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Keeping Men Healthy

As men age, years of unhealthy lifestyle choices such as poor nutrition and a lack of physical activity—as well as natural changes in testosterone levels—can eventually take a toll on a man’s physical and emotional well-being.

It’s not uncommon for middle-aged men to experience:

• Lower libido
• Decrease in energy or stamina
• Mood or memory changes
• Minor cardiovascular concerns
• Prostate health concerns

In fact, in the United States, roughly 52 million men are aged 35 to 65, and many of them struggle with precisely these issues.¹

Male Menopause: Fact or Fiction?

Male menopause, or andropause, is characterized by a subtle, gradual change in male hormone levels, especially testosterone. It can lead to weight gain, lower interest in sex, irritability or anger, problems with memory and concentration, muscle loss, depression, loss of energy, bone loss, hair loss, and other changes.

However, while the causes, symptoms, and treatment of andropause are well documented, clinical studies indicate that healthcare practitioners still lack the awareness and knowledge necessary for proper treatment.^2,3

“Midlife” Doesn’t Mean “No Life”

Still, midlife doesn’t have to equal poor health. In fact, changing to a healthy lifestyle can bring back the enjoyment of men’s younger years and will help them live longer. In a recent study of 5,820 men published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, middle-aged men who led a healthy lifestyle—including being physically robust, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking and overuse of alcohol—were more likely to live to age 85 and beyond and experience less chronic disease than men who did not lead a healthy lifestyle.⁴

Help Your Male Patients Take Charge of Their Health—Starting Today

Recommending these simple steps can help your male patients go from feeling "tired" and "worn out" to being "robust" and "healthy":

• Getting regular checkups and health screenings. Studies show that men are more likely than women to ignore symptoms and are reluctant to seek care until there is a crisis. Tell your patients: Don’t wait! Regular screenings and exams can help detect diseases early, while they’re still treatable. These should include screenings for blood lipids, blood pressure, colorectal cancer, diabetes, depression, sexually transmitted disease, and prostate cancer.
  
  
• Eating a healthier diet. Whole grains, legumes, and vegetables (especially the dark-green leafy variety) are not only rich in nutrients but they are also lower in calories.
  
  
• Starting a daily exercise regimen. That "spare tire" around the middle may be putting your male patients at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Regular exercise can help reduce these risks by reducing unhealthy fat, increasing healthy muscle, and improving blood circulation throughout the body. Even low to moderate intensity activities such as walking the dog, stair climbing, and yard work can provide significant benefits.
  
  
• Taking quality supplements. Scientific research shows that concentrated levels of certain nutrients—at doses that are difficult to obtain from diet alone—may be beneficial in addressing overall health.
  
  
• Managing stress. Some stress is normal, but prolonged stress can weaken patients’ immune systems and hamper their ability to fight disease. Worse, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among men. Learning to manage stress cannot only improve health—it can save a man’s life.

FirstLine Therapy®—Better Health Now and for a Lifetime

FirstLine Therapy (FLT) is a therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) program developed to help people of all ages address the underlying causes of disease and lead a healthier, more vibrant life. The basic principles of FLT—a low-glycemic food plan, regular exercise, nutritional supplementation, and stress management—are the foundation upon which you can build a program tailored to your patients’ specific needs. And you can build your practice at the same time.

Are you ready to help your male patients begin their journey to a healthier, more vibrant life? Learn more about FirstLine Therapy and the FirstLine Therapy Certification Program click here.

Cardiovascular Health Blood Sugar & Diabetes Obesity GI Health Women's Health Mood & Cognition Bone & Joint Health Stress Management

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Census Bureau http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US
   &-qr_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_DP5&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on. Accessed February 14, 2008.
2. Pommerville PJ, Zakus P. Andropause: knowledge and awareness among primary care physicians in Victoria, BC, Canada. Aging Male.2006 Dec;9(4):215-220.
3. Anderson JK, Faulkner S, Cranor C, Briley J, Geveritz F, Roberts S. Andropause: knowledge and perceptions among the general public and health care professionals. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci.2002 Dec;57(12):M793-96.
4. Willcox BJ, He Q, Chen R, et al. Midlife risk factors and healthy survival in men. JAMA. 006 Nov 15;296(19):2343-2350.