Men’s Health

While there are many things that have a direct impact on our health regardless of gender, there are also some that men are facing which need to be proactively addressed in order for them to be able to enjoy a long, happy and healthy life. Balance is the key to leading a healthy lifestyle, whether it’s a balanced diet, exercise plan, or even more specifically, keeping our hormones balanced despite living in a world where we are constantly exposed to things that work against our body’s natural processes. Arguably, nutrition and exercise and two of the pillars of a healthy lifestyle which aid us in achieving and maintaining balance for overall wellness as we age.

“Whole Foods Market® prides itself on being at the forefront of current men’s health issues, most commonly early heart disease and diabetes prevention through dietary changes and encouraging a healthy active lifestyle through exercise,” says Scott Schmitz, Produce/Floral Team Leader at Whole Foods Market (wfm.com/omaha) . “At Whole Foods Market we are not only in business of selling the highest quality natural and organic food, but we are in the information and education business as well. Team members are given an enormous amount of initial and ongoing training in the areas of nutrition and healthy diets, which we delightfully pass along to our customers.

Especially because of my area of expertise, I encourage all men to include large and consistent amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet daily. Fresh produce should act as the base for which to build your meals around. Another addition to an active man’s diet should include a post-workout protein supplement from our Whole Body department. It is great for recovery and will help to build lean muscle. Also in our Whole Body department, is an expertly curated selection of dietary/nutrition related books and cookbooks. They can aid in getting one started in the right direction when going down a new dietary path. I will also say that procuring something from our Floral Department for that special someone has historically benefited men as well, if you catch my drift.

He adds, “Unfortunately, there are no magical cure-alls when it comes to men achieving a healthy and active lifestyle. I have been in the natural and organic industry for over twenty years, and in that time I have seen a lot of special diet fads and insane exercise plans come and go. The only thing that I have seen that consistently works to accomplish what men are looking for in being healthy is an introduction of fresh fruits and vegetables, meal portion control and consistent exercise. Sounds simple, yet, it does require some willpower and a desire to change some old habits. Be patient, and don’t expect results overnight. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.”

Incorporating plenty of healthy protein, including leaner cuts of meat sourced from farms and ranches that incorporate a grass fed or otherwise organic diet, is also a must.  “At Just Good Meat, we offer a wide variety of healthy options when it comes to meeting the protein requirements and requests of our customers,” says Sean Fuller, owner of Just Good Meat (justgoodmeatomaha.com) .  “From the common staples of chicken and fish to the items that are somewhat considered to be specialty meats such as ground turkey or turkey filets, and even buffalo, which is an excellent source of lean protein, we guarantee to have plenty of options available in the store. Convenience is an important factor, as in order to achieve consistency with a healthy diet you need options for all types of situations, especially when you’re on-the-go. At Just Good Meat we pride ourselves in being geared towards our customers with busy lifestyles. Our pre-cooked items, like our smoked salmon as one example, can be easily put on a salad or heated up quickly so there are a few different meal options that all require minimal preparation.  Furthermore, we have a popular seven day meal plan, which includes a week’s worth of healthy meals for two people, for just $40.”

He adds, “In addition to consistency, there’s a lot of information out there about what to eat and what to avoid which can get really confusing, so keep balance in mind.  For example, there’s been a recent shift away from beef, or ‘red meat’, and people have aimed at cutting it completely out of their diet.  However, in this case it’s more about keeping variety and moderation at the forefront when making decisions about what you put into your body.  The truth is that any meat can be unhealthy if you consume too much of it. Smaller portions with any kind of meat is key, along with frequent, balanced meals and snacks throughout the day as opposed to 1-2 larger meals.  Breakfast and lunch are ideal for providing your main calorie intake, and never eat more than the size of your fist to aid with digestion and absorption of the nutrients.  If you’re looking to learn more about different types of proteins or to establish a healthy diet that incorporates a selection of different protein sources, the team at Just Good Meat is more than happy to help.”

“Nutrition is important in all aspects of our lives,” emphasizes Brad Schmitt, DC, owner of Schmitt Chiropractic & Rehab (omahachiropractictherapy.com). “Not only is important with weight loss and helping with pain, it also can alleviate fatigue and help men focus better.  Poor dietary habits wreak havoc on our hormones and their function. This can lead to many different types of diseases and dysfunction with the body.  Sometimes what seems to be an ‘aging’ problem is actually a dietary problem.

