In the animal kingdom, I can think of no species more noble than the human male.   However, many men have no idea of their own power.  What other being, generally speaking, shows more courage, sense of duty and devotion?  The human male regularly will work himself to the bone and even sacrifice his life for his country, for his family and for his mate.

The least that we can be do in return is to appreciate, even celebrate, their manhood.  We nutritionists can teach them how to keep it intact and healthy for as long as possible, for their greatest fear is to lose it.

Today, men have a hard time of it, nutritionally speaking, from childhood on.  The modern diet is weakening men’s bodies and inhibiting their natural masculine strength.  Boys, statistically, are most frequently diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.  It is rare to find one without asthma, allergies and/or bowel problems.  These conditions, in my experience, either clear up totally or lessen considerably when all processed foods (especially grains) and sugars are eliminated from their diet. 

When asked, the mothers of these boys will often admit that they had gestational diabetes or ate large quantities of sugar and grains and had little protein while pregnant.   The mothers’ excesses may have lead to the boys’ intolerances.  A mother’s nutritional status directly affects the future health of her child. 

My opinion on vaccines and medications for children is no secret.  Give them drugs from the beginning and drugs will probably fill their future.  I have noticed that the children given the most antibiotics instead of probiotics have the most chronic ear, sinus and bowel conditions that last well into adulthood.  I have also noted that the children raised on medications for every sniffle and sneeze and who were taught that shots and drugs are the solution to every suspected stress or imbalance often become the most likely to seek out recreational drugs later in life.  Those given healthy solutions at an early age will seek healthy solutions throughout their life.

Making the transition from puberty requires a healthy masculine role model.  This will help them channel their rightful and natural inclination for aggression into a toughness that will serve them in the pursuit of their future goals instead of toward wasteful aggression and social rebellion. Teen male hormones are raging, which can inhibit boys’ focus and growth.  Historically, the herbal supplement Red Raspberry has been used to help young men ease into manhood.  It often brings balance to their bodies and even addresses the acne that can result from the stresses of this period in their life.

A man’s sense of self is usually dependent upon his ability to perform — mentally, physically and, especially, sexually.  Being chronically undernourished, often overweight and constantly exposed to chemicals, men need help in learning how to avoid and prevent these conditions.

 If I am talking to a man about his chronic bowel condition, which seems to be common in many people today, the subject always turns to how many hoops he can no longer make, how he is not thinking as sharply lately or how many fewer times he has sex now compared to before.  Nutritional balance is definitely needed as there is no magic pill to solve these issues. 

However, there may be pills that can cause or exacerbate these problems.  For example, the common side effects of statin (cholesterol-lowering) drugs address many of these areas of performance negatively.  A British doctor recently told me that he cannot believe American men are so willing to take statin drugs as they can greatly diminish the sex drive.  Sex hormones are made in the cholesterol.  The United States, it appears, is unique in its obsession with cholesterol numbers.  For those with heart disease or a family history of heart disease, statins may be required, but for the rest of the population, cholesterol is an important substance for proper functioning of the body.  

A low-fat diet also directly affects a man’s performance negatively.  The brain does not function well without the “good” fats that it requires.  Without fat, joints become stiff, nerves fray and bowels block.  Ancient societies valued fat above all else and it was the first to be eaten.  It is our lubrication.  Of course, I mean natural fats like those from meat, fish, eggs, plants and nuts and not man-made hydrogenated and trans fats.  The most valuable fat for brain health is DHA, which is in Omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3s are essential to any person’s supplement regime.  They also work as an anti-inflammatory and are the good fats that burn stored fat, so they are very helpful for weight loss.  Good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are fish oil and flaxseed oil.

Prostate problems are becoming more and more common in this country.  Many think this may be related to the elevated estrogen levels in modern foods, chemicals and plastics.  Whatever the cause, a male supplement formula that contains zinc, lycopene and saw palmetto is usually recommended to help prevent prostate problems.  There are many other supplements and herbs that have been used by men for centuries and even more that recently have been developed in Germany and the UK (where natural products are highly valued) that can target the many concerns of men through their life changes.  

I am seeing more men begin to take steps to learn about themselves physically, mentally and spiritually.  In doing so, they are finding the way to their true power and nobility.  I salute them.

Dian Freeman has a private practice in Morristown, NJ, teaches a nutritional certification course, is certified in and practices frequency biofeedback, holds health-based seminars, food and cooking classes and lectures widely. She is currently enrolled at Drew University to obtain a doctorate in Medical Humanities. Dian may be reached at 973 267-4816, [email protected] or visit WellnessSimplified.com .   Source materials for this article are available upon request.