Ask the doctor

Better Nutrition, June, 2005 by Frank Ervolino

Dr. Ervolino is happy to answer your health questions. Email him at askdre@adetphia.net.

I am a man approaching my 50s, and I'm wondering what issues I should address to maintain my health in the future.

--E.D. Smith, Deadwood, South Dakota

Among the biggest issues that men should be concerned about--according to this man--are prostate and cardiovascular health.

The single best, most scientifically proven herb for prostate well-being is saw palmetto. It's widely available in health food stores. I use it in combination with several other herbs and supplements that support the prostate. Look for herbs such as pygeum and pumpkin seed. For supplements, try zinc and beta-sitosterol or phytosterols. Lifestyle changes that promote prostate health include reducing your consumption of alcohol and fried and processed foods. It's also advisable to get on a regular exercise program.

To help maintain cardiovascular health, try using hawthorn as a daily supplement, along with vitamins [B.sub.12] [B.sub.6] and folic acid. To improve heart function, consider ribose as a daily supplement. Ribose has been shown to improve heart performance, and it call be used as a preventative, or as a treatment for those who already have heart disease.

People with arrhythmias can try the herbs lily of the valley and Cactus grandiflorus, but they should do so only under the supervision of a physician.

Lifestyle changes include regular exercise and a diet that eliminates sugar and fried and processed foods and reduces alcohol retake.

Cholesterol is a problem for many men. The issue is really the degree of inflammation in the vascular system that cholesterol causes. That's why supplement choices should not only address cholesterol control but also include antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.

Antioxidants that play a role in controlling cholesterol are turmeric and rosemary. Turmeric stops flee radical damage in the blood vessels. It also reduces LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels and is useful in the prevention of cancer. Plus, it's a natural COX-2 inhibitor that helps control pain. Rosemary is all antioxidant that stimulates healthy blood circulation. What's more, it's also a potent antibacterial and anticancer herb.

Policosanol has gotten a lot of attention lately. It improves serum lipids, reduces LDL oxidation (the main source of damage in the blood vessels), decreases platelet aggregation (the reason we're told to take an aspirin every day), and generally improves the symptom picture for cardiovascular disease.

Finally, a note on men's health from the outside. For those of you using foamy, conventional shaving creams, I suggest you try the new natural shaving creams. They contain herbs that do a better job of fighting infection and ensuring the health of facial skin.

Frank Ervolino, ND, lives in Palm City, Florida. He's on the staff of Jupiter Medical Center Hospital as an acupuncturist. He received his doctorate of naturopathic medicine and a master's of science degree in acupuncture from Bastyr University, in Seattle, Washington.