Men’s Health Over 40: Hormones, Supplements, and Healthy Habits

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For adult men over 40, it is sometimes tough to figure out what to do to promote healthy aging. Figuring out what to do when choosing the right men’s multivitamin, herbs, or creating healthier lifestyle habits can seem overwhelming. A one-size-fits-all approach, although effective when shopping for T-shirts, does not always apply to your health or the products that fit your needs. To find what works best for you, understanding the basics of men’s health and healthy aging can provide some helpful answers.

Why Men’s Health Changes After 40

It’s true, your health is gonna change as you age. Men often experience muscle loss, declining testosterone levels, and are dealing with more stress. They may even notice their metabolism is slower and their digestion is off. Many men also notice more aches, stiffness, inflammation, or a decline in energy. You aren’t alone; many men experience the same thing. That is why this article is focused on you and men’s health.

Healthy Habits Matter for Men’s Health

Many men are looking for a quick fix and aren’t focusing on their daily habits and the impact those habits truly have on their overall health. The following habits have a huge impact on men’s health and how you age.

• Gut health. As we age, our stomach acid production decreases, which impacts how our body breaks down protein. Supporting digestion with healthy eating, digestive enzymes when needed, and feeding the microbiome with fiber-rich foods may help improve nutrient absorption, digestion, and support the body’s natural inflammatory response.

Nutrients for Men’s Health Over 40 You Should Pay Attention To

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important hormone for male vitality. It supports testosterone production, helps maintain muscle tone and performance, supports bone density, supports your immune function, and helps support sexual health.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an important mineral in the body, and it is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions. It offers support for cardiovascular health and supports healthy blood pressure. It can also help boost muscle function and exercise recovery. It supports your nervous system, helping you regulate stress and promote relaxation. It also supports bone density and healthy testosterone levels.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is primarily used for supporting energy levels, cardiovascular health, and maintaining proper nervous system function by helping to maintain the myelin sheath surrounding your nerves. This helps with better memory and a balanced mood. It also helps convert carbohydrates into glucose, which helps fight fatigue and improve muscle weakness.

Zinc

Zinc plays an important role in testosterone production, immune health, wound healing, and maintaining normal prostate function. It helps maintain a healthy prostate by controlling inflammation. It also assists in muscle recovery.

What About a Multivitamin for Men’s Health

Since men have different nutritional needs than women, the best multivitamin for a man is specifically formulated for him. It should not necessarily contain iron because the body has difficulty getting rid of excess iron, but it should have adequate amounts of other essential nutrients. Most multivitamin supplements contain at least the recommended dietary allowance of most micronutrients. Those that contain more, however, may not be necessary for most healthy men.

Herbs Traditionally Used for Men’s Health

• Saw Palmetto has traditionally been used to support prostate health, manage urinary symptoms associated with a swollen prostate, and to balance hormones. Research on saw palmetto has produced mixed results, although some studies suggest it may help support urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• Pygeum is used to support prostate and urinary tract health. It is used mostly to relieve the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – BPH) due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Nettle Root is a well-known natural remedy for men’s wellness. It is best known for reducing BPH, balancing hormones to optimize testosterone levels, and providing anti-inflammatory benefits for improving urinary flow. Many have noticed that when paired with saw palmetto, it is much more effective for reducing nighttime urination and improving flow.
• Pumpkin Seeds are a nutritional powerhouse full of zinc, magnesium, and healthy fats. Works great for supporting prostate health, testosterone production, and cardiovascular function. They also contain l-Arginine, which promotes the production of nitric oxide, which helps your blood vessels relax, improving circulation. Because of their magnesium content, they also help promote better sleep.
• Maca or Maca Root that has been historically used to boost male libido, enhance sperm quality, and support erectile function without altering testosterone levels. It also helps improve energy levels and stamina due to its adaptogenic qualities.
• Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps reduce stress by lowering cortisol, balances hormones, and enhances physical performance. It helps increase testosterone and DHEA-S levels, which help boost energy and mood.

You can view products from Nature’s Sunshine that support men’s health.

Prostate Health Matters

As you age, prostate health often becomes front and center. You notice you are getting up at night more frequently, or you may even feel swollen. These issues should be discussed with your doctor. Prostate health is serious, and maintaining healthy urination, getting regular screenings, and monitoring your PSA are important as you get older.

Learn More About Hormonal Health

If you are interested in learning more about hormones and prostate health, one resource I found helpful is Hormone Balance for Men: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Prostate Health and Natural Hormone Supplementation by Dr. John Lee. Dr. Lee was well known for his work in hormone health and discussed topics such as testosterone decline, prostate health, and natural approaches to supporting hormonal balance.

Gut Health and Men’s Health

Gut health is super important for anyone’s health, especially men. With BPH in the background, inflammation is a concern. When you support your gut health, you help reduce inflammation, promote a healthy, energized metabolism, and improve nutrient absorption.

My Philosophy

Healthy aging for men is not about chasing youth. It is about creating habits that support strength, energy, metabolism, and vitality for decades to come. Healthy food, movement, sleep, stress management, and targeted nutritional support can help men stay active and enjoy life as they age.

If you want to focus on building a strong foundation, get The Healthy Habits Challenge.

 This article was originally published as part of the Sunshine Sharing newsletter series.
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