Men's Issues & Fish Oil Benefits

There are many health benefits of fish oil.  Let's look at those that are specific to men.  Some of the omega-3 benefits apply to both men and women.  They are outlined in other articles.  Here, we look at prostate cancer, infertility and BPH. 

Inflammation & Clotting Benefit

The benefits of fish oil have primarily to do with its natural anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant activity.  Inflammation plays a role in practical every disease and health problem that you can think of.  It is obviously involved in enlarged prostate or BPH that is experienced by 9 out of 10 men between the ages of 60 and 85.

Fish Oil and Other Supplements

In 2004, researchers at Ghent University Hospital in Belgium recommended the following supplements for protecting prostate health, treating BPH and preventing prostate cancer in the elderly; omega-3 fatty acids, natural vitamin E, selenium and lycopene.  The researchers advised patients not to rely solely on the benefits of fish oil to the prostate, but to take a holistic approach.

Watch the Ratio of Omega3 to Omega6

In the US and much of the Western world, most men consume too many omega-6 and not enough omega-3 fatty acids.  Ideally, there would be a one to one ratio of these fats in the diet, but in the typical Western diet, the ratio is skewed greatly towards the sixes, somewhere between 10:1 and 30:1.  Dietary modifications that include decreased consumption of animal and dairy fats, with increased intake of fish and other omega-3 fat is strongly recommended.

Infertility & Fish Oil

The questions of infertility and low testosterone levels apply mostly to younger men.  In 2003, doctors from the urological branch of Ghent University advised that efforts to correct impaired sperm motility and increase sperm count should be exhausted before resorting to in vitro fertilization or ICSI, because of serious undesirable side effects seen in children born, using these methods.  They recommended increased intake of zinc, folic acid, carnitine, the antioxidant Astaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids. 

Numerous animal studies have shown that there are benefits of fish oil to increase sperm count and quality, duration of ejaculation and fertility.  Today, nearly all breeding animals and poultry are fed an omega3 enriched diet.  Of course, it’s much easier to control an animal’s diet than it is to control a human’s.

Sensible Diet Benefit

When it comes to the prevention of prostate and other types of cancer, increased intake of fruit, vegetables and whole grains is recommended.  Whole grains include oatmeal and rice.  Substitute fish in your meals for beef and pork.  Use olive oil or canola, rather than other types of cooking oil.  Eat walnuts.  Drink green tea.  Limit your intake of eggs and dairy products.  Eat beans and other legumes once or twice a day.  Try some soy.

Some men are stubborn about changing their diet.  Dietary supplements can help correct imbalances caused by poor food choices.  The benefits of fish oil include a reduced risk of prostate cancer, according to several studies.  But, both men and women should at least try to move away from the hamburgers and French fries they grew up with. 

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