Men's Health Guide

Men, don’t ignore these health essentials

- Isaac Eliaz, MD, LAc, MS

Statistics suggest that many men avoid visiting the doctor—until something serious develops. The problem with this “don’t look for trouble” approach is that trouble can end up finding you anyway. As men age, their risk increases for conditions like cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, and others. The good news is that there are broad-spectrum solutions that can support key areas of men’s health and help safeguard long-term wellness.

THE STATIN DEBATE

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in men. Elevated cholesterol is seen as the chief culprit, with statins among the most commonly prescribed drugs. Unfortunately, a hard look at statin studies suggests that they provide on average only a 3 percent reduction in risk of heart attack—but the risks of developing side effects like type II diabetes are much higher.

Here’s another problem: There’s no clear evidence that lowering cholesterol reduces risks of heart attacks. Prevailing wisdom states that high cholesterol causes arterial plaque buildup, generating blockages and fueling heart disease. However, it’s the type of cholesterol, specifically oxidized LDL cholesterol, that contributes to plaque buildup. Oxidized LDL cholesterol comes from eating cooked (rancid) vegetable oils, found in fried and/or processed foods. It’s also created by chronic inflammation, toxins, and free radical damage.