Mens Health Facts – Three Things Every Guy Should Know

1. 50% of Men Will Get Cancer

This is an alarming statistic for men of any age, and illustrates how prevalent lifestyle diseases have become.  Men really have two choices, accept that they will most likely get cancer and that it is just “part of life”, or they can educate themselves and make better lifestyle choices to reduce their risk.  Up to 95% of cancer is attributed to environmental factors, with the other small percentage attributable to your genetics[i].

Cancer risk can be reduced by aware of what you are putting into your body, and improving your lifestyle choices. Remember that chemicals put on your skin are absorbed into the bloodstream.  What are you breathing in, eating, and putting on your skin on a daily basis?

2. Sperm Counts and Testosterone Levels are declining in American Men

A healthy testosterone level is vital for a man’s mental and physical health, including everything from cardiovascular health to sexual wellbeing; however, levels are declining for today’s American man.  One study found that testosterone levels in men dropped 1.2% per year or 17% total in the years between 1987 to 2004.[ii]  Another study showed western men’s sperm counts had dropped in half since 1950![iii]

What has happened since 1950?

For one, substances such as BPA, cosmetic chemicals, and pesticides can act as estrogens in the body by blocking your hormones and can have nasty effects on your manhood. Effects include reduction in number of sperm and sperm concentration, leading to infertility and can also lower testosterone levels.   Another important factor seems to come from the toxins that the mother of the man was exposed to during the pregnancy.

Either way, they both point to increased exposure to chemical toxins.

3. Almost half of U.S. farmed cropland was used for GMO crops in 2011

For now I will leave it up to you to decide if genetically modified (GMO) crops should be a part of your regular diet (hint: I don’t think so, see this link if you want to learn more).  While some of premises behind GMO foods may sound good in theory, it doesn’t seem worth it.

The important thing is to be aware that, if you are not going specifically out of your way to eat organic or naturally raised and un-processed foods, then you are likely eating large amounts of genetically modified food. A USDA study estimated that up to 75% of processed US food contained a GM ingredient[iv].  GMO crops are also fed to many of the conventionally farmed animals in the U.S.

If you are at the grocery, you can use the numbering on your produce to understand if your food has been genetically modified.

As a reference

• Conventionally Grown = non-GMO, but has been sprayed with pesticides.
• Organically Grown = No pesticides and no GMO.
• Genetically Modified = produce has been scientifically modified in some way.

What do you think of these mens health facts? What should we add to the list?