He continues, “At Schmitt Chiropractic & Rehab, we focus on keeping men feeling their best and injury-free so their bodies are prepared for the demands of exercise and everyday life.  When we feel good and don’t have to deal with pain, we can be more productive at work and in the gym. We offer a variety of services to help men get healthy, get out of pain, and feel their best.  Chiropractic care, Active Release, dry needling, functional rehab, and sports taping are the services we offer to help with function, performance, and pain.  We also help people with nutrition.  As we all know, nutrition is vital for losing weight, but it is also a huge factor in dealing with many types of pain.  We try to take a look at the whole picture and utilize some, or all, of these methods to help men with their health goals. Above all, men need to realize the importance of setting goals when it comes to their health, and then take steps to achieve those goals.  Health is a lifestyle, not a 30 day diet.  It starts with changing habits!”

We live in a fast-paced world and are exposed to many stressors daily, so it’s important to care for ourselves and to have a healthy outlet for relieving that stress. “A hobby is a great way to relax and set aside the day’s stresses,” says Gerry Phelan, owner of Midwest Woodworkers.  “Stepping away from your normal duties to work on something completely different lets you unwind and recharge your batteries.  A hobby like woodworking is a perfect outlet; it lets you release your creative energy and focus your attention on something positive.   Plus it is personally rewarding, as you can make things with your own hands that will last a lifetime.

We cater to every woodworker from beginners to experienced craftsmen.   People who have been involved in woodworking come into the store and can wander the aisles to get ideas for their next project, talk the staff to get help and leave with the tools, supplies and hardwoods they need.  For folks who are new to woodworking or just getting started, our classes cover a wide variety of woodworking disciplines and are aimed at helping people get started in woodworking.  Our classes are small, 3-5 people at most and are very ‘hands-on’.  We start with safety and make sure everyone understands the equipment and the techniques.  Our classes are not lectures about woodworking – most involve making a project you can take home with you.   That makes the leaning more meaningful and provides the satisfaction that comes from completing a project.

Life can be very stressful and demanding.  It’s good to set the day’s problems aside and focus on something calming and relaxing.  You will know you have found the perfect hobby when you find you can’t wait for the next opportunity to immerse yourself in it. Arguably, you really can’t afford not to take the time to enjoy a hobby.  Where will you find the time when the stress and fatigue causes physical issues, loss of sleep or other problems?   Find an outlet that satisfies you. It’s also good to set aside a specific period each day where you can get lost in something you enjoy.  Even if it’s only 30 minutes at first, you will likely find the rest of the day will go better as a result.

Whatever hobby you choose, it isn’t necessary to reprioritize your whole life.  Woodworking is easy to break into a series of small operations that you can work on small time increments.  Or sign up for a class – the commitment will force you to set the time aside and you can begin learning new skills in a low-stress environment.”

“Low testosterone is a major health issue that men face today more than ever,” says Kathi Bratberg, owner of Eat Well Nutrition & Wellness, Inc. (www.eatwellnutritionandwellness.com).  “Men are at risk for exposure to estrogen in many different ways, which seriously affects their testosterone levels. Our food supply is high in sugar which stimulates insulin, leading to weight gain, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and heart disease, which also leads to low testosterone.  Another good indicator is that if you’re holding excess weight in your stomach, it’s likely unhealthy and going to affect your testosterone levels as well.

In addition to regular activity, it’s important to watch our carbohydrate and sugar intake and to opt for a ‘real food’ diet with grass fed meats, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fat sources while avoiding processed foods.  At Eat Well Nutrition and Wellness, my major role is to help clients with the proper diet as well as educating them about necessary lifestyle changes for optimal health and to meet their specific goals.

Men are luckier than women as far as exercise goes due to the fact that they build muscle a lot quicker, and good muscle mass allows you to burn fat quicker.  Building muscle with protein is also advantageous; even the heart is a muscle, so it’s important to maintain a healthy, lean muscle mass. Even with a healthy diet and exercise, men are highly susceptible to heart disease and heart attacks.  Stress is a major factor; when the body is stressed, the adrenal glands secrete cortisol. In response the body takes sugar from the liver, potentially increasing the blood sugar and the blood pressure. When we’re stressed, we are also more prone to reaching for the higher carb ‘comfort’ foods to make us feel better.

To help clients understand their baseline and to chart improvement, I utilize bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to estimate body composition that provides a wealth of helpful information.  From this, I can even target which foods would be the most beneficial so you can plan how to eat at home, in the office, on the run, when you travel—having that plan is essential to staying on track.  This also allows me to offer informed guidance as to healthy supplementation.  Unless we are eating the best food on the planet and fully digesting it, we all need some level of vitamin and mineral supplementation.

So overall, it’s important to be aware of the estrogen and compounds that mimic it in our environment as well as the stress connection.  In general, women are often much more self-aware and apt to seek help for health issues.  Men still tend to exhibit a lot more avoidance, so I urge them to be more proactive and nip things in the bud before they happen, especially those to which you have a genetic predisposition.  There are environmental triggers today that flip genetic switches on and off, thus increasing the risk of disease. If you start early before issues are present and work at making healthy choices, you have a great chance to live a long and healthy life.”

“As men age, their testosterone levels begin to drop,” further explains Dr. Christopher Asandra of NuMale Medical Center (numalemedical.com). “After age 30, levels decline about one percent per year. This decline is normal in most men, but stress, alcoholism, obesity, certain medications and chronic illnesses can accelerate the decline. Men suffering from low testosterone (low-T) can experience weight gain, low energy and libido, loss of mental clarity and even depression and mood swings. NuMale treats men suffering from a wide array of medical conditions related to aging and sexual dysfunction. At NuMale, we take a comprehensive approach to men’s health. By identifying and treating the root cause of sexual dysfunction, we help our patients overcome their symptoms and improve their health at the same time.

We see men suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), low testosterone (low-T), hair loss, weight gain, and much more. Often, these are caused by underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or prostate problems. Lifestyle factors like lack of exercise, poor diet, lack of sleep or smoking can contribute as well. Once these problems are addressed, NuMale’s expert medical team works with each patient to customize a treatment plan that best suits his needs, providing, safe, effective relief for men of all ages and backgrounds.

At NuMale, we test our patients’ testosterone levels and administer the appropriate levels of hormone replacement therapy to correct any imbalances that are present. We carefully monitor our patients’ testosterone levels throughout treatment to ensure they are optimal. For many men, testosterone replacement therapy restores their energy and sexual desire, helps them lose weight, and improves their erections.

NuMale is a national leader in treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Our customized ED treatment protocol has proven over 98 percent effective. Unlike the pills prescribed by primary care doctors, NuMale’s ED treatments are therapeutic, which means they actually work to rehabilitate damaged tissues and help restore natural erectile function. Moreover, NuMale is also a national leader in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for erectile dysfunction and penile enhancement. In this innovative procedure, our physicians take blood from the patient and spin it in a centrifuge to separate out the platelet-rich fibrin matrix. This material is then reintroduced into the penile tissue, enhancing blood flow to the area. This increased blood flow leads to stronger erections and enhanced size and appearance. NuMale’s Penile Enhancement Procedure provides great results with no drugs, minimal pain and no chance of allergic reaction.

Finally, NuMale offers medical weight loss services. Our expert medical team spends the time to understand each patient’s lifestyle and needs before devising a comprehensive plan that includes nutrition, physical activity, hormone balancing, weekly check-ups and NuMale’s proprietary supplements. NuMale’s medical weight loss program has produced dramatic results, with many patients losing four to eight pounds per week while increasing energy and improving overall health.”

He continues, “We have new patients every day that come to NuMale seeking treatment for ED. Upon examination, we find that many of them have untreated diabetes, high blood pressure or prostate problems. These conditions are really dangerous if they are not managed under proper medical supervision. I think people need to know that sexual dysfunction is a real medical condition. Men and their partners experiencing these conditions do not need to suffer silently, and they should not feel ashamed or embarrassed to bring this up with their doctors

I am incredibly grateful for all of the support NuMale has found in Omaha. We have helped thousands of men in the area, and we look forward to helping thousands more restore their confidence and reinvigorate their relationships through better health.”

In the world we live in today it can be easy to lead an unhealthy or unbalanced lifestyle, whether unknowingly or as a result of conscious decisions, which can have serious consequences on our overall health and wellness.  Our decisions don’t just affect us further on down the road, but also have an impact on the enjoyment of our day-to-day lives too.  It is of the utmost importance to take our health seriously and to address any issues proactively for the best possible outcomes.  It goes without saying that are plenty of resources available that are more than happy to help – all you have to do is take the first step and reach out, and we guarantee that in retrospect you’ll be glad that you did.