Last Updated on Sunday, 09 November 2008 23:06

Thanks to health magazines and general awareness campaigns, men are beginning to take better care of their health and are becoming aware of the importance of prevention in the maintenance of good health.

The following is brief description and natural health suggestions for alleviating some common male health conditions.

A

Ageing

From skin wrinkles or aching bones, there is no escaping getting older. Try Pycnogel with Grape Seed to help avoid and reduce wrinkles. Consider glucosamine and Chondroitin and Boswellia to help with joint pain and swelling. Make sure you take daily antioxidants for cell protection and to eliminate harmful free radicals.

D

Digestive Health

Digestion and indeed our overall health, depends on the ‘friendly bacteria’ in the intestinal tract, which counteract harmful micro-organisms. A healthy digestive system will allow the absorption of all the important nutrients we need. Dysbiosis is the term scientists use to describe an imbalance in the gastrointestinal system where beneficial bacteria are low in number and pathogens have increased. Dysbiosis is a cause or co-factor in many conditions including acne, auto-immune disorders, chronic fatigue, colitis, digestive problems, gas and bloating, and IBS.

Supplements of probiotics such as L.acidophilus, B.bifidum and L.bulgaricus populat the gut with beneficial bacteria and can help restore the balance. High quality probiotic supplements also include soluble fibre and a food source, such as FOS (fructooligosaccharides), for the bacteria to thrive. This encourages the proper transportation and colonisation of the bacteria within the intestinal tract.

F

Fertility

Infertility is described as the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected sex. In men, infertility is usually associated with a decrease in the number, quality, or movement of sperm. There are numerous possible causes of this. Some of the causes respond well to natural remedies while others do not. Check with your doctor for a diagnosis before trying any self help programme.

The mechanism for creating and maintaining and maintaining an erection requires nitric acid and this is produced by a reaction involving the amino acid arginine. Arginine has also been shown to increase sperm count and quality. A lack of zinc can reduce testosterone levels and semen levels. Zinc supplements may increase testosterone levels and both sperm count and fertility. A good male supplement will include copper, selenium and vitamin E all of which have been shown to boost male fertility.

For centuries the herb Rhodiola Rosea has been prized for it’s virtues as a powerful stimulant and ha been a major ingredient for many folk lore love potions. Along with much anecdotal evidence research has shown that rhodiola can normalise prostate fluid and increase 17-ketosteroids in the urine ( a key indicator of male hormone production) in men with erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.