Reproductive Health Archives - Plattsville Natural Health Clinic

Foods to Boost Male Health

November 8, 2022 by elisha

Written By: Dr. Elisha Cook ND

November is generally known for promoting, encouraging, and discussing men’s health. With this in mind, what better way to celebrate with some foods that benefit male health! These foods are not only great for a balanced, healthy diet, but specifically help with prostate health, fertility, and balancing male hormones.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a great source of fiber, and are high in magnesium and zinc. Specifically, in the research, pumpkin seeds have been linked to reducing the size of the prostate in BPH and reducing the consequences of it (improving erectile function and improving urine outflow) (1).

In the world of fertility, there is limited human research on the effect of pumpkin seeds on sperm characteristics, but in the animal world, it has shown to increase and improve sperm concentration, motility, and viability. With these promising improvements seen in the animal world, and the little to no side effects associated with eating pumpkin seeds, males looking to improve sperm parameters might consider adding pumpkin seeds to their diet (2).

Cooked Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain many great nutrients and are high in an antioxidant lycopene. As tomatoes are cooked, the lycopene content increases. Research shows that males that consumed a diet higher in tomatoes, also had a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer (3).

In regards to lycopene, it may reduce the growth of the prostate leading to reduced likelihood of BPH and cancer (4).

In addition, regular tomato juice consumption has been linked to improved sperm motility in those struggling with infertility (5).

Pomegranate

Pomegranate juice specifically is a great addition to a balanced diet, but when it comes to male health, it can also benefit fertility. Regular pomegranate juice consumption was shown to improve total motile sperm count (6).

Overall, the best way to improve one’s health is through a well balanced diet, but for males, adding these foods more often might produce greater gains in regards to factors concerning male health.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in trying any of our services, working with any of our amazing practitioners, or are simply wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today!

Resources:

Stress: What it does to the body

January 10, 2017 by elisha

I want to start this article by first mentioning that this is not meant to condemn or make individuals feel like there is no hope for their situation if they are stressed. Stress is not a death sentence, and is not a bad thing. However, stress needs to be kept in check and dealt with in moderation. It is my hope that this article would provide you with motivation to keep your stress in check. As always if this is an area you struggle with, please consult myself or another health care provider for help.

Stress is a normal and purposeful reaction in the body. That is right, it has a purpose. The analogy I give to patients is always facing a bear or a tiger. Stress helps to fuel our response – we can either fight the tiger, or run from it – hence, stress can be deemed a “fight or flight” response. With this analogy in mind, stress causes many physiological reactions in the body that fuel it to respond in one of these ways. The body perceives stress as stress regardless of whether your stress is a tiger or a pile of papers, screaming children, or the lack of control over your circumstances. What this means is the body reacts the same to stress whether it is big or small. With that in mind, the sum of several small stressful situations, with a negative appraisal, could be more detrimental than one larger stressful situation.

So the question remains, what does stress actually do in the body:

Respiratory System – breathe harder and faster

Problem: for those with asthma, respiratory issues, or lung disease, this can make breathing more difficult. As a result, panic attacks or asthma attacks can ensue.

Cardiovascular System – increased heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Problem: for those with pre-existing heart problems, this reaction can pose a problem due to a worsening of symptoms. As a result, the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke are increased.

Endocrine System – increased stress hormone and blood sugar

Problem: with these effects, many do not realize that stress can lead to increased risk of such things as Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. This effect can also lead to decreased immune functioning, leading to frequent colds and flus.

Digestive System – increased sensations in the stomach and decreased absorption

Problem: these symptoms may not sound extreme, but it can cause many individuals distress. When one is already stress, having increased sensation in the stomach can often lead to discomfort, nausea, pain, and ultimately lead to more stress. In addition, the body is focused on other areas of the body and fueling them for fight or flight, as a result, blood flow is diverted away from the digestive tract, and thus nutrient deficiencies can result. This lack of absorption and blood flow can lead to such symptoms as constipation and/or diarrhea.

Male Reproductive System – decreased blood flow to these areas

Problem: decreased blood flow to the male reproductive system can cause many problems including erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual desire, decreased sperm production and decreased sperm maturation.

Female Reproductive System – decreased blood flow to these areas

Problem: decreased blood flow and increased cortisol can lead to a lack of menstruation, irregular cycles, painful periods, Premenstrual Tension Syndrome (fluid retention, breast tenderness, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, etc.), increased hot flashes, and decreased sexual desire.

If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic stress and is struggling to cope, do not struggle in silence. Seek help from a health care provider such as myself. To learn more please contact me through the contact portion of my website or by calling the clinic at 519-537-7058.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References:

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx

6 Reasons Why Fish Oil is Beneficial for Health

May 24, 2016 by elisha

Fish Oil supplements are one of the main supplements you will find on the market today. Many people take them simply because “I know it is good for me”, but do not fully understand the benefits to their health. This article is meant to bring to light some of the research on the supplement, and some ins and outs that are important to know for choosing the right supplement. Of course, when in doubt, please consult a naturopathic doctor to determine what supplement would best help you with your specific health needs.

Ratios

If you are a patient of mine, you already know that I think ratios are important when it comes to fish oil. In short, children need more DHA as their brains are developing, and adults need more EPA to sustain it. As a result, the ratio of EPA to DHA needs to be 2:1 or higher depending on your particular health concerns. For example, if EPA is 200mg is a capsule, I would like to see DHA at 100mg or less. Some individuals may want to try to obtain omega 3s through vegan sources such as flax and hemp, but these sources tend to not be able to obtain the same ratio of EPA:DHA that fish oil can.

Sourcing

Ideally smaller fish sources, such as sardines, act as a better source for omega 3’s due to the lower mercury content in these fish. However, all supplements have to meet a standard in regards to mercury content, and so, if you are purchasing a high quality fish oil supplement made in Canada, they need to comply with this standard.

6 Health Benefits

Joint Health

One of the main uses of fish oil is for pain. Specifically, it can be beneficial for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, etc. Fish oil helps to lubricate your joints and decrease inflammation, both leading to decreased pain.

Heart Health

Fish oil can be quite beneficial for overall heart health by firstly improving the function of the heart muscle itself. In addition, fish oil may help to increase HDL (good) cholesterol, decrease triglycerides, decrease blood pressure, decrease atherosclerosis (i.e. plaque build-up), and prevent stroke.

Weight Management

Fish oil may help to improve weight by decreasing central adiposity when taking with exercise. It has also been shown to aid with conversion of muscle to lean muscle mass.

Mental Health

As mentioned above, EPA and DHA both have a role to play in brain development and health. In short, fish oil may be beneficial for the following conditions: depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dementia.

Skin Health

Fish oil can be beneficial for various skin conditions through its beneficial properties in addressing inflammation. That being said it may provide some relief to those suffering from acne, psoriasis, SLE, and eczema.

Reproductive Health

In general, fish oil can help women who are trying to conceive, have conceived, and women who are not conceiving. In regards to pregnancy, fish oil may help increase chances of conception. Fish oil can also help to decrease inflammation overall which may contribute to premenstrual tension issues such as cramping. In addition, fish oil may prove to be beneficial for men experiencing erectile dysfunction due to is beneficial properties in heart health – specifically related to blood pressure, cholesterol, and atherosclerosis.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.