Menīs Health Tips
Read these 18 Menīs Health Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Alternative Health tips and hundreds of other topics.
Infertility & Heat
If you are experiencing a low sperm count avoid tight clothing, hot baths, and saunas. Overheating the testicles can actually slow sperm count.
Natural Help For Impotence
If Viagra isn't the way you want to go to treat an impotence condition, there are some natural products that may help improve sexual function. These include the herbs Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Ashwaganda, Suma, Dimiana, Saw Palmetto and Pygeum. Zinc deficiency is also sometimes a contributing factor, so a daily dose of zinc (15 to 30 mg a day) coupled with copper(1 to 2 mg) can help. Zinc can be TOXIC so do not be tempted to take more that recommended. The amino acid, L-Arginine (2to 3 g daily) may be helpful, too. AVOID the herb YOHIMBE, as this herb can be dangerous.
Lycopene For a Healthier Prostate
Lycopene, (a nutrient cartenoid) is what makes a tomato red. The deeper red a tomato is, the more lycopene it possesses - a valuable factor that may play an important role in protecting a man from prostate cancer. Lycopene is NOT produced in the body, so you have to get it by eating lycopene-rich foods or by taking lycopene tablets. Cooked, canned and processed tomatoes have a higher level of lycopene than raw tomatoes and lycopene is better absorbed if it is eaten with some fat, like olive oil, cheese or ground meat.
According to a study done at Harvard Medical School, the greatest protection was offered by taking at least 6.5 mg of lycopene a day.
Structural Triggers Of Male Infertility
Physical structural triggers that may adversely affect male fertility include varicose veins in scrotum, mumps or infections that cause inflammation of reproductive tract, high fevers, being over or underweight, sperm duct blockage, or retrograde ejaculation (semen forced back into the bladder). Rule these factors out in order to proceed with natural steps that may increase fertility.
Vitamin B12 and Infertility
Infertility problems in men can often times be connected to a deficiency in vitamin B-12. Supplementation of vitamin B-12 (1000 mcg daily) can sometimes improve sperm count.
Supplements And Acne
To combat acne, supplement and herb-wise, some people have benefited by taking 2.5 grams of pantothenic acid 4 times a day, and also by taking 30 mg of zinc 2 or 3 times daily for a few months, then cutting down to 30 mg daily. (The results from zinc may take up to 3 months.) The herb Burdock helps rid the system of toxins, and it can be taken as a capsule, tablet (1 or 2 grams 3 times a day) or in liquid extract form (2 to 4 ml daily).
Pygeum for Prostate
Men who experience prostate problems such as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), better known as as enlarged prostate, can benefit from taking the pygeum. This product, which comes from evergreen trees native to Africa, contains compounds that inhibit the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a male hormone normally high in men whith BPH. Recommended dosage to treat BPH is 100 to 200 mg a day of a standardized pygeum extract (containing 14% terpenes & sterols & 0.5 % ferulic acids). To give the prostate s little extra insurance against possible problems take 50 to 100 mg daily on an empty stomach. *more than 200 mg can cause stomach upset.
Improving Sperm Count Naturally
To help elevate sperm count try taking 300 mgs of Panax ginseng and 1,000 mg of Arginine 3 times a day, along with 1000 mg of Vitamin C, 400 IU Vitamin E, 1 or 2 mg of copper, 100 mcg of Selenium, each once a day. Also take 60 mg of zinc daily but at a different time than the copper. Consuming high doses of zinc for several months can lower copper levels in the body.
Cool Down For Better Sperm
The mere thought of it may cause a man to say "yikes", but researchers have determined that by immersing a man's testicles in cool water for 10 minutes daily can improve circulation and improve sperm count!
Infertility & Psychological Factors
Stress hormones can interfere with hormones regulating sperm production. Plus, anxiety and depression can contribute to erection problems. Stress at work, in personal relationships, loss of confidence, low self esteem, and depression can all affect the level of stress hormone production. Consider practicing relaxation and deep breathing techniques to develop stress management skills. Yoga is an excellent method to achieve this.
Helping Your Hangover
Although a hangover is technically caused by your body`s reaction to the invading alcohol toxin and a form of dehydration, you can prepare your body beforehand by drinking some extra water and taking some extra vitamin C.
It`s important to AVOID reaching for the aspirin and instead reach for White Willow, the herbal aspirin, along with a cup a chamomile tea. This is something your already stressed digestive system will thank you for almost immediately. Green tea may also help since it is thought to stabilize blood sugar, although be advised, it contains caffeine.
Other herbs that help ease the discomfort of a hangover include Skullcap and Ginseng, which cool your overheated gastric juices, energize the nervous system and detoxify. But if you really want to take care of business, Milk Thistle is the king of liver toxifying herbs. Nausea can be treated with the homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica, which comes in drops or tablets or if you are a fan of ginger, a cup of ginger tea works wonders for the stomach. This comes in tea bags or you can make your own by slicing gingerroot (2 or 3 nickel-size slices) and boiling them with a cup of water. Let the slices steep in the water about 10 minutes, then remove them before pouring tea into your cup.
Proscar Natural Alternative?
The scientific evidence for Saw Palmetto in easing prostate enlargement is quite impressive, placing it almost equal to the commonly prescribed prostate drug, Proscar, a drug with many possible side effects. Saw Palmetto, however, is essentially nontoxic and appears to be free from side effects, with the exception of sometimes causing minor gastrointestinal distress. It also does not interfere negatively with any prescription drugs. Standard dosage is 160 mg twice daily of extract STANDARDIZED to contain 85 to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols. It can also be taken in one daily dose of 320 mg.
Vitamin E & Sperm Activity
In one placebo-controlled study of 53 men whose sperm showed subnormal activity, daily treatment with 100 IU of vitamin E resulted in improved sperm activity and increased pregnancy in their partners. Consider adding vitamin E to your supplements if you do not already take it, but consult with your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning drugs like Coumadin (warfarin) or heparin. Take vitamin E at a different time of day if you are taking iron to avoid absorption problems.
Want Healthy Sperm?
Sperm cannot be healthy if your diet is deficient in zinc, selenium, folate, vitamins C and E, arginine, and essential fatty acids. Nutritional supplements can help as well as eating a balanced, whole-grain diet of organic produce, free of pesticides. Maintaining a healthy weight, plus avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and smoking are also helpful steps to producing a healthier sperm.
Pop Some Pumpkins Seeds For A Healthier Prostate
One of the most frequently recommended natural therapies in Germany for treating BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is eating pumpkin seeds. Besides being rich in valuable B vitamins, the seeds are also a good source of iron, phosphorus and zinc. The zinc is extremely valuable for men because it is essential for the production of fertile sperm, as well as being a specifically protective substance for the prostate gland. A handful a day has around 570 calories and they are loaded with protein.
Getting the Upper Hand on Gout
Gout pain can be eased by eating cherries, celery seeds or by drinking cherry or celery juice. Also, folic acid (about 10 mg daily) can act as a preventative, while the herb, Devil's Claw (750 mg 3 times daily), can help as a pain reliever. Other helpful supplements include fish oil, vitamin E, selenium, bromelain and vitamin A. Avoid eating meat, alcohol and the amino acid Glycine, all of which increase production of uric acid, the culprit in gout.
Infertility & Biochemical Triggers
Falling sperm count and male genital abnormalities are becoming more common in many countries. Researchers attribute this to possible lifestyle and environmental factors, which can disrupt production of the male hormone testosterone. Some possible triggers include smoking, x-rays, drugs (especially steroids), alcohol, caffeine, and drinking water tainted with traces of pesticides, detergents, or products containing forms of estrogen, which can reduce sperm counts. If fertility is a problem, consider these causes.
Taking Action Against Acne
Some good herbal treatments for acne include Calendula, which is derived from the marigold plant. It comes as a cream, lotion and also many health food stores carry the dried herb, which can be prepared as a face wash by adding 2 tablespoons of the herb to one cup of boiling water. Allow it to soak for about 10 minutes, strain and store liquid in refrigerator. Use cotton balls to swab your face at least three times a day. Dabbing tea tree oil (5 percent strength) on inflamed areas also helps. Emu oil has also been extremely helpful for most skin inflammations.
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