The best supplements for male health

Exercise

Regular exercise is known to bring a host of benefits to our physical and mental wellbeing. It can for example, reduce our risk of major illnesses such as strokes, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even cancer.¹ Also, research has recently indicated that exercise can benefit mental health conditions such as depression.² This is thought to be linked to endorphins, otherwise known as feel-good hormones, which are released as we exercise. 

So, with the benefits of exercise well-documented, it should definitely be a regular feature in the lives of men and women of all ages. 

If you already participate in lots of exercise then great – keep going! However, if you’re wondering how to include more in your-day-to-day routine, I’d recommend you have a look at our Get Active hub. There you will find lots of easy-to-follow workouts, as well as some helpful nutrition advice. 

Supplements for exercise

When it comes to using supplements after exercise, many people turn to protein drinks. These are thought to give you extra energy, as well as aiding muscle recovery and growth. 

However, as our Muscles & Joints Advisor Earle explains in his blog ‘Do you really need a protein shake after your workout?’, if you already include lots of protein in your diet, protein shakes aren’t always necessary. That being said, it is still important to replace the energy, vitamins and minerals lost through exercise.

Here I would recommend you turn to our very own Balance Mineral Drink. Although, this isn’t specifically targeted at men, it’s a great post-workout drink as it is packed with magnesium, zinc, potassium and calcium. Together these minerals help to reduce fatigue, boost energy and support aching muscles (a problem that can get more prominent as we age!). 

How to use Balance

For some ideas on how to use Balance, why not take a look at our nutritionist Emma’s video below?

Sleep

Men can develop sleep problems at any age and for many different reasons too. The stress of work for example, can leave us tossing and turning at night. However, the common problem of an enlarged prostate (BPH) can also disrupt sleep as men find themselves having to go to the toilet regularly.   

Before turning to supplements you should always try to address whatever is causing your sleep problem. This might mean talking to your colleagues about your workload or, if possible, take a short break from work altogether. If you suffer from an enlarged prostate I would recommend reading about my top 10 tips and tricks for dealing with the problem. After you’ve taken these steps to address your sleep problem, you can turn to the support of a supplement.

Supplements for sleep

Now, at this point you may be wondering how a supplement can help with sleep. Well, let me tell you about Dormeasan.

This herbal sleep remedy is made from extracts of freshly harvested and organically grown Valerian root and Hops. This helps to restore natural sleep without side effects like drowsiness which are associated with traditional sleep medications. This makes it perfect for men who, for one reason or another, are struggling to get to sleep. 

Prostate health

An enlarged prostate  is a fairly common occurrence amongst older men – in fact 50% of men over the age of 50 show signs of it. These signs include poor urine flow, having to get up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet  and feeling the need to go to the toilet often. 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you can have a look at our enlarged prostate symptoms checker however, it is also essential you get checked over by your doctor. It may seem like a very personal problem but your doctor has seen it all before! Also, with a diagnosis you will be able to take steps to manage your symptoms so it will make your life much more straightforward.

Supplements for prostate health

Once you’ve had this check-up a dose of Saw Palmetto may prove beneficial.

The berries of this plant can be found in Prostasan, a traditional remedy that is used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. 

This is an extremely convenient product as you only have to take one tablet per day to see an improvement in your symptoms.  

Stress

Work, family, money and relationships are just a few features of everyday life that tend to bring up some stress. Again, this is particularly problematic if you suffer from an enlarged prostate as stress is known to make symptoms worse. However, stress also has the potential to affect our health in other ways as it has been linked to everything from heart problems to digestive issues. 

For some advice on dealing with stress I’d highly recommend you read our stress management techniques. Once you’ve put some of these in place you can turn to the help of supplements.

Supplements for stress

AvenaCalm is our go-to remedy for mild stress and anxiety. 

This contains fresh extracts of the Avena sativa plant and can be used to soothe symptoms of emotional distress.

However, it can also help when you have trouble sleeping, an issue that often goes hand in hand with stress.

So, if you prefer a more natural approach this is the product to try!

An all-rounder

Up to this point the supplements I have discussed have been focused on specific needs like exercise, as well as specific problems like stress. However, there are times when you just need a little general support to improve your overall health. In this instance we can rely on our neighbors over at Jan de Vries who supply a whole range of supplements that are specifically targeted at male health. 

For those aged fifty and above Wellman’s 50+  tablets have become a popular choice. These provide a huge range of nutrients including zinc, selenium and vitamin D which contribute to immune health. As you age you can become more prone to bouts of cold and flu so this is where these tablets come in useful.

Also, the product is bursting with B vitamins, iron and copper which contribute to normal energy release. This will help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle as you get older. 

Do I need a supplement?

If you are trying to decide whether or not to take a supplement there are a few things to remember. I’ve mentioned these throughout the blog but just to reinforce the message, here they are again:

• Keep a healthy balanced diet that contains lots of nutrients 
• Take practical steps to manage problems like stress and trouble sleeping before jumping straight to supplements. This might involve talking to family members or reducing your load at work
• If you are worried about a particular health problem such as an enlarged prostate do visit you doctor to get checked out. 

¹ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/#sedentary-lifestyles  

² http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3T8GgtymFqKyM9BqgHn7bCb/can-exercise-and-laughter-improve-your-mental-health