There is a range of male health conditions for which a particular approach is needed to achieve the most favorable treatment outcome. Most men share common mental, performance, and physical health goals, regardless of their society, race, sexual orientation, religion, or marital status.
Why men’s health matters
The cultural blind spot on men’s wellness
Supporting Men’s Health Goals
In this blog, we will outline how it is possible to hone in on the significant male health conditions issues unique to the male gender and draw our readers’ attention to a new line of health supplements that complement existing therapies already working to alleviate these conditions and deficiencies.
Introducing the His Essentials pack.
Each sachet of His Essentials delivers an optimized dose of coEnzyme Q-10, vitamins (vitamins A, C, D, D3, E, B1, Riboflavin, Niacin, B6, Folate, B12, and B5), oils, healthy fats, minerals, metals, and botanical extracts designed to meet men’s specific nutritional needs.
Hair loss / Male Pattern Baldness
Hair loss is probably the most immediately recognizable of all male health conditions. Unlike in women, where hair loss is usually less apparent because it results in thinning rather than total loss, in men, it’s an immediately apparent sign of loss. The most common causes of hair loss are alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia (AGA or male-pattern baldness).
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes recurrent episodes of hair loss. AA shows up with alternating flares and periods of remission. Until 2023, there were very few good options for treating AA. They were limited in efficacy, and all came with high risks. Then along came Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) like Olumiant (generic name: baricitinib), Jakafi (generic name: ruxolitinib), and Xeljanz (generic name: tofacitinib).
As they age, many men suffer hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as male-pattern baldness. It can appear as a receding hairline or a bald patch on the top of the head.
For both AA and AGA, there are components in the His Essentials pack that slow down hair loss and promote hair regrowth, such as:
- Zinc regulates the hair growth cycle and supports the repair and maintenance of hair follicles. Zinc deficiency is associated with hair shedding and alopecia.
- Biotin (vitamin B7) is essential for hair growth. It supports keratin production, a key structural protein in hair. B7 deficiency can cause brittle hair, hair thinning, and scalp issues.
- Vitamin D supports overall follicle health. It is crucial for creating new hair follicles and maintaining follicle health. Deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to alopecia areata and may contribute to thinning hair.
- Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress on the scalp, which can damage hair follicles. It promotes blood circulation, ensuring follicles receive essential nutrients.
- Vitamin A helps produce sebum, the natural oil that moisturizes the scalp and keeps hair healthy. It also supports the growth of epithelial cells, forming the hair shaft’s outer layer. A regulated and controlled vitamin A dose is important because excessive vitamin A can lead to hair loss and other side effects.
- Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, strengthening hair shafts, and preventing breakage. It also improves iron absorption, which is critical for hair growth.
- Vitamin B12 aids in the production of red blood cells, which deliver oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. B12 deficiency may lead to hair thinning and slower growth.
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) helps prevent hair thinning and premature graying. It also supports healthy scalp skin, promoting an optimal environment for hair growth.
- Magnesium reduces inflammation in the scalp and improves follicle function. It supports protein synthesis, which is crucial for keratin production.
- Selenium is an antioxidant that protects hair follicles from oxidative damage. It also contributes to proper thyroid function, which is essential for hair growth.
- Copper aids in producing melanin, which gives hair its natural color and strengthens hair strands. It also supports blood vessel health, ensuring proper follicle nourishment.
Erectile dysfunction
Once upon a time in the not-too-distant past, this whole area of male health was beyond the pale for discussion in polite society. Since the discovery (by accident) of the power of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) to relax vascular smooth muscles in blood vessels, there’s been a revolution in attitudes about and therapies for this formerly hidden condition. PDE-5 was formulated into the generic drug sildenafil and marketed first as Viagra, followed, with minor formula changes, by Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil). Eroxon Stimgel came later as a new ED solution that works completely differently from previous PDE5i treatments. Eroxon is a topical gel, which means that almost all of the harmful potential side effects that oral medications like Viagra and its competitors have to warn against are absent.
Even with these treatments for erectile dysfunction, it is possible to improve sexual health even further with the right supplements. Specifically, the following components in the His Essentials pack:
- Vitamin D (often called the “sunshine vitamin”) directly affects testosterone production. Studies have found that men with adequate vitamin D levels tend to have higher testosterone levels compared to those with deficiencies. Vitamin D receptors are found in the testes, indicating its involvement in testosterone synthesis.
- Vitamin B6 is crucial for regulating the activity of androgens, a group of hormones that includes testosterone. It also supports the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can indirectly influence hormonal balance. Adequate levels of B6 are associated with the optimal functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which regulate testosterone production.
- Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells, including Leydig cells in the testes, which produce testosterone. By reducing oxidative stress, vitamin E can support healthy testosterone levels.
- Vitamin C is another potent antioxidant that reduces oxidative damage to testosterone-producing cells. It also helps lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone that can inhibit elevated testosterone production.
- Vitamin A supports the development and function of Leydig cells in the testes and helps regulate the genes involved in testosterone synthesis.
- Zinc is one of the most critical minerals for testosterone production. It supports the activity of enzymes in the testes that convert cholesterol into testosterone. Zinc also helps maintain the balance of testosterone and other hormones by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Zinc deficiency is strongly associated with lower testosterone levels. Supplementation in men with zinc deficiency has been shown to improve testosterone production.
- Magnesium influences testosterone by regulating the activity of enzymes involved in hormone synthesis. It also helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which can impair testosterone production.
Prostate enlargement
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland found only in men. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum and surrounds part of the tube through which urine and semen exit the body (the urethra). The prostate’s function is to produce a fluid that mixes with sperm cells from the testes and fluids from other glands to make semen. This prostatic fluid nourishes and protects sperm during ejaculation. The prostate gland also plays a role in hormone metabolism and helps regulate urine flow.
As men age, they become more likely to experience changes in their prostate’s size and functionality. Most of them are not serious and require little or no intervention. Most often, it is due to the condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The main signs are difficulty starting urination, a weak urine stream, and an inability to empty the bladder fully, resulting in the need to urinate more frequently.
There are two main treatment options. Medications containing 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as Avodart, Proscar, and Propecia, are specifically designed to treat BPH. Alpha-blockers, like Hytrin and Cardura, treat a broader range of conditions besides BPH and may be less effective than the other choices. If neither of these work well enough, there is the option of minimally invasive surgery called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), in which a portion of the prostate is cut away and withdrawn through the urethra.
The condition’s significant name is benign prostatic hyperplasia, which means that it is not cancerous. Although prostate cancer is relatively common, the symptoms closely mimic those of BPH, which results from the steady but slow growth in the gland’s size.
In some cases, BHP can turn into cancerous growth. A report published in April 2024 on prostate cancer in The Lancet Commission predicted that prostate cancer cases will double globally over the next 15 years, going from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million in 2040. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, accounting for 15% of cancers.
Some of these drugs are commonly prescribed during prostate cancer treatment. They are based primarily on producing additional levels of androgen hormones, or blocking the effect of the hormone byproducts. These include Lupron, Zoladex, and Casodex, which act as luteinizing hormone (LH) blockers and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH). Their function is to maintain concentrations of testosterone in men with prostate cancer by increasing levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.
Since the main effects of boosted androgens will wear off once the prostate cancer is under control, there could be a steep fall in testosterone levels, which will immediately reduce virility, lower the libido, and could directly induce erectile dysfunction. It’s advisable to consult with your physician thoroughly after the prostate cancer is cured or in remission to avoid these effects.
Androgel (active ingredient: testosterone) is prescribed for hormone replacement therapy in men who have either low levels or no testosterone production. This is officially termed hypogonadism but commonly termed low T.
On its own, cases of prostate cancer make up a small proportion of the total number of men who have prostate enlargement problems.
The minerals and vitamins in His Essentials can play an important role in slowing down the rate of prostate enlargement. The main ones are:
- Vitamin D which regulates cell growth and has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce prostate size and slow the progression of BPH. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased inflammation and a higher risk of prostate problems.
- Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress, which is associated with prostate enlargement and inflammation. Caution is essential when boosting vitamin E consumption because excessive supplementation may have adverse effects. That’s why obtaining it from a controlled source like the His Essentials pack is better.
- Vitamin C supports the immune system and reduces inflammation in the prostate. It also helps reduce oxidative stress, which can contribute to prostate tissue overgrowth.
- Vitamin B6 helps regulate hormone levels, particularly testosterone and estrogen, which are involved in prostate growth.
- Zinc is highly concentrated in the prostate and is critical in regulating prostate cell growth and maintaining hormonal balance. Zinc deficiency can lead to inflammation and increased prostate growth.
- Selenium acts as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the prostate.
- Magnesium supports overall cellular function and reduces inflammation, which may help slow prostate growth.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids reduce inflammation and support overall prostate health.
Summary of the benefits of the His Essentials pack
Along with all the other ways of treating the main conditions unique to men, there’s a way to boost their efficacy with a simple dietary supplement. The His Essentials pack combines a range of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and oils that contribute to the male health conditions that affect everyone’s general health and well-being.
