To Your Health
October, 2010 (Vol. 04, Issue 10) |
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Vitamin D supplementation has become very popular in recent years. We need about 4,000 IU per day to maintain proper blood levels.
In the summer months, supplementation is not necessary if one gets adequate sun exposure. It is best to get your vitamin D level tested to determine if 4,000 IU is enough for you. When considering any supplementation, it's always best to talk to your doctor first, particularly if you are currently taking medication, as some medications may interact with nutritional supplements.
Many men notice a positive change in their health status within a week if they adhere to the dietary and supplemental changes, and as time goes on, many who are taking medication for one or more of the above conditions are able to discontinue their medication. The focus should be on pursuing an anti-inflammatory lifestyle and letting your body respond as it sees fit. It's actually a simple process: Before preparing, ordering or eating a food, test yourself by asking the following question: "Will this food increase or decrease inflammation?" If it increases inflammation, you may want to avoid it or certainly limit consumption. If it decreases inflammation, then dig in! Talk to your doctor for more information.
Are You Promoting Good Health or Preventing It?
Many of the common health conditions that affect men are attributable to inflammation; as such, a prudent measure to reduce your disease risk is to consume a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods and sparse in pro-inflammatory ones. Here are a few examples from each category (exceptions may apply):
Pro-Inflammatory Foods
Sugary, processed foods
Refined oils
Refined grains
Fatty meat
Anti-Inflammatory Foods:
Vegetables
Fruits
Raw nuts and seeds
Potatoes
Lean meat (chicken, fish)
Quick Facts About Men's Health
When it comes to men's health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these sobering statistics:
12% ages 18 and older are considered in "fair" or "poor" health
34% ages 18 and older participate in leisure-time physical activity regularly
32% ages 20 and older are obese
31% ages 20 and older have hypertension (high blood pressure)
Source: CDC FastStats: Men's Health. www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mens_health.htm.
David Seaman, MS, DC, DACBN, is the author of Clinical Nutrition for Pain, Inflammation and Tissue Healing. He has a master's degree in nutrition from the University of Bridgeport, Conn., and lectures on nutrition.
