Men’s nutrition
DefinitionWhile many diseases and health care issues affect
both men and women, certain diseases and conditions
exhibited in men may require distinct approaches
regarding diagnosis and management. Some of the
major issues associated with men’s health are related
to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension,
impotence, andprostatehealth.DescriptionCancer
Cancer is characterized as aberrant and uncon-
trolled cell growth. Cells divide more rapidly than
normal, and these growths may metastasize (spread
to other organs). It affects people of all ages and can
attack any organ or tissue of the body. Some cancers
are more responsive to treatment and lend themselves
to a cure, while others seem to appear suddenly and
resist treatment.
Much of what we know from nutritional epidemi-
ology supports the role of diet as a means of staving off
cancer. Particularly, a mostly plant-based diet—one
high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—is the
key. Men should aim for five to nine servings of fruits
and vegetables daily and eat breads, cereals, and
grains that are high infiber, such as whole wheat
bread, bran flakes, brown rice, and quinoa.
Apart from diet, the most important thing a man
can do to reduce his cancer risk is stop smoking and
cease using all tobacco products. Smoking is the num-
ber one preventable cause of death in the United
States, claiming 400,000 lives per year, and it increases
the risk for developing cancer. Genetics and environ-
mental sources (e.g., ultraviolet light) are also linked
with cancer.Diabetes Mellitus
Carbohydrate intolerance—the inability to prop-
erly metabolize sugars—is known as diabetes mellitus,
often just shortened to diabetes. The pancreas makes
insulin, a hormone responsible for a cell’s uptake of
glucose (sugar) from blood for energy. People who
have diabetes do not make enough insulin, or else the
body cannot use what is made. Treatment includes
achieving a healthy weight, engaging in exercise, and
prescription medication. Sometimes people are able to
cure their diabetes with diet and weight loss.A proper diet for people with diabetes is compa-
rable to what the average healthy person should
already be eating. Basic tenets include: eat three
meals daily, incorporate healthful snacks, focus on
foods high in fiber, combine protein andcarbohy-
drateswith moderate amounts of unsaturated fat,
and avoid sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce overall
caloric intake.Heart Disease
Heart disease, or coronary artery disease, is a
result of improper function of the heart and blood
vessels. There are many forms of heart disease. Athe-
rosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and hyperten-
sion (high blood pressure) are two of the most
common. Fat deposits disrupt the flow of blood to
the heart muscle, increasing the risk of myocardial
infarction (heart attack).
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for
men. According to the American Heart Association,
440,175 men died of heart disease in 2000. Apart from
just being male, other risk factors are being forty-five
years of age and older, low levels of high-density lip-
oprotein (HDL—the ‘‘good’’ cholesterol), high levels
of low-density lipoprotein (LDL—the ‘‘bad’’ choles-
terol), hypertension, smoking, excess body fat, diabe-
tes, and a family history of heart disease.
The most important thing men should do to pre-
vent heart disease is stop smoking and manage their
weight. In terms of diet, dietitians recommend that
men include more lean and healthierproteinfoods in
their diets—such as white meat chicken and turkey,
and sirloin instead of filet mignon. Additionally, eat-
ing fatty fish (e.g., salmon or mackerel) twice a weekKEY TERMS
Etiology—Origin and development of a disease.
insulin—Hormone released by the pancreas to reg-
ulate level of sugar in the blood.
hormone—Molecules produced by one set of cells
that influence the function of another set of cells.
glucose—A simple sugar; the most commonly used
fuel in cells.
atherosclerosis—Build-up of deposits within the
blood vessels.
phytochemical—Chemical produced by plants.
pH—Level of acidity, with low numbers indicating
high acidity.Men’s nutrition