For men sex hormones and low vitamin D tied to heart and bone health | 10 Supplements for Men

emaxhealth.com - Low vitamin D levels are now found to be linked to sex hormones that can affect bone, and heart health in men. According to building studies, low levels of vitamin D leads to long term ill effects that are intensified by lower levels of the sex hormone estrogen, but not testosterone. The finding, from Johns Hopkins researchers is thought to be the first that links how estrogen, testosterone and Vitamin D work together to prevent heart and bone disease.

Lead study investigator and cardiologist Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and its Heart and Vascular Institute says, "All three steroid hormones – vitamin D, estrogen and testosterone – are produced from cholesterol, whose blood levels are known to influence arterial and bone health. Our study gives us a much better understanding of how the three work in concert to affect cardiovascular and bone health."

The researchers, as part of a larger studied, looked at the link between low levels of vitamin D and heart disease risk in a subset of men taking part in a cancer study who are also a part of an ongoing national health survey that includes women and men. The study was designed to compare disease risk among people with low levels of vitamin D to those with higher levels.

Free chemical forms of testosterone and estrogen in the men were measured for the study. No link was found between low testosterone levels, vitamin D, heart disease and bone health. However, lower estrogen levels, combined with low vitamin D levels revealed increased risk for heart disease and osteoporosis in the men.

"These results reinforce the message of how important proper quantities of vitamin D are to good bone health, and that a man's risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease is heavily weighted on the complex and combined interaction of how any such vitamin deficits interact with both their sex hormones, in particular, estrogen," Michos says.

The researchers plan to study blood samples in women to see if the findings are the same. The new research supports past studies that low levels of vitamin D increase an individual’s risk for heart disease. According to Dr. Michos, a source of confusion exists because estrogen replacement in women does not reduce, and may even increase heart disease risk.

In the meantime, studies are ongoing to clearly define the role of vitamin D for preventing heart disease, stroke and for keeping bones healthy. For now, Dr. Michos recommends boosting vitamin D intake by consuming cod, sardines, and fortified dairy products, in addition to vitamin supplements. She also recommends briefly exposing skin to UV rays during warmer weather to boost vitamin D levels.

http://www.hopkinsheart.org/

These top 10 supplements are a "MUST HAVE" for men of all ages.
With this arsenal added to your daily nutrition intake, you will combat the early signs of aging, help your body run more efficiently, fight disease and add years to your life.

The top 10 supplements for men:

1-Vitamin E- Touted as the BEST supplement for fighting the signs of aging, this is one of THE most potent antioxidants. Vitamin E will help reduce heart disease greatly, fight off cancer and cancerous cells, reduce the risk of certain eye diseases and even help beat alzheimers disease.
This supplement is essential in reducing/aiding muscle tissue damage caused after exercising.

2-Saw Palmetto- The little known fact about this supplement is that it is actually as effective, if not even more effective for hair loss than prescription drugs. It is all natural and is clinically proven to reduce the overproduction of the hormone DHT-dihydrotestosterone. Male pattern baldness is caused by overproduction of DHT. Saw palmetto reduces production of DHT. Many studies time and time again has shown Saw Palmetto to improve hairlines and hair thickness in more then 75% of the men involved in the studies.
Recommended daily dose:200mg

3-Coenzyme Q10-Co Q10- This is a compound which is produced naturally by your body, it improves your muscle cells to translate the oxygen in your blood to usable energy. This in turn greatly helps with fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome, which affects more then 50 million Americans.
In a recent study, subject taking 100mg daily for 2 months eradicated up to 95% of their fatigue and almost doubled their current energy levels! This supplement is truly being touted as a miracle supplement.
Our recommendation is between 100-150 mg daily.

4-Chromium Picolinate- This supplement helps keep your blood sugar normal, therefore reducing the urge to eat high-sugar foods, improving your body's sensitivity to insulin.
Men who regularly use this mineral in their diets in the long term gained less weight than their peers taking other, non-effective weight-loss supplements. The group in the studies were taking a daily intake of 400mcg as an effective weight control aid.

5-Green Tea- Green tea is the gold standard fat burner and has been used for centuries because it contains EGCG(epigallocatechin gattate) an antioxidant known to increase resting metabolic rate and stimulates thermogenesis, which is the process by which your body burns fat. In essence it coats internal fat, making it easier to eliminate. Long term use of green tea aids in continued weight loss. It is a great supplement for increasing energy prior to workouts.
We recommend between 240-300 mg capsules daily for continued, healthy weight control.

6-Ginkgo Biloba- This supplement herb helps your brain run smoothly by steadying the flow of fuel, in the form of oxygenated blood. Ginkgo opens the vessels that deliver blood flow to your brain and breaks up sticky mucus platelets to help increase flow more easily. Recent studies show that men who take 200 milligrams daily for one month were 40 percent more productive in the afternoon then those who weren't taking the supplement. It increases memory retention and makes it easier to remember things you would easily forget, thus increasing productivity.
We recommend between 180-220 milligrams daily.

7-A potent, quality men's multivitamin.GNC's Mega Men Multivitamin.Simply put, one of THE best multi vitamin formulas for men! The medical and scientific communities are rapidly accumulating powerful evidence about the role of multivitamin supplements in both health promotion and disease prevention. GNC's mega men has been approved by scientists at the University of Westminster as a strong, potent,health-benefiting multivitamin for men. The formulation,quality and potency of vitamins & minerals in this complex aims at benefiting the most important health aspects for men. It's no wonder it's the company's number one selling product!
It has been proven that taking a quality multivitamin can cut your risk of becoming sick by at least 50%!

8-Fish Oil-Hmmm, okay, lets see, just a brief rundown of benefits include reduction in pain and inflammation, reduction of symptoms of depression, protection from heart attacks and stroke, improved memory, focus and attention. Fish oil has also been highly linked to preventing cancer and killing cancerous cells, improving heart healthy cardiovascular health, promoting healthy skin, etc.
With such an impressive resume of benefits, it's a no brainer to see why this supplement simply MUST be included in your diet for an overall higher quality of life!

9-Selenium. This extremely powerful antioxidant could very well be your best defense against future cancer. Selenium is a trace element found naturally in foods like nuts, liver and animal proteins. Studies suggest that healthy trace elements of selenium in your diet can reduce the risk of cancer in several organs by as much as 45%! Selenium supplementation has been reported widely to improve confused and depressed mental states, mental fatigue and anxiety symptoms.

So, a more efficient, happier, less confused mind, cancer fighter and immune system defense system? Count me in! Recommended dose 200mcg daily.

10- Vitamin C-This powerful antioxidant , if taken daily ,can help ward off infections such as the common cold or flu by as much as 30%. Vitamin C also helps prevent cell damage from free-radicals, reduces cancer risks and maintains elasticity of the arteries. Vitamin C and E are an even more powerful combination when taken together daily as they work together even further.Vitamin C protects the watery parts and vitamin E the fatty parts. Recommended dose is at least 500mg daily twice a day.

Joey Capone is a fitness expert specializing in sports medicine and is the editor of the popular men's health blog, http://www.menshealthzine.com
His blog is updated daily with free quality advice on enhancing your looks, feeling your best and creating success in every area of your life.

He is also the writer/creator of the increasingly popular Face Sculptor facial exercises for men and the Men's Life Zine's Ultimate Anti-Aging, Body & Success Bible which can be found at http://www.menslifezineultra.com

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