November 19th is International Men’s Day, with the theme “Celebrating Men and Boys,” which promotes the valuable contributions men make to their families, communities and workplace. The goal is to highlight powerful male role models to encourage positive masculinity and raise awareness of men’s health and well-being.
This day falls in a month that is also devoted to men’s health called “Movember®.” According to the organizers, Movember® is the “leading charity changing the face of men’s health” and it exists “to help men live happier, healthier, longer.” Millions of men help spread awareness of this month-long fundraising initiative by growing a mustache.
The organization focuses on raising money for and awareness of mental and emotional health, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Since 2003, Movember® has funded more than 1320 men’s health projects and studies worldwide. Globally, more than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and approximately 109,000 men with testicular cancer.
And, according to the Movember® experts, while men die on an average 4.9 years earlier than women, the causes are mostly preventable.
Men can help bolster their wellness and daily quality of life by engaging in healthy lifestyle habits, including regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, reducing or eliminating unhealthy foods and beverages, aiming for 8 hours of sleep, and practicing stress management-techniques.
Research Underscores Men’s Wellness Vulnerabilities
Beyond the obvious differences between men and women, researchers have been focusing on how men experience health factors differently than women, highlighting the benefits of supplementation.
TurmXTRA™ active manages knee function: One team examined the relationship between testosterone deficiency and inflammatory markers in older men, finding that those with higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels had anincreased BMI, larger waist and hip circumference, alongwith elevated triglyceride levels compared to men with lower concentrations of the inflammatory marker.
While inflammation is a key contributor to cardiovascular disease, hs-CRP is also significantly associated with discomfort and the progression of knee osteoarthritis.
Men can benefit from TurmXTRA™ active, which provides clinically relevant curcuminoids at a low dose of only 250 mg, matching the bioavailability of 1575 mg of a leading turmeric-piperine combination. A recent meta-analysis shows that TurmXTRA™ active helps support a healthy inflammatory response.
Melotime™ helps men sleep peacefully: Sleep quality can be the difference between good health and poor health. In men, dysfunctional sleep can lead to reduced testosterone levels, which impacts mood. A 2022 review found that sleep loss and shortened sleep duration are linked to reduced morning, afternoon and 24-hour testosterone; as well as higher afternoon (but not morning or 24-hour) cortisol.
Men can improve sleep with Melotime™, which encourages the body to sleep for eight hours, rather than the four or five hours often associated with other melatonin products. A recent study validated Melotime’s prolonged-release benefits. Participants received either Melotime™ or an immediate-release (IR) melatonin formulation. Results showed that Melotime™ achieved higher plasma concentrations between 4 and 8 hours after supplementation, with an extended half-life of 5.10 hours, compared to 1.01 hours for IR melatonin.
C-Fence™ keeps men resilient for the winter: A recent review on the role of vitamin C in autoimmune and immune-mediated disorders underscores the powerful functions of this vitamin. The authors explained: “In addition to its direct effects on immune cells, Vitamin C plays a crucial role in regulating the production and activity of cytokines, which are central mediators of inflammation and immune responses. Vitamin C can modulate the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, helping achieve a balanced immune response. By suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), while promoting the synthesis of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-10 (IL-10), Vitamin C may help mitigate excessive inflammation and tissue damage in autoimmune diseases.”
C-Fence™ is an industry-leading Vitamin C featuring an innovative modified-release technology that periodically releases a small but effective dose of vitamin C for 24 hours. This has been demonstrated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacokinetic study showing that Vitamin C plasma levels were significantly higher and remained well above baseline for up to 24 hours in participants who supplemented with once-daily 500 mg C-Fence.
Prolanza ™ helps men relax and ease stress: A prospective cohort study including 6,465 white-collar workers (3118 men) were followed for 18 years, men exposed to job strain and stress separately and in combination, were at increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In another study, researchers analyzed data from 1,561 men between1975-2015 and found that those who were most highly stressed were 13% more likely to develop six or more cardiometabolic risk factors as they aged.
Prolanza™, Nutriventia’s root-only, clinically-backed, sustained-release ashwagandha extract helps support healthy mood regulation with one low daily dose. In a new study, researchers found that both 150 and 300 mg once-daily doses for 60 days reduced serum cortisol and stress, with associated improvements in sleep quality, eating behavior, and overall well-being.
As we recognize International Men’s Day and the importance of men’s health, targeted lifestyle choices and science-backed nutritional support can make a meaningful difference. By continuing to invest in research and practical wellness solutions, we help men lead healthier, stronger, and more resilient lives.
Reviewed by Sneha Sawant Desai, PhD
