Men’s Health. It affects all of us!

November 2, 2020

November is often used as a time to raise awareness of male health issues, partly due to the charity event Movember, growing a moustache as a way of highlighting health concerns. Maybe even more so in our current times when face to face meetings are often online, it is still a way of starting a conversation.

Even if you are not a man, the chances are you know a few! So it can also be a good time to remind ourselves to check in with our male friends and family. After all, their wellness is important to our happiness too.

If is often thought that female health issues gain far more coverage and awareness than male issues. Maybe this is due to the fact that often, women find it easier to talk about their concerns than men do. Thankfully, it seems that in the past few years, many men have spoken out and created a dialogue about their health concerns and lifestyle issues.

In the past few years, many men have spoken out and created a dialogue about their health concerns and lifestyle issues.

This year in particular, mental health or perhaps mental ill health, is something that is affecting more and more of us. Whether it is financial worries, work issues or a health problem, it is important not to keep it all in. Whilst it may be difficult to get appointments at your local surgery at the moment, for mental health issues, there are other resources.

MIND is a mental health charity that offers a lot of free advice and support. They have phone lines and a large amount of information to access and download on their website. Including information on matters that may relate specifically to COVID-19.

Talking is a valuable and important therapy, but there are other things that you can do to help as well. Simple steps such as eating regularly and avoiding the sugar spike of reaching for a sweet treat all the time, is important. If our body is properly fuelled, we can cope with stresses and strains far better. Look for foods rich in important nutrients such as B vitamins and the mineral magnesium. Whole grains, seeds, nuts, even Marmite and green vegetables can help provide you with these nutrients.

If our body is properly fuelled, we can cope with stresses and strains far better.

There has been a lot of research on the use of magnesium in supporting mental health. One study that received a lot of coverage in the UK press found that overall, people felt better when taking magnesium and would do so again. Depression is an illness that should not be taken lightly, so if you feel you need support and help, it is important to seek medical advice or support from one of the many mental health charities.

Exercise has been shown to have a very positive effect on not just mental health, but our physical health too. Whether it be better mobility or cardiovascular health. With gyms being closed or restricted for much of this year, many of us have found it harder to manage our fitness regime. Even a brisk walk for 30 minutes every day can have a positive effect, so it is worth trying to maintain some sort of routine, even if your methods have had to change. As part of Movember, the charity has created a fitness challenge to support you in keeping fit your own way and if you like you can raise funds for the charity. Find some more details here.

Even a brisk walk for 30 minutes every day can have a positive effect.

The NHS website also have a number of resources that are available. Quick questionnaires help direct you to free plans that can help you plan exercise and wellness regimes.

It is often reported that heart disease and cardiovascular problems are more prevalent in men. Good diet and nutrition can help you support the body and maintain good wellness. Eating oily fish is a good way to increase your intake of the important omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. If you don’t like eating fish, you can take these fatty acids in capsule or liquid form. If you are vegetarian or vegan, there are now vegan sources from plant oils and algae so it easy to maintain an adequate intake.

We hear a lot about the importance of good gut health and rightly so. A healthy gut ensures that we absorb the nutrients and compounds from our food and supplements far more effectively. We also now know that a healthy immune system is dependent on a healthy guy microbiome. Taking a supplement that provides a broad spectrum of good bacteria is a simple way of boosting your levels and is especially important if you have taken a course of antibiotics that can diminish the levels of good bacteria in the gut.

We also now know that a healthy immune system is dependent on a healthy guy microbiome.

We often hear that oysters are good for sexual health and fertility, they jury may be out as to how true this idea is, but we do know that oysters and other shellfish are a good source of zinc. This mineral is involved in over 200 processes in the body but is important for male fertility and also cell division. Pumpkin seeds are a good vegetarian food source and easy to add to cereals and salads. Alternatively, a supplement is an easy way to ensure adequate intake. When taking a zinc supplement, look for one that is balanced with copper so and not to cause a zinc imbalance in the body.

Vitamin D is in the news every day at the moment, we know it to be important for healthy bones and bone growth, but it is also thought to play an important role in immune health too. The NHS recommend that through the winter months, we all take at least 400iu daily. Early current research seems to suggest that those with adequate intake are more likely to recover from immune based health issues. Although commonly found in fish-based supplements, vegan sources are now available that are made from sustainable harvested lichen.

To underpin a good wellness regime, it is always worth adding a multi nutrient complex too. This helps top up your overall levels of vitamins and minerals and supports a healthy diet.

However you spend your November, shaving or not, it is important to look after your health as the seasons change, especially in our current situation. Remember, it is always okay to seek help for your concerns, mental or physical. So in a month where we aim to raise awareness of male health concerns, let’s all look out for each other and offer support where we can. Even the smallest gesture can make a difference.

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