are next. They are a safe and effective addition to an overall
healthy lifestyle plan. The key is making sure you are using the
appropriate supplements that deliver either targeted nutritional support to
a specific body system or more general benefits to achieve "natural
internal balance".
Heart Health
Hawthorn has a normalizing effect upon the
heart, improving cellular metabolism while strengthening contractions,
thereby improving the rate of blood flow throughout the body. The herb also
helps maintain the integrity of the venal and arterial walls, while
exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Hawthorn is useful
as a long-term heart tonic for maintaining overall cardiovascular wellness.
CardioNutriv™, from Nature's Answer, is a unique, alcohol-free liquid herbal
extract featuring Hawthorn, Linden and Cayenne. The company's potent Hi-B Homocysteine formula combines nutrients well-documented for their support of cardiovascular health: Vitamin B-6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12, Trimethylglycine and Red Yeast Rice, along with a proprietary blend of the herbs Hawthorn, Cayenne and Garlic. Coenzyme Q-10 acts like a 'spark plug'for cells, and is recommended by many cardiologists, while the heart health
benefits of both Vitamin E and EPA Fish Oil are well-documented by a wealth
of medical research.
Energy Enhancement & Mental Acuity
Personal and professional pressures placed on men today often lead to a decrease in
energy. Herbs can help. Ginseng has been an honored "energizing" herb for
thousands of years. Nature's Answer's Balanced Ginseng combines different
species of ginsengs for a stabilizing effect. (For more information on
Ginseng, refer to our onsite Herbal Library at www.naturesanswer.com or call 800-439-2324 for a paper copy.) Ashwagandha and Suma provide long-term tonic support. Ginkgo Biloba works by increasing blood circulation
to the brain and other tissues, delivering oxygen to key areas of the body.
It can be used alone, or in the combination formula, Brainstorm™, which is
an ideal choice for enhancing mental acuity.
Prostate Health
Men's concern over prostate health centers around two main potential problems. The most common is Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, or BPH, where the prostate enlarges and causes several annoying symptoms, such as the frequent urge to urinate,
especially at night. Although in no way as serious as the more dangerous condition of prostate cancer, prostate enlargement is one of the most common physical problems affecting men, occurring in almost 80 percent of men over
70. Besides diet and exercise, several supplements can help. Omega 3 fatty acids, such as EPA/DHA and Flaxseed Oil lessen the risk of BPH. Saw Palmetto is a well-researched herb that has been shown to be specifically effective
for this problem. The herb is a key ingredient in Nature' Answer' Prost Answer(alcohol-free liquid) and Prost-Support (vegetarian capsule) supplements, formulas that bring together several "prostate-friendly"
nutrients in one convenient product. Lycopene, found in tomatoes and other
red fruits such as watermelon and pink grapefruit, also provides beneficial
support to the prostate. (For more information on Lycopene refer to our
online Herbal Library at www.naturesanswer.com or call 800-439-2324 for a paper copy.)
Sexual Enhancement
The search for sexual enhancing herbs and
nutrients has been ongoing since the earliest of times. Many natural
substances have gained recognition in this area, some through folklore, and
others through proven scientific validity, such as Yohimbe. Although it may
cause anxiety in some users, Yohimbe can increase circulation to the sex
organs, improving both virility and performance. Muira Puama, also known as "Warrior Wood" and "Potency Wood", has been traditionally used by both men and women in Brazil to increase libido and sexual performance. It is listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, recommended as a treatment for impotence. Studies in France have verified the herb's usefulness for men for increasing libido and reducing impotence. Other herbal sexual enhancers
include Oats, Damiana and Korean Ginseng. Nature's Answer Male Complex (vegetarian Capsule) combines several of these herbs into one formula along
with other natural "aphrodisiacs".
Note: The herbal formulas referenced
throughout this article are available either in liquid and/or capsule form.
Check with your local retailer or log onto www.naturesanswer.com for more
information. All products are Unconditionally Guaranteed.
References for Educational Purposes:
Fleshner NE, Vitamin E and prostate cancer. Urol Clin North Am. 2002 Feb;29(1):107-13
Gerber GS. Saw Palmetto for the treatment
of men with lower urinary tract symptoms. J Urol.
May2000;163(5):1408-12.
Kucuk O, Sarkar FH, Sakr W, et al. Phase II
randomized clinical trial of lycopene supplementation before radical
prostatectomy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. Aug2001;10(8):861-8.
Le Bars PL, Katz MM, Berman N, et al. A Placebo-controlled, Double-blind,
Randomized Trial of an Extract of Ginkgo Biloba for Dementia. North American
EGb Study Group. JAMA. Oct 1997;278(16):1327-32.
Riley AJ. Yohimbine in the
treatment of erectile disorder. Br J Clin Pract. 1994 May-Jun;48(3):133-6.