Top 5 ingredients for men’s health
Incorporating health ingredients into daily routines helps to support men’s well-being and health. We will provide you with evidence-based recommendations on five key ingredients supporting men’s health and sexual function, including fenugreek seed extract, zinc, B vitamins, pomegranate extract, and hesperidin.
In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing our health and well-being is becoming more and more important, also for men. As the increasing expectations and pressures of our lives continue to evolve, it is important for men to develop a proactive approach to maintain their physical, mental, and sexual health.
Health ingredients are designed to meet men’s health needs, ensuring that they stay healthy and full of energy. In this article, we will provide evidence-based recommendations on five key ingredients supporting men’s health and sexual function.
Fenugreek seed extract
As men age, they experience a decrease in testosterone levels. This phenomenon is also known as andropause. Testosterone plays a role in many aspects of health, including sexual function, muscle and bone mass, energy levels, and metabolism. One of the ingredients that may help to combat the problems related to andropause is fenugreek seed extract . Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a very interesting herb with many potential health benefits.
A study performed on 120 healthy men showed that a 12-week supplementation of fenugreek seed extract (600 mg/day) increased testosterone levels and improved sexual function, compared to placebo [1]. Also, supplementation of fenugreek seed extract in healthy male athletes resulted in increased fat-free mass, lean body mass, and elevated testosterone levels compared to placebo [2]. These findings suggest that fenugreek seed extract is a promising ingredient for men’s health, especially in terms of increasing testosterone levels and improving sexual function.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral, which means that it is not produced by the body itself. It plays an important role in many physiological functions, such as supporting the immune system and healing damaged cells. Zinc is a critical mineral for men’s health as even a small deficiency can impact the immune system, cardiovascular health, reproductive function, and fertility [3].
Sufficient intake of zinc contributes to normal fertility and sexual function in males. Low levels of zinc are related to low levels of testosterone. Besides, it is also important for the normal functioning of the immune system, and the maintenance of bone health [4].
Therefore, we can state that zinc is an important mineral that can help men improve their sexual health and energy levels and maintain a healthy immune system.
B Vitamins
B vitamins play a vital role in the human body. They are involved in many important functions. For example, they are crucial for energy production, oxygen support, and bone health.
The vitamin B complex consists of a total of eight B vitamins, with several of them having beneficial effects on men’s health, for example:
– Vitamin B12: Adequate levels of vitamin B12 are important for the production of red blood cells, which are responsible for oxygen transport. Also, studies showed that vitamin B12 is important for bone health [5, 6].
– Vitamin B9: Vitamin B9, also known as folate, is not only an important vitamin for women but also for men. Research has shown that folate contributes to the reduction of fatigue, which is a common complaint nowadays [7].
– Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 plays a vital role in energy and vitality. Intake of this vitamin contributes to normal energy metabolism. Studies also showed that it leads to a decrease in fatigue and tiredness [8].
– Vitamin B5: Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5 is an essential vitamin, which plays a vital role in various functions in the body. It is mainly known for its important role in the metabolism of food, leading to energy production [9].
All in all, B vitamins are important for energy production. Increased energy levels lead to improved stamina and sexual performance.
Pomegranate extract
Pomegranate (Punicagranatum L.) is a fruit that contains lots of healthy phytochemical compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and nitrates [10]. These phytochemicals have many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities beneficial for men’s health [11].
The polyphenols within pomegranate fruit are the main bioactive compounds responsible for the various health benefits attributed to this extract. The peel of the pomegranate contains the highest amounts of polyphenols. Two of the primary polyphenols in the peel are ellagitannins (punicalagin and punicalin) and ellagic acid [12].
Studies showed that pomegranate extracts are associated with the treatment and prevention of many diseases and disorders in men , such as cardiovascular diseases, infertility, and erectile dysfunction [13, 14, 15]. For example, pomegranate has a positive effect on blood flow, key for erectile function and sexual performance [16].
Hesperidin
Hesperidin is a bioflavonoid found in citrus fruits, abundant in sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis). After ingestion, hesperidin is converted to hesperetin by the microbiome. Hesperetin is considered the active metabolite of hesperidin and has been shown to have several beneficial health effects for men.
One of the health effects of hesperidin is that it has antioxidant activity, through neutralizing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) [17]. This may eventually lead to enhanced overall well-being and an increase in energy when you need it most. This antioxidant activity also has a positive effect on fertility in men, since free radicals (ROS) decrease sperm motility and increase DNA damage [18].
Additionally, hesperidin is known for its positive effect on blood flow. The active ingredient achieves this by increasing the availability of nitric oxide [19]. Eventually, this leads to an improved supply of nutrients and oxygen during physical and sexual activity, and to an improved erectile function.
Actiful®: An ingredient containing hesperidin and punicalagin
Actiful® is a natural orange and pomegranate complex and is standardized for highly bioavailable hesperidin and punicalagin: the primary polyphenols present in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and pomegranate peel (Punica granatum).
The health benefits of this ingredient have been scientifically validated and confirmed through multiple randomized double-blind controlled trials. It is clinically proven that Actiful® results in enhanced physical performance in men [20, 21].
Actiful® not only influences physical performance. It also boosts energy levels by targeting the mitochondria within the cells [22]. Additionally, Actiful® has been demonstrated to positively impact mental health [19].
Lastly, it has been shown that Actiful® positively affects blood flow [21], by increasing the availability of nitric oxide. Hereby it promotes improved erectile function in men, leading to longer-lasting erections.
Overall, Actiful® stands as a promising and scientifically backed choice for men aiming to improve their physical performance, sexual function, and overall health.
