Male Health and Immunity
INTRODUCTION
Life is full of threats; risks of injury and illness are all around us. Statistically, males are exposed to a greater number of more severe threats as a result of social-environmental factors and behaviors. The risk of viruses, colds, and infections also abound. Protecting and strengthening your immune system is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health.
Korean red ginseng is a great way to boost your immune system. Korean red ginseng consumption has been clinically linked to improved immune functioning – as well as improved circulation, cellular recovery, improved mood, and stable sleep patterns. Immune support is vital for everyone, but the increased risk of health issues among males increases this value.
MALE HEALTH CONCERNS
There are a health concerns that are unique to males. Some are specific to male physiology and hormonal composition, while others are a matter of increased risk for health issues that impact both sexes. These include sex-specific issues such as cancers or the male reproductive system or andropause – the male equivalent to menopause when testosterone levels drop.
These also include increased risks (at younger ages) for non-sex-specific physical issues such as heart disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), and certain cancers (such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and lip cancer). As well as increased risk for psychological issues such as substance abuse, antisocial personality disorder, and increased risk of suicide.
The good news is that a study conducted at Harvard concluded that behavioral factors, versus biological and social-environmental factors, likely play the largest role in determining the risk of physical – and some psychological – issues. Behavioral factors such as smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, risk-taking, and poor diet are major contributing factors.
MALE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Males have a unique physiology. Beyond the obvious differences, males tend to be larger, male muscles generally have a higher maximum power, but more prone to fatigue and have slower recovery versus female muscles. Because of physical-structural and hormonal differences, males have unique nutritional needs.
Males have different caloric needs (depending on build) and need different portions of the food groups than females. Generally adult males need more calories and more protein compared to females. On average, moderately active adult males need between 2,200 and 2,800 calories per day (compared to 1,600 to 2,200 for females).
Males also have unique nutritional needs. To figure out how much protein males need, take his weight and divide it by 2.2 to find the upper limit for how many grams of protein he needs per day. Of course, healthy amounts of fruits and vegetables is vital for males as well. As far as vitamins, calcium – often promoted for females – is equally vital for males.
IMPORTANCE OF IMMUNE SUPPORT
Optimal immune system function is vital for males and females alike. However, males are more likely to engage in risky behavior which may expose them to more environmental pollutants and are more likely to work in physically intensive work and jobs involving potential exposure to toxins and noxious substances.
These increased risks (which lead to increased potential for health issues) creates a more pressing need for immune support. Immune function is of course important for fending off viruses and colds and helping speed up recovery from illness. However, immune system function is also vital to ensure the health and efficacy of the rest of the body’s systems.
Beyond purely physical benefits of immune functioning, immune functioning is also linked to psychological well-being. There is a psychological to physical connection in the way that stress, depression, and other negative psychic reactions and moods can diminish immune functioning. In the other direction, illness causes stress and causes poor moods.
GINSENG FOR IMMUNE SUPPORT
Ginseng provides a host of health-boosting benefits. Korean red ginseng, the most potent form of ginseng, provides the highest level of medicinal benefits associated with Asian ginseng. Korean red ginseng has been scientifically linked to improved immune system function. Both directly, by strengthening the immune system components and indirectly by improving mood and sleep.
The main findings showed that Korean red ginseng helped boost the immune system's production of key cells including Natural Killer and dendritic cells as well as macrophages and antibodies. These cells and macrophages are crucial to effective immune functioning. Antibodies serve the vital function of identifying and destroying invading viruses and bacteria.
Beyond the frontline defensive functions of warding off harmful invaders, Korean red ginseng has also been shown to improve immune system recovery from illness. Beyond immune support, Korean red ginseng has also been clinically shown to improve mood and sleep regulation. Both of which further help to maintain immune function and ward off (and recover from) illness.
KOREA GINSENG CORP
Korea Ginseng Corp is your source for an array of the best Korean red ginseng supplements available. KGC Korean Red Ginseng products include a wide range of cut ginseng root, ginseng supplements – including their new Koreselect line) and tonics, and delicious teas, flavored drinks, and treats that can help you function at your peak performance. KGC also offers a skin care line (Donginbi) that can help you radiate your inner wellbeing for the world to see.
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-CheongKwanJang, Health Benefits, Men's Health