By Ella O., Nutrition Advisor
Moustaches are a fashion trend this month as Movember encourages us to ‘grow a Mo’ to champion Men’s Health.
With humble beginnings in Australia in the early 2000s, this awareness event has now become a global phenomenon. Movember advocates help for men to live happier, healthier and longer lives. It supports specific health concerns such as prostate and testicular health, as well as men’s mental health and wellbeing.
According to the Mental Health Foundation in England, around one in eight men has a common mental health problem such as depression or anxiety – and this is based on those that have been reported, many cases go undiagnosed as men are far less likely than women to access psychological support. The Mental Health Foundation offers 10 practical ways to look after your mental health – and in light of the recent lockdowns and current pandemic this is especially needed:
- Talk about your feelings
- Keep active
- Eat well
- Drink sensibly
- Keep in touch with other people
- Ask for help
- Take a break
- Do something you’re good at
- Accept who you are
- Care for others
Our resident nutritionist looks at how nutrition plays a role in men’s health: *
Nutrition is key to male energy and resilience – both psychological and physical. Vital nutrients such as vitamin B contribute to normal psychological function and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
The trace mineral, Zinc is especially important to men’s health as it contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood and plays a role in male fertility. Selenium and zinc protect the cells from oxidative stress and free-radical damage, with selenium also contributing to normal production of sperm. A balanced and varied diet is the best way to nourish the body and mind. Foods that contain Zinc include seafood and pumpkin seeds.
Eating an unhealthy diet high in refined sugars and processed foods, or leading an active or stressful lifestyle – let’s face it that is quite a lot of us - may risk shortfalls in the essential nutrients needed to sustain optimal wellness.
A gender specific multi-nutrient formula may help to bridge the nutrition gap -mykind Organics Men’s Once Daily Wholefood Multivitamin is a unique formula supporting men’s overall health, immunity and energy. Supplying a broad spectrum of vitamins and trace minerals - including B complex, Zinc, Selenium and plant-sourced Vitamin D3. Garden of Life’s mykind multivitamin comes with a difference - it is made from nothing but real wholefoods sourced from over 30 powdered certified organic fruits and vegetables. Plus it is guaranteed certified organic, Non-GMO verified, gluten-free and vegan.
Shop it: mykind Organics Men’s Once Daily Wholefood Multivitamin
Throughout history, botanical extracts have been used to support male energy, potency and wellness. The supportive benefits of the herb Eleuthero Root Extract (Siberian Ginseng) recognised as far back as 2,000 years ago within Eastern herbal traditions.
Shop it: Nature’s Answer Eleuthero Root Extract (Siberian Ginseng) 
Organic mushrooms provide powerful nutrients that are often hard for us to get from plant or animal sources. Also known as the ‘Emperor’s mushroom’, the active compounds in Cordycepsare thought to exert adaptogenic properties – which may have a positive effect on the body’s ability to adapt in the presence of mental and physical stressors. Research suggests that the active ingredient cordycepin may assist the availability of oxygen in the blood and hence provide respiratory and cardiac function support. Cordyceps mushroom superfood powder is therefore popular pre- and post- workout.
Shop it: OM Mushroom Cordyceps Powder
*The claims are based on clinical research, are not aimed to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Food supplements should be used within the framework of a healthy lifestyle and not used as substitutes of a varied and balanced diet.
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