What’s new this week in Men’s Health? Here’s what we found.
—
Each week, we here at The Good Men Project will be doing a “This Week In Men’s Health” review. We’ll spend countless hours scouring the internet and darknet for the best and most interesting developments in men’s health. We won’t rest until we find what’s important to you. We have teams of researchers on retainer missing dinner with their families just so you can get your big health all in one place. Or, conversely, it could be just some guy using google and whatever time he can scrape together to bring you a quick summation of what’s new. Either way, it’s a weekly thing and you should totally pay attention. The news may occasionally be more than a week old, but if we just found it, that totally counts as new right?
♦♦♦
PROSTATE CANCER!
According to the American Cancer Society, there are fewer men being diagnosed with and seeking screening for Prostate Cancer. Not long ago, the government changed their recommendations for screening which has resulted in a decline in the number of new cases reported. Good news, right?
Not necessarily. Prostate Cancer is complicated. The tumors often grow at nearly undetectable rates, making over treatment a problem. Other times, however, the tumors grow with relative speed. Decreasing the number of screenings does have a downside. Since we’re currently unable to tell which tumors will grow and which will not, we may be missing an opportunity to help men increase their lifespan.
Until we have a solid method of determining the type of Prostate Cancer a man may encounter, the best action is to identify it and let your medical professional determine an individualized plan.
|
As with any form of cancer, the treatment can be dangerous, resulting in incontinence, impudence and a host of other maladies. However, the price for missing a diagnosis or treatment can be much higher. What’s the answer? Get screened. Used family history and other risk factors to determine the proper course of action. Until we have a solid method of determining the type of Prostate Cancer a man may encounter, the best action is to identify it and let your medical professional determine an individualized plan.
♦♦♦
EATING CLAY AND DRINKING CHARCOAL!
Apparently these are actually things people do. Thankfully, it’s not the kind of clay you dig up in your backyard or the kind of charcoal you grill your burgers with. But still, does this seem at all like a good thing? Use your heads people!
The clay is actually Bentonite, found in the Mediterranean region. People are ingesting it with the belief that it will rid the body of toxins. Like many other dietary fads, this one too is fallacy. Bentonite has no benefit whatsoever.
Activated Charcoal is what they pump into your stomach when you overdose, so it must be a good thing right? Seriously people? Charcoal in your lemonade? While activated charcoal can block your body from absorbing toxins, it can also create a barrier that does not allow you to absorb necessary vitamins and minerals.
Your body comes with organs that are designed to eliminate toxins. Trust them to work and don’t bother with the latest dietary fad. Most of the time there is absolutely no scientific proof or evidence to support the latest craze. Maybe that’s why they call it a craze?
♦♦♦
THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC
A recent study linked obese fathers to obese children. I’m going to emphasize the word “link” here because there is not yet proof. However, the study does have some merit and could explain why overweight dads tend to have overweight kids. It may not be all “they just have unhealthy lifestyles” after all.
Early evidence suggests that it may be just as important for the father to engage in a healthy lifestyle pre-pregnancy as it is for the mother.
|
The study, with an admittedly small sample size, seems to link epigenetics and genetics to what information is passed along in the sperm of overweight men versus men of a more healthy weight. Essentially, what they are saying is “we think there is something here, but definitely more study is needed.”
Think of epigenetics this way: The gene itself may be identical in a healthy, fit person and obese person.. However, the way it functions may end up completely different. Links have been found between epigenetics and fitness and now obesity. Nothing is certain yet, as further study is necessary. The takeaway? Early evidence suggests that it may be just as important for the father to engage in a healthy lifestyle pre-pregnancy as it is for the mother.
That’s this weeks edition of “This Week In Men’s Health” here at GMP. Tune in next Sunday at 3pm EST for another edition. Let us know in the comments what you thought and be sure to share across your networks. See you next week. Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel.
If you have a suggestion or submission for the Health and Wellness segment of The Good Men Project, email Shawn at [email protected] or Arianna Jeret at [email protected]. We want to hear from you about what’s important.
—
Photo Credit: studio tdes