GET A TUNE-UP. Annual physi- cals are more important than regularly changing the oil in a car, yet men are more likely than women to skip a checkup visit to their doctor, according to a recent poll by Louis Harris and Associates.


A growing trend among health


centers addresses this concern, offer- ing men a one-stop-shopping-style checkup and testing.


Here’s how: Men who aren’t interested in spending a day window- shopping certainly aren’t into a day of appointments to check off a list of simple health screenings. So, special health programs—modeled after executive health screenings formerly accessible only at getaway destinations like the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, or the Greenbrier Clinic, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia—are popping up at local hospitals from coast to coast. As part of the men’s health pro- gram at Shawnee Mission Medical Cen- ter, serving the Kansas City area, for ex- ample, doctors emphasize “maintaining optimal performance” versus “let’s see what’s wrong with you.” Prior to an ap- pointment, patients visit a lab location for tests, so that all of their results are ready when they visit the doctor. Then, on the day of their appointment, some additional screenings are performed, if necessary, so the time men spend with the doctor is used more effectively. This personalized, focused at- tention and all-at-once approach can provide straightforward strategic health planning—a map of diet, exercise and lifestyle targets to aim for in the coming year that can keep men here and healthy.


Judith Fertig is a freelance writer in Overland Park, KS; see AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com. She inter- viewed Dr. Robert Butler before his passing.


Men’s Health Tips


Stay-Well Advice from Area Practitioners by Lee Walker


T


o mark the occasions of Men’s Health Month and National Men’s Health Week, June 13-19, Natural Awakenings queried local health experts for tips that heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and en- courage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.


James Occhiogrosso, Author of Your Prostate, Your Libido, Your Life


Frequently, men silently accept as nor- mal certain aging symptoms, such as loss of interest in sex, erectile dysfunc- tion, muscle deterioration and a lack of youthful energy. Often, such symptoms can be traced to a common problem: poor nutrient status that results in hor- mone imbalance.


As we age, it becomes more dif- ficult for the body to absorb certain needed nutrients from food. Combined with poor diet and lifestyle choices, the result can be multiple nutrient deficien- cies, hormone disruption and many of the symptoms noted above. To grace- fully age, try these suggestions:


n Don’t accept loss of libido as a nor- mal part of aging. A lack of sex drive is typically due to hormone imbalances— low testosterone or high estrogen, or both.


n While some erectile dysfunction (ED) is a normal part of aging, serious ED can be the first sign of a buildup of plaque in the arteries, or atherosclerosis.


n Don’t accept that Viagra, Cialis or Levitra are the solution to an ED prob- lem. While these drugs can help with symptoms, they do nothing to correct the underlying problem, and can have some serious side effects.


n Don’t assume that you can get all the nutrients your body needs from food. Most chronic problems and many serious illnesses have been linked to nutrient deficiencies.


n Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin/multi-mineral product from a health food store or practi-


tioner’s office. Supermarket vitamin products are cheap, but notoriously deficient.


n Take additional antioxidant supple- ments, such as vitamins C, D and E. Multivitamin products, even quality ones, are often lacking in these critical nutrients.


n Get your hormones tested. A home saliva test kit lets you accurately test critical hormones in the privacy of your home. A health professional can then suggest ways to correct any imbalances.


David Martin, Doctor of Oriental Medicine,


Lotus Blossom Clinic n Be active every day and alternate dif- ferent forms of exercise and workouts: yoga; weightlifting; running, jogging or walking; and riding a bike, for example.


n Get seven to eight hours of sleep a night.


n Reduce the consumption of red meat. The American Cancer Society con- firms that people who eat the most red meat—beef, pork and processed meat products—get colon cancer 30 to 40 percent more often than those who eat these foods only once in a while. The lowest colon cancer risk occurs in men who eat less than 1.5 ounces of red meat per day.


n Use acupuncture for health preven- tion and maintenance.


n Have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year.


n Be conscious of the mind/body con- nection. Monitor your thoughts and think positively.


Contact Jim Occhiogrosso, master herbalist, at 239-498-1547 or visit HealthNaturallyToday.com.


Contact David Martin, doctor of orien- tal medicine, at Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd., Ste. 2, Fort Myers 33919. Call 239-277-1399 or visit LotusBlossomClinic.com.


natural awakenings June 2011 35


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