Men's Health Week: Top Products for Men's Health

With Father's Day less than a week away, we're taking the time to put the spotlight on men's health issues. There are many conditions that disproportionately or only affect men, but one of the most common issues men deal with is cultural: a reluctance to visit the doctor. Men don't seem to take advantage of health care services as often as they should. Statistics routinely show that women get medical care far more often than men, even when removing pregnancy-related care visits:

• The rate of outpatient care among women is 33 percent higher.
• The rate of non-illness care visits by women was 100 percent higher.
• Women ages 15-44 visited the doctor 56 percent more than men in the same age category.
• Men are 40 percent more likely to skip recommended cholesterol screenings.
• Men are 1.5 times more likely to die of heart disease, cancer, and respiratory disease.
• Men live on average five years less than women.

The many issues facing men's health are too complex and varied to discuss in one article, but the Men's Health Network has provided a number of guides that may give you an overview. What's important to think about is how we can take care of our health, for the benefit of not only ourselves but also the people relying on us. That means going to the doctor's more often and improving our education about men's health, and it also means ensuring that we take steps at home to improve our health. The items below are designed to do just that!

1. Centrum MultiGummies Vitamins with Omega-3 Fish Oil

One in three adult men have some form of cardiovascular disease. As heart disease and stroke are the top causes of death worldwide in both genders, this isn't necessarily abnormal, but between 70% and 89% of sudden cardiac events occur in men. This speaks to a need for men to better monitor and maintain their heart health, and that starts with a proper diet, which can be supplemented with a good multivitamin like Centrum MultiGummies. These multivitamins contain the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which help treat hypertriglyceridemia, high blood levels of fatty molecules that can build up plaque in the arteries and cause cardiovascular disease. Centrum's MultiGummies not only contain 200 mg of EPA and 180 mg of DHA, but also include magnesium, which is associated with regulating heart rhythm, preventing angina, controlling high blood pressure, and limiting complications of congestive heart failure.

2. Mag-Ox 400 Magnesium Dietary Supplement Tablets

Controlling hypertension in men is particularly important, as men younger than 45 have disproportionate rates of high blood pressure. Magnesium can help, as low levels of this important mineral have been associated with both hypertension and atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rate disorder. Magnesium transports electrolytes into cells, which maintains the nerve signals and muscle contractions of a stable heartbeat. It's recommended that adult men of 31 or above should get 420 mg of magnesium daily, and adult men younger than that should take in at least 400 mg. Each serving of Mag-Ox 400 contains 482 mg of magnesium, well over the recommended daily value!

3. Gold Bond Ultimate Men's Essentials Everyday Lotion

Dry skin obviously isn't as urgent as cardiovascular disease, but we wanted to take this opportunity to point out some surprising research. Recent studies have indicated that men may be more susceptible to skin diseases that affect the epidermal barrier, such as psoriasis and eczema, and that male bodies also may have a more difficult time repairing this barrier. Some studies have even linked the inflammation that accompanies these conditions to heart disease. To manage the irritation of skin conditions, it's important to stay moisturized and to rebuild those protective layers that prevent your skin from losing water. Gold Bond Ultimate Men's Essentials Everyday Lotion is uniquely designed to replenish, moisturize, and protect a man's skin.

4. Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50 Daytime Moisturizer

Here's something we didn't know before starting this article: men have the highest rates of developing skin cancer and are nearly twice as likely to die of melanoma as women. This is particularly the case with Caucasian men and men over 50 years old, and is attributed to increased sun exposure and less frequent doctor visits. A high-SPF sunscreen applied 30 minutes before sun exposure can minimize these risks, and Cetaphil's UVA/UVB Defense not only provides SPF 50 protection from the sun, but also provides all-day moisturizing to keep your skin nourished and hydrated.

5. ArmaSport Body-10 Exercise Mat

Many of the conditions that affect men most negatively are caused in part by lifestyle habits. Along with the higher rates of smoking and excessive drinking mentioned above, obesity and its accompanying issues are a factor in the health of many men. Nearly 3 out of 4 men are classified as overweight or obese, and that leads to higher rates of cardiovascular disease and even cancer. An active lifestyle with regular exercise can help, but we know that finding the right workout routine for you can be tough. One of the best ways to start is owning an exercise mat. For those in need of low-impact workouts or workouts that fit into a stacked daily schedule, a portable exercise mat like ArmaSport's Body-10 mat is a great option to get the aerobic workout that fits your body's needs and capabilities as well as your free time and living space. Streaming channels and apps are full of great workout programming for all activity levels, so fitting exercise into your life has never been easier.

PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR, OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION, SUPPLEMENTS, OR BEGINNING ANY HEALTH RELATED REGIMEN.