Taking Care of the Men in Our Lives

Father’s Day – a time of the year to pay special attention to the important men in our lives – our fathers, brothers, and husbands. They surely need the extra care and attention as simply being a man is hazardous to their health. In the Philippines, the average male life expectancy is 69 years while women on average live up to 75 years old. Father’s day is as good a time as any to give them a gentle reminder to take care of themselves.

Heart Health. Compared to women, men have a higher risk for heart disease. However, when we think of heart problems, we should look beyond hereditary risk factors. While the potential for heart disease is higher if it runs in one’s family, risk factors for diseases of the heart and blood vessels are also influenced by controllable factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels are strongly affected by a person’s diet and lifestyle.

Prostate Health. Next to lung cancer, the second most common cancer for men is prostate cancer. With any cancer, the best chance a person has is by being able to identify it early on. Men should consult with an urologist for a physical exam and a prostate specific antigen test at about age 50. However, those who have a family history with cancer should begin screening as early as 40 years old.

Liver Health. The liver has over 300 functions that include clearing toxins for the blood, assisting blood clotting and producing enzymes for digestion. While the liver is very efficient in repairing itself, continuous attack by toxins (like alcohol, prescription and non-prescription drugs) and infection can lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis affects twice as many men as women.

Joint Health. Osteoarthritis is most often thought as a condition only affecting women. On the contrary, it is actually more common in men under the age of 45. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that often affects the most frequently used and weight bearing joints such as the hands, knees, hips, shoulders, and spine. Common causes of osteoarthritis are ageing, overuse of joints and trauma. To treat osteoarthritis, the main goal is to prevent further damage, reduce joint pain and inflammation and maintain joint function.

For men’s total fitness, Health Express recommends:

• Fish Oil – A good source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. It protects heart muscle cells and reduces triglyceride levels in the blood.

• Coenzyme Q10 – It improves heart muscle oxygenation and may also help prevent second heart attacks.



• Saw Palmetto - It has been used to treat prostate enlargement and inflammation, painful ejaculation, difficult urination and inability to control urination. Saw Palmetto inhibits production of dihydrotestosterone that contributes to the enlargement of prostate.



• Milk Thistle – It protects the liver from toxins and pollutants by preventing free radical damage. Milk Thistle also stimulates the production of new liver cells.



• Glucosamine Chondroitin - This supplement can help with joint stiffness and pain and may also protect joints already affected by osteoarthritis